Category: Hotel news

Christmas specials in San Antonio

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Hotel Contessa is one area business offering Christmas Eve and Christmas Day menus.  Photo: Hotel Contessa, used with permission.

Christmas is fast approaching and for anyone looking for dining out options, area restaurants are having menu specials and special offers. (Hotel Emma, Bakery Lorraine, Boiler House, Hotel Contessa, Esquire Tavern, Downstairs, Rosella, Twang, 2017)

Hotel Emma will offer special holiday themed menu items Christmas Eve and on Christmas Day at Supper. On Christmas Eve Supper will have a Whole Bronzino grilled and stuffed with braised fennel, crab and lemon on toasted cauliflower puree with herb salad for dinner from 5p.m. to 10p.m. On Christmas Day Supper will have Cider and Spiced Roasted Porkloin with Apple Marmalade, Pickled Mustard, Blistered Beens and Almonds, Parmesan and Rosemary Potato Gratin for lunch and dinner. Lunch hours are 12p.m. to 3 p.m. and dinner hours are 5p.m. to 10p.m.

Bakery Lorraine has an assortment of different holiday themed desserts throughout the holiday season such as chocolate covered gingerbread men, ornament moon pies and more. Customers may place and pick up orders of specialty large pies and seasonal macaroons. Large pies, 9” are $26 and Macaroon holiday flavor packs are $12  for a 6 pack or $20 for a 12 pack with flavors like eggnog, hot cocoa, cinnamon, peppermint, and angel food. Christmas Eve hours are from 7a.m. to 6p.m. and the restaurant will be closed on Christmas Day.

Boiler House will be serving holiday themed cocktails and dinner items on Christmas Eve from 5p.m. to close. The restaurant will be closed on Christmas Day. Cocktail items include Gingerbread Martini for $14, Hot Buttered Texas Rum for $12 and dish items include Lemon Chive Crabcake for $15 – Sweet pepper relish, achiote aioli, sunny quail egg; Calamari Piccata for $21 – Pan roasted calamari, charred tomato concasse, capers, rapini and arugula; Roast Leg of Lamb for $29 – Pappardelle, roasted garlic, mustard greens, pan jus, parmesan and Eggnog Pound Cake for $8 – Candied fruit, cocoa nibs

Hotel Contessa is offering a pre-fixe dinner menu on Sunday, Christmas Eve and a holiday brunch on Monday, December 25th from 11a.m. to 2:30p.m. Reservations required for Christmas Day brunch, $55/person, $25/children ages 8-13 and children 7 and under eat free.

Downstairs at Esquire and Esquire Tavern will be serving aged Egg Nog. Guests can experience a very traditional Egg Nog whipped up by the folks behind The Esquire in San Antonio and based on recipes dating back to the 1700s. This classic Egg Nog uses Paul Beau VS Cognac, Four Roses Bourbon, El Dorado Demerara Rum, milk, cream, sugar, and eggs and is spiced with a bit of cinnamon, star anise and nutmeg.

Rosella at The Rand will be serving a White Chocolate Peppermint Latte throughout the holiday season for only $4.75. The restaurant will be serving brunch on Christmas Eve from 9a.m. to 3p.m. and closed on Christmas Day.

Twang is offering “The Beer Lover Party Buckets” for this holiday season.  Both party buckets will retail online for $39 each with free shipping. Bucket 1 (Texas Themed) includes 1 Texas Themed Twang Beer Salt T- Shirt, 2 Holster Koozies that carry Twang Beer Salt, 8 Beer Salt Longnecks, 1 Twang Beer Salt Steel Bottle Opener, 2 Beer Salt Drink Glasses and 1 Twang Beer Salt branded bucket to keep drinks cool. Bucket 2 includes 1 Twang T- Shirt, 2 Holster Koozies that carry Twang Beer Salt, 8 Beer Salt Longnecks, 1 Twang Beer Salt Steel Bottle Opener, 2 Beer Salt Drink Glasses and 1 Twang Beer Salt bucket to keep drinks cool.

Latin Jazz Wednesdays at Sternewirth

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Latin Jazz Wednesdays kick off this Wednesday August 23 at Hotel Emma’s Sternewirth.  Photo: Hotel Emma, used with permission.

This Wednesday August 23, Hotel Emma will kick off its new Latin Jazz Wednesdays music series at Sternewirth with local music icon Henry Brun. Every Wednesday from 8p.m. to midnight, guests will be able to enjoy lively Latin Jazz music from the multiple Grammy Award-winning artist. Sternewirth will be serving its full cocktail menu featuring favorites such as Three Emmas, La Babia Margarita and more as well as its updated food menu until 11:30p.m. (Hotel Emma, 2017)

Conga dynamo Henry Brun, nicknamed “Mr. Ritmo” by his fans, began playing congas at age seven and by the time he was eleven he was playing professionally. While listening to and being influenced by Latin music pioneers such as Tito Puente, Patato, Buyú, Mongo and Candido, Henry developed his own unique style and technique on bongos and timbales.

Hotel Emma is in the former Pearl Brewery which was built in 1894 and is named in honor of Emma Koehler, the wife of Pearl Brewery founder Otto Koehler. She kept the brewery going during prohibition after her husband passed away and saw it through its most successful years. The hotel was designed by award-winning firm Roman and Williams who are known for mixing historic and modern elements. They had the historic Pearl building as a starting point and created a beautiful structure that blends the old with the new, the industrial with the refined.

Sternewith at Hotel Emma
136 E Grayson St
San Antonio, TX 78215
(210) 448-8300

Evenings on the Edge at Topaz

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Evenings on the Edge at Topaz adult pool parties are back at La Cantera Resort & Spa.  Courtesy photo, used with permission.

The series of popular sunset adult pool parties is back this summer at La Cantera Resort & Spa beginning on June 1 and running through August 10 from 7p.m. to 11p.m. Evenings on the Edge at Topaz are Thursday night events that benefit local charities and feature live entertainment. Guests must be 21 and over and ID is required. (La Cantera Resort & Spa, 2017)

Tickets are $25 and available online and if purchased in advance it includes valet parking. Valet parking at the door is $10. Ticket includes a summer-inspired cocktail, live performances and/or DJ, pop up min spa sessions and 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 $450 and includes, among other benefits, two tickets to each event, two-day spa passes, valet parking and a welcome cocktail. Detailed information on cabaña rentals and Topaz Sunset Passes is available online.

  • Thursday, June 1 – Leukemia Lymphoma Society; Live performance by Finding Friday
  • Thursday, June 8 – Teed Off at Cancer
  • Thursday, June 15 – Culinaria
  • Thursday, June 22 – Houston Street Charities; Live performance by The Mighty Orq
  • Thursday, June 29 – Les Dames d’escoffier San Antonio
  • Thursday, July 6 – Heart Gift
  • Thursday, July 13 – Child in Need
  • Thursday, July 20 – TBD
  • Thursday, July 27 – Chamber Orchestra; Live performance by Passing Strangers
  • Thursday, August 3 – Fashion Group International
  • Thursday, August 10 – Viola’s Huge Heart

La Cantera Resort & Spa
16641 La Cantera Pkwy
San Antonio, TX 78256
(210) 558-6500

Fiesta Like a VIP package at The Hotel Contessa

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The Hotel Contessa is offering guests its Fiesta Like a VIP package during this year’s Fiesta San Antonio. Photo courtesy of The Hotel Contessa, used with permission.

Fiesta San Antonio is well under way and The Hotel Contessa, the only Four Diamond all-suite hotel on the Riverwalk, is offering guests its Fiesta Like a VIP package from April 20 through April 30, 2017. The package starts at $900 per person per night and it is only available during Fiesta. Reservations may be done online. (The Hotel Contessa, 2017)

The Fiesta Like a VIP package includes:

  • Overnight stay in the Contessa Suite, Hotel Contessa’s 1,000 sq. ft. signature suite located on the top floor and offering modern furnishings, spacious living room, dining table and wet bar, master bedroom and double vanity bathroom with garden tub.
  • Complimentary in-room amenity of two traditional Margaritas.
  • Hotel Contessa’s Commemorative Fiesta Medal, a custom-designed hotel medal not available to the public.
  • Two tickets to NIOSA conveniently located along the Riverwalk and within walking distance from Hotel Contessa.
  • Traditional Cascarones Confetti Eggs to celebrate Fiesta like the locals.
  • Fiesta Recovery Breakfast for Two featuring a hearty selection of traditional Fiesta breakfast items, including Huevos Rancheros, Andalusian Breakfast Skillet or Traditional Eggs Benedict.

The Hotel Contessa
306 W Market Street
San Antonio, TX 78205
(210) 229-9222

Easter Sunday specials in San Antonio

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Bakery Lorraine will have dessert options like Neapolitan Bunnies for the Easter holiday.  Photo courtesy of Bakery Lorraine, used with permission.

Easter this year is on April 16 and several restaurants are offering Easter Sunday specials for their guests who would rather eat out with their families. Boiler House, Bakery Lorraine, Hotel Contessa, Southerleigh and Hotel Emma will have special holiday themed menus and desserts. (Giant Noise, 2017)

Boiler House – Boiler House will have specialty menu items and regular brunch items served on Easter Sunday. Brunch Entrees include Bunny & Brie Pierogies, Maple Cured Bone-In Pork Belly and Lobster Pot Pie. Dessert includes Poteet Strawberry Parfait. Special Libation includes Southtown, basil-serrano infused lime juice, local honey and Monopolowa Gin. Dinner hours are from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Bakery Lorraine – Bakery Lorraine will have special pastries available on Easter Sunday and throughout the beginning month of April including: Egg-Shaped Moonpies: Colorful Easter pastry eggs that’s made with homemade graham cracker cookies filled with marshmallow in the center ($4 each). Neapolitan Bunnies: Cute bunnies made with vanilla cream, strawberry and chocolate ($6 each). Lemon Berry Chicks: Designed baby chicks in a basket of lemon berry filling ($6 each). Carrot Cake: Bakery Lorraine’s specialty carrot cake ($6 each). Hours are from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Hotel Contessa – Hotel Contessa’s restaurant, Las Ramblas, is offering a special Easter brunch on Sunday, April 16 between 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., reservations required. Prices is $55 per person, $20 for children ages 6-13, free for children under 5. Brunch hours are from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Southerleigh – Southerleigh will be offering Easter brunch specials as well as its full brunch selection. Business hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Hotel Emma – Supper will be offering an Easter special that includes Hudspeth Farms lamb patty melt on pumpernickel with gouda and pickled Vegetables. Lunch hours are 11a.m. – 2 p.m. Dinner hours are 5 p.m. – 10 p.m. Larder will be offering an off the menu Easter Special of an Egg Salad Tartine with avocado, radish and carrot top salsa verde. Larder hours are from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

No Kid Hungry Dinner at Hotel Emma

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Hotel Emma to host first No Kid Hungry Dinner on Sunday May 21, 2017. Photo: Sandra Cruz

On Sunday May 21 Chef John Brand and Executive Pastry Chef Jenn Riesmann of Hotel Emma will host the first ever San Antonio No Kid Hungry Dinner at Hotel Emma. Presented by Citi, this event will pair the two chefs along with a team of guest chefs to create a special multi-course dinner to benefit No Kid Hungry’s work to end childhood hunger in America. Individual tickets are available for purchase at $175 per person and packages and table hosting opportunities begin at $2,500.  For additional information and to purchase tickets please visit No Kid Hungry online. (Hotel Emma, 2017)

This event will feature renowned guest chefs Ned Elliott of Foreign & Domestic in Austin, Ben Ford of Ford’s Filling Station in Los Angeles, Michael Paley of South Congress Hotel in Austin and Ryan Lachaine of Riel in Houston along with guest speaker Ruth Riley, general manager for the San Antonio Stars. There will be a cocktail reception at 6p.m. followed by a seated multi-course dinner and live auction at 7p.m. Guests will have the opportunity to bid on a variety of one of a kind luxury, culinary and travel items. Proceeds from the event will benefit No Kid Hungry’s work to end childhood hunger in Texas and across the country.

No Kid Hungry is a campaign of the national nonprofit Share Our Strength whose mission is to end childhood hunger. They do this by connecting kids to accessible, effective nutrition programs, building partnerships and advocating for policy changes needed to achieve these goals. Since the campaign’s launch, No Kid Hungry and its partners have connected kids struggling with hunger to more than 500 million meals.

Hotel Emma
136 E Grayson St
San Antonio, TX 78715
(210) 448-8300

Valentine’s Day specials in San Antonio

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Bakery Lorraine’s Raspberry Rose Japonaise are among the Valentine’s Days specials that will be available throughout San Antonio.  Courtesy photo, used with permission.

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and for anyone looking for ideas to celebrate the most romantic day of the year, the following is a guide of events and specials that local businesses will offer guests. More details are available online. (Giant Noise, 2017)

Boiler House – will have specialty menu items and regular dinner items served on Valentine’s Day. Dinner hours are 3 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Bakery Lorraine – will have special pastries available on Valentine’s Day and throughout the month of February including: Heart Shaped Pop Tarts, Heart Shaped Moonpies, Raspberry Rose Japonaise and Specialty Macaroons. There will also be tuxedo macarons which are chocolate dipped strawberry macarons designed like a strawberry tuxedo for $3 each. Bakery hours are 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Paramour – will be having a Valentine’s Day special event, “Catch Flights, not Feelings” that includes chocolate flights paired with a curated cocktail. Options include: First – Chocolate covered cherries paired with The Sands Cocktail. Second – Dark chocolate covered caramels with sea salt paired with House Barrel Aged Old Fashioned. Third – White chocolate and mixed nuts paired with Paramour’s Carajillo; Licor 43, Mezcal, Coffee, Fresh Cream. Paramour will also be offering special champagne bottles for purchase. Each bottle purchased includes a free charcuterie board. There will also be additional split bottles of champagne without charcuterie boards for $75. Business hours are 7 a.m. to 2 a.m.
Hotel Contessa – the hotel’s restaurant, Las Ramblas, will be offering a Valentine’s Day dinner for $55 per person. Reservations are required between 5 p.m. – 9 .m. The hotel is offering a SUITEheart Special: a gorgeous suite, bottle of sparkling wine, breakfast for two in Las Ramblas and a late checkout time. Dinner hours are from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Jazz, TX – will be offering a special Italian themed performance with Frank Sinatra tunes by Doc Watkins and Johnny P and an Italian cuisine prix fixe 3 course meal during dinner on Valentine’s Day for $150 per couple, limited to 40 couples. Seating is at 6:30 p.m. and the show begins at 8 p.m.
Southerleigh – will be offering dinner specials off the regular dinner menu for couples on Valentine’s Day. They will also be offering complimentary his and her matching beer glassware to cheer to a romantic evening. Dinner hours are from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Frank – will be offering special $12 El Libre wines by the bottle. Options include: Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc and Rosé. All day on Valentine’s Day, by appointment, Frank’s owner Daniel Northcutt will be on site to marry loved ones who want to tie the knot in the repurposed Methodist church. Call ahead of time at 210.265.5292. Business hours are 11 a.m. to 12 a.m.