Annual Winter Whataland

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Whataburger’s annual Winter Whataland gave local children and Whataburger volunteers a chance to celebrate the holiday season together. Photo: Whataburger, used with permission.

Whataburger periodically hosts events to help the community and its various schools. These events have ranged from “Oh Whata Nights” to jalapeño eating contests, drawings and raffles. On Friday December 22, Whataburger hosted their annual Winter Whataland at Whataburger’s home office. Nearly 200 children from St. Peter-St. Joseph Children’s Home (St. PJ’s), Respite Care of San Antonio and The Children’s Shelter were treated to a holiday celebration that included an indoor bowling alley, a giant soccer pool party, storytellers, a snow treasure hunt and a globe photo booth. There were also appearances by robot dancers, Santa, and Whataguy, Whataburger’s mascot. This yearly celebration is a way for the Whataburger Home Office volunteers to partner with these organizations and spend quality time with the children and celebrate the holiday season. (Whataburger, 2017)

Whataburger has been making burgers since 1950 when Harman Dobson opened a humble hamburger stand in Corpus Christi, Texas. He wanted customers to take one bite and say, “What a burger” so he named his stand on Ayers St “Whataburger.” Whataburger now has over 700 locations across the country and continues to deliver fresh, made to order meals everyday with superior customer service. Community support includes charitable giving and volunteerism to nonprofit organizations that focus on children’s charities, cancer research, hunger assistance, disaster relief and military support.

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New Year’s Day specials at COVER 3

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COVER 3 in Austin and San Antonio will offer brunch on New Year’s Day.  Photo: COVER 3, used with permission.

To celebrate the new year, all Cover 3 locations in Austin and San Antonio will offer brunch on Monday, January 1, an offering normally reserved for only Saturday and Sunday mornings. The full brunch menu will be available from opening at 11a.m. to 3p.m., including the popular U-Mix-It Bubbles and Bloody Mary Bar. The traditional lunch and dinner menus will also be available until close at 10p.m. COVER 3 will be screening each of the NCAA 2018 College Football Playoff games that afternoon and night which includes Georgia vs Oklahoma in the Rose Bowl at 4p.m. and Alabama vs Clemson in the Sugar Bowl at 7:45p.m. COVER 3’s brunch was recently named “Best Brunch” in Austin and San Antonio this year by Austin Monthly Magazine and San Antonio Current respectively, so this is a great opportunity to kick off the new year with some of the best local bites around. (Cover 3, 2017)

On New Year’s Eve, all COVER 3 locations will have normal business hours with traditional brunch, lunch and dinner menu offerings from 11a.m. to 10p.m. as well as various champagne specials.

1806 N Loop 1604 W
San Antonio, TX 78248
(210) 479-9700

2700 W Anderson Ln, Ste 202
Austin, TX 78757
(512) 374-1121

1717 West Sixth Street, #21 OR
Austin, TX 78703
(512) 982-1550

New Year’s Eve holiday specials and menus

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Southerleigh is one area restaurant having a special New Year’s Eve menu. Photo: Nick Simonite, used with permission.

Still need plans for the long New Year’s Eve holiday? Area restaurants have special menus and events planned to help guests usher in the new year. (Hotel Emma, Hotel Contessa, Boiler House, Southerleigh, Esquire Tavern, Rosella at the Rand, Krause’s Café, Pinch Boil House, 2017)

Hotel Emma will offer special holiday themed menu items on New Year’s Eve at Sternewirth and Supper.
New Year’s Eve at Sternewirth
San Antonians are invited to celebrate New Year’s Eve at Sternewirth, Hotel Emma’s bar and club room. Guests will be able to enjoy Latin jazz music by local icon Henry Brun and his international trio. A $20 cover fee will include champagne toast and party favors. Price: $20 Time: 9p.m. to 2a.m.
New Year’s Eve Special at Supper
Supper will open its doors during New Year’s Eve and will be welcoming guests and locals to dine in and ring in the new year. Please call the restaurant at (210)448-8351 for reservations. Hours: 11a.m. to 3p.m. and 5p.m. to 10p.m.

Hotel Contessa is offering a pre-fixe dinner menu on Sunday, New Year’s Eve. Reservations are required for New Year’s Eve dinner, $55/person, $25/children ages 8-13 and children 7 and under eat free.

Boiler House will be serving holiday themed cocktails and dinner items on New Year’s Eve from 5 p.m. to close. The restaurant will also have their regular lunch menu along with special brunch items on New Year’s Day from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. New Year’s Eve Cocktail items include: Gingerbread Martini for $14 and Hot Buttered Texas Rum for $12. New Year’s Eve Dish items include: Lemon Chive Crabcake for $15, Calamari Piccata for $21, Roast Leg of Lamb for $29 and Eggnog Pound Cake for $8. New Year’s Day Brunch items include: Green Chile Pulled Pork, Poached Eggs & Popcorn Grits, Hangover Hash, BLT Mac & Egg and Barbacoa Sando.

Southerleigh will have specialty items for New Year’s Eve brunch and dinner. Southerleigh’s hours on New Year’s Eve are from 10 a.m. to 12 a.m. and will be closed on New Year’s Day. Brunch hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will include House Cured and Braised Country Ham, Creamed Field Peas, Flash Fried Collards and Eggs Over Easy. Dinner hours: 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. and will include Slow Roasted Pork Shank, Hoppin John, Black Garlic spiked Spinach, Dijon Glace and Whole Fried Gulf Flounder, Creamy Crystal Butter, House Fries and South Texas Slaw. Guests will receive a complimentary glass of champagne to ring in the new year at 12 a.m.

Esquire Tavern will be celebrating New Year’s Eve with dinner reservations and sparkling wine to toast at midnight. There will be live music and more.

Rosella at The Rand will be serving regular Sunday brunch on New Year’s Eve from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The restaurant will then open the same evening for a FREE New Year’s Eve party from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Rosella at the Rand will be open for New Year’s Day brunch from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Krause’s Cafe will have a self-serve Hot Chocolate bar, Bloody Mary bar and free black eyed peas on New Year’s Day. Restaurant hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. and will be celebrating the new year with a Munich Platter – A pork shank stands atop of mashed potatoes, chicken schnitzel, red cabbage, sauerkraut, assorted sausage, crisp pork belly and a side of Dunkel Sauce.

Pinch Boil House and Bia Bar will be hosting a crawfish boil with a Boil & Brews on New Year’s Eve, Eve, Saturday December 30 from 12p.m. to 3p.m. Guests can enjoy boiled crawfish or crab legs, shrimp and other seafood items. There will also be a DJ and cold beer.

Christmas Light Fest

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The Christmas Light Fest at Don Strange Ranch in Boerne is open until New Year’s Eve.

There is still a chance to enjoy the annual light show at Don Strange Ranch in Boerne. From now until December 31, visitors can enjoy Christmas Light Fest and its two million twinkling lights, hayrides and holiday fun. Opened nightly, this holiday extravaganza takes place on a picturesque ranchland and features tunnels of twinkling lights and holiday displays along a two-mile path and Santa’s Village, a rustic barn filled with holiday flavors and activities. Hours are Sunday through Thursday from 6p.m. to 9p.m. while Friday and Saturday nights, as well as holidays, feature an extra hour, from 6p.m. to 10p.m.

There are two ways to enjoy Christmas Light Fest: drive through the festive displays in a vehicle or ranch-style, catching a hayride to tour the lights. Tickets are $27 per vehicle to tour the ranch, or $15 per person for a hayride. To ensure availability, hayrides should be purchased in advance online. Onsite parking is free. Vehicle passes and hayride tickets are available online. Private hayrides are also available by reservation. This year, there are more displays and twinkling surprises, more family fun and a walk-through light displays. Visitors can support Christmas Light Fest’s food drive for the San Antonio Food Bank by donating non-perishable food and canned goods. For every donation, Christmas Light Fest will take $2 off a vehicle pass or $4 during the week, from Sunday through Thursday.

The best way to enjoy Christmas Light Fest is to make it onto the grounds early because the line begins to form ahead of the entrance gate. Once past the gate, visitors who want to take the hayride turn right to park and those who opt to drive through turn left. The first tunnel of lights sets the mood and gives way to a two mile stretch of magical holiday displays. These include angels, a nativity scene, a train, Santa and his reindeer and even a Hanukkah menorah and dreidel. Since this is far from the city lights and out in the open, the lights and displays shine bright. Together with Santa’s Village, this is the perfect family getaway to celebrate the holiday season.

Don Strange Ranch
103 Waring Welfare Rd
Boerne, TX 78006

Chuck Ramirez: All This and Heaven Too

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The exhibit Chuck Ramirez: All This and Heaven Too is currently at the McNay Art Museum through Sunday January 14, 2018.  Photo: McNay Art Museum, used with permission.

There is still time to catch Chuck Ramirez: All This and Heaven Too at the McNay Art Museum. It runs until Sunday January 14. Museum hours are Tuesday through Friday from 10a.m. to 4p.m., Thursday from 10a.m. to 9p.m., Saturday from 10a.m. to 5p.m. and Sunday from 12p.m. to 5p.m.

Chuck Ramirez was a San Antonio artist and graphic designer whose work includes prints and sculptural installations. His pieces revolve around everyday life and allude to ethnicity, gender, sexuality and religion. This month, the McNay Art Museum presents Chuck Ramirez: All This and Heaven Too to honor the life and career of the iconic San Antonio artist. His large-scale photographs of everyday objects offer a perspective on cultural consumption and waste and the reality of fleeting life and mortality. He was inspired by opposing themes like life and death and humor and despair. His art explores a personal narrative including his San Antonio upbringing, Mexican-American heritage and HIV status.

The exhibition consists of works like Santos, Trash Bag, Quarantine and Seven Days and all explore the human experience. It is co-organized by René Paul Barilleaux, the McNay’s Head of Curatorial Affairs and Hilary Schroeder, 2016-17 Semmes Foundation Intern in Museum Studies. The presentation includes photographs from approximately 20 of Ramirez’ series, Bean & Cheese, a recreation of one of the artist’s early exhibitions at Artpace San Antonio, examples of video and installation work, nine decorated Christmas trees the artist made for friend and patron Linda Pace and other unique artworks. The interactive portion of the exhibit include Christmas Tree trimming and sharing about first jobs, dream jobs and personal survival stories. Visitors can decorate a tree with Chuck Ramirez-inspired objects and identify their first job, current job and dream job as a way of drawing a line between artist and visitor.

Ways to take advantage of free admission:
Admission for teens aged 19 and under is free.
Admission for students, faculty and staff of Alamo Colleges, Trinity University and the University of the Incarnate Word is free with a school ID or business card.
This Thursday December 28 is the H-E-B Free General Admission day and guests can enjoy free admission from 4p.m. to 9p.m. Special exhibition access is $10 on Thursday nights.
Next weekend – Saturday January 6 and Sunday January 7, is the first full weekend of the month and as part of the Bank of America’s Museums on Us, guests who present their Bank of America or Merrill Lynch credit or debit card and picture ID get one free general admission.
First Sundays of the month are free from 12p.m. to 5p.m.

McNay Art Museum
6000 N New Braunfels Ave
San Antonio, TX 78209
(210) 824-5368

Season Announcement Party at The Playhouse

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The Playhouse San Antonio’s 2018-2019 Season Announcement Party will be held on Sunday January 7, 2017.  Photo:  The Playhouse San Antonio, used with permission.

Exciting things are happening at The Playhouse San Antonio and next month they are having the 2018-2019 Announcement Party. This event will take place at the Russell Hill Rogers Theater on Sunday January 7 and the evening will consist of a VIP social at 6p.m. and the announcement party at 7:30p.m.

Prices are $25 for the party or $50 to attend both the VIP social and the announcement party. The VIP Social will feature an open bar, catering, music and new exclusive VIP swag and afterwards at the announcement party, guests will get the inside scoop on the upcoming season, a free gift, a complimentary beverage and an exclusive opportunity to purchase a season subscription at a special discount. Tickets are available online, by calling the box office at (210) 733-7258 or in person. Box office hours are Tuesday through Friday from 1p.m. to 5p.m. (The Playhouse San Antonio, 2017)

The Playhouse San Antonio
800 W Ashby Pl
San Antonio, TX 78212
(210) 733-7258

Christmas Day feast at SweetFire Kitchen

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SweetFire Kitchen at La Cantera Resort and Spa is having a Christmas Day Feast. Photo: SweetFire Kitchen, used with permission.

SweetFire Kitchen at La Cantera Resort and Spa is having its annual Christmas Day feast on Monday December 25 from 11a.m. to 8p.m. Price is $65 for adults, $25 for children 5 to 12 and free for children under 4. Reservations can be online or by calling (210) 558-2479. (SweetFire Kitchen, 2017)

Some of the menu offerings include:
Raw Bar: Steamed snow crab, Gulf oysters on the half shell, Old Bay poached Gulf Shrimp, Chipotle cocktail sauce, mignonette and lemon aioli.

Cheese and Charcuterie: Selection of local and house made cheeses, venison terrine, tasso, duck ham and pork rillettes, pickled vegetables, grain mustard, sour apple chutney, candied walnuts and wildfire honey, assorted breads and crackers.

Salads: Winter greens, roasted pear, dates and citrus vinaigrette, Belgian endive, shaved fennel, grapefruit, feta and truffle vinaigrette, quinoa and kale, “marcona” pinenut, butternut squash and dried cranberries, slow roasted beets, candied pecans, salted ricotta and mache.

Carving station: Apple cider sliced turkey breast with cranberry sauce and giblet gravy, salt baked prime rib with creamed horseradish, IPA au jus, honey siracha glazed pork tenderloin with apple mostarda.

Action station: Made to order risotto, wild mushrooms, show braised lamb shank.

Side dishes: Lobster bisque, whipped potatoes, braised white beans, caramelized carrots, stone oven roasted Brussel sprouts, brocco-flower gratin.

From the Bakeshop:
Action Station: Flaming pears, golden raisins, spiced cider ice cream and ginger bread, carrot and pecan cake, pistachio chocolate cake, roasted apples panna cotta, chocolate mousse cups, cream puffs, pumpkin cheesecake, chocolate ganache Yule log, green tea Tiramisu, assorted Christmas cookies, warm sticky toffee pudding and maple pecan chocolate tarts.

SweetFire Kitchen is located on the lobby level of La Cantera Resort & Spa and features an open-air style kitchen. Guests can enjoy home style cuisine and signature dishes and a full-service bar with unique craft cocktails, an extensive wine list and beers.

SweetFire Kitchen
16641 La Cantera Parkway
San Antonio, TX 78256
(210) 558-6500

Christmas specials in San Antonio

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Hotel Contessa is one area business offering Christmas Eve and Christmas Day menus.  Photo: Hotel Contessa, used with permission.

Christmas is fast approaching and for anyone looking for dining out options, area restaurants are having menu specials and special offers. (Hotel Emma, Bakery Lorraine, Boiler House, Hotel Contessa, Esquire Tavern, Downstairs, Rosella, Twang, 2017)

Hotel Emma will offer special holiday themed menu items Christmas Eve and on Christmas Day at Supper. On Christmas Eve Supper will have a Whole Bronzino grilled and stuffed with braised fennel, crab and lemon on toasted cauliflower puree with herb salad for dinner from 5p.m. to 10p.m. On Christmas Day Supper will have Cider and Spiced Roasted Porkloin with Apple Marmalade, Pickled Mustard, Blistered Beens and Almonds, Parmesan and Rosemary Potato Gratin for lunch and dinner. Lunch hours are 12p.m. to 3 p.m. and dinner hours are 5p.m. to 10p.m.

Bakery Lorraine has an assortment of different holiday themed desserts throughout the holiday season such as chocolate covered gingerbread men, ornament moon pies and more. Customers may place and pick up orders of specialty large pies and seasonal macaroons. Large pies, 9” are $26 and Macaroon holiday flavor packs are $12  for a 6 pack or $20 for a 12 pack with flavors like eggnog, hot cocoa, cinnamon, peppermint, and angel food. Christmas Eve hours are from 7a.m. to 6p.m. and the restaurant will be closed on Christmas Day.

Boiler House will be serving holiday themed cocktails and dinner items on Christmas Eve from 5p.m. to close. The restaurant will be closed on Christmas Day. Cocktail items include Gingerbread Martini for $14, Hot Buttered Texas Rum for $12 and dish items include Lemon Chive Crabcake for $15 – Sweet pepper relish, achiote aioli, sunny quail egg; Calamari Piccata for $21 – Pan roasted calamari, charred tomato concasse, capers, rapini and arugula; Roast Leg of Lamb for $29 – Pappardelle, roasted garlic, mustard greens, pan jus, parmesan and Eggnog Pound Cake for $8 – Candied fruit, cocoa nibs

Hotel Contessa is offering a pre-fixe dinner menu on Sunday, Christmas Eve and a holiday brunch on Monday, December 25th from 11a.m. to 2:30p.m. Reservations required for Christmas Day brunch, $55/person, $25/children ages 8-13 and children 7 and under eat free.

Downstairs at Esquire and Esquire Tavern will be serving aged Egg Nog. Guests can experience a very traditional Egg Nog whipped up by the folks behind The Esquire in San Antonio and based on recipes dating back to the 1700s. This classic Egg Nog uses Paul Beau VS Cognac, Four Roses Bourbon, El Dorado Demerara Rum, milk, cream, sugar, and eggs and is spiced with a bit of cinnamon, star anise and nutmeg.

Rosella at The Rand will be serving a White Chocolate Peppermint Latte throughout the holiday season for only $4.75. The restaurant will be serving brunch on Christmas Eve from 9a.m. to 3p.m. and closed on Christmas Day.

Twang is offering “The Beer Lover Party Buckets” for this holiday season.  Both party buckets will retail online for $39 each with free shipping. Bucket 1 (Texas Themed) includes 1 Texas Themed Twang Beer Salt T- Shirt, 2 Holster Koozies that carry Twang Beer Salt, 8 Beer Salt Longnecks, 1 Twang Beer Salt Steel Bottle Opener, 2 Beer Salt Drink Glasses and 1 Twang Beer Salt branded bucket to keep drinks cool. Bucket 2 includes 1 Twang T- Shirt, 2 Holster Koozies that carry Twang Beer Salt, 8 Beer Salt Longnecks, 1 Twang Beer Salt Steel Bottle Opener, 2 Beer Salt Drink Glasses and 1 Twang Beer Salt bucket to keep drinks cool.

Festivus for the Rest of Us at Pinch Boil House

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On Saturday December 23, Pinch Boil House and Bia Bar will host a special Festivus for the Rest of Us event.  Photo: Pinch Boil House and Bia Bar, used with permission.

Not into all the Christmas drama? How about Festivus? For those who are not into Christmas, Pinch Boil House & Bia Bar will host a special Festivus for the Rest of Us event. Festivus is a non-commercial holiday celebration, as depicted on Seinfeld, that occurs on December 23 and includes a Festivus dinner, an unadorned aluminum Festivus pole, practices such as the “Airing of Grievances” and “Feats of Strength” and the labeling of easily explainable events as “Festivus miracles.” This Saturday, December 23, Pinch will feature a Seinfeld-inspired menu with items like black & white cookies, savory muffin tops, soup and more. The restaurant will also have fun, classic Festivus activities and even a Festivus pole. (Pinch Boil House & Bia Bar, 2017)

Pinch Boil House & Bia Bar features and encourages communal dining with its family-style food and promotes a lively atmosphere reminiscent to a crawfish boil experience. It was originally formed as pop-up crawfish boil to support a fun environment for families and communities to enjoy food deeply rooted in Asian culture.

Pinch Boil House & Bia Bar
124 N Main Ave
San Antonio, TX 78205
(210) 971-7774

Tickets now on sale for ‘An American in Paris’ at the Majestic

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‘An American in Paris’ is coming to the Majestic Theatre in June.  Tickets are now on sale. Phot: Broadway in San Antonio, used with permission.

‘An American in Paris’ is the most awarded new musical of 2015 and it is coming to the Majestic Theatre in June. A part of the 2017 – 2018 North Park Lexus Broadway in San Antonio season, it will play eight performances from Tuesday June 12 through Sunday June 17, 2018. Tickets start at $35 and available online, at the box office, through Ticketmaster online or by calling 1-800-745-3000. Box office hours are 10a.m. to 5p.m. Monday through Friday and Saturday hours vary. Orders for groups of ten or more may be place by phone at (210) 226-5967. Show times are 7:30p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 8p.m. on Friday, 2p.m. and 8p.m. Saturday and 2p.m. and 7:30p.m. Sunday. (North Park Lexus Broadway in San Antonio, 2017)

The winner of four Tony Awards, ‘An American in Paris’ is inspired by the 1951 Academy-Award winning film of the same name. It is the romantic story of an American soldier, a mysterious French girl and an indomitable European city, each yearning for a new beginning in the aftermath of war. Directed and choreographed by the 2015 Tony-Award winner Christopher Wheeldon, it features the music and lyrics of George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin and a book by Craig Lucas. The score includes the songs “I Got Rhythm,” “Liza,” “’S Wonderful,” “But Not For Me,” “I’ll Build a Stairway to Paradise” and orchestral music including “Concerto in F,” “Second Prelude,” “Second Rhapsody/Cuban Overture” and “An American In Paris.”

Majestic Theatre
224 E Houston St
San Antonio, TX 78205
(210) 226-5700