Category: Culinary Events

New Year’s Eve events in San Antonio and surrounding area

A New Year’s Eve concert at JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa in Sonora is just one option for ringing in the new year. Photo: JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa, used with permission.

It is time to start making plans for the biggest party of the year: New Year’s Eve. If you are in the San Antonio area, or plan to be, here are three ideas to get you ready to ring in the new year. JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa in Sonora, Texas is hosting a concert, Carriqui at the Pearl will debut its New Year’s Eve House Party, and Thompson – San Antonio Riverwalk is celebrating the New Year in style with an epic firework show at the iconic rooftop restaurant & bar, The Moon’s Daughters. So whether you want to celebrate with a concert, at a party, or with fireworks atop a rooftop restaurant, get ready to party in style. (JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa, Carriqui, The Moon’s Daughters; 2022)

On Saturday, December 31, guests of JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa will dust off their cowboy boots, raise a glass, and celebrate the coming of 2023 with a night to remember. The concert will begin with an opening set by local Texas band, Jukebox Preachers. Nashville powerhouse and country music star Aaron Tippin will then take the stage to wrap up 2022: 

  • Doors/Bar Open: 6:30p.m.
  • Performance Times:  
    • Jukebox Preachers, 7:30p.m.
    • Aaron Tippin, m.
  • Ticket Options:
    • General Admission Ticket: $75 per person
    • VIP Private Table (8 tickets included + 2 drink tickets per person): $1,500 

For those enjoying a concert together with an overnight stay, guests can embrace the true Texas lifestyle with horseback riding, cowboy cookouts, ATV adventures, trail and bike riding, archery, and more. Guests can book their weekend stay online.

To help grant more music lovers the opportunity to attend, JL Bar has also partnered with surrounding hotels offering availability and will be providing shuttles to/from Sonora: 

  • Quality Inn, Sonora Location – $100-110/night**
    • Shuttle Services to and from Sonora: $20 per person
    • Shuttles depart Quality Inn at 4:15pm and 6:00pm
  • Holiday Inn Express, Junction Location – $100/night**
    • Shuttle Services to and from Junction: $30 per person
    • Shuttles depart Holiday Inn Express at 4:00pm
  • **Mention the JL Bar Resort for quoted rate, limited rooms per location, first come basis.

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Potluck Hospitality is excited to announce that Carriqui (239 E. Grayson St) will debut its New Year’s Eve House Party on December 31, 2022. In addition to standard dinner service (last seating at 9p.m.), the house party will  kick off at 10p.m. and run until 2a.m. In anticipation of 2023, Carriqui is taking inspiration from the building’s past as Boehler’s Garden. Fifty years ago, the historic building that is now Carriqui was owned and operated by Aubrey Kline and his brothers. Kline was affectionately known as “Mr. Pearl,” entertaining and hobnobbing with movie stars, politicians, and dignitaries. Upon his retirement from Pearl in 1972, he turned his attention to making Boehler’s Garden the place for a good time. 

Carriqui’s NYE House Party turns up the volume on good times and pays homage to the 1970s (period attire encouraged, but not required). Tickets are $25 each and can be purchased through Tock. The experience includes live music from beloved local favorites Buttercup and DJ Steven Lee Moya, appetizer stations, a champagne toast at midnight and breakfast tacos as a parting gift.

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For the second year in a row, Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk is celebrating the New Year in style with an epic firework show at the iconic rooftop restaurant & bar, The Moon’s Daughters. This year’s theme is “Celestial Ball,” paying tribute to the Goddess of the Moon, Celine. Perched on the 20th floor of the hotel floating high above the River Walk, The Moon’s Daughters dazzles with views of the twinkling city lights of the San Antonio skyline. Guests will dance the night away with celebrity performer DJ JAX, who has spun for the Latin Grammy’s WMC, UMF, and many other festivals and has recently opened for the Chainsmokers.

Several Table Packages, named after the hotel’s monthly cosmic night series, will range from $400 to $100,000; the ultimate experience includes flights and a three-night stay at any other Hyatt property in the world. From Cosmic to The Universe, select from the VIP packages to enjoy an open bar, champagne, spirits, and magnum bottles to toast the New Year.

From 10p.m. to 2a.m., the night promises to bring unforgettable firework views, a stellar atmosphere, and a celebrity DJ to match. Tickets are available for purchase on Eventbrite.

 

William Chris Vineyards’ upcoming events

Events include story time with Mrs. Claus and annual NYE Black Eyed Pea Cook Off. Photo: William Chris Vineyards, used with permission.

William Chris Vineyards is a winery in Hye, Texas that features a visitors center, contemporary tasting rooms, and a patio café. The winery frequently hosts events and with the holiday season in full bloom, these are some of the events scheduled. (William Chris Vineyards, 2022)

FREE EVENT: Story Time with Mrs. Claus | December 18 at 4:30p.m.

The event will feature letters to Santa Claus, Cookie Decorating Station, Storytime with Mrs. Claus, Christmas Carols, and a Christmas tree for pictures. Guests can sip on Grinch Punch, hot chocolate or indulge in their chocolate fountain, plus much more. Wine and bottle service will be available throughout the event as well. Reservation is requested and can be made online.

Annual New Year’s Day Black Eyed Pea Cook Off | January 1, 2023 at 1p.m. – 4p.m. 

The annual Black-Eyed Pea Cook-Off is a New Year’s tradition that draws WCV fans. Join us for a Southern-style celebration and help us crown our 2022 champion on Saturday, January 1st, 2023 at 1p.m. All tickets include; A New Year’s toast with our winemaking team, barrel tastings, a meal by the WCV in-house culinary team, wine tasting tickets, an exclusive WCV Black-Eyed Pea t-shirt, a sampling of all black-eyed pea dishes, one vote to cast for your favorite dish, and live music throughout the event.

Tickets can be purchased here for $50 (kid tickets: 21 and under for $12) If interested in entering your black eyed pea dish, contestant entry costs $75 and will include a greeter wine, plate of food & T-shirt. Contestants will be expected to arrive at 10a.m. to start cooking. There will be trophies for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place ordered plus cash/wine prizes including:

  • 1st – $500, Case of Wine
  • 2nd – $250, 6 Bottles
  • 3rd – 4 bottles of wine

Additionally, William Chris Vineyards began their new dinner experience, Supper Club, taking place weekly at the Hye Tasting Room

Join WCV in-house culinary team weekly for an expertly crafted dinner experience paired with Texas wine. Chef Daniel Todd is preparing a new menu each Wednesday and is inviting you to this Hye dining experience. Dinner includes glasses of William Chris wine that are hand selected to pair with the courses served. All wines featured will be available for purchase at the dinner. 

REASONS TO LOVE THIS EXPERIENCE: The moment you pull off Highway 290 onto the William Chris grounds, you cannot help but be in awe of the natural beauty of the Texas Hill Country. From the simple charm of our original farmhouse to the modern tasting room surrounded by an active vineyard – all elements of our property are beautifully suited to their terroir and expressive of our reverence for the past and vision for the future.

It began in the Hill Country as a collaboration between William “Bill” Blackmon and Chris Brundrett; one that is based on a shared winemaking philosophy and a vision of the Texas wine industry’s capabilities. Bill and Chris agree that excellent wines are not made, but grown in the vineyard. They also believe that wine should be inspired by the pleasure that is shared with an extended community of friends and family over a bottle. Today, William Chris Vineyards continues to reach for a level of quality that represents the very best of Texas in each new vintage. It is with confidence in our process and pride in our team, community, and the special place we call home, that we inscribe each bottle of William Chris Vineyards wine with this greeting: We are pleased to share a piece of our world.

Family Meal Benefit dinner in El Paso to benefit El Pasoans Fighting Hunger

El Paso native chefs return home for an evening of cooking and camaraderie, all for a good cause. Photo: Google

On Sunday, November 13, ten chefs will return home to El Paso to host “Family Meal,” a special collaborative benefit dinner. Proceeds from ticket sales will go to El Pasoans Fighting Hunger, a group actively procuring and distributing food to combat the hunger crisis in the region.

“El Pasoans Fighting Hunger (EPFH) is El Paso’s only food bank and a member of Feeding America, the nation’s largest hunger relief network. The Food Bank is the distribution center for over 132 partner pantries across the borderland region and collaborative hub for hunger initiatives that assists in SNAP applications and nutrition education. EPFH also distributes healthy and nutritious food to 235 client choice mobile pantries, which provide food to underserved/unserved communities. We currently serve 200,000 food insecure people with 1 in every 3 children and 1 in every 4 adults unsure of where their next meal will come from.” -EPFH

The evening is designed to expose local and expat talent—chefs, artists, and musicians—while bringing El Paso natives together for an evening of cooking and camaraderie, all supporting a good cause. The event will be held at Ardovino’s Desert Crossing (1 Ardovinos Dr, Sunland Park, NM 88063), and tickets are available at elpasofamilymeal.com. Tickets for Family Meal are $250 per person and will include six courses in a family-style setting along with passed appetizers, wine pairings, coffee, and a chef demo.

“Family Meal is an important part of the day for restaurants. It is a way to bond with your family away from home. This benefit dinner, in turn, is meant to transform that experience and help our extended (local and migrant) families as well as bring to light the vast amount of talent and generosity this city has to offer. El Paso is one part of a large international and bi-national metropolis encompassing Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, and Las Cruces, New Mexico. What affects one family affects us all.” – Mixtli Chef Rico Torres

Confirmed chefs include:
Rico Torres, Founder, Food and Wine Best New Chef 2018, James Beard Best Chef Semi-Finalist 2019, Best Restaurant 2022, Mixtli (San Antonio, TX)
Andre Natera, Author and Podcast Host, Chef’s PSA (Austin, TX)
Alan Delgado, Star Chefs Rising Star 2020, (New York, NY)
Gabe Erales, Top Chef-18 Winner, Bacalar, (Austin, TX)
Jaime Daniel Calleros, Executive Chef, Ardovino’s Desert Crossing (Sunland Park, NM)
Jake Rojas, Tallulah’s Taqueria (Providence, RI)
Omar Flores, James Beard Semi-Finalist Best New Restaurant 2013, Best Chef Southwest 2015, 2016, Whistle Britches and Muchacho (Dallas, TX)
Melissa Valenzuela, Mixtli, (San Antonio, TX)
Andres Padilla, Chicago Tribune’s Dining Out Award 2015, Opening Executive Chef at Plaza Hotel/Ambar 2020, Culinary Director of Cruz Blanca (Chicago, IL)
Emiliano Marentes, James Beard Outstanding Chef Semi-Finalist 2022, El Emi, (El Paso, TX)

The Native El Paso chefs will return for a weekend of camaraderie and cooking under the scenic landscapes at Ardovino’s Desert Crossing, which features views of all three cities. The evening will include live-fire cooking, wine, specialty cocktails, live music, plus a special Chef Demo from Top Chef-18 Winner, Gabe Erales. The event will also feature a live auction, farewell coffee service, and a photo opportunity with the talent.

November events at Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk

Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk will be having their next Cosmic Night at The Moon’s Daughters on Tuesday, November 8, 2022. Photo: Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk, used with permission.

Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk is having two big events in November. The next Cosmic Night at The Moon’s Daughters will take place on Tuesday November 8 and a special multi-course meal so guests can watch the Ford Holiday River Parade along the Riverwalk on Friday November 25, 2022. (Thompson San Antonio – Riverwalk, 2022)

Cosmic Night at The Moon’s Daughters, which takes place whenever a full moon lands each month, will return on Tuesday, November 8 for November’s Beaver Moon. The second full moon of fall was named the Beaver Moon by Native American tribes because of how active beavers are in mid-fall as they prepare for winter. Hotel guests and the public can enjoy live music, insight from a tarot card reader, and a specialty cocktail paired with a cosmic coaster. The cosmic coaster adds a flair of entertainment where guests will have the chance to scan a QR code, receive a prompt to think of questions, followed by unique insights, and conclude with a positive affirmation. The Moon’s Daughters is the best way to experience the full moon overlooking San Antonio’s skyline.

The 41st annual Ford Holiday River Parade returns on Friday, November 25, kicking off the holiday season the day after Thanksgiving with performers, live music, and decorated parade floats that light up the city. The hotel’s signature restaurant Landrace from James Beard Award finalist Steve McHugh will feature a special multi-course menu that evening and a reserved seat to the parade along the illuminated Riverwalk. The first course will feature Roasted Squash Soup and for the second course, choose from Slow Cooked Prime Rib or Pan Seared Trout. Lastly, top the meal off with a Warm Apple Crumble accompanied by Dulce De Leche Ice Cream. Tickets are available online. 

Austin Food & Wine Festival

The Austin Food & Wine Festival will take place November 4 – 6. Photo: Austin Food & Wine Festival, used with permission.

Tickets are still available for the eleventh annual Austin Food & Wine Festival which will take place November 4-6, 2022 at Auditorium Shores. Presented by FOOD & WINE Magazine and C3 Presents, the Austin Food & Wine Festival is one of Texas’ most beloved food festivals. The three-day celebration of food, wine and spirits will welcome top tier talent from all over the country. (Austin Food & Wine Festival, 2022)

The festival will feature chefs, restaurants and wine and spirits experts over three days at Auditorium Shores. Festival highlights include the new Wurst Weekend Kickoff event; the fan-favorite Rock Your Taco competition; the Fire Pit featuring bites hot off the flames; engaging cooking demonstrations + conversations; samples of signature dishes from local chefs and restaurants; dynamic wine, beer & cocktail tastings; live music, and more.

Showcasing a dynamic roster of local, regional and national chefs throughout the weekend, attendees can sample signature dishes from top chefs around the country. 

WURST WEEKEND KICK-OFF

Join Chef Tim Love and Jesse Herman to kick-off the weekend at Auditorium Shores on Friday evening. Enjoy a Bavarian-themed menu of sausage, brats, pork, and more cooked over a live fire. Featuring regional wines and beers, the best (wurst) way to kick off the weekend. 

ROCK YOUR TACO

Rock Your Taco, Saturday evening’s signature tasting event, will take place this year at Auditorium Shores. Chefs will square off against one another to create the ultimate taco, as deemed by a People’s Choice award. Rock Your Taco competitors include Shion Aikawa; Nicola Blaque; Jo Chan; Tiffany Derry; Ford Fry; Sarah Grueneberg; Sarah Heard and Nathan Lemley; CJ Jacobson; Steve McHugh; Shota Nakajima; Laura Sawicki, and Brooke Williamson.

CHEF DEMOS

Festival attendees keen on learning from the pros can listen in as a host of chefs, including Jo Chan; Tiffany Derry; Kevin Fink; Ford Fry; Diego Galicia and Rico Torres; Sarah Grueneberg; and Fermín Núñez.

FIRE PIT

The Fire Pit portion of the festival features bites hot off the flames and the chance to interact with pit masters and chefs cooking over live fire. Enjoy exceptional BBQ and other dishes cooked over open flame and get first-hand advice from the pros. Featured chefs this year include Sonya Coté; Jason Dady; Jorge Luis Hernandez; Andy Knudson; Jesse Kuykendall; Shota Nakajima, and Kristina Zhoa.

Tickets are available online.  All attendees must be 21 years of age or older.

The Austin Food & Wine Festival is the benefactor of the Texas Food & Wine Alliance, a non-profit dedicated to fostering awareness and innovation in the Central Texas food and wine community through grants, educational programming and events. To date, Austin Food & Wine Festival has contributed over $1.3 million to the Alliance.

The Austin Food + Wine Festival marks a compelling collaboration between C3 Presents and some of Texas’ most exciting chefs and restaurateurs, including Tim Love and Restaurateur Jesse Herman. C3 Presents is the Austin-based event company that produces Lollapalooza in Chicago’s Grant Park, and Austin City Limits Music Festival in Austin’s Zilker Park. The Austin Food + Wine Festival will take place this fall,, bringing an array of taste, talent and culinary entertainment to the Capital City.

Carriqui celebrates Día de los Muertos with curated dinner and performance

Executive Chef Jaime Gonzalez will curate a special four-course meal for the holiday and San Antonio musician Azul Barrientos will perform during the ticketed dinner. Photo: Carriqui Botana Platter, by Jody Horton, used with permission.

Potluck Hospitality is excited to announce that Carriqui will be honoring those who have passed with a specially curated ticketed dinner on Wednesday, November 2 from 7p.m. to 9p.m. for Día de los Muertos. The event will include a four-course meal curated by Executive Chef Jaime Gonzalez and a guided musical performance from beloved local talent, Azul Barrientos. (Carriqui, 2022)

The experience includes welcome cocktails and appetizers beginning at 6p.m. and dinner beginning at 7p.m. The four-course meal includes squash blossom and kale salad with watermelon, confit fish tamal wrapped in banana leaf, beef short rib barbacoa with calabaza, and a tequila lime cheesecake with coconut graham cracker crust and marigolds.

Availability for the dinner is limited. Tickets are available for $150 each through Tock. Complimentary valet, 20% gratuity, and the welcome cocktail are included in the price per ticket. Additional alcoholic beverages are available for purchase.

Wednesday, November 2
Welcome cocktails and appetizers: 6p.m.
Four-Course Dinner: 7p.m. – 9p.m.

Carriqui
239 E Grayson St.
San Antonio, TX 78215

Founded in 2022, Potluck Hospitality conceives, operates, manages, and partners on culinary and experiential brands in San Antonio, TX. Potluck Hospitality concepts include Best Quality Daughter, Brasserie Mon Chou Chou, Carriqui, Food Hall at Bottling Dept., Ladino, and Stable Hall (coming 2023). Potluck’s team is made up of chefs, designers, strategists in culture-crafting, brand, and finance that all share a love of food and gathering. Potluck Hospitality’s name pays tribute to memorable experiences with great food, great music, and great company–where everyone has something to contribute. Being together, sharing meals, and communally experiencing music is elemental to what it means to be human.

Culinaria’s Tasting Texas Wine + Food Festival

Tickets are still available for some events for
San Antonio’s premier wine and food festival, taking place October 27-30. Photo: Culinaria, used with permission.

Culinaria is back for a four-day Tasting Texas Wine + Food Festival, October 27-30, in partnership with Visit San Antonio (VSA) and the iconic James Beard Foundation (JBF). Culinaria welcomes renowned and up-and-coming Texas chefs as well as national all-stars focusing on platforms that will showcase their diversity of culinary talent and heritage at events ranging from walk-around tastings, intimate dinners, outdoor lunches, hands-on workshops, educational panels, and more. (Culinaria, 2022)

Festival attendees can customize their gastronomic experience by choosing between all-inclusive festival packages or a-la-carte event options starting at $100. Sportscaster and former San Antonio Spur Sean Elliott and his wife Claudia Zapata Elliott co-chair Culinaria host committee, an elevated sponsor package of $5,000 that includes recognition as an official host of Culinaria Tasting Texas Wine + Food Festival and VIP access to events. Culinaria Tasting Texas Wine + Food Festival will showcase James Beard Award Winners, nominees, and other titans of the food and beverage industry including:

GUEST CHEFS

  • Rick Bayless, past winner of Bravo’s Top Chef Masters, host of “Mexico, One Plate at a Time” highly-rated Public Television series, and owner of Frontera Grill. See Chef Bayless in action at Agave, Saturday evening and at The Collective Grand Tasting on Sunday.
  • Alex Raij, Txikito, New York
  • Michelle Wallace, Gaitlins BBQ Houston
  • Tony Luhrman, El Topo Houston
  • Hugo Ortega, H Town Restaurant Group, Houston
  • Ruben Ortega, H Town Restaurant Group, Houston
  • Bobby Matos, State of Grace, Houston
  • Alex Au-Yeung, Phat Eatery, Katy, TX
  • Keisha Griggs, Ate Kitchen, Houston
  • Emiliano Marentes, Elemi, El Paso
  • Karla Espinoza, Mad Houston, Houston

LOCAL SAN ANTONIO CHEFS

  • Jason Dady, Dady Restaurants
  • Jeff Balfour, Southerleigh Hospitality
  • John Brand, Hotel Emma
  • Laurént Rea, Mon Chou Chou
  • Kristina Zhao, Dashi
  • PJ Edwards, Meadow
  • Geronimo Lopez, Botika
  • Elizabeth Johnson, Pharm Table
  • Esaul Ramos, 2M Smokehouse
  • Andres Farias, Mokara
  • Stéphane Leopoldo, Signature Restaurant
  • Camille De Los Reyes, Sari Sari

Visit Culinaria online for more information, including a complete list of chefs.

TASTING TEXAS EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

  • The Collective Grand Tasting: Friday, Saturday, Sunday, noon to 6p.m., Travis Park
    • The Collective is an expanded Grand Tasting event located at Travis Park featuring more than 100 chefs, restaurants, hundreds of beverage brands, Texas Wine Garden, live fire activations, cooking demonstrations, educational seminars, mercantile market, and more.
  • Southern Hospitality: Friday, 7p.m. to 9p.m., Pearl Brewery
    • Mashup of food and beverage celebrating the “Y’all Means All” culture of

Texas. From biscuits and gravy to hearty enchiladas and, of course, top-shelf cocktails, in a walk-around tasting event granting guest all-access to a front row seat of hospitality the Texas way.

  • Celebrate Agave: Saturday, 7p.m to 9p.m., Travis Park
    • Aged, sipped, neat, or mixed, this walk-around tasting event celebrates all things agave and the cuisines that embrace it.
  • Lunches and Dinners: Thursday, Friday, and Saturday
    • Festival goers will have exclusive access to unique chef collaborations at dinner and lunch events held at varying locations across the city.
  • Seminars and Workshops: Thursday, Friday, Saturday, times and locations vary
  • With a theme to satisfy every interest, attendees will be able to sign up for seminars and workshops across a range of topics, including hands-on, small-group activities—from crafting cocktails and smoking meat—to panel discussions on women in the beverage industry, and concise eating and drinking.

TICKET PACKAGES

  • Super VIP – $1,025
  • Choice of one dinner on Thursday night plus Southern Hospitality, VIP Access to all three days of The Collective, Celebrate Agave, VIP Parties and VIP Only Seminars.
  • The Weekender – $600
  • General Admission to The Collective (all three days), Celebrate Agave and Southern Hospitality/
  • Just the Collective – $300
  • All three days of The Collective. Enjoy this all-inclusive and immersive experience. All food and beverage are included. You’ll only need one ticket to enjoy it all.
  • Individual Tickets – starting at $100

“Culinaria is a lover of all things wine and food. We curate experiences for those who love to enjoy amazing pairings, in all forms. We can’t wait to welcome locals and visitors to the great city of San Antonio to experience the confluence of culture found across the culinary landscape.” – Suzanne Taranto-Etheredge, President and CEO, Culinaria.

Culinaria is an independent, not-for-profit organization, committed to promoting San Antonio as a premier food and wine destination, while fostering community growth and enrichment within the city we call home. For the past 22 years, Culinaria has been promoting locally sourced food and wine experiences in the San Antonio region through community events and culinary education opportunities, including Restaurant Weeks, a festival, and many others. Proceeds from events directly support this mission, enabling Culinaria to be a largely self-sustaining organization

 

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Celebrate National Taco Day at Taco Cabana

Taco Cabana celebrates National Taco Day with unlimited $1 bean and cheese tacos and announces the return of bean and cheese Halloween Coupon Booklets. Photo: Taco Cabana, used with permission.

This October, Taco Cabana will celebrate the season with the return of its beloved limited-time Taco Treats For A Cause Halloween Coupon Booklets featuring five FREE bean and cheese tacos – available for purchase starting Saturday, October 1, 2022 – as well as special one-day-only offers for National Taco Day on Tuesday, October 4, 2022. (Taco Cabana, 2022)

Beginning Saturday, October 1, 2022, Taco Cabana will bring back its annual, limited-time Taco Treats For A Cause Halloween Coupon Booklets available for purchase at all Texas Taco Cabana locations for just $2. Each booklet includes five coupons for a FREE TC bean and cheese taco. This year, all proceeds from the booklet sales will be donated to Apraxia Kids, a national nonprofit partner of Taco Cabana whose mission aims to strengthen the support systems in the lives of children with Apraxia of speech. The booklets will be available for purchase in-restaurant through Monday, October 31, 2022, while supplies last, and coupons must be redeemed by Wednesday, November 30, 2022.

“The Taco Treats For A Cause Halloween Booklets have become a tradition at Taco Cabana and something that so many of our loyal guests ask for and look forward to each year. We’re so happy to bring them back once again for 2022. This year, we’re even more pleased to announce that our partner, Apraxia Kids, will receive 100% of all proceeds.” – Ulyses Camacho, Taco Cabana’s Chief Operating Officer.

In celebration of National Taco Day on Tuesday, October 4, 2022, Taco Cabana invites guests to enjoy unlimited $1 classic bean and cheese tacos and unlimited $12 classic bean and cheese dozen taco boxes for one-day-only at all Texas Taco Cabana locations while supplies last.

“Like Cinco de Mayo, National Taco Day means so much to Brand Taco Cabana,” continued Camacho. “We wanted to celebrate not only the day, but celebrate our iconic bean and cheese taco as well. It’s the perfect taco at a fantastic price for the special day.”

For guests who are looking to indulge in Taco Cabana’s other delectable offerings, Taco Cabana’s all-new Hatch Chile Smoked Pulled Pork menu options are also available at all Texas locations and are the perfect addition to any Taco Day celebration. Guests 21 years of age or older can complement their taco order with one of TC’s 12 refreshing margarita options available for $3 each all day, every day with flavors ranging from dragon fruit and mango to coconut and classic lime and strawberry.

$1 bean and cheese tacos and $12 bean and cheese dozen taco boxes can be ordered in-restaurant, via online ordering for front counter and curbside pick-up, in the drive-thru or by mobile order when using the MY TC!® App or ordering online. Halloween Coupon Booklets must be purchased in-store.

Taco Cabana is also pleased to announce that it is a Straight Flush sponsor of the upcoming Eva’s Heroes Celebrity Casino Night on Saturday, October 8, 2022 in San Antonio. Eva’s Heroes is dedicated to enriching the lives of individuals with intellectual special needs by providing an inclusive setting built on four tenets: interact, grow, learn and love. Casino Night is one of its biggest fundraisers of the year.

“Community involvement has always played an important role at Brand TC and we’ve been actively engaged as partners with San Antonio-based Eva’s Heroes for some time now,” shared Camacho. “They have always held a special place in our Taco Cabana hearts. We’re proud to be their partners.”

Taco Cabana, a subsidiary of YTC Enterprises, LLC, was founded in 1978. The brand specializes in Tex-Mex-inspired food including enchiladas, fajitas, quesadillas, flautas, tacos, flour tortillas and a selection of made-from-scratch salsas and sauces. Restaurants feature open-display cooking, a selection of bottled beer and signature tequila margaritas, patio dining, drive-thru windows, curbside pick-up, delivery and catering. As of September 26, 2022, Taco Cabana operates 144 company-owned restaurants in Texas.

Austin’s Commodore Perry Estate’s fall events

Fall into the festive season at Austin’s Commodore Perry Estate. Photo: Auberge Resorts Collection, used with permission.

As summer fades and the leaves start to turn, Austin’s charming Commodore Perry Estate, Auberge Resorts Collection welcomes fall and winter with new immersive seasonal programming, inspiring culinary creations, and excitement for the festive season. The  Estate will honor its Texas roots by bringing native Texan artisans, musicians, and flavors to ATX this autumn and beyond. The captivating city is a must-visit for the remainder of 2022. It will host the Formula 1 Grand Prix and Austin City Limits and more for travelers to step outside their comfort zones and enjoy the cultural hub that is Austin. (Commodore Perry Estate, Auberge Resorts Collection, 2022)

These are some of the season’s highlights:

  • Taste of Auberge: Saison Hospitality: San Francisco’s Michelin-starred group Saison Hospitality brings innovative culinary activations on November 4 + 5. Locally curated seasonal Southern flavors will unite with upscale preparations of seasonal California dining for this exclusive culinary partnership. The guest series from Saison Hospitality’s Chef Brian Limoges and Executive Sous Chef Adam Gale (Saison) and Commodore Perry Estate’s Executive Chef Bradley Nicholson and Executive Pastry Chef Susana Querejazu will invite guests to honor collaboration in the kitchen with a private nine-course dinner at Lutie’s, as well as a fermenting workshop for all experience levels.
  • Game Day at The Estate: Every Friday on UT home game weekends, the Estate celebrates with visiting designer pop-up shops, interactive wine tasting events, local Austin musical performances, and guest bartending talent from local favorites and beyond. Friends and family can gather on game day for the resort’s delicious Saturday Brunch at the Mansion, complete with lawn games and pre-game drink specials, such as mimosa bars, shaken carajillos, local beer buckets, and more. For away games, the Estate’s Living Room becomes an extension of guests’ own, with TVs displaying the game paired with creative cocktails and delectable snacks.
  • A Very Texas Holiday Season: Guests can kick off the holidays with the annual festive lighting of the Mansion spectacular with a custom commissioned work from the Dallas-based conceptual artistic duo Anderson + Kincaid. Then, indulge in decadent Holiday Panettone, a collaboration with world-renowned Houston-based baker Roy Shvartzapel and Executive Pastry Chef Susan Querejazu, or give the ultimate gift by having Evan Voyles design a custom, hand-crafted neon piece for loved ones. The Larder Shop will curate a selection of culinary gifts by Chef Bradley Nicholson and Chef Susana Querejazu, allowing guests to bring a bit of the Estate home. 

Pearl announces programming for Hispanic Heritage Month celebration

Pearl celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with Viva Dieciséis, a month long celebration with special programming, retail specials, and more. Photo: Matt Buikema, used with permission.

Pearl is excited to announce its programming for Hispanic Heritage Month, this September 15 – October 15, starting with a big Viva Dieciséis at Pearl celebration and continuing throughout the month with events, specials, a mural designed by artist Martha Martinez, and more throughout the property. (Pearl, 2022)

“With our rich history and connection to Mexico, Dieciséis is an important celebration and part of the Texas experience. As a central gathering place for San Antonio and people from all over the world, we are happy that the Pearl community can celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and honor the Latinx experience across many nationalities.” – Pearl CEO Mesha Millsap

Viva Dieciséis at Pearl – Friday, September 16

To celebrate Mexican Independence Day, Pearl will host a free event featuring a variety of mariachi groups that will play throughout the property including Trio Canteres de Mi Tierra, Las Coronelas and Mariachi Azteca with a guest appearance from Mateo Lopez, the world’s youngest Mariachi. The Viva Dieciséis festivities will also include a traditional grito by Consul General of Mexico in San Antonio Ruben Minutti Zanatta as well as loteria games and a grito contest in partnership with the Mexican Consulate and H-E-B.

The full event schedule is as follows:

  • 5p.m. – Mariachi Festival kicks off at the shade structure (in front of Southerleigh)
  • 5p.m. – Burbank High School mariachi group to perform at Parkito (next to Local Coffee)
  • 5:30p.m. – Loteria games and guitar painting by the Mexican Consulate
  • 6p.m. – Harris Middle School mariachi group to perform at Parkito
  • 6p.m. – Stilt walkers from Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center perform
  • 6:45p.m. – Grito by Consul General of Mexico and Grito contest takes place under the shade structure
  • 6:45p.m. – Las Coronelas to perform at the shade structure
  • 7p.m. – Trio Canteres de Mi Tierra to perform throughout the grounds
  • 7p.m. – Mariachi Azteca to perform under the shade structure with guest Mateo Lopez

The mural, created by Martha Martinez of MM Creative, in collaboration with Servin and Don Mos, celebrates the San Antonio community’s rich cultural history. “Cultura, Orgullo and Corazón – are words that describe San Antonio, its people and its spirit. As a majority Latino community, we celebrate our community all year round,” says Martinez.

Retail Specials

Throughout Pearl during Hispanic Heritage Month, visitors and shoppers can find special deals, displays, pop-ups and more that honor our Hispanic community. Dos Carolinas, known for its beautiful guayabera shirts, will host a 15-20% off sale from September 15 through September 24. Curio and Larder at Hotel Emma will feature Latinx makers at their store with Larder hosting a 17HERNÁN mole event on September 17. Hotel Emma will also host a series of tastings featuring Latinx goods for guests of the hotel.

Feliz Modern Pop is planning to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with displays featuring Latinx makers and brands. The featured artists at Feliz Modern Pop will include designer Mario Diaz, jewelry maker Natazia Renee, artist Natalie Trinidad, artist Rafael Gonzales Jr, and artist Eva Sanchez. Brands like Very That, Miradela and Mi Dulce Vida will also be featured at the store throughout Hispanic Heritage Month.

Rancho Diaz will also celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with displays throughout the store that introduce shoppers to the people behind the brands they carry. Throughout the month they will feature artist Hailey Marmolejo and brands like Del Alma Imports, and Tex Mex Dance Party.

Culinary Celebrations

Restaurants across Pearl will be celebrating with specialty cocktails, unique new dishes, music, and more. Jazz, TX will host a Salsa night with Jose Amador and NATIAO Latin Jazz on September 17 at 7:30p.m. Boiler House will debut a new mezcal margarita with jalapeño and cilantro called “The San Antonian” in celebration of the city’s vibrant blend of cultures. Chilaquil in the Bottling Department is bringing mole chilaquiles to the menu for Dieciséis and will offer free aguas frescas with purchase throughout the month. 

La Gloria will be offering several new specials as part of their Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations: 

  • Chiles en Nogada – traditional poblano chile stuffed with picadillo meat with fruit, topped with walnut-based cream sauce, pomegranate seeds, and parsley
  • Bandera Elote – shaved in a cup or cob, topped with chili powder, cotija cheese, and cilantro to resemble the Mexican flag
  • Bandera Margarita – frozen margarita with pickle chamoy at the bottom and strawberry at the top, garnished with salt or chili, a lime and a Mexican flag toothpick

As part of their Dieciséis celebration on September 16, La Gloria will feature the aforementioned menu items in addition to live entertainment all evening, a cantarito satellite bar and a Herradura tequila flight special.