When you have a world renowned anything in your backyard, it makes you feel like your dreams are a bit more within reach. San Antonio has many gems, and the Culinary Institute of America and it's restaurant, Nao are some of them.

Nao Latin Gastro Bar, located in the Pearl Brewery, hosted myself and others from the Insight Blogger Retreat to a delicious lunch and I just had to share!

When Managing Director, Fernando Salazar visited with us, you could see how proud he was of the establishment. He told us that NAO in the past sometimes meant 'not always open' but now means 'now always open'! The restaurant has worked out its schedule to be a classroom restaurant where lunch is served by students and dinner is done by professional chefs and waitstaff.
Besides the delicious ceviche, roasted veggies and mole, my favorite thing about this restaurant was the conversation starters. It helped this social media group put down our phones and have some great laughs!
With only 8 CIA restaurants in the county, it's just another reason to love what San Antonio has to offer.
Nao is open Monday–Friday: 11 a.m.–1:30 p.m. for lunch, Tuesday–Thursday: 5:30–9 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: 5:30–10 p.m. for dinner. Brunch, Happy Hour and an Outdoor Kitchen are also offered!

If you are looking for more great restaurants and cafes, other generous and delicious sponsors of the Insight Blogger Retreat were Bakery Lorraine, Fogo de Chao, Citrus at Hotel Valencia Riverwalk.