The Cherry Bomb tea from The Boost Lf. Photo: Sandra Cruz
Since Monday was a federal holiday, I had some extra time on my hands and decided to do some local exploring. There is a fairly new small business in town that I have been meaning to try but somehow I always get distracted so this was a perfect time. The Boost Lf here in Los Fresnos is a self-described health and wellness business and I tend to favor the small, locally owned ones. Some of the items on the menu include energy teas, protein shakes, iced coffees, and even waffles and donuts.
I went early enough in the day, so I guess I lucked out because there was no waiting. The interior is brightly lit with booming music and the atmosphere is pleasant and cheerful. Currently there are only a couple of small tables for dine-in , but hopefully with easing COVID restrictions, this will change later. According to Chelly, the owner, business is booming and the ongoing dreadful construction has not affected her business. I decided to try out the Cherry Bomb tea, one of her best-sellers.
I was pleasantly surprised at the size of this drink; it is a generous sized portion. The cold, icy drink has a sweet and tart flavor combination and was a treat on what was beginning to be another hot and humid day in South Texas. This particular flavor promises an energy boost and includes real cherries. I counted six of them. They also have small Herbalife protein based snack bars for energy and nutrition, so I opted for two of those, one being the citrus lemon. These are rather tasty as well. Everything is moderately priced, I paid $13 for a tea and two protein bars
So next time you are craving a snack, do yourself a favor, put down the potato chip bag and head on over to The Boost here in town for a healthy treat. I think I will try the iced coffees next, because, after all, summer has unofficially started. I just wish it was open in the evenings for us night owls. Thanks to Chelly for taking the time to answer all my questions. Support local, small businesses; they will love you for it.
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Business hours: Monday through Friday 7:30a.m. to 2p.m. and 4:30p.m. to 6p.m. Saturday 8:30a.m. to 2p.m. Closed Sunday
The Boost Lf 218 N Arroyo Blvd, Suite A Los Fresnos, TX 78566 (956) 233-2215
The Flower Box from Bakery Lorraine and The Vintage Bouquet. Photo: Bakery Lorraine, used with permission.
Mother’s Day is just around the corner and local businesses in San Antonio are offering a variety of ways to help celebrate moms. Dazzle her with delicious desserts or spoil her with breakfast in bed with a savory quiche from Bakery Lorraine or new croissant creation from La Panaderia. Let Mom explore her creative side while she wanders through the mesmerizing art installations at Hopscotch (20% off the regular ticket price for parents) and the shop at the San Antonio Museum of Art. Below are a few more gift ideas that any mother would be thrilled to get on her special day. (Bakery Lorraine, EVO Entertainment, San Antonio Museum of Art, La Panaderia, Hopscotch, Boiler House, Botika, Feliz Modern POP, Hiatus Spa + Retreat, Niche at Pearl, Ten Thousand Villages, 2021)
Bakery Lorraine This Mother’s Day, Bakery Lorraine will offer several specials that are sure to please moms. From flower boxes to fruit tarts, Bakery Lorraine and their partner, The Vintage Bouquet, are sure to have the perfect gift for Mom.
The Flower Box includes an assortment of six Parisian macarons that include raspberry, pistachio, and Almond Joy flavors ($35) and is decorated with fresh flowers. The Petite Bouquet is a fresh bouquet of flowers and includes twelve macarons, including raspberry, pistachio, blueberry violet, and Almond Joy flavors ($60). There are no substitutions for either of these packages.
Treat mom to a special breakfast in bed with Bakery Lorraine’s savory quiches. Quiche options include the traditional Quiche Lorraine filled with bacon, gruyere, and caramelized onions and the Veggie Quiche which includes leeks, Swiss chard, and gruyere. The large quiche is available for $40, serves up to eight people and is packed cold for reheating at home.
For moms with a sweet tooth, shoppers can gift Bakery Lorraine’s fresh fruit tart. This delicious fruit tart is filled with a creamy vanilla mascarpone and topped with fresh fruit. Fruit varies based on season and availability. The large fruit tart is available for $26.
Please note that the flower boxes and bouquet packages are limited and are available on a first-come-first-serve basis. Pre-orders will start now and orders can be placed online or in-person. The last day to place an order will be Wednesday, May 5, by 12p.m. Order pickups will be available Saturday, May 8 or Sunday, May 9 between 9a.m. and 5p.m. at all locations.
EVO Entertainment EVO is hosting the ultimate Mother’s Day Brunch with special screenings of none other than “Mamma Mia!” so grab your fellow Dancing Queens and a feather boa for this one. The special brunch menu includes a refreshing sangria with Deep Eddy Grapefruit Vodka, mimosas, Bloody Marys, pulled pork hash, chicken and waffles, and more. Tickets for this event are available at Schertz, Springtown, Kyle, and Belterra locations and can be purchased online.
San Antonio Museum of Art Spend the day exploring the vast collection of the San Antonio Museum of Art or purchase a membership so she can enjoy the Museum’s offerings year-round, and spoil her with a trip to the shop, because The San Antonio Museum of Art Shop has a curated list of unique and local gifts sure to impress. Shop the full collection online.
La Panadería Breakfast in bed is nice, but brunch at La Panaderia is nicer. With a recently opened third location in La Cantera Heights, La Panaderia is serving up brunch all over the Alamo City. Treat mom to a delicious brunch and try one of the quirky new croissants – “The Elvis” made with peanut butter whipped cream, bananas, and bacon. Brunch to-go is also an option, complete with a mimosa kit so mom does not miss out on the fun. Do not forget a bag of pan dulce for the road.
Hopscotch Show Mom how much she rocks at Hopscotch. On Sunday May 9 and Sunday June 20, the immersive interactive art exhibit will offer 20% off gallery tickets for parents. Hopscotch will also feature live music from SA Brass Tacs, drink specials, and complimentary Pop Rocks.
Boiler House On Sunday, May 9, Boiler House will offer a special chef-curated brunch menu from 10a.m. to 4p.m. Menu offerings are available online and on Boiler House’s social media pages. Menu prices range from $15 to $30 for an entrée.
Botika Treat Mom to a much-needed glass of bubbly. Botika at Pearl will offer one free glass of champagne for all mothers. Reservations are highly encouraged and menu prices range between $15-$45. Botika serves inventive takes on traditional dishes from across Asia and Latin America.
Feliz Modern POP Feliz Modern POP will offer Mom 15% off one item. Surprise Mom with a one-of-a-kind gift and enjoy the 15% percent off as well. Shop online or in-store.
Hiatus Spa + Retreat Upgrade Mom’s operating system with The Mom 2.0 – two hours of well-deserved me-time. This spa package includes The Comeback Massage and The One & Only Pedicure. Treat Mom to some much-needed rest and relaxation. The Mom 2.0 is available for $165 (typically a $190 value). Book online now.
Niche at Pearl Join designer Nilgun Derman at Niche for a special mother-daughter maker session. Learn how to make kokedama, a unique Japanese planting technique that uses moss and twine to create sculptural plant art. The maker event is free and will be held at Niche at Pearl on Saturday, May 8 from 1p.m. to p.m. See full event details available online.
Ten Thousand Villages Feel good about that Mother’s day purchase by shopping at Ten Thousand Villages. Ten Thousand Villages at Pearl offers ethically-sourced global gifts and handcrafted products from more than 120 artisan groups in more than 35 countries. This Mother’s Day they are offering 205 on any purchase of $50 or more.
Pluckers Club and Pluckers Club Lite Members are eligible for a free meal for mom on Mother’s Day. Photo: Melissa Skorpil, used with permission.
In celebration of Mother’s Day, Pluckers Wing Bar invites all moms to join them for a special dine-in treat on Sunday, May 9. Pluckers will be offering a free meal (up to a $19 value) to moms that are either Pluckers Club or Pluckers Club Lite members themselves or come with a guest that has a membership. This special will be available for dine-in only. (Pluckers Wing Bar, 2021)
Known for their perfect combination of homemade food and atmosphere for watching sports, the iconic Pluckers menu includes fan favorites, such as Fried Pickles, Holy Macaroni, the Bypass Burger, and the Buffalo Chicken Sandwich. Additionally, Pluckers’s famous wings are offered in-bone or boneless, grilled, and paired with signature sauces, like Buffalo, Spicy BBQ, and Spicy Ranch, along with such unique flavors as Ginger Peach Sriracha, Gochujang, and Spicy Mandarin.
Owners Mark Greenberg, Dave Paul, and Sean Greenberg, 2017 Ernst and Young Central Texas Entrepreneurs of the Year opened their first Pluckers restaurant in Austin in 1995. Over the past 25 years, Pluckers Wing Bar has opened 30 locations, expanding to Baton Rouge, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston Killeen, San Marcos, and San Antonio. Pluckers is known for its signature wings and is consistently recognized as the best sports bar and chicken wing restaurant in the cities where it is located. Offering guests a fun, laid-back atmosphere where friends, family, and co-workers can enjoy a great meal and watch sports, Pluckers has been named in USA Today’s “Top Ten Wing Restaurants,” ESPN’s “Top 5 Sports Bar in North America,” and Dallas Observer’s “Best Sports Bar,” along with being named one of “Austin’s Best Places to Work” for three years by Austin Business Journal.
The “Hot Chick” sandwich is available now at The Tasting Room and all Max’s Wine Dive locations. Photo: Lasco Enterprises, used with permission.
The “Hot Chick” sandwich is bringing the heat to The Tasting Room and Max’s Wine Dive. This new rendition of Nashville’s hot chicken was created by Corporate Executive Chef of Lasco Enterprises, Beto Gutierrez. The “Hot Chick” sandwich is made with a spicy and crispy fried chicken breast, handcrafted kale slaw, house pickles, and topped off with a brioche bun smeared with lemon aioli and a side of fries. Chef’s newest creation is now available at all Max’s Wine Dive locations and The Tasting Room in City Centre for only $13. Make it your own by adding bacon for $3 more and cheese for $2 more. (Max’s Wine Dive, 2021)
The Hot Chick sandwich was first formally introduced to the public on Houston Community College TV’s “Up to The Minute” segment on their Facebook live stream. During the interview, Chef Beto Gutierrez chatted about his experience being corporate executive chef of Lasco Enterprises and the ideation and crafting of this newest addition to the menu. Gutierrez also mentioned how the sandwich is made with bread from a local bakery because Lasco loves to “support local vendors as much as possible.”
Available now at The Tasting Room and all Max’s Wine Dive locations:
The Tasting Room | 818 Town and Country Blvd Suite 100, Houston, TX 77024 Max’s Wine Dive—Montrose | 214 Fairview St. Ste. 2, Houston, TX 77006 Max’s Wine Dive—Washington | 4720 Washington Ave Ste b, Houston, TX 77007 Max’s Wine Dive— San Antonio | 340 E Basse Rd. Ste. 101, San Antonio, TX 78209
Lasco Enterprises, LLC was established by Jerry and Laura Lasco in Houston in 2003. Since its beginning, Lasco has expanded to several major cities across Texas. Lasco Enterprises is home to The Tasting Room, MAX’s Wine Dive, Boiler House Texas Grill & Wine Garden, Black Door Wine Club, Fly By Taco Co, TTR Supper Club, and Lasco Services.
MargaritaPalooza returns to Taco Cabana. Photo: Taco Cabana, used with permission.
The wait is over for Texas margarita lovers as MargaritaPalooza returns to Taco Cabana. A dozen margaritas will be available at TC, including nine all-new flavors and three TC classics. All margaritas are available for just $2 all day, every day, at participating restaurants in Texas. (Taco Cabana, 2021)
Nine new limited-time MargaritaPalooza flavors include*:
Pineapple Jalapeno
Dragonfruit
Pickle
Violet
Orange
Pistachio
Orange Cream
Chili Lime Cucumber
Pineapple Banana
Three TC MargaritaPalooza classics include:*
Lime
Strawberry
Mango
*Guests have the option to add chamoy at no additional cost.
Taco Cabana continues to sell Lime, Strawberry and Mango margaritas by the gallon to-go for $34.99. The new frozen Bacardi Orange Cream launches this week as well, featuring a refreshing blend of Bacardi Rum, orange, hints of vanilla, and whipping cream for $3.
TC fans can also enjoy three new street tacos: Carne Asada topped with chopped cilantro and diced onion; Pork Adobado topped with chopped cilantro and pickled red onions; Pollo Adobado topped with cilantro lime ranch and cotija cheese. New street tacos are available in a three-pack for $4.99.
A new chicken milanesa torta and a TC favorite dessert, peach empanadas, also join the TC menu. The chicken milanesa torta features a breaded chicken breast on telera bread with refried beans, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and cilantro lime ranch. The peach empanadas return to the menu with a two-pack for just $2.99.
All menu items, including MargaritaPalooza margaritas, can be ordered online or via the MYTC! App for convenient curbside pick-up. TC drive-throughs are open for food and alcohol purchases and select Taco Cabana dining rooms and patios are open for on-site dining as well. Currently, San Antonio residents can order alcohol and food delivery online or via the Taco Cabana app. Members of the MYTC! Loyalty Program also earn reward points for each alcoholic beverage purchase.
“Taco Cabana remains the go-to destination in Texas for great-tasting, uniquely-flavored margaritas at a fantastic value. We invite everyone to TC to find their favorite!” – Fiesta Restaurant Group President and CEO, Rich Stockinger.
Taco Cabana, a subsidiary of Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: FRGI), was founded in 1978. The brand specializes in Tex-Mex-inspired food including enchiladas, fajitas, quesadillas, flautas, burritos, tacos, flour tortillas and a selection of made-from-scratch salsas and sauces. Restaurants feature open-display cooking, a selection of beer and tequila margaritas, patio dining, drive-thru windows, curbside pick-up and delivery. As of Jan. 1, 2021, Taco Cabana operates 143 company-owned restaurants in Texas.
Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc., owns, operates and franchises Pollo Tropical and Taco Cabana® restaurant brands. The brands specialize in the operation of fast casual/quick service restaurants that offer distinct and unique flavors with broad appeal at a compelling value. The brands feature fresh-made cooking, drive-thru service and catering.
Pearl’s curated boxes are perfect for holiday gift giving. Photo: Pearl, used with permission.
Pearl and its Farmers Market Curbside are debuting a variety of curated boxes filled with holiday gifts from regional producers and family farms that are perfect for gifting. Holiday shoppers can pre-order their products packaged in a beautiful, hand-printed Pearl gift box starting NOW through December 15 for pick up, or through December 18 for shipping (select boxes are available for shipping). Orders can be placed online. Highlights from the gift box program are included below, with a full menu available online. (Pearl, 2020)
Pearl Preserves Box $45 – This is an exclusive box that features products created and launched by Pearl in partnership with select Farmers Market vendors. Includes Pearl Cranberry Orange Compote, Pearl Pepper Jelly and Pearl Tomato Chutney.
Tamales Box $34 – Pick 2 La Hacienda Tamales. Choices: Veggie and Cheese (4 count, jumbo), Jalapeño and Cheese (4 count, jumbo), Vegan (4 count, jumbo), Charro Bean (6 count).
Local Charcuterie Box $95 – CKC Farm Baby Caprino Goat Cheese, River Whey Creamery Indigo Ridge Cheese, Al’s Gourmet Nuts, Ms. Chocolatier Chocolate Truffles or Chocolate Salami, Aurelia’s Spanish Cured Chorizo, Sandy Oaks Olive Jelly, Handcrafted Swift River Pecan Wood Cutting Board.
Pearl, located north of downtown San Antonio, provides a unique experience as a top culinary and cultural destination. The mixed-use space features retail, dining, picturesque green spaces, paseos riverside amphitheater, and the third campus of The Culinary Institute of America. As a former brewery operating from 1883 to 2001, Pearl reflects a vivid past while embracing the future with environmentally sustainable buildings mixed with historic architecture.
Bellino Ristorante Italian in Corpus Christi is a gem of a restaurant with good food and good ambiance.
Corpus Christi may be a coastal city, but dining options are not just limited to seafood. There are plenty of Italian restaurants besides the usual chain restaurants. Bellino Ristorante Italiano has two locations in Texas: Corpus Christi and Graford. It offers a strong Sicilian influence and is owned by Sicilian Chef Francesco Inguaggiato, who was born and raised in Palermo, Sicily. Featuring Authentic Italian and Sicilian cuisine and an extensive list of imported Italian wines, they offer classic dishes that re deeply rooted in both Italian and Sicilian culture.
The Corpus Christi location is in the corner of Alameda & Doddridge in the Village Shopping Center and by outward appearances, it looks no different than the surrounding shops and restaurants. But inside, it is warm and inviting, with the tantalizing scents of garlic and olive oil to greet customers. The décor is colorful and is reminiscent of old Italy with its paintings and rustic lighting. Our visit was on a Thursday at noontime, so there were not too many customers and it was peaceful and quiet.
We started with a glass of Moscato while looking over the menu since this was our first time there. Cheyenne, the server was helpful when we asked questions about specific dishes and brought over bread and olive oil as starters while the food was served. I ordered the Caprese Panini which consists of a Ciabatta bread with mozzarella, seasoned tomatoes and basil pesto with house salad and chips. The salad was fresh, the bread was crispy and not too hard and the mozzarella was creamy and perfectly complemented the basil pesto. The chips looked out of place in this gorgeous Italian meal but since it is the lunch menu, that is understandable. My husband ordered the Capellini con Aglio e Olio, Angel hair with garlic, extra virgin olive, red pepper, topped with parmesan and added shrimp. The shrimp was adequately cooked and while the angel hair had the perfect combination of olive oil, garlic and parmesan, it had a clump of uncooked pasta.
The dishes are prepared fresh, so the wait took a few minutes longer than most, but we got bread and oil refills three times and Cheyenne was diligent in keeping us updated. The menu is extensive, so we will definitely be back to enjoy taste different dishes.
Cost: $$$$ Overall Experience: **** (four out of five stars)
Bellino Ristorante Italiano 3815 S Alameda Corpus Christi, TX 78411 (361) 814-89
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