EVO’s Watermelon Margarita. Photo: Felicia Curtis, used with permission.
This Saturday August 3 is National Watermelon Day and area restaurants are offering food and beverage offerings around San Antonio which showcase everyone’s favorite melon fruit. (EVO Entertainment, Twang, The Esquire Tavern, 2019)
EVO Entertainment Group
Watermelon Margarita
The watermelon rita is available behind the bar at EVO’s family-owned and operated Schertz, Kyle and San Marcos locations. The margarita is made with patrón barrel select, triple sec, agave, fresh watermelon and squeezed lime juice. ($9). Grab the rita before hitting EVO’s movie theatre or pair it with bowling and arcades.
Evo Entertainment
Schertz 18658 I-35
Schertz, TX 78154
Twang Austin Eastciders Watermelon Cider with Twang-A-Rita Sangrita
Twang is a San Antonio-based family company with products available in 45 states nationwide and Amazon. One of Twang’s brands, Twang-A-Rita, is a line of tasty salts and seasonings designed to easily add flavor to drinks and upgrade beverages into cocktail bar status. Twang’s cocktail rimming blends are made with ingredients like kosher salt, real spices and cane sugar; try Twang-A-Rita Sangrita to take any watermelon drink up a notch, like Austin Eastciders’ new Watermelon cider.
Recipe:
3.5 oz Watermelon Eastciders
.5 oz fresh squeezed lime
Rim with Twang-A-Rita Sangrita
Esquire Tavern
Heirloom Tomato Salad with watermelon
Located along the San Antonio River Walk, wanderers will find the historic Esquire Tavern, a place that touts the longest bar in Texas, and where patrons can fill up on an Heirloom Tomato Salad which is made with watermelon, feta cheese, dill, basil and cucumber vinaigrette. ($13)
The Esquire Tavern
155 East Commerce St.
San Antonio, TX 78205
Tickets are now on sale for the Grape Punch sessions at William Chris Vineyards. Photo: Miguel Lecuona, used with permission.
As harvest season approaches, William Chris Vineyards is thrilled to announced the dates for their infamous Grape Punch sessions taking place at the vineyard in August. Tickets are now available online for $25. (William Chris Vineyards, 2019)
Upcoming Grape Punch sessions:
Saturday, August 17 – 12p.m.
Saturday, August 17 – 1:30p.m.
Saturday, August 24 – 12p.m.
Saturday, August 24 – 1:30p.m.
Sunday, August 25 – 1p.m.
Sunday, August 25 – 2:30p.m.
The sessions, led by the winemakers at William Chris will feature a mini learning workshop focused on harvest and the winemaking process including techniques for transforming grapes to wine from the vine to the bottle. During Grape Punch, guests will be able to scrub-up and punch-down the 2019 vintage. At the end of the session, guests will be able to take their “grapey” hands and stamp his or her own Grape Punch shirt to take home.
William Chris Vineyards
10352 U.S. Highway 290
Hye, TX 78635
Pluckers Wing Bar is celebrating its 24th anniversary with weeklong specials. Photo: Melissa Skorpil, used with permission.
Pluckers Wing Bar is celebrating its 24th anniversary next week and is hosting a week-long celebration from Tuesday, July 23 through Monday, July 29 at all locations in Texas and Baton Rouge. The weeklong celebration will feature food and drink specials, including 75-cent wings, $1 beers, and $5 Holy Mac, “Keep the Mason Jar” special and more. (Pluckers Wing Bar, 2019)
From July 24 to July 28, the first 100 guests at each location can participate in the “Keep the Mason Jar” special where guests who purchase a 16-oz. Pluckers Cocktail can keep the commemorative 24th anniversary mason jar. On Sunday, July 28, Pluckers will offer a new special giving the first 25 people per store the chance to get a commemorative “I Survived 5” T-shirt by eating 5 Fire in the Hole wings.
Pluckers fans at all locations (excluding the new San Antonio Landmark location) can also participate in 90s-themed Live Team Trivia on Wednesday, July 24 as well as 90s-themed Pluck Hunt on Thursday, July 25 or Friday, July 26 (pending location). In addition, Pluckers will be selling their Pluckers Club memberships for $10 all week.
The full list of anniversary food and drink specials and events includes:
Tuesday, July 23: $1 Miller Lite, 75-cent wings
Wednesday, July 24: Keep the Mason Jar, $5 Holy Mac, 90’s Trivia
Thursday, July 25: Keep the Mason Jar, $5 Fried Pickles, 90’s Pluck Hunt
Friday, July 26: Keep the Mason Jar, $5 Buffalo Bites appetizer, 90’s Pluck Hunt (Killeen, Lakeline, Oak Hill)
Saturday, July 27: Keep the Mason Jar, $5 Fried Cheese
Sunday, July 28: Keep the Mason Jar, “I Survived 5” T-Shirt
Monday, July 29: National Chicken Wing Day, $1 Bud Light, 75-cent wings
Pluckers Wing Bar
14881 IH-35 North
Selma, TX 78154
This year’s Culinaria will take place September 26 – 29 at La Cantera Resort & Spa. Photo: Culinaria, used with permission.
Culinaria is celebrating two decades of wine, food, spirits and fellowship during this year’s Culinaria Wine + Food Festival. Raise your glasses and get ready to say “Cheers to Twenty Years” during the 20th annual Culinaria Wine + Food Festival, this September 26-29, as organizers serve up some of the greatest hits from the last two decades while also preparing exciting twists on some past favorites. After being held in the spring for years, Culinaria Festival is returning to its roots by moving back to September, not far from the date when the first Culinaria launched nearly two decades ago. (Culinaria Wine + Food Festival, 2019)
La Cantera Resort & Spa will host the Culinaria Festival as it has for the past four years. More than 10,000 people are expected to take part in everything from Bubbles, a celebration of champagne, sparkling wine and cocktails at Topaz, the resort’s adult pool, that also boasts the most breathtaking sunsets in San Antonio, to the Festival’s most popular smoky finale of Burgers, BBQ and Beer.
The 20th Culinaria Festival will introduce a twist on the ever-festive Best of Mexico event with Arte Agave, an art and tequila extravaganza on Friday, September 27. Guests will be able to enjoy tequila and mezcal infused with Mexican art, with the musical backdrop provided by Selena tribute band Bidi Bidi Bom Bom. Culinaria Festival, organizers are bringing back the Masquerade component of the Grand Tasting on Saturday, September 28. Don your finest masks and come prepared to be dazzled by mysteries and surprises galore. Returning to Culinaria Festival after a five-year hiatus is the Hole in Wine Golf Tournament, teeing off on Saturday, September 28 at the La Cantera Resort Course.
“La Cantera Resort is proud to host Culinaria’s annual celebration of wine and food. We applaud its ongoing commitment to promoting San Antonio as a major culinary destination, highlighting San Antonio’s unique confluence of flavors and culture.” – Michelle Robertson, director of marketing and PR for La Cantera Resort & Spa.
Culinaria was created to highlight San Antonio’s passion for food and to spotlight the city as a premier food and wine destination. In the beginning, it was just a weekend of food and wine on the Riverwalk. Now it has expanded to include events as diverse a food competition and a barbeque extravaganza.
La Cantera Resort & Spa
16641 La Cantera Pkwy
San Antonio, TX 78256
(210) 558-6500
The new Pluckers Wing Bar location will open officially on Monday July 8. Photo: Joel Cruz
Pluckers Wing Bar, Texas’ favorite sports bar and wing restaurant, will officially open its second San Antonio location in the Landmark Center at 15651 I-10 W on Monday, July 8. The new San Antonio location will be open daily from 11a.m. to 12a.m. and will feature the iconic Pluckers menu, including fan favorites Fried Pickles, Holy Macaroni, The Bypass Burger topped with bacon, cheddar, grilled onions and jalapeños and the Buffalo Chicken Sandwich. Pluckers will also offer their famous wings paired with signature sauces Buffalo, Spicy BBQ, and Spicy Ranch, along with unique flavors, like Fire in the Hole, Ginger Peach Sriracha, Gochujang, and Spicy Mandarin.
All this week, the new Pluckers Wing Bar has been opening their doors to the public during their training shifts for lunch and dinner. With today being a holiday, I had the opportunity to see the new location for myself during lunch. The line of people waiting to get in was not long but by lunchtime, they had seen approximately 375- 400 people. While waiting at the bar for a table, I tried the tasty Strawberry Margarita and once able to order food, I tried the Pluckers Nachos, tortilla chips topped with chicken (on the side, for my taster), queso, Honey BBQ sauce, red onions and cilantro. Everything was delicious and the inside is spacious with plenty of televisions for a sports bar. The managers on site, Courtney, Jason, Morgan and Keegan had service running smoothly and server Myranda and her trainer Tra were helpful and polite. Looking forward to a return trip to try the Impossible Burger.
Once open, the new restaurant will offer Pluckers’ signature rewards program, Pluckers Club, for just $10 until July 21. Pluckers Club members enjoy a variety of rewards, including, but not limited to, free birthday meals, invitations to exclusive events, food and drink specials and more. After July 21, Pluckers Club memberships will cost $20. The Pluckers club membership is now available through the app on iTunes and Google Play – a treat for current and aspiring members. As Pluckers continues to open new stores, they are expanding their platform via social media and the app that connects, serves, and grows with their fans.
Pluckers Wing Bar
15651 I-10 W
San Antonio, TX 78249
Celebrate the Fourth of July with drink specials at Southerleigh. Photo: Southerleigh, used with permission.
The Fourth of July holiday is almost here and local businesses have special menus, activities and offers to celebrate the holiday in style. (Davila’s BBQ, Pearl, Southerleigh, La Panaderia, Hotel Emma, 2019)
Davila’s BBQ Davila’s BBQ will offer a brown bag special available to pick up or to eat in the restaurant on the Fourth of July. The special features two Davila’s freshly ground cheeseburgers with crispy French fries and a fountain drink of choice for $12.99. Davila’s BBQ will be open from 11a.m. to 5p.m. that day.
Pearl
Join Pearl for a Great American Picnic in honor of the Fourth of July. The Bottling Department will offer picnic specials and a special pop out by Bud’s Southern Rotisserie who will be selling BBQ chicken with corn and watermelon, as well as bacon-wrapped jalapeño sausage-on-a-stick for guests to purchase and enjoy while listening to live music by the Peterson Brothers. This event will be free and open to the public in Pearl Park.
Southerleigh
This Fourth of July Southerleigh will offer drink specials at their outdoor oyster bar. Pearl patrons can stop by to get $1 off the famous house punch, frosé, frozen Bellini and canned wines. This is the perfect option for those enjoying Great American Picnic in Pearl Park or who are interested in enjoying the outdoors that day. Southerleigh’s oyster bar is located outside nearest Pearl Park.
La Panaderia
The popular San Antonio bakery will be open to visitors this Fourth of July at both locations so guests can stop in and treat themselves to decadent pan dulce while taking a break from the heat. Guests can also try new menu items at the restaurant, like the La Panaderia Patty Melt, a unique twist on the Texas favorite.
Hotel Emma Hotel Emma will offer the perfect staycation for the Fourth of July. Readers can book a hotel room that week and receive complimentary valet parking, a La Babia Margarita upon check-in to kick off the celebration, nightly turndown service and access to the rooftop pool to cool off in the Texas heat.
Wine infused popsicles at the Bottling Department at Pearl. Courtesy photo: used with permission.
Summer is here and several businesses around town have happy hours to help customers deal with the rising temperatures. (Savor, Southerleigh Fine food & Brewery, Majestic Theater, Bottling Department at Pearl, The Esquire Tavern, EVO, 2019)
Starting in July, The Culinary Institute of America’s Savor will launch a new happy hour on Tuesday evenings. Specials include $5 cocktails like the Savor Margarita (formerly NAO Margarita voted best in SA) and $1 off appetizers like Pomme Frites, Brisket Meatballs and Orange Chili Wings at the bar. Savor rotates unique talents, featuring a fresh batch of students in the Culinary Institute of America program.
Savor
200 E. Grayson St. #117
San Antonio, TX 78215
Southerleigh Fine Food & Brewery will hosts happy hour at the oyster bar Monday through Sunday with specials on food and drink from 3p.m. to 5p.m. Featured items on the menu include $1 pressure fried wings and $.75 fried biscuits. There will also be $2 off all beer, wine, punches and mixes. This happy hour is only valid at the oyster bar and is not applicable to the restaurant. The inviting walk-up bar opened late September and features six Southerleigh beers on tap, plus several varieties of fresh seafood, including oysters, gulf shrimp, crab, caviar and more. The oyster bar is open daily during normal restaurant hours.
Southerleigh
136 E. Grayson St. #120
San Antonio, TX 78215
Happy Hour Tours at The Majestic:
Monday June 24, and Monday July 1 at 5p.m. and 6p.m.
Cool off and join The Majestic for a series of summer happy hour tours of the historic, renowned space. The happy hour tours feature a unique, behind-the-scenes look at the theatre’s 90-year history, architecture and character, led by a knowledgeable tour guide and a trip backstage. Guests will experience insider tidbits throughout the tour and have the option to sip on Frosé, wine, local craft beer. In celebration of the Birthday month, a complimentary “Crown Jewel” cocktail will be included. Tickets cost $25 per person and are available at the Majestic Theatre Box office or on Ticketmaster online. A portion of ticket proceeds support the Las Casas Foundation Performing Arts Scholarship Program.
Majestic Theatre
224 E. Houston St.
San Antonio, TX 78205
Visitors to the Pearl can satisfy their taste buds this summer at The Bar at Bottling Department. Grab a drink during their happy hour every Monday through Thursday from 3p.m. to 6p.m. Featured items include $3 Texas Beers, $3 off glasses of wine as well as $3 off Frosé. This open, walk-up bar is located in the heart of the Pearl and features a vast selection of red and white wines plus several unique cocktails like their wine infused popsicles and strawberry Frosé.
Bottling Department at Pearl
312 Pearl Pkwy
San Antonio, TX 78215
River Walk wanderers can stop by Esquire Tavern for happy hour Monday through Friday from 3p.m. to 7p.m. with $3 snacks. During weekday happy hour, all glasses of wine and cocktails are $3 off with seasonal drinks like Pirate and $1 off Texas draft beers. Night owls can indulge in the late-night happy hour, offered Thursday through Saturday 11p.m. to 1a.m. Featured items include Chef Brooke Smith’s $6 chili-salt fries, $8 fried pickles, and an $11 grilled pimento cheese sandwich.
The Esquire Tavern
155 E. Commerce St.
San Antonio, TX 78205
Patrons who visit EVO can enjoy happy hour Monday through Thursday from 11a.m. to 6p.m. Specials include $1 off craft draft beer, $2 off domestics, $3 wells and fireball, $4 jager and $5 house margaritas, like a fresh Watermelon Margarita. Tuesdays at EVO see the $5 frenzy all day $5 bowling, movies, craft beer and select appetizers such as classic nachos, cheese fries and fried mushrooms.
Evo Entertainment Group
18658 IH 35N
Schertz, TX 78154
COVER 3 has several activities this month in support of Women’s World Cup. Photo: COVER 3, used with permission.
Attention soccer fans: COVER 3, Austin’s premier sports bar and restaurant, is excited to announce that the locally-owned-and-operated restaurant group is launching a brand-new initiative in support of the upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup, which kicked off Friday, June 7 through the championship match on Sunday, July 7. All COVER 3 locations, along with COVER 2, will be offering a month-long, multifaceted campaign that includes a variety of incentive-laden punch card programs and limited-time-only in-store offerings. (COVER 3, 2019)
To help kick off the “Wings of the World” World Cup promotion, COVER 3 hosted a bracket competition last week for local patrons to pick the ultimate winner of this summer’s Women’s World Cup. The grand prize for the bracket competition is free wings-for-a-year and a $500 Gift Card, although the competition required a $5 buy-in to participate. 100% of proceeds raised from the bracket competition will be donated to local Partnerships For Children (PFC), COVER 3’s official charity partner in Austin, to help cover the cost of local foster children participating in organized team sports activities and recreational leagues.
All COVER 3 locations will host a drive for new team sports equipment to help stock PFC’s Rainbow Room with the overwhelming number of requests received specifically for sporting equipment. Key items include soccer balls, goalie gloves and shin guards, baseball bats and batting helmets, footballs, basketballs, cleats of all sizes and types and gift cards to Academy which will be used to purchase child specific sporting equipment needs.
PFC is a local nonprofit that provides critical resources to abused and neglected children in Central Texas who are in the care of Child Protective Services, and The Rainbow Room is PFC’s 24/7 resource center where caseworkers can gather essential items for children in crisis. Research supports that extracurricular activities increase a youth’s likelihood to not only stay in school, but to also maintain a certain GPA. The state of Texas does not cover the expense for any of these normalizing activities and nonprofit organizations, like PFC, work to fill this gap.
COVER 3 also had a special “Wings of the World” poll on its main Facebook and Instagram pages to ask fans what team they think will be the 2019 winner. Based on these findings, COVER 3 will create a custom chef-driven menu of five distinct World Cup-themed new flavors for the restaurant’s popular chicken wings, which have been named “Best Wings” at the Austin Chicken Wing Festival in recent years. One lucky fan will also be gifted a $50 gift card just for participating in the Facebook poll.
Finally, COVER 3 is creating a special Women’s World Cup Passport, a punch card and raffle contest, for which patrons are encouraged to participate in all facets of this month-long summer program. The punch card will have seven total holes which fans must complete in order to be entered in the larger Women’s World Cup raffle. Patrons must not only submit a completed bracket (#1) and donate a piece of children’s sports equipment (#2) at any COVER 3 or COVER 2 location, but they must dine at least four times at any COVER 3 location or COVER 2 during the period of June 7 to July 7, 2019.
The passport raffle will feature a variety of prizes, including a grand prize for one lucky fan:
• Grand Prize (x1): Free wings-for-a-year
• Second Prize (x5): $100 gift card
• Third Prize (x1 each):
o Two general admission tickets to an upcoming Austin Bold FC (at Circuit of The Americas)
o Merch bundle feat. t-shirt, tank top, and cap
o Branded product bundle feat. canteen, wine tumbler, wine key and bartender’s bottle opener
In addition to this month-long campaign, COVER 3 and COVER 2 will be hosting a variety of watch parties for those looking to catch some of the World Cup matches, including all of the early round games confirmed for Team USA on June 11, June 16, June 20. Specific promotions, discounts, and watch party information will be revealed closer to each game on Facebook and Instagram.
Friday’s ribbon cutting for the new Shake Shack. Photo: Sandra Cruz
Yesterday was the much-anticipated opening of the newest San Antonio location of Shake Shack, this one conveniently located at 3003 Broadway near Brackenridge Park, the San Antonio Zoo and the Witte Museum. The line of people waiting outside was decent-sized and once the doors opened, a steady stream of people continued coming in to enjoy the city’s newest burger restaurant. The actual ribbon cutting was in the front of the restaurant so unfortunately those waiting in line on the sidelines were not able to witness how excited and pumped up the employees were to get started.
Everyone from the manager to the employees were attentive and helpful and were more than happy to explain the menu and the company’s efforts to “Stand For Something Good®.” The food was high quality and delicious and as a vegetarian, it was nice to be able to actually have something to eat. Their ‘Shroom Burger, a crisp-fried portobello mushroom filled with melted Muenster and Cheddar cheeses, topped with lettuce, tomato and ShackSauce™ was delightful and filling. Those who came early enough snagged some Shake Shack swag that included a tote bag, a frisbee and a paper fan. I brought in a t-shirt and I was able to have it printed onsite by Burnt Nopal, formerly Snakehawk Press.
The ‘Shroom Burger
Shake Shack is a critically acclaimed, modern day “roadside” burger stand known for its 100% all-natural Angus beef burgers, chicken sandwiches and griddled flat-top dogs, no hormones or antibiotics ever, fresh-made frozen custard, crispy crinkle cut fries and more. A fun and lively community gathering place with widespread appeal, Shake Shack has earned a cult-like following around the world.
The 4,000 square-foot Shack will feature ample seating for guests, an outdoor patio and an interior feature wood wall. In keeping with Shake Shack’s commitment to green architecture and eco-friendly construction, the Brackenridge Shack’s tabletops will be made by CounterEvolution using reclaimed bowling alley lanes; chairs will be designed by Uhuru using sustainable materials; and booths will be crafted by Staach using lumber certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.
Since 2004, 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. With its fresh, simple, high-quality food at a great value, Shake Shack is a fun and lively community gathering place with widespread appeal. Since the original Shack opened in 2004 in NYC’s Madison Square Park, the company has expanded to more than 220 locations in 26 U.S. States and the District of Columbia, including more than 70 international locations across London, Hong Kong, Istanbul, Dubai, Tokyo, Moscow, Seoul and more.
This year’s Evenings on the Edge at Topaz pool parties begin on Thursday June 6. Photo: La Cantera Resort & Spa, used with permission.
Evenings on the Edge at Topaz are evening events that benefit local charities and feature live entertainment. This series of popular sunset adult pool parties is back this summer at La Cantera Resort & Spa every Thursday beginning June 6, except for Thursday July 4, and running through August 8 from 7p.m. to 11p.m. Tickets are $30 if purchased in advance; guests must be 21 and over and ID is required. Event is free for resort guests: all they must do is simply present their key at the register desk to receive their wrist bands. Tickets at the door are $40 and Valet at the door is $10. (La Cantera Resort & Spa, 2019)
Ticket includes a summer-inspired cocktails and live performances and/or DJ, all with the unrivaled Hill Country views as backdrop. This year, the series includes themed evenings and additional fun and excitement. Attendees will receive a complimentary cocktail upon entry and a Moet Chandon toast at sundown. In the event of inclement weather, ticket will be honored at a future event based on availability; tickets are non-refundable.
Ten private cabañas also are available for rent and require 24-hour cancellation. A portion of ticket sales and cabaña rentals benefit local charities. A Topaz Sunset Pass is available for $150 per person ($300 value) and includes one ticket to each Evenings on the Edge event. Available through week 6, July 18, of 2019 Evenings on the Edge season. Detailed information on cabaña rentals and Topaz Sunset Passes is available online.
• Thursday, June 6 – San Antonio Zoo; Theme: Yacht Club; Music by The Night Owls • Thursday, June 13 – Viola’s Huge Heart; Theme: Summer Chic
• Thursday, June 20 – San Antonio Food Bank; Peanut Butter and Jelly donations requested • Thursday, June 27 – Silver and Black Give Back; Theme: Throwback Thursday – wear vintage jersey • Thursday, July 11 – Culinaria; Theme: White Party
• Thursday, July 18 – August Heart; Theme: Summer Chic
• Thursday, July 25 – Fashion Group International; Theme: Best of the 70s and 80s; Music by Finding Friday
• Thursday, August 1 – Eva’s Heroes; Theme: Little Polka-Dot Bikini
• Thursday, August 8 – San Antonio Library Foundation: Theme: Beach Party; Band TBD
La Cantera Resort & Spa
16641 La Cantera Pkwy
San Antonio, TX 78256
(210) 558-6500
SA Examiner 