San Marcos Premium Outlets has extended shopping hours this Memorial Day weekend.
San Marcos Premium Outlets announces extended shopping hours this Memorial Day Weekend from Friday, May 25 through Monday, May 28, for the ultimate shopping convenience. Select stores will have special promotions throughout the weekend and are offering additional holiday discounts on top of already everyday low prices. (San Marcos Premium Outlets, 2018)
Just in time for this this weekend’s shopping, Michael Kors is reopening Friday, May 25. The new and improved store is larger and carries a larger assortment of products, including women’s shoes for the first time. After an extensive makeover and expansion, Michael Kors will reopen in its original location between Restoration Hardware and Gucci. The 10,600 square-foot store will feature an updated, luxury concept with more product offerings and modern touches throughout.
Michael Kors is the leading American fashion designer for luxury accessories and sportswear. The company’s heritage is rooted in producing polished, sleek, sophisticated American sportswear with a jet-set attitude. Products, emblematic of the highest standard of quality, include apparel, accessories and beauty. In addition to a new and improved layout, shoppers now have larger assortment of product in the expanded store, including handbags and small leather goods; men’s watches, bags, wallets and apparel; and women’s shoes and apparel.
San Marcos Premium Outlets
3939 S Interstate 35
San Marcos, TX 78666
Ole, San Antonio: When San Antonio Meets Spain will celebrate the city’s anniversary this summer. Photo: Pearl, used with permission.
To celebrate San Antonio’s Tricentennial and its Spanish heritage, Pearl announces Olé, San Antonio: When San Antonio Meets Spain. This summer-long celebration will take place from Friday June 15 to Sunday September 16 to commemorate the city’s 300th anniversary. There will be events and activities related to four main pillars: gastronomy, music and dance, arts and architecture. Events will include new programming while also incorporating existing Pearl activities. (Pearl, 2018)
Scheduled events will have a common thread: an intercambio, an exchange and collaboration between the cultures of Spain and San Antonio, creating experiences and memories completely unique to Olé. Restaurants at the Pearl will feature Spanish menus and chef collaboration dinners, retailers will feature specially curated Spanish items, and there will be a variety of activities at the Pearl Park.
The official opening day is Thursday June 21 with a Dia Mundial de la Tapa (International Day of the Tapa) tasting at Pearl Stable, a flamenco performance in Pearl Park by Pure Flamenco Primitivo Family Dance Company and a celebration of Spanish cuisine and cooking techniques at the Culinary Institute of America campus at Pearl.
Gastronomy:
Pearl will have a total Spanish take-over of the restaurants onsite as they host Tapas Tuesdays, Gin Tonic Thursdays, Spanish wine selections and more. Collaboration dinners will include Spanish chefs paired with Pearl chefs. The Culinary Institute of America in San Antonio (CIA) will host Spanish master classes for students and food enthusiasts that will center around popular Spanish cuisine like tapas, paella and Spanish wines. Hotel Emma will present several culinary concierge-driven Spanish demos and immersive tastings as well as classes around the six essential Spanish food categories: olive oil, wine, cheese, jamón (ham), salts/spices and conservas (tinned fish). Supper, Larder and Sternewirth will incorporate Spanish-influenced items, such as flamenquines, saffrón and Spanish sea salts, jamóns, tapas, sangrias and gin tonics. Hotel Emma will also host several Spanish dinners at Supper featuring chefs from Spain and regional Spanish chefs.
Music and dance:
Spanish music and dance will come to life at Pearl with intercambio performances that will range from flamenco to jazz to DJs to mariachi. World-renowned flamenco dancer Carlos Rodriguez will present a special performance at Pearl Park. Spanish DJs will collaborate in their performances with South Texan counterparts and there will be an evening of zarzuela with Casa de España en San Antonio. Spanish artist Concha Buika is scheduled to perform at Pearl Park in August. She is a Grammy nominated artist and voted one of the world’s “50 Great Voices” by NPR whose music includes flamenco, Latin, jazz and R&B.
Arts and architecture:
Ana Juan, an artist, illustrator, painter and winner of the 2010 Spanish National Illustration prize, will be creating a limited-edition serigraph honoring the city’s long history printed by master serigrapher Manolo Gurillo. The Olé Galería (gallery) will feature exhibitions of contemporary Spanish graphic artists and works from visiting Spanish photographers Beatrix Mexi Molnar and Andres Marin. Olé will also be collaborating with the San Antonio Museum of Art on its exhibition Spain: 500 Years of Spanish Painting from the Museums of Madrid.
Finally, the closing day is scheduled for Sunday September 16 and the day’s events will feature an intercambio dinner with Spanish chefs working with Pearl chefs, a mariachi-flamenco performance with Spanish guitarist Luis Gallo performing with local San Antonio artists as part of Mariachi Lab and a Cabezudos (big heads) parade representing key figures in the city’s history. A short film, the product of a collaboration between visiting Spanish and San Antonio-based artists, will premiere at the event.
“Our intention with creating Olé was to acknowledge our 300 years of history with Spain and to create a truly monumental celebration that people will cherish and remember for the rest of their lives..” – Elizabeth Fauerso, Pearl chief marketing officer
Celebrate National Wine Day on Friday with a fresh-fruit sangria at Krause’s Café. Photo: Krause’s Café, used with permission.
This Friday May 25 is National Wine Day and for anyone looking for local places to relax and have a glass of wine, Pearl in San Antonio and Krause’s Café & Biergarten in New Braunfels have some wine specials. Whether by the bottle or the glass, red or white, guests can celebrate this drink holiday with style and save money.
At Pearl’s Bar at the Bottling Department, guests can expect 25% off select wines on Friday. If money is no object, the new frosé is available to cool down with and just $8 for an 8 oz. glass.
Krause’s Cafe & Biergarten in New Braunfels will offer half off select bottles. Restaurant and biergarten patrons can also enjoy wine on tap for $6- $7.50 as well as one of New Braunfels’ biggest glasses of fresh-fruit sangria for $8.
Krause’s Café & Biergarten
148 S Castell Ave
New Braunfels, TX 78130
(830) 625-2807
Pearl
312 Pearl Parkway
San Antonio, TX 78215
(210) 564-9140
Mango Chili Shrimp Ceviche perfect for grilling season. Photo: Twang, used with permission.
The weather is getting warmer, which means Memorial Day and summer are right around the corner and with it, grilling season. With Latin roots and the Mexican tradition of adding citrus + salt to foods as the inspiration for many of their products, ZAS! has recipes to bring out the flavor in summer grilling. Each ZAS! blend has been designed to pair as a marinade with certain meats and veggies. The line of premium blends brings flavors from around the world to a backyard grill, with tastes reminiscent of a street vendor in Mexico City or a mango grove in India. Twang is a family-owned and operated creator and manufacturer of premium-flavored salts, sugars and seasonings based in San Antonio, Texas. ZAS! products are available throughout the country in 46 states, in grocery stores, convenience stores and online. (Twang, 2018)
Mango Chili Shrimp Ceviche
All ceviche is tasty, but this version kicks it up a notch with the added tropical and spicy flavor of Mango Chili.
Serving Size: 4
Ingredients:
12 medium raw shrimp, cleaned and chopped
¼ cup of fresh lime juice
1 small mango, peeled and chopped
1 small avocado, cut into chunks
1 red onion, finely chopped
¼ cup of fresh cilantro, chopped
1 tomato, chopped
1 jalapeno, seeded and finely chopped
ZAS! Mango Chili Super-Seasoning
Instructions:
Toss the shrimp in the lime juice enough to cover all the shrimp. Let sit for 12-20 minutes.
Once the shrimp is opaque, add the mango, avocado, tomato, red onion, jalapeno and cilantro. Toss to combine all ingredients. Add more lime juice and let it sit in the refrigerator for another 15 minutes.
Remove and sprinkle on the ZAS! Mango Chili Super-Seasoning before eating.
El Mirador is one of the local restaurants offering guests Mother’s Day specials. Photo: El Mirador, used with permission.
Mother’s Day is this weekend and for anyone looking last-minute gift ideas for mom, here’s a guide from Hiatus Spa + Retreat, Vintage Bouquet Bar, Bakery Lorraine, Cover 3, The Granary ‘Cue & Brew and Mirador. (2018)
From Hiatus Spa + Retreat:
Mom 2.0: Upgrade mom’s operating system with two hours of me-time and she will be ready to take on the world. The Comeback Massage and The One & Only Pedicure give Mom some much-needed time to re-charge. (2 hours $165 | $190 value; H-Circle $119)
Happy + Happier + Happiest: The three most popular services combined—The Signature Massage, The One & Only Mani-Pedi and The Tailor-Made Facial—for a fantastic finish. (3.5 hours $260 | $320 value; H-Circle $189)
The Shangri-La: The Yours, Truly Massage, The Best Facial Ever and The Epic Mani-Pedi come together for a spa day for the ages. (4.5 hours $425 | $515 value; H-Circle $369)
The Big Chill: The 90-minute Signature Massage followed by a super-charged plant peel in The Perfectionist Facial for that inner glow. (2.5 hours $240 | $305 Value; H-Circle $189)
Hiatus will be offering a special Monthly Retreat, Springtime in Paris:
Begin with an invigorating exfoliation of Sea Salt, Lemon Peel, Lavender Blossom and Juniper Berry. Savor a refreshing massage with an exhilarating Vichy rainfall, followed by a sprinkle of fragrant body oil. Afterwards, delight in a French 75 made with a lavender infused gin. (80-minute, $139 H-Circle | $195 Non-Member)
Around San Antonio and the Pearl:
While supplies last, The Bottling Department at Pearl will be giving away free Vintage Bouquet Bar flowers to all Mothers that visit that day and will have a mom mimosa special at the bar.
Bakery Lorraine will have dark chocolate zinfandel macarons in honor of all the love moms share with their children.
Cover 3 will show their mom appreciation with free rosé and mimosas to all moms who stop by that day.
The Granary ‘Cue & Brew will have a popup Sunday brunch on Mother’s Day featuring buttermilk French toast, pastrami hash, southern Benedict made with buttermilk biscuits, country ham and more.
At El Mirador
The restaurant celebrated for its classic Mexican cooking and outdoor space is helping guests who come to brunch at the Southtown favorite on Mother’s Day celebrate in style. Specials include $10 off all jarras of cocktails during regular brunch hours from 10a.m. to 3p.m. Jarras (pitcher) offerings range from margaritas and palomas to fresh-fruit sangria. Guests can fill up on delicious bronche items like Chorizo con Huevos and papas, panqueques, griddled pancakes, with cane sugar syrup, Don Julian’s Favorite, eggs scrambled with beef machacado & salsa rancher, Nachos Compuestos and Queso Flameado. Besides this excellent special on jarras, the patio at El Mirador makes for a beautiful view when toasting to mom.
May at the Pearl is full of activities for the whole family. Photo: Pearl, used with permission.
The Pearl is brimming with activity this month. Whether it be music, food, shopping or fitness, there is something for everyone. (Pearl, 2018)
Fitness in Pearl Park at 5:30p.m.
Pearl hosts a free Fitness in Pearl Park every Tuesday, May 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29, at 5:30 p.m. in May with CrossFit classes from MBS Fitness. After class, enjoy specials in the Bottling Department from The Good Kind and the Bar. Sign up is not required for this event.
Sunset Sessions is back at Pearl Park for the 2018 summer season. DJ sets are every Wednesday starting on May 2 from 5:30p.m. to 9p.m. Dates and details for the June through October sessions will be forthcoming.
May DJs include:
May 9 – DJ Plata
May 16 – JJ Lopez
May 23 – DJ Nandez
May 30 – Benjamin Boogie
Sunday, May 13: Mother’s Day at Pearl
Mother’s Day at Pearl is jam packed with family-friendly activities and brunches worthy of spoiling moms. The Bottling Department will be giving away free Vintage Bouquet Bar flowers to all moms that walk in that day and will have a mom mimosa special at the bar. Bakery Lorraine will have dark chocolate zinfandel macaroons and The Granary ‘Cue and Brew will have a first ever pop-up brunch from 11a.m. to 3p.m. featuring buttermilk French toast and more. Granary is not usually open on Sundays, so this will give guests an exclusive chance to try their brunch for the first time. Retailers at the Pearl will also be open during normal business hours for guests to buy the perfect Mother’s Day present. The Farmers Market will be open from 10a.m. to 2p.m. as usual that day.
Starting Saturday, May 19 through June 3: Elena Gallego’s Rare Books Pop-Up Shop at Pearl from 11a.m. to 7p.m. Elena Gallego Rare Books will be hosting a special pop-up at the Pearl featuring antiquarian books, manuscripts, maps and posters from Texas and Spain. The pop-up will start on May 19 and go through June 3. There will be an official opening party on Tuesday, May 22, starting at 5p.m., with cocktails provided by La Merienda Catering. To RSVP for the opening party, please RSVP to mariana@elenagallego.com or 210-789-5824.
Monday, May 28: Memorial Day at Pearl from 12p.m. to 4p.m.
Celebrate Memorial Day at Pearl with a crawfish boil and pig roast by Bud’s Southern Rotisserie. Activities will include live music by the Gulf Coast Playboys and more.
Pearl
303 Pearl Parkway
San Antonio, TX 78215
(210) 212-7260
‘Batman of Mexico’ at Downstairs at Esquire. Photo: Kody Melton, used with permission.
With Cinco De Mayo right around the corner, some cocktail bars choose to celebrate the holiday by incorporating the rich influence of Mexican spirits into their cocktail menus. Three of those are in San Antonio, a city known for its Mexican influence in food and drinks, and include Downstairs at Esquire, Esquire Tavern and El Mirador. Beverage Director Houston Eaves helps lead a beverage program that thoughtfully creates cocktails in ways that both utilize Mexican ingredients in a playful way while others reflect and pay homage to the rich Mexican history associated with San Antonio. In honor of Cinco De Mayo, here are some recipes, each with a clever story or character inspiring them. (Downstairs at Esquire, Esquire Tavern, El Mirador, 2018)
‘BATMAN OF MEXICO’ AT DOWNSTAIRS AT ESQUIRE
Named for Dr. Rodrigo Medellín, a Mexican Conservationist and Ecologist known as the ‘Batman of Mexico’ for his academic work studying bats. Dr. Medellín is co-founder of the Bat-Friendly Tequila & Mezcal Program, which is studying the relationship between agaves and their main pollinator, bats. This program looks at how the Tequila industry can help impact populations of migrating bats by allowing a portion of their plants to flower each year.
Ingredients:
2 oz. Siembra Valles High Proof Blanco Tequila
.75 oz. Fresh corn/chile syrup
.75 oz. Key Lime juice
Shake ingredients well with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass rimmed with sal de chapulín. Garnish with Bat Signal.
‘TEXECUTIONER’ AT ESQUIRE TAVERN
Named after Texas politician Rick Perry, Wahaka’s brazen espadín serves as an herbal fortitude for this memorable mix. Crafted in 2011 by bartender Houston Eaves during his time at ranch-like restaurant Contigo in Austin, the recipe traveled down to San Antonio’s historic Esquire Tavern after he relocated to the Alamo City a year later. Thanks to its savvy balance of snappy grapefruit and sweet Cocchi Americano, the drink has endured as a menu staple at both bars. Drink it served up or on a large ice cube and watch for the punchy mezcal to soften as the honeysuckle and orange notes of Cocchi weave throughout.
Ingredients:
3⁄4 oz. Wahaka Espadín mezcal
3⁄4 oz. Xtabentún
3⁄4 oz. Cocchi Aperitivo Americano
3⁄4 oz. fresh grapefruit juice
GRAPEFRUIT TWIST, for garnish
Combine all ingredients in a shaker tin with ice and shake well. Strain into a coupe glass. Express the oil from a grapefruit swath over the top of the drink for aromatics and garnish with grapefruit twist.
‘EL CHAVO’ AT EL MIRADOR
Created by El Mirador bartender John Cox and inspired by popular 80s Mexican TV show “El Chavo del Ocho”, the El Chavo cocktail stirs up reminiscent feelings of the show centered around the adventures and tribulations of the title character—a poor orphan nicknamed “El Chavo.” When ordering the drink during happy hour, patrons at El Mirador can often find the bartender playing this show on TV.
Ingredients:
1oz Paranubes Oaxacan Rum
0.5oz Cimarrón Reposado Tequila
0.5oz Tempus Fugit Crème de Cacao
0.5oz Fresh Key Lime Juice
0.25oz Cinnamon Syrup
1 barspoon Condensed Milk
Shake well with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass with a half-Chapulín salt rim.
SweetFire Kitchen is having an Easter Feast on Sunday April 1. Photo: SweetFire Kitchen, used with permission.
Next up on the calendar is Easter and SweetFire Kitchen at La Cantera Resort & Spa is having an Easter Feast on Sunday April 1 for $65 for adults and $26 for children. Reservations are available through open table or by calling (210) 558-2479. (SweetFire Kitchen, 2018)
SweetFire Kitchen is located on the lobby level of La Cantera Resort & Spa and features an open-air style kitchen. Guests can enjoy home style cuisine and signature dishes and a full-service bar with unique craft cocktails, an extensive wine list and draught beers.
Menu includes: Raw Bar
Calamari salad, olives, Meyer lemon & dill
Gulf Coast oysters on the half shell, cucumber- vodka mignonette
Cajun rubbed poached shrimp, chipotle cocktail sauce Cheese & Charcuturie
House cured meats & Texas cheeses
Spiced lavosh, seasonal jams & local honey Salad Table
Artisanal greens, spring vegetables & assorted dressings
Braised duck & quinoa salad, celery, fennel & citrus
Baby romaine, brown butter croutons, roasted tomatoes & roasted garlic dressing
Beet & potato salad, pickled mustard seed & tarragon
Grilled spring vegetable antipasto, fava bean hummus & crostini SFK Specialties
Apple wood smoked bacon
Chicken apple sausage
Pork sausage
Scrambled eggs, chives & roasted tomatoes
Roasted Yukon gold potatoes, caramelized onions, peppers & Smoked paprika
Sautéed BBQ shrimp, Jalapeno sausage & cheese grits
Grilled Texas squash, leeks & blistered tomatoes
Roasted heirloom carrots & English peas, cardamom butter Action stations
Made to order pancakes
Blueberries, chocolate chips, Oreo pieces, butter, whipped cream
Chocolate sauce, caramel, maple syrup
Made to order omelets & eggs Carving Station
Garlic & herb rubbed Prime Rib, horseradish cream & Au jus
Porchetta, bourbon-apple mostarda From the Bakeshop
Display of house made breads & pastries
Assorted verrines
Milk chocolate mousse cake
Texas orange cheesecake
Pistachio financier, hazelnut streusel
Cream puffs strawberry, raspberry
Olive oil and mascarpone cream cake
Chocolate almond tarts
Easter sugar cookies
Carrot cake carrot macaroons
Action station
Orange crepes hazelnut cream filling mandarin orange ice cream
SweetFire Kitchen
16641 La Cantera Parkway
San Antonio, TX 78256
(210) 558-6500
Bakery Lorraine is one local restaurant having Easter specials. Photo: Bakery Lorraine, used with permission.
Easter is right around the corner and local restaurants will be having Easter specials and brunch ideas for those who opt to eat out. Whether it is special Easter pastries, drinks specials or brunch, there is something for everyone. (Bakery Lorraine, Boiler House, Southerleigh, Rosella at the Rand, Twang, 2018)
Easter specials include: Bakery Lorraine will offer special Easter egg moon pies, carrot cake and bunny heads made with white chocolate mousse and strawberry compote. Hours: 7a.m. – 8p.m.
Boiler House will have Easter Brunch specials including carrot oatmeal pancakes, cast iron rabbit bread pudding, Lobster Cobb, cured salmon patty melt and a country ham Benedict. They will also have brunch favorites such as the “David Lee Roth” Krispy Kreme Burger, Hangover Hash and Green Chili Pork and Eggs. Hours: 10a.m. – 10p.m.
Southerleigh will celebrate Easter Sunday with delicious drink specials including specialty mimosas, Micheladas and various brewed beers. Hours: 10a.m. – 4p.m.
Rosella at the Rand will offer a “Live Jazz Easter Brunch” from 9a.m. – 3p.m. The Brunch menu includes, Chicken and Waffles, Tom’s Huevos Rancheros, Chicken Biscuits and gravy and more. For beverages, the full bar will be serving mimosas, Bloody Marys and Micheladas. Rosella’s newest location, Rossella at the Garden will also be offering the same Easter Brunch menu from 9a.m. – 3p.m. Rosella on E Jones Ave will be open serving breakfast from 8a.m. – 3p.m.
For those planning on celebrating Easter Sunday at home with family and friends, Twang has some delicious recipes. These include: Michelada Deviled Eggs: Traditional deviled eggs with a twist of Michelada inspired flavor by using Twang’s Michelada Beer Salt; Sugar Cookie Balls: A sweet and easy no-bake dessert perfect for Easter festivities using Twang’s Cafe Zuca vanilla sugar and Slow Cooker Pulled Pork: A unique appetizer for guests to enjoy before the egg scavenger hunt.
The Whataburger 2018 Fiesta medal is available for purchase online. Photo: Whataburger, used with permission.
Fiesta is right around the corner in San Antonio and the medals have already started to show up around town. Yesterday at the second annual Fiesta Pop Up Store, Whataburger fans got a chance to buy an official Whataburger 2018 Fiesta medal before they went on sale to the public. Coinciding with San Antonio’s Tricentennial and all the history that comes with it, Whataburger’s Fiesta medal pays homage to the classics. The medal features a Whataburger No. 2 with crispy fries, decorated with glitter, and an ice-cold drink, all in bold, festive colors. They are $9.99 each and are available online but there are only a limited number available and they have been known to sell out. (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.
SA Examiner 