Castle Hills Community Restaurant Celebrates Eight Years in Service

Owners and chefs John and Elise Russ guide diners through a culinary journey with a prix-fixe menu, featuring reimagined house favorites alongside bold, innovative new dishes. The menu showcases the restaurant’s signature Southern-inspired global cuisine, blending tradition and creativity.

Since opening in 2018, Clementine has become a beloved fixture in the Castle Hills community. The restaurant has earned numerous accolades, including Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year, while John Russ has been named Chef of the Year and recognized as a James Beard Award finalist, cementing the Russes’ reputation for culinary excellence and innovation.

Clementine was founded with a mission to celebrate sustainability, community, and culture, drawing inspiration from John Russ’s Louisiana roots and the couple’s global travels. Beyond the kitchen, the Russes have cultivated a family-centered workplace, offering staff benefits such as a weekly newsletter, two weeks off annually, and a strong emphasis on work-life balance.

Committed to advancing the hospitality industry, John and Elise actively engage with professional organizations, including the Texas Restaurant Association and Les Dames d’Escoffier, further demonstrating their dedication to elevating the culinary community in San Antonio and beyond.

Clementine invites San Antonio locals and visitors to celebrate its eighth anniversary with a one-day-only lunch on Friday, January 16. Seating is limited, and reservations are highly recommended. Guests can secure their table via OpenTable HERE.

Opened in 2018 in the Castle Hills community of San Antonio, Clementine is a family-owned neighborhood restaurant serving seasonal, innovative eats in a modern and lively atmosphere. Led by Chef John Russ, a 2023 James Beard Award Nominee for Best Chef: Texas, and Pastry Chef Elise Russ, the menu features bold, globally inspired flavors through a rotating selection of small plates, generous platters, produce-forward “sideboard” options, and nostalgic, imaginative desserts.

Many guests choose the signature Feed Me, a six-course, family-style dining experience where Chef Russ and team create a personalized menu for the table based on seasonal ingredients and creative pairings. In addition to dinner service Tuesday through Saturday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Clementine offers lunch on the third Friday of every month from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Clementine is also home to The Juice Box, a sommelier - and Chef Russ - curated monthly wine club showcasing unexpected, highly drinkable bottles to be enjoyed at home. For special occasions, the restaurant offers private buyouts, providing a warm, intimate setting for all kinds of celebrations. Clementine @Home extends the experience even further, with a fully staffed, in-home dining service that brings Clementine’s hospitality and flavor to your table.

Ranked one of the top two best restaurants in San Antonio by the San Antonio Express-News, Clementine is located at 2195 NW Military Highway, San Antonio, TX 78213. For more information, call (210) 503-5121 or visit www.clementine-sa.com. Follow on Instagram @clementine.sanantonio and like on Facebook @Clementine.SanAntonio.

- 2021 Best Restaurant by San Antonio Magazine
- 2024 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards Winner - Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year
- 2025 Clementine ranked #2 in the city on San Antonio Express-News “Top 50 Restaurants”
- 2025 San Antonio Business Journal Impact Award

- 2022 James Beard Foundation Award Semifinalist - Best Chef: Texas
- 2023 James Beard Foundation Award Finalist - Best Chef: Texas (Only one from San Antonio)
- 2025 CultureMap Tastemaker Awards Winner - Chef of the Year

- 2025 CultureMap San Antonio Tastemaker Awards Finalist - Pastry Chef of the Year
- Alumna of the James Beard Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership Program