SAN ANTONIO, TX (Sept. 3, 2025) – Hotel Contessa is bringing the heat back to the River Walk this fall with the return of Live Fire, a seasonal dining tradition at Ambler, the hotel’s signature patio restaurant. Launching on Saturday, Sept. 20, the immersive series combines the bold flavors of Texas wood-fired cooking with live music from local musicians, offering guests an evening of food, culture, and entertainment.
To kick off the season, Hotel Contessa will host a community country dancing celebration. The evening begins with a cocktail hour at 6 p.m. followed by free country line dancing lessons from 7–8 p.m., with guests encouraged to RSVP via Eventbrite. Diners who wish to enjoy the full Live Fire menu may reserve a table between 6 and 9 p.m. through OpenTable or by calling Ambler directly.
Following opening night, Live Fire continues every Saturday from 5–9 p.m. through mid-November, weather permitting. Guests will enjoy a four-course, family-style dinner featuring mesquite-smoked specialties prepared by Ambler’s executive chef Michael Collins, who has more than 30 years of culinary experience and a decade rooted in Texas food traditions. Collins has crafted a rotating menu that celebrates regional flavors and local producers while showcasing dishes such as Akaushi ribeye steak, Gulf redfish, pork ribs, smoked mac and cheese, and decadent cast-iron desserts.
The kick-off menu on Sept. 20 highlights Texas-inspired starters like fried Bandera quail and Shiner Bock-battered jumbo shrimp, along with wood-fired sides and indulgent desserts including warm Texas chocolate fudge cake and Ambler’s signature donuts.
Set along the River Walk, the series blends San Antonio’s vibrant culinary culture with the atmosphere of an outdoor festival, complete with music, dancing, and the aromas of mesquite smoke drifting from the open flame.
Event Details
📅 Live Fire Kick-Off: Saturday, Sept. 20 | 6–9:30 p.m.
⏰ Live Fire Continues: Saturdays, 5–9 p.m. through mid-November
📍 Ambler River Patio, Hotel Contessa, 306 W. Market St., San Antonio, TX 78205