Fostering community, friendships and wellness with remarkable Texan hospitality, Oakfire Ridge is Bulverde’s culinary retreat in the heart of the Smithson Valley.

“Begin with the end in mind” is exactly how Oakfire Ridge crafts divine experiences. Sitting between San Antonio and Austin, they want their guests to walk away from the picturesque, gated grounds lined with flaming steel torches with favorite forever memories they will want to repeat and share with those they hold dear.

As summer fades and fall ascends, Film and Food Truck Fridays are on track to begin in. In the meantime, I visited a Saturday Night Slider concert event for a sneak peek of what awaits at this incredible new venue.

The end of a great concert should move you to chant, “Encore!”

The end of a fantastic meal should lead a foodie to share pictures of their dinner to showcase the chef’s thoughtful presentation.

The end of time spent making unforgettable memories with friends, old and new, should bring you back to the moment, the aromas, the conversations, the feelings and the ambience in recollection.

At Oakfire Ridge, owners Sean and Coco Tipton’s love of hospitality shines brightly. Although it is an adventurous winding road trip to them in their remote, serene, magnificent location, it is well worth the pilgrimage to this exclusive hospitality Mecca.

On my visit, not only did the crowd insist on an encore of Jason Eady’s eclectic performance at the Sun Terrace concert, but I couldn’t resist taking pictures of my artistic Wagyu Slider accompanied by its mountain of fries served from the fabulous food truck.  I am still reflecting on memories of the night I experienced with my son, best friend and new friends I met on the patio of the Biergarten.

Not being tethered to a table but free to roam the breezy grounds and vignettes makes Oakfire inviting and intimate, as if visiting a friend’s manicured backyard, but also vast with a view atop a Smithson Valley hill from the “front porch of the Hill Country,” as one guest described it.

The feeling of exclusivity combined with luxury resort treatment makes Oakfire Ridge a unique, adult weekend evening escape, leaving you looking forward to the next event offering.  I especially loved the ‘43, a Prohibition Era-inspired members-only bar, equipped with a secret code peep in the front Dutch door and luscious leather seating with exclusive ‘43-only craft cocktails and well-stocked with high-end libations.

Visiting from out of town? You will not find chain hotels, unless you venture south toward San Antonio, where you will find the JW Marriott, several Hilton brands and a Best Western on the edge of 281 and 1604.  However, there are many quaint Airbnbs in Bulverde to choose from. What to do on the morning after?  Plenty of muses await in and around the charming town of Bulverde and a short drive you’ll find all amusements in San Antonio.

As for that encore, Jason Eady humbly revisited the stage with one more tune as he addressed his new fans in a thick Southern drawl. “I hope y’all don’t mind a hillbilly version of Purple Rain.”  Naturally, the crowd went wild and sang along with every word.

An encore is on tap for me as well, as I look forward to Film and Food Truck Fridays, coming soon. Tickets may be purchased through the online and I can guarantee, your hosts, experience and memories will be unmatched, unforgettable and long-lasting.

Oakfire Ridge: 1275 Stoney Ridge Road, Bulverde, Texas 78163

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Cover photo courtesy Oakfire Ridge/Rachael Hall Photography

Cindy Casburn loves exploring her own locale and sharing her most memorable discoveries. She is a judge in a small Hill Country municipality who relishes in seeing people use their gifts and talents, seeking to expose their offerings to those who would also enjoy her experiences.