Shake Shack’s holiday shakes and gifts

shakeshackshakes1 — Celebrate the holiday season with Shake Shack’s holiday drinks. Photo: Shake Shack, used with permission.

Shake Shack is getting into the holiday season by offering holiday-themed food items and gift ideas. On November 15, Shake Shack launched their limited time holiday shakes for $5.79 at all Shacks nationwide except airports, stadiums and ballparks. Featured shakes include the Chocolate Peppermint Shake – chocolate frozen custard blended with peppermint and topped with whipped cream and chocolate peppermint candy crumble, the Christmas Cookie Shake – sugar cookie frozen custard topped with whipped cream, crumbled shortbread and red and green sprinkles and the Frozen Hot Cocoa Shake – hot chocolate frozen custard topped with whipped cream and a chocolate chip marshmallow. (Shake Shack, 2017)

For children, gifts like Kid Robot Plushes are available online for purchase including the Shake Shack x Yummy World Burger plush for $15, the Shake Shack x Yummy World Fry plush for $15 and the Shake Shack x Yummy World Burger & Fry set for $28. Shake Shack has also partnered with cool backpacks for a cause, State Bags, to offer Shake Shack x State bags for $75. For every STATE bag purchased, STATE will hand-deliver a backpack packed with essential tools for success to an American child in need.

Home cooks and Shack fans alike can enjoy Shake Shack’s first-ever cookbook filled with 70 recipes, 200 photographs and stories, fun facts and professional tips for making a Shackburger and crinkle-cut fries. The cookbook set is $26 and includes a voucher to redeem a complimentary burger with free domestic shipping.

Shake Shack opened in 2004 in New York City’s Madison Square Par and since then has expanded to more than 80 locations in 18 US states and the District of Columbia and more than 50 international locations including London, Istanbul, Dubai, Tokyo, Moscow and Seoul. Shake Shack’s mission is to Stand For Something Good^®, from its premium ingredients and caring hiring practices to its inspiring designs and deep community investment.

Shake Shack
Park North Shopping Center
7427 San Pedro Avenue
San Antonio, TX 78216
(210) 277-4770

Boiler House celebrates five years

boilerhousepic — Boiler House is celebrating its five year anniversary with week long specials. Photo: Julie Soefer, used with permission.

Boiler House Texas Grill & Wine Garden, along with Executive Chef Jeff White, is celebrating its Five-Year Anniversary with a week long “5×5 Celebration.” This grand celebration will feature a variety of food and drink specials throughout the week of November 27 to December 1 between 4p.m. to 7p.m. including $5 happy hour specials on specialty cocktails and small plates. Throughout the week, Boiler House will bring back popular dinner dishes from its past menus, including Pork Shank with spaetzle dijonaise, Salmon with cream of spinach and bacon relish, Achiote Chicken Skewers with orange pico and Veal Ricotta Meatball with potato puree and Espanola sauce. (Boiler House, 2017)

Located in the revitalized Pearl District, Boiler House provides a taste of artfully prepared, gourmet Texas Hill Country fare partnered with an ever-evolving wine list and Texas craft beer selections. The menu includes contemporary Texas fare served in a vibrant, energetic space with a Texas soul and roots dating back to 1896. A Texas-themed cocktail menu boasts local whiskeys and traditional bourbons, Scotches, añejo tequilas and mezcals.

Boiler House Texas Grill & Wine Garden
312 Pearl Parkway, Building 3
San Antonio, TX 78215
(210) 354-4644

‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’ at the Woodlawn Theatre

Up next at the Woodlawn Theatre is the local production of ‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.’ It is based on the 1968 movie produced by Alfred R Broccoli and opens on Friday November 24 and runs until Saturday December 24, 2017. Music and lyrics are by Richard and Robert Sherman with a book by Jeremy Sams. Tickets are on sale online, or by calling the box office at (210) 267-8388. Prices are $18 for students and children, $24 for seniors and military and $29 for adults. There is a $3 service fee for tickets. Show times are Friday and Saturday at 7:30p.m. and Sunday at 3p.m.

‘Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’ is the story of an inventor who sets about restoring an old race car from a scrap heap with the help of his children. They soon discover the car has magical properties including the ability to float and fly. Trouble occurs when the evil Baron Bomburst desires the magic car for himself. The family joins forces with Truly Scrumptious and batty Grandpa Potts to outwit the dastardly Baron and Baroness and their villainous henchman, the Child Catcher.

Woodlawn Theatre
1920 Fredericksburg Rd
San Antonio, TX 78201
(210) 267-8388

‘All is Calm’ at The Playhouse San Antonio

alliscalmpic — ‘All is Calm’ returns to The Playhouse San Antonio and opens this Friday November 24. Photo: Daniel D Baumer, used with permission.

A new holiday tradition returns to The Playhouse San Antonio for a second year. Opening this Friday November 24 in the Russell Hill Rogers Theater is ‘All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914.’ It will run until Sunday December 24. George Green and Bill Gundry co-direct with musical direction by Nicholas Ponting. It stars Nick Szoeke, Nicholas Ponting, David Nanny, Aaron Ely, Robert Nauman, Eric Buchaus, Kevin Collins, Robby Vance, Kyle Krambeck, Brendan Brady, Travis Trevino and John Towry. Show times are Friday and Saturday at 7:30p.m. and Sundays at 2p.m. Tickets may be purchased online or by calling the box office at (210) 733-7258. Prices range from $20 to $35. Group rates are available for groups of ten or more. (The Playhouse San Antonio, 2017)

‘All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914’ by Peter Rothstein has musical arrangements by Erick Lichte and Timothy C Takach. It is set in 1914, at the Western Front, where out of the violence comes a silence, then a song. When a German soldier steps into No Man’s Land singing “Stille Nacht” it brings about a night of camaraderie, music and peace. A remarkable true experience, it is told in the words and songs of the men who lived it. This acapella musical highlights the beauty and power of the human spirit during the darkest of days.

Special Event Nights:
Pay What You Can Night – Wednesday November 22
Opening Night Reception – Friday November 24
Q101.9 Radio Night – Friday December 1
Food Truck Friday – Friday December 8
ASL Night/SA 2020 Talk Back Night – Saturday December 9

Project MEND is the community partner on ‘All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914.’ Project MEND is a San Antonio based nonprofit that provides home medical equipment and assistive technology items to individuals living with disabilities and life-altering illnesses.

The Playhouse San Antonio
800 West Ashby Place
San Antonio, TX 78212
(210) 733-7258

Rosella Coffee opens second location

rosellarand — Rosella Coffee now has a second location at the Rand Building in downtown San Antonio. Photo: Jessica Giesey, used with permission.

There is more good news for coffee lovers. Popular coffee company Rosella Coffee recently opened a second location, Rosella at the Rand, at the Rand Building in downtown San Antonio. While Rosella is well-known for quality coffee as well as breakfast and lunch service, the new location boasts a unique concept-a full service restaurant that also features dinner service, a weekend brunch and a selection of craft cocktails. (Rosella Coffee, 2017)

The new location’s dinner menu items include steak frites and a house burger along with unique additions like house-made olives, a pretzel croissant with beer cheese and crispy kale chips. Brunch items include French toast and huevos rancheros, avocado toast and mascarpone & berries on brioche. Lunch items include a selection of gourmet salads and hot sandwiches. The new cocktail menu includes time-honored favorites such as a Tom Collins and an Old Fashioned as well as the coffee-inspired “House Rosella OG OF”: a combination of Bourbon, coffee syrup and orange bitters.

Business hours are 7a.m to 10p.m. Monday to Thursday, 7a.m. to 12p.m. Friday, 8a.m. to 12p.m. Saturday and 9a.m to 3p.m. Sunday.

Rosella Coffee
114 E Houston St, at Soledad in the Rand Building
San Antonio, TX 78205

Rosella Coffee
203 E Jones Ave #101
San Antonio, TX 78215

New Bakery Lorraine locations

breakfastparfait — Bakery Lorraine is opening its third San Antonio location next month and its first Austin location next year. Photo: Nick Simonite, used with permission.

With locations at the Pearl and the Medical Center, Bakery Lorraine has rapidly become a San Antonio favorite and a nationally recognized pastry shop famous for its colorful macarons and exquisite French pastries. Owned by chefs Anne Ng, Jeremy Mandrell and operator Charlie Biedenharn, Bakery Lorraine was named one of the best new bakeries in the U.S. by Food & Wine and CNN’s Eatocracy blog, as well as one of the “13 Destination Bakeries” by Conde Nast Traveler. Bakery Lorraine offers handmade French pastries and macarons as well as breakfast, lunch and dinner items including its breakfast parfait, the quiche Lorraine, chicken potpies and an assortment of salads, soups and artisan sandwiches. (Bakery Lorraine, 2017)

The owners are now pleased to announce the opening of its third location scheduled to open in December 2017 in San Antonio’s RIM shopping center at 17503 La Cantera Pkwy, Suite 108. Bakery Lorraine has grown in San Antonio and received so much support that they are opening the first ever Austin location in Rock Rose at Domain Northside scheduled to open in fall 2018. It will be in Austin’s premier shopping district. Both locations will offer pastries, breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner. Not only will the menu feature macarons and delicious pastries, it will also include a variety of savory lunch dishes.

The Vintage Bouquet Bar at the Pearl

vintageboutiquebar — The Vintage Bouquet Bar opens at the Pearl on Wednesday November 22, 2017. Photo: The Vintage Bouquet Bar, used with permission.

Just in time for Small Business Saturday, created to encourage customers to support local businesses, there is a new tenant at the Pearl. Officially opening this week is The Vintage Bouquet Bar. This is a flower and gift boutique that consists of full service floral customization where customers can select their florals, fillers, greenery and arrangement style for a unique and personalized piece. The brain child of locally based and innovative flower farmers of Vintage Heart Farm, it will open to the public on Wednesday November 22 at 1p.m. Due to the Thanksgiving Day holiday, it will be closed on Thursday November 23 but will re-open on Friday November 24 at 10a.m. Regular business hours will be Sunday 10a.m. to 3p.m., Monday through Friday from 10a.m. to 7p.m. and Saturday from 9a.m. to 7p.m. (The Vintage Bouquet Bar, 2017)

The Vintage Bouquet Bar’s trained “floristas” will assist customers in hand selecting florals to create the bouquet or arrangement. The store will focus on seasonal floral varieties that are grown just 40 minutes away at Vintage Heart Farm or sourced from other local and U.S.-based flower farms. The Vintage Bouquet Bar will also feature the “succulent mini-bar,” where customers can customize living succulent jewelry pieces, such as rings, cuffs, statement necklaces and succulent halos. Each piece will be set with a beautiful array of mini succulent plants. The Vintage Bouquet Bar will also feature an informal creative workspace where it will offer one of a kind floral design classes.

The Vintage Bouquet Bar
303 Pearl Parkway, Suite 104
San Antonio, TX 78215

Theater review: ‘A Doll’s House’ at The Classic Theatre

adollshouse17 — ‘A Doll’s House’ is now playing at The Classic Theatre until Sunday November 26. Photo: Siggi Ragnar, used with permission.

Now playing at The Classic Theatre is ‘A Doll’s House’ by Henrik Ibsen. It is a three-act play written in 1879 and is noted for the way it deals with the fate of a married woman and reflects the lack of opportunities women had for self-fulfillment in a male-dominated world. Directed by Kelly Roush, it stars Kacey Roye, Nick Lawson, Christina Casella, Zach Lewis and John Boyd. The Classic Theatre’s production is set in 1950s America and has a Mad Men flair. Show times are Friday and Saturday at 8p.m. and Sunday at 3p.m. and it runs until Sunday November 26, 2017. Tickets range from $17 to $32 and are available online or by calling the box office at (210) 589-8450.

The story in ‘A Doll’s House’ takes place in the span of three acts at the Helmer’s home on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and the day after Christmas. It opens as Nora Helmer, the wife, comes home after a day of Christmas shopping. Her husband Torvald teases her about how much money she spent but she feels that since he is due for a big promotion at work, they can afford to splurge. When Kristine, an old friend of Nora’s shows up to ask for a favor, Nora confides in her that things have not been easy on them because Torvald had recently been sick and they had to travel to Italy for treatment. That treatment did not come cheap, so she secretly took out a loan and has had to scrounge money to repay it. This decision comes back to haunt her when Nils, the man who lent her the money, shows up to blackmail her since she forged her father’s name to secure the loan.

Even though Henrik Ibsen wrote this play in the late 1800s, the themes of gender roles and stereotypes make it a timeless classic. The 1950s is the perfect setting for a story about a woman’s journey from a compliant wife to a confident woman. Nick Lawson’s spot-on portrayal of the hardened Torvald occasionally hits a nerve while Kacey Roye, as Nora, expertly handles her character’s tumultuous relationship with Torvald. The combination of setting and costumes transport the audience to a long-ago era where gender roles were beginning to change. It is sure to have audiences talking long after the show ends.

The Classic Theatre of San Antonio
1924 Fredericksburg Rd
San Antonio, TX 78201
(210) 589-8450

Movie adaptation: ‘Wonder’ by R.J. Palacio

wonderbokpic — The movie adaptation of ‘Wonder’ by R.J. Palacio is now in theaters.

R.J. Palacio is an American author, art director and book jacket designer. Her previous works include “Auggie & Me: Three Wonder Stories” and “365 Days of Wonder: Mr. Browne’s Book of Precepts.” She is best known for “Wonder,” her first novel and The New York Times best-seller about Auggie Pullman, an ordinary boy with an extraordinary face. The feature film adaptation is now in theaters everywhere and stars Julia Roberts, Owen Wilson and Jacob Tremblay.

According to Amazon, “Wonder” tells the story of August Pullman who was born with a facial difference that has always prevented him from going to a mainstream school. Now he is starting the fifth grade at Beecher Prep and he wants nothing more than to be treated like an ordinary kid, but his classmates can not get past his looks. The narration begins from Auggie’s point of view and then switches to his classmates, his sister, her boyfriend and others. This serves to highlight one community’s struggle with empathy, compassion and acceptance. Friendship is the central theme with Auggie as the hero many will root for as he proves that people can not blend in when they were born to stand out. This book inspired the Choose Kind movement.

Holiday tree lighting and jazz concert at La Cantera Resort & Spa

canterachristmastree — La Cantera Resort & Spa will be having its annual Holiday Tree Lighting event on Thursday November 30. Photo: La Cantera Resort & Spa, used with permission.

La Cantera Resort & Spa, a Destination Hotel, is having its annual Holiday Tree Lighting event on Thursday November 30 from 7p.m to 9p.m. The evening will set a smooth tone for the Holiday season with a free Jazz concert by Paul Taylor, internationally acclaimed jazz saxophonist. The concert will coincide with the annual tree lighting ceremony on Plaza San Saba. Guests will be able to enjoy free holiday treats, festive cocktails, kids’ activities and photos with Santa. Donations will be accepted with proceeds to benefit a local children’s charity. Santa will be lighting the tree at 8p.m. This event is free and open to the public. (La Cantera Resort & Spa, 2017)

La Cantera Resort & Spa
Plaza San Saba, just off the main lobby
16641 La Cantera Parkway
San Antonio, TX 78256
(210) 558-6500

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