SAN ANTONIO (August 18, 2015) – Omni La Mansión del Rio and Mokara Hotel & Spa, two acclaimed San Antonio hotels located along the city’s famed River Walk, have appointed Shane Bruns the new director of Food & Beverage. Bruns will oversee food and beverage operations at both Las Canarias and Ostra restaurants, which are located at La Mansión del Rio and Mokara Hotel respectively.
A Colorado native, Bruns brings decades of experience both in the kitchen and in management roles. Most recently, he served as Food and Beverage Director for Omni Houston Hotel, where he led the reconcepting of the property’s fine dining restaurant, NOE Grille, to a locavore establishment focused on sustainability. Since the transition, NOE Grille has earned such honors as Zagat’s “10 Best Hotel Restaurants in Houston” and Wine Spectator’s coveted “Award of Excellence.”
Prior to joining Omni Hotels & Resorts, Bruns worked in various four and five star kitchens in Aspen, CO, as Chef’s apprentice for award-winning Belgian Chef Michelle Poumay at Chez Grandmere, and then as Chef de Cuisine at Sardy House Bed & Breakfast. Bruns is a graduate of San Francisco’s prestigious California Culinary Academy.
In 2004, Bruns moved to San Antonio and was named the Executive Chef/Food & Beverage Director for Oro Restaurant & Bar at the Emily Morgan Hotel. In 2008, he joined Benchmark Hospitality at Hotel Contessa as Food & Beverage Director. Bruns has served as Lead Chef for Signature Chefs, as well as participated in the Aspen Food & Wine Classic, the Grand Chef Tasting, and the exclusive Food & Wine Pairing dinners at San Antonio’s New World Wine & Food Festival.
“Shane’s extensive food and beverage leadership experience with some of the finest four- and five-diamond properties in the world makes him an invaluable asset to us,” said Rusty Wallace, Regional Vice President, Operations for Omni Hotels & Resorts. “With a proven track record of emphasizing high quality service standards and consistency, we are confident that he, alongside Chef Benjamin Knack, will elevate our food and beverage programs to be the premier offerings in Texas.”
A sophisticated sanctuary in the heart of San Antonio, Mokara Hotel & Spa offers highly personalized service with the promise of “exceptional included.” The AAA Four Diamond Restaurant Ostra is known for a romantic riverfront location and a sustainable seafood menu, as well as the famous Oyster Bar, with a variety of the freshest oysters, clams, crabs, shrimp and ceviche. Las Canarias, also a AAA Four Diamond establishment located at companion property Omni La Mansión del Rio, serves refined American cuisine, hand-selected from the finest offerings of local ranchers, farmers, dairymen and vintners in a truly memorable dining experience.
