Valentine’s Day specials

raspberryrose — Bakery Lorraine is offering holiday-themed menu items including the Raspberry Rose Japonaise. Photo: Christina Coker, used with permission.

With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, local businesses are offering special deals to make the day extra special, including Bakery Lorraine, Hotel Contessa, Boiler House, Southerleigh, Cover 3, Downstairs at Esquire and Rosella at The Rim. (2018)

Bakery Lorraine will offer special holiday-themed menu items during the month of February including Strawberry Pop Hearts, Grapefruit Tiramisu, Cherry Pistachio Tart, Raspberry Rose Japonaise, Chocolate Caramel Tart, Lavender Shortbread Hearts, Chocolate Pear Tart and Tuxedo Macarons.

Hotel Contessa is offering a pre-fixe dinner menu on Valentine’s Day priced at $55 per person. They will also be offering two Texas wine tour packages for couples.

Boiler House will have a pre-fixe Valentine’s Day themed dinner menu and Whiskey Flights. The Dinner menu includes specialty items such as Maine Lobster – Jumbo Lump Crab, Artichoke Fondue, Baguette Toast, Caramelized; diver scallops – leek and butternut squash risotto, kefir lime butter, poached asparagus and Warm chocolate pecan pie – brown sugar bourbon ice cream. Whiskey Flight Offerings: Cupid’s Flight – Bulliet Rye, Bone Straight Bourbon, Angel’s Envy – $15, Baby Blue – Herman Marshall Rye, Balcones Baby Blue, Straight Edge -$20 and Ode to the Motherland – High West Double Rye, Treaty Oak Experiment, Ardbeg 10yr -$25

Southerleigh will celebrate Valentine’s Day with specially themed crafted drinks featuring beer shandies and wine drinks. For reservations, please call (210) 455-5701.

The Cover 3 Valentine’s Day prix-fixe menu will feature four courses, including a dessert and each crafted to be enjoyed by two starting at 5p.m. The following day, February 15, also known as Single’s Awareness Day, COVER 3 will also offer the same prix-fixe menu after 5p.m. for those wishing to instead celebrate their independence. Women wishing to celebrate Galentine’s Day with their girlfriends on February 13 are welcome to visit COVER 3 anytime that Tuesday for half-priced bottles of wine that are being made available throughout the day. Dinner Items Include: Grilled Snapper Veracruz and Blackened Filet Mignon.

Esquire Tavern and Downstairs will be taking dinner reservations for couples. An assortment of expertly selected wines and spirits will be on the menu for the night. For reservations, please call 210-222-2521.

Rosella at the Rand will offer a $75 pre-fixe dinner menu on Valentine’s Day featuring unique, off menu items with wine pairings at an additional cost. The menu includes Surf & Turf – sous vide boneless short ribs and scallops, complete with rainbow carrots and pomegranate demi-glace; Fowl – cornish game hen, purple potato gratin, wilted spinach and chicken glace and more.

Valentine’s Day packages at Hiatus Spa + Retreat

hiatusspa1 — Hiatus Spa + Retreat offers Valentine’s Day packages for anyone on your gift giving list. Photo: Molly Culver, used with permission.

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and for anyone looking for gift ideas, Hiatus Spa + Retreat is offering hard to resist gift packages. Located at the Pearl, these include monthly retreats and packages for a significant other or for themselves. Either way, anyone is sure to appreciate a day at the spa. (Hiatus Spa + Retreat, 2018)

The Greatest Love of All
Invest in yourself this year with The Tailor-Made Facial and The Signature Massage. Two hours to just do you.
$179 | $138 H-Circle ($220 value)

The Love Everlasting
Give built-in me-time all year long with a one-year membership to H-Circle. Includes a signature Hiatus neck wrap and a $50 spa credit.
$69/month

The Unforgettable
The super-customized Yours, Truly Massage is paired with The One & Only Mani-Pedi and The Honey-Dew Facial for a spa day that will leave you glowing.
Four hours. $349 | $287 H-Circle ($410 value)

The Sweethearts’ Retreat
Begin with a crushed rose petal and organic sugar foot soak, then relax side-by-side in a couple’s massage with our house-blended love potion of rose, jasmine, vetiver and coco butter.
75 minutes, $325 per couple | $249 H-Circle

February Monthly Retreat: “Crush”
February’s lovely Retreat features a handmade body polish of crushed Himalayan Pink Salt, Hibiscus and Evening Primrose to gently exfoliate dry winter layers. After a refreshing Vichy rainfall, a skin-nourishing massage with rich Chinese Jasmine Body Butter will leave you feeling soft, supple and ready for a Hibiscus Champagne cocktail.
80 minutes, $195 | H-Circle members $139

Hiatus Spa + Retreat
312 Pearl Pkwy, Building 4, Ste 4112
San Antonio, TX 78215
(210) 202-3355

Oh Whata Night fundraiser to benefit Redland Oaks Elementary PTA

whataburgerchickensandwich-jpg — The next Oh Whata Night fundraiser will be on Wednesday January 31 to benefit the Redland Oaks Elementary School PTA. Photo: Whataburger, used with permission.

It is time for another community fundraiser. 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. This Wednesday January 31 from 5p.m. to 8p.m., Whataburger is hosting a fundraiser for Redland Oaks Elementary School PTA. The public is invited to come and show their support by enjoying their favorite menu items and Whataburger will donate 20 percent of the sales during the posted hours to the organization. There will also be a photo booth, prizes for the first 100 guests and giveaways, as well as a visit from Whataburger’s mascot, Whataguy. In addition to fundraising, the event will also include the popular Whataburger for a Year drawing, where one customer’s name will be drawn to win a free Whataburger each week for an entire year. This Whata Night fundraiser will only be at the Bulverde location. (Whataburger, 2018)

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.

Whataburger
17311 Bulverde Road (near Jones Maltsberger Road)
San Antonio, TX 78247
(210) 404-9936

Coffee With a Cop meetup with Windcrest Police Department

Whataburger periodically hosts events to help the community, schools and neighbors. These events have ranged from “Oh Whata Nights” to jalapeño eating contests, drawings and raffles. On Tuesday, January 30 from 9a.m. to 11a.m., Whataburger is hosting a ‘Coffee With a Cop’ meetup with the Windcrest Police Department and neighbors. Customers will be able to join their neighbors and police officers for coffee and conversation. Attendees will receive a free coffee and all law enforcement will receive a free taquito with presentation of a badge. There are no agendas or speeches planned for this event; this is just a chance to ask questions, voice concerns and get to know officers from the Windcrest Police Department in an informal setting. This event is for the listed location only. (Whataburger, 2018)

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.” Since then, Whataburger 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.

Whataburger
8300 N IH 35
Windcrest, TX 78239
(210) 654-8664

Zas! Super Seasoning recipe for Super Bowl Sunday

zascucumberlarge — Cucumber Avocado Chili Lime Roll recipe by Twang. Photo: Twang, used with permission.

With the Super Bowl coming up next weekend, there is always room for one more recipe to kick it up at the watch party. This recipe for Cucumber Avocado Chili Lime Roll is from the fine folks at Twang. Twang is a family-owned and operated creator and manufacturer of premium-flavored salts, sugars and seasonings based in Texas. One of those products is ZAS!, a super seasoning line of flavor blends that enhance natural and delicious spices to everyday food. It is sure to impress party guests and football fans alike and is available for purchase online and La Fiesta Supermarkets. (Twang, 2018)

Cucumber Avocado Chili Lime Roll
Simple ingredients, fun presentation. This appetizer is a fun and creative finger food with a punch of flavor that party guests will remember.

Serves:20 rolls
Ingredients:

1 Avocado
¼ of a cream cheese block (4 oz.)
1 clove garlic
2 tsp of Lime Juice
3 Tbsp of Pine nuts
1 Tbsp of ZAS Chili Lime (and a dash for garnish)
1 cucumber
Mandolin or Potato Peeler

Instructions:

Toss all ingredients (except cucumber) in a blender or food processor. Or if you want to be traditional do it by hand, finely mince garlic and mash ingredients together with a fork until smooth and creamy. Let mixture sit in refrigerator for 10 minutes.
Use a mandolin or potato peeler to cut long thin strips from the cucumber. Be sure to leave the skin for pretty color.
Take a cucumber strip and spread a thin layer of the avocado mixture along the length of the strip. A little goes a long way so be mindful. Make sure the spread goes all the way to the end so that it sticks once rolled.
Roll it up! No toothpicks needed. Sprinkle on a dash of ZAS Chili Lime Seasoning to give it more presentation.

Movie adaptation: ‘Maze Runner: The Death Cure’ by James Dashner

James Dashner is The New York Times’ best-selling author of young adult fantasy novels and best known for the Maze Runner trilogy and 13^th Reality series. His first book ‘A Door in the Woods’ was published in 2003 and since then he has written other books dealing with fantasy, adventure and science fiction. His work is often compared to The Hunger Games and Divergent. The Maze Runner trilogy is a post-apocalyptic science fiction series that consists of ‘Maze Runner,’ ‘The Scorch Trials’ and ‘The Death Cure.’ The movie adaptation of the ‘The Death Cure’ is due out in theaters on Friday January 26 and stars Dylan O’Bryan, Thomas Brodie-Sangster and Dexter Darden.

According to Amazon, Thomas is back in ‘The Maze Runner,’ after WICKED has taken everything from him, his life, his memories and his friends. He completed the trials but what WICKED does not know is that Thomas remembers more than they realize. After beating the Maze and surviving the Scorch, he proved that he would do anything to save his friends, but the truth could be what ends it all.

Television adaptation: ‘The Alienist’ by Caleb Carr

Caleb Carr is an American novelist and military historian who has worked at the Council on Foreign Relations, Foreign Affairs Quarterly and MHQ: The Quarterly Journal of Military History and has taught military history, including World Military History. As an author, he has written ten books, most of which were international bestsellers and prize-winners and have been translated into over two dozen languages. He is mostly known for the historical thriller ‘The Alienist’ which was adapted into a ten-episode television series on TNT. It premieres on Monday January 22 and stars Daniel Brühl, Luke Evans and Dakota Fanning.

According to Amazon, ‘The Alienist’ is set in New York in 1896. Newspaper reporter John Schuyler Moore is summoned by his friend Dr. Laszlo Kreizler, a psychologist, or “alienist” as they were known then, to document the mutilated body of a young boy abandoned on the unfinished Williamsburg Bridge. This leads them to create a psychological profile of the perpetrator based on the details of his crimes and takes them on a tortured and twisted journey into the mind of a killer who will strike again unless he is stopped.

Movie adaptation: ‘Forever My Girl’ by Heidi McLaughlin

forevermygirlposter — The movie adaptation of Heidi McLaughlin’s ‘Forever My Girl’ is now in theaters.

Heidi McLaughlin is the American best-selling author of The Beaumont Series, The Boys of Summer and The Archers. Her first novel from The Beaumont Series, ‘Forever My Girl,’ is about a young rock star who goes back to his home town years after abandoning his first love. The movie adaptation is now in theaters and stars Alex Roe as Liam Page and Jessica Rothe as Josie.

According to Amazon, ‘Forever My Girl’ tells the story of Liam and Josie who are high school sweethearts. Liam thinks he has his life all planned: play football in college, marry his girlfriend and live happily ever after. Instead, he breaks her heart and decides to leave town and follow his dream of making music. Years later he is a successful rock star but returns to his hometown to attend his best friend’s funeral and while there runs into Josie. Faced with an unresolved relationship, he must face his past and the consequences of all he left behind by choosing fame over love.

Movie adaptation: ’12 Strong’ by Doug Stanton

12strongpic — The movie adaptation of ’12 Strong’ by Doug Stanton will open in theaters on Friday January 19, 2018.

Doug Stanton is a journalist, lecturer, screenwriter and author. He has appeared on numerous television and radio outlets including CNN, Discovery and NBC’s Nightly News. Using his experience working in the United States, overseas and with military and government contacts, he lectures nationally to corporate and civic groups. He has written The New York Times’ best-sellers ‘In Harm’s Way’ and ‘Horse Soldiers’ which was published in 2017 as ’12 Strong.’ The movie adaptation of ’12 Strong’ will open in theaters on Friday January 19 and stars Chris Hemsworth, Michael Shannon and Michael Peña. It is the true story of a United States Special Forces team deployed to the war-ravaged Afghanistan mountains in the weeks immediately after the September 11 attacks.

According to Amazon, in ’12 Strong,’ in the weeks after 9/11, a small band of Special Forces soldiers secretly entered Afghanistan. Riding on horseback, they pursued the Taliban over the harsh mountainous terrain and after a series of intense battles they captured the city of Mazar-i-Sharif. At first, they were welcomed as liberators by the Afghans who were overjoyed that the Taliban had fallen but during the surrender of six hundred Taliban troops, they were ambushed. They bravely fought for their lives while dangerously overpowered knowing that at risk were they military gains of the campaign that if lost, would prove detrimental to the entire operation.

Book review: ‘Law and Vengeance’ by Mike Papantonio

Mike Papantonio is a writer, prominent trial attorney and co-host of Ring of Fire, a nationally syndicated weekly radio talk show, along with Robert F Kennedy, Jr and Sam Seder where he is known as ‘America’s lawyer.’ He has written several books including ‘In Search of Atticus Finch, A Motivational Book for Lawyers,’ ‘Resurrecting Aesop: Fables Lawyers Should Remember’ and the legal thriller ‘Law and Disorder.’ ‘Law and Vengeance’ is his most recent release about a highly successful trial lawyer who goes up against a weapons manufacturer.

The protagonist in ‘Law and Vengeance’ is Gina Romano, a trial attorney with the Bergman-Deketomis Law Firm. Last seen in ‘Law and Disorder,’ the firm defends the little guy from greedy corporations in cases few law firms would take. The latest case is against the manufacturer of Sight-Clops, a high-powered gun that malfunctioned outside of a controlled environment, causing innocent deaths along the way. One of the lead engineers of Sight-Clops complained about possible problems with the weapon and ended up getting fired. He is now the firm’s top witness against the company and must be protected from those out to silence him. When a traffic accident kills the lead attorney and leaves Gina in the hospital for weeks, she is convinced he was murdered and vows to make the guilty parties pay.

Mike Papantonio is back in force with another winning legal thriller. Some of the characters from the last book are back in what looks to be a series, but the story stands on its own. It starts strong right from the beginning in the Prologue where readers have a front row seat to two heart-breaking cases of the Sight-Clops malfunctioning and killing innocent bystanders. The author makes the legal jargon and courtroom drama easy to understand and the fast-paced action flows easily from page to page. Filled with relatable and well-developed characters, it is refreshing to see a strong female lead character who though flawed, does what is necessary to get the job done. It is a must-read and recommended for fans of smart legal thrillers, but it has elements of suspense and mystery with some politics mixed in to appeal to most readers. Hopefully there will another Bergman-Deketomis Law Firm novel in the near future.

*A copy of this book was given for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are solely the author’s.

SA Examiner

Your Insider Source For Entertainment And Business Headlines

Author: Sandra Cruz