The season of summer relaxation and exploration is here.

If you’re ready to hit the road and want a flavor-filled trip, set your GPS for Boerne, a Hill Country gem worth exploring, especially if you include a stop at Peggy’s on the Green. Open for lunch and dinner (and a fabulous Sunday brunch), the restaurant and craft cocktail bar are located just off the town’s square, nestled inside Ye Kendall Inn, a stagecoach stop that’s been serving up fine Texas hospitality since 1859.

Overlooking the serene banks of Cibolo Creek, Peggy’s features a breezy wraparound porch and a patio with views of Cibolo Creek. The restaurant is the brainchild of Mark Bohanan, chef-owner of nationally renowned Bohanan’s Prime Steaks and Seafood and founder of the San Antonio Cocktail Conference. The restaurant is an homage to Bohanan’s late mother Peggy Bohanan.

Start your meal by lounging on the porch, or take a seat in the lovingly restored 19th century dining room. Order a glass of wine—the restaurant recently expanded its already award-winning list to add almost 50 more options, so rest assured you’ll find a wine you’ll love—or enjoy one Peggy’s on the Green’s signature cocktails. From the light and bubbly Gillespie 75, made with Citradelle Gin, lemon, peach, sugar and sparkling wine, to the refreshing and potent Cibolo Smash, featuring Old Overholt Rye, ginger, lemon and mint, there’s no bad choice.

Peggy’s menu features Southern favorites with unexpected flavor twists that have made the restaurant an instant classic. It’s hard to decide where to start.

The lunch menu showcases the best of the season with dishes such as Peggy’s Citrus Fruit Salad featuring ruby red Texas grapefruit, avocados, local greens and poppy seed dressing. This salad is perfect in its simplicity and simply perfect. Another salad that will have you making return lunch visits on its merit alone is the Chopped Salad. Iceberg and romaine lettuces are topped with heirloom cherry tomatoes, hunks of fresh blue cheese, fried shallots and thick pieces of tender belly bacon.

A lunch favorite is the Southern Cuban sandwich, a classic Cuban of pulled pork, ham, Swiss cheese, mustard and pickles with a Southern spin: using pit ham instead of the typical serrano ham enhances the sandwich’s smokey flavor. The sandwich also uses a creole mustard and bread and butter pickles, all served on a grilled hoagie roll.

Another lunch option is the Chicken Pot Pie, featuring white meat chicken, peas and potatoes topped with a flaky buttermilk biscuit crust. When the individual pie arrives at the table, stick a fork in the top and lean in to smell the most delectable aroma. And don’t miss the Jumbo Crab Cakes, served on a platform of fried green tomatoes with whole grain mustard remoulade.

Dinner at Peggy’s begins with a complimentary plate of Bohanan’s mother’s famous candied jalapeños served with whipped cream cheese and crostinis. The simple combination is entirely addictive and sets the tone for a terrific meal. From there, you will be hard-pressed not to devour every last bite of the Chicken-Fried Quail appetizer served with cornmeal Johnny-Cakes and maple syrup kissed with cayenne. Add on an order of French Grilled Oysters—you know you want to.

Entrees like Andouille Shrimp & Grits—laden with plump crustaceans made crisp in a cast iron—and the Cast-Iron Double Pork Chop, caramelized with a maple bourbon glaze and rendered so tender and juicy, you’ll forget you’ve ever eaten pork any other way, are sure to please. But the name Bohanan is synonymous with steaks and Peggy’s doesn’t disappoint. While guests have numerous new appetizers, salads, entrees and sides to choose from, Peggy’s also features plenty of Allen Brothers premium beef such as a 7- or 11- ounce filet, 12- or 16- ounce Ribeye, a 25-ounce bone-in dry-aged New York Strip.

Peggy’s is kid-friendly, with a menu that includes a child-sized filet that is so good the adults will be begging their little ones for a bite. There’s also a special portion of the menu dedicated to those who follow a gluten-free diet. So gather your family and friends and dive into Southern charm, hospitality and flavor at Peggy’s on the Green.

Dawn Robinette is an award-winning writer and communications expert based in San Antonio who enjoys finding new discoveries, revisiting old favorites and telling stories. She regularly writes for San Antonio Woman and Rio Magazine. You can read more of her work at Alamo City Moms Blog.