Christmas specials in San Antonio

hotelcontessafood — 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.

Festivus for the Rest of Us at Pinch Boil House

pinchfacade — On Saturday December 23, Pinch Boil House and Bia Bar will host a special Festivus for the Rest of Us event. Photo: Pinch Boil House and Bia Bar, used with permission.

Not into all the Christmas drama? How about Festivus? For those who are not into Christmas, Pinch Boil House & Bia Bar will host a special Festivus for the Rest of Us event. Festivus is a non-commercial holiday celebration, as depicted on Seinfeld, that occurs on December 23 and includes a Festivus dinner, an unadorned aluminum Festivus pole, practices such as the “Airing of Grievances” and “Feats of Strength” and the labeling of easily explainable events as “Festivus miracles.” This Saturday, December 23, Pinch will feature a Seinfeld-inspired menu with items like black & white cookies, savory muffin tops, soup and more. The restaurant will also have fun, classic Festivus activities and even a Festivus pole. (Pinch Boil House & Bia Bar, 2017)

Pinch Boil House & Bia Bar features and encourages communal dining with its family-style food and promotes a lively atmosphere reminiscent to a crawfish boil experience. It was originally formed as pop-up crawfish boil to support a fun environment for families and communities to enjoy food deeply rooted in Asian culture.

Pinch Boil House & Bia Bar
124 N Main Ave
San Antonio, TX 78205
(210) 971-7774

San Antonio Beer Week’s Mid Year Gala and Food Pairing

On Thursday December 7, Southerleigh Fine Food & Brewery and nine other local breweries, will get together at Blue Star Art Complex for the San Antonio Beer Week Community’s Mid-Year Gala and Food Pairing. Ten of San Antonio’s best breweries will be showcasing unique, one-of-a-kind beers paired with four tickets for small plates from local chefs, including Southerleigh, Weathered Souls, Blue Star and Botika. This event will take place from 7p.m. to 10p.m. and at 8:30p.m. guests will be able to meet the brewers for a Q & A session. Tickets are available online and are $35 per person. Price includes a SA Beer Week commemorative taster glass. The San Antonio Food Bank will be taking donations to support continued efforts to aid those affected by Texas Hurricane Harvey. (Southerleigh Fine Food & Brewery, 2017)

Southerleigh is the first brewery at Pearl since 2001 and has a 15-barrel brew house, six serving tank and a firkin/wood barrel-aging program. It is a 7,900-square foot dining facility with multiple seating options including bar seating, patio seating and a private dining room that can seat up to twenty people. The private dining in the north dining room seats up to seventy-five people with the capacity to host parties of up to two hundred people.

Brick at Blue Star Arts Complex
108 Blue Star
San Antonio, TX 78204

Whataburger fundraiser for McAndrew Elementary

whataburgerchickensandwich-jpg — On Tuesday December 5, Whataburger is hosting a fundraiser for McAndrew Elementary School. Photo: Whataburger, used with permission.

Whataburger periodically hosts events to help the community and its various schools. These events have ranged from “Oh Whata Nights” to jalapeño eating contests, drawings and raffles. This Tuesday December 5 from 5p.m. to 8p.m., Whataburger is hosting a fundraiser for McAndrew Elementary School. The public is invited to come and show their support by enjoying their favorite menu items and Whataburger will donate 20 percent of the sales during the posted hours to the organization. The first 100 customers will also receive a free Whataburger slap bracelet. There will also be a photo booth and the popular Whataburger for a Year drawing, where one customer’s name will be drawn to win the prize, a free Whataburger each week for an entire year. This Whata Night fundraiser will be at the 25111 W Interstate 10 location only. (Whataburger, 2017)

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.” Since then 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.

Whataburger
25111 W Interstate 10 (near Ralph Fair Road)
San Antonio, TX 78257
(210) 698-5450

Customer appreciation event at Whataburger

Whataburger periodically hosts events to help the community and its various schools. These events have ranged from “Oh Whata Nights” to jalapeño eating contests, drawings and raffles. On Thursday November 30 from 9p.m. to 11p.m., Whataburger will host a Customer Appreciation event, at their 6803 N Loop 1604 location only, to show support for the UTSA community and to thank loyal Whataburger fans for their support. Customers who purchase a medium order of fries and a medium drink will receive a free Whataburger. Attendees of the November 30 UTSA basketball game will receive a raffle ticket which they can present at the event after the game for a chance to win Whataburger’s popular “Whataburger for a Year” drawing (must be present to win). Two names will be drawn to win a prize, a free Whataburger each week for an entire year. There will also be various giveaways from UTSA. (Whataburger, 2017)

Whataburger
6803 N Loop 1604, near La Cantera Pkwy
San Antonio, TX 78249
(210) 690-8366

Burgerteca official grand opening

burgertecapic — Burgerteca officially opens to the public on Monday December 4, 2017. Photo: Josie Rees, used with permission.

Locally renowned Chef Johnny Hernandez’ new restaurant, Burgerteca, is having its official grand opening on Monday December 4, 2017. Burgerteca is a never-done before burger concept influenced by Mexican cuisine. The custom-made burgers are made with ingredients and flavors distinct to traditional Mexican food such as chiles, spices, moles, queso, flavors like al pastor, pibil and chilaquiles on hamburger yeast buns baked fresh daily. Business hours are Sunday from 11a.m. to 4p.m., Monday through Thursday from 11a.m. to 10p.m. and Friday through Saturday from 11a.m. to 11p.m. (Burgerteca, 2017)

Having traveled extensively through Mexico, Hernandez’s burger menu is inspired by and themed with flavors native to Oaxaca, Puebla, Veracruz and Yucatan. The menu includes items such as the ‘Oaxaqueña,’ an Angus beef patty dressed with mole negro, black bean spread, pickled onions, avocado and queso fresco, and the ‘Pacifica,’ made with seared tuna topped off with chipotle-lime mayo, cabbage slaw, sesame seeds, avocado and tomato.

Burgerteca also includes an on site ice cream shop where guests who prefer take-out can walk up to the counter and conveniently order treats to go without having to sit down. The frozen Mexican desserts on the menu include items such as paletas – fresh fruit popsicles, nieves – traditional Mexican ice cream and raspas – shaved ice made with seasonal, from-scratch syrups. Other unique menu items include the house made signature ice cream nachos—Mexican buñuelos piled high with ice cream, fresh fruit syrups and Oaxacan chocolate fudge. It will also have local craft beer and spirits, like a creative Mexican rum cocktail program.

The décor is inspired by the imaginative and colorful work of Pedro Linares, who created the art known as “Alebrijes,” an art form famous in Oaxaca. The interior includes hand selected custom designed chairs, hand forged chandeliers and large slabs of wood for communal dining.

Burgerteca
403 Blue Star
San Antonio, TX 78204

Shake Shack’s holiday shakes and gifts

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

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

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

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

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

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

Boiler House celebrates five years

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

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

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

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

Rosella Coffee opens second location

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

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

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

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

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

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

New Bakery Lorraine locations

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

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

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

SA Examiner

Your Insider Source For Entertainment And Business Headlines

Category: Restaurant News