Pearl’s Farmers Market Holiday Boxes available for nationwide shipping

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.

Sugar Plum Fairy Box $75 – 4-Iced Christmas Cookies, 5-Chocolate Truffles, 1-Peppermint Chocolate, 10-Chocolate Dipped Shortbread, 1-Peanut Brittle, 6-Caramels.

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.

Briscoe Western Art Museum’s ‘Cowboy Christmas on the River Walk’

Briscoe’s ‘Cowboy Christmas on the River Walk’ will be this Saturday, December 19, 2020. Photo: Briscoe Western Art Museum, used with permission.

At the Briscoe Western Art Museum, the holidays come with a touch of Western fun. Enjoy the holidays in a new way at “Cowboy Christmas on the River Walk,” this Saturday, December 19 from 11a.m. to 4p.m. when the Briscoe will be brimming with holiday cheer. For guests who pre-book a visit, the experience includes a virtual or in-person story time and a personal visit with Cowboy Claus. “Cowboy Christmas on the River Walk” is included with Briscoe general admission. With safety in mind, visits and story time with Cowboy Claus are ticketed separately and limited to those who pre-reserve. The museum’s health and safety protocols require that both staff and guests wear masks. Temperature checks are also conducted. Museum hours, parking and admission details are available online. (Briscoe Western Art Museum, 2020)

Cowboy Christmas features a day of family fun exploring the museum, made even sweeter because December 19 is Locals Day at the Briscoe. All Bexar County residents receive half off general admission to enjoy the day. The Briscoe’s halls are decked, carols are quietly echoing in the Briscoe’s McNutt Sculpture Garden, and holiday fun and flavor await with San Antonio food truck favorites Lady Picoza and Saweet Cupcakes onsite offering tasty holiday treats to enjoy in the sculpture garden. During a special 12 Days of Christmas scavenger hunt, guests can browse through the Briscoe’s fantastic collection and there will be Christmas crafts and coloring sheets to enjoy onsite or to take home.

For shoppers looking for the perfect gift, the Museum Store is offering special deals during Cowboy Christmas, including 10% off all holiday, home décor, and gifts for men, women, and children. As always, children 12 and under receive free admission at the Briscoe, as do active-duty members of the military, making the museum an ideal spot for local families to enjoy and find fantastic gifts to take home.

The Briscoe is offering both virtual and in-person contactless visits with Cowboy Claus. For the virtual Cowboy Claus option, morning and afternoon private, personalized sessions are available and include four children per family. Through a Zoom visit, Cowboy Claus will meet and greet each Lil Partner and their family in a 10-minute private visit, featuring one-on-one family time with the man of the season as he visits with your Lil Partners in your home before he comes back in person on Christmas Eve. Santa will know your Lil Partners’ names, favorite things and more, thanks to the magic of the pre-reservation information you provide. The session also includes story time with Santa and a digital activity pack including coloring pages, a Santa countdown calendar and more. Virtual visit families will also receive a fun and engaging children’s craft activity delivered before the big day, as well a 20% discount code to shop online or in person for the perfect gifts in the Briscoe Museum Store and two general admission tickets to enjoy the museum on a future visit. Virtual visits are $45 per family of four children and $35 for museum members and can be booked online.

Santa wants everyone to stay safe for the holidays, so he is stopping by the Briscoe for “contactless” visits in-person with Lil Partners. That means he will meet and greet but will be safely distanced so that everyone can stay on the nice and healthy list. In-person Cowboy Claus sessions include story time with Santa, a 6-minute personal visit with Santa and unlimited personal photos with Santa, snapped by a grownup joining in the fun to capture Christmas memories, the Briscoe’s holiday scavenger hunt, and a fun and engaging take-home children’s craft activity and exclusive discounts to shop online or in person for the perfect gifts in the Briscoe Museum Store. In-person visits with Cowboy Claus are not included with museum admission, however, museum admission may be purchased online, or in-person and the Locals Day admission special applies. “Contactless” Cowboy Claus visits are $35 per family of four children and $25 for museum members and can be booked online. 

Space is limited on a first-come, first-served basis to guarantee a safe, socially distanced event and tickets must be purchased in advance.  Virtual visits with Cowboy Claus must be pre-reserved by December 13and in-person time by December 18. No sessions will be sold the day of the event.

Holiday gift guide and cocktail recipes from Twang

Pomegranate Moscow Mule recipe from Twang. Photo: Twang, used with permission.

Twang Partners, Ltd. is a manufacturer of premium flavored salts, seasonings, and more based in San Antonio, Texas. This year, Twang is sharing several festive holiday cocktail recipes and gift giving suggestions to make holiday preparations easy. (Twang, 2020)

In addition to its wide variety of products (Twang-A-Rita, ZAS!, Reserve, Twangerz and Beer Salt) that are available for purchase on the Twang website year round, Twang has a “stocking stuffers” section on their site that makes holiday shopping simple and easy. Twang also has a selection of its products available on Amazon Prime for last minute shoppers. Twang’s products can ship nationwide, making them ideal gifts for cocktail connoisseurs and home chefs.

Regardless of how people celebrate this year, Twang is also sharing some cocktail recipes to help make the season more festive. See below for holiday-themed cocktails from Twang that can be made at home.

Pomegranate Moscow Mule Recipe

  • Ingredients:
    • 1.5 oz. premium vodka
    • .5-ounce fresh lime juice
    • 3 ounces of pomegranate juice
    • Crushed ice
    • Ginger beer
    • Copper mug
    • Twang-A-Rita Unwind Lime 
    • One fresh lime
    • One mint sprig

Preparation:

  • Rim a copper mug with Twang-A-Rita Unwind Lime 
  • Add crushed ice to the mug
  • Combine 1.5 oz. of premium vodka, .5 oz. of fresh lime juice, and 3 oz. of pomegranate juice and add to the mug
  • Top off with ginger beer
  • Garnish with lime and mint sprig

Hot Zas!

Recipe courtesy of Owner/Bartender Aaron Peña of The Squeezebox in San Antonio 

  • Ingredients
    • Twang-A-Rita Unwind Lime
    • Two dashes of Twang’s ZAS! Mango Chili
    • 3/4 oz. lemon juice
    • 3/4 oz. honey syrup
    • 1.5 oz. apple brandy
    • .5 oz. creme de cacao 
    • 8 oz. hot water
  • Preparation
    • Build in glass and stir

La Panaderia founders announce El Morita Kitchen

David and Jose Caceres’s new restaurant is coming to Quarry Village in 2021. Photo: La Panaderia, used with permission.

David and Jose Cáceres, founders of popular San Antonio restaurant staple La Panadería, are excited to announce their latest culinary venture coming to the Quarry Village in summer 2021. Titled El Morita Kitchen, the concept will provide a fresh take on Mexico City-inspired cuisine, while focusing on the use of flour and corn and featuring a dessert menu influenced by the Cáceres brothers’ 30-year culinary journey. The menu will be crafted by the Cáceres brothers in conjunction with input from Mexico City-based celebrity chefs. (El Morita Kitchen, 2020)

El Morita Kitchen will be open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and will feature a full bar that will bring to life a new brunch experience featuring chile morita, jamaica, tamarindo, and horchata-based cocktails among others, and patio dining for a casual, yet sophisticated experience. El Morita Kitchen honors the memories of a typical Sunday brunch with the Cáceres brothers’ mother, Doña Josefina, accompanied by her signature dish “Huevos Morita.”

Since opening La Panadería in San Antonio in 2014, the Cáceres brothers’ mission has been to share Mexico’s “Bread Cultura,” bringing the art of their beloved pan dulce items to the Texas market that have since become a culinary staple for residents and visitors to San Antonio alike. La Panadería has seen great success in San Antonio and has shown resilience throughout the uncertain times the global coronavirus pandemic has brought on, with two locations in operation on Broadway and Houston St. 

Hoping to share their Mexican heritage with citizens in the U.S., José and David Cáceres opened La Panadería in San Antonio, Texas in 2014. The bakery, which specializes in handmade bread, pan dulce and pastries inspired by Mexico’s Golden Era, or Epoca de Oro, draws influence from French, Italian and American bread making techniques. La Panadería’s unique approach to breadmaking includes a minimum 72-hour fermentation process that results in artisan bread and pastries unlike any other. La Panadería has two locations in San Antonio, Texas.

“The Mexico City food scene is truly rich, presenting a kaleidoscope of flavor. Whether you’re enjoying street food or fine dining you will always be surprised, and we want to continue to share our culture and that element of surprise with San Antonio.” – David Cáceres, co-founder and head baker of La Panadería.

 

iFly Indoor Skydiving holiday gift guide

iFly Indoor Skydiving has packages perfect for gift giving. Photo: google

iFLY is a sports and recreation company with the mission to deliver the dream of flight. The company pioneered the body-flying “indoor skydiving” experience and is the world leader in vertical wind tunnel technology. Guests do not need to be an athlete or in the best shape of their life. iFLY’s world-class instructors are pros at making flying fun for everyone. Looking for the perfect gift for the adventurer on your list? This holiday season give an experience that will create lasting memories for years to come. iFLY Indoor Skydiving is offering three holiday gift voucher packages, available now through January 4, 2021. Prices vary per iFLY location. More information available online. Holiday vouchers must be purchased in person. San Antonio location:  15915 I-10. (iFly Indoor Skydiving, 2020)

The Exclusive Gift

  • 4 flights + 2 high flights + 2 videos
  • Can be shared between 2 flyers
  • Valid 7 days per week, starting 1/4/21
  • Save up to 40%

The Elevated Gift

  • 4 flights + 2 videos shareable by 2 people
  • Valid Sun-Fri, excludes Saturday, starting 1/4/21 
  • Save up to 35%

The Essential Gift

  • 2 flights
  • Valid Mon-Fri, excludes weekends, starting 1/4/21 
  • Save up to 30%

iFLY is taking the proper precautions to ensure guests can enjoy their flying experience by investing in new safety measures to create new ways of keeping people safe in their buildings. The enhanced safety procedures include, but are not limited to, the following: the ability to complete waivers online, touchless temperature readings for all entering the building, contact-free check-in, floor markings indicating distancing requirements, all equipment, including helmets, goggles and flight suits, sanitized and washed after each use, hand sanitizer stations throughout the facility, and surface areas and touchpoints, such as counters, door handles, and bathroom facilities, will be regularly wiped down with disinfectant.

As temperatures drop, this is a fun and safe activity to do indoors. In fact, iFLY’s wind tunnels have a fresh air advantage over other experiences. Advanced wind tunnel technology provides guests with clean air while flying by recirculating and refreshing the air from outside the iFLY facilities. Tested and proven, iFLY’s wind tunnels create an environment at least 10x fresher than the average store or gym when flying guests—even at slow wind speeds.

Austin-based iFLY Holdings, LLC, is the world leader in the design, manufacturing, sales, and operations of wind tunnel systems for indoor skydiving. The company has flown more than 9,000,000 people in a dozen countries and at sea since launching the modern vertical wind tunnel industry. iFLY has over 70 facilities operating worldwide with 32 in the US. iFLY supports and utilizes the safety and training guidelines set out by the International Bodyflight Association (IBA) to ensure the safety and progression of the sport of indoor skydiving. iFLY makes the dream of flight a reality by giving their customers “wings” in a safe and reliable environment.

Brasserie Mon Chou Chou opening December 7 at the Pearl

Raclette & Baguette at Brasserie Mon Chou Chou, coming to the Pearl this month. Photo: Pearl, used with permission.

Pearl is excited to announce Brasserie Mon Chou Chou, a new restaurant launching at the property. The new restaurant will feature quintessential French comfort food that showcases simple, earthy, flavorful dishes from regions throughout France. Brasseries are more informal than upscale French restaurants, serving full dinner options, but also allowing for a more casual atmosphere of just wine, oysters, cheese plates, and more. “Mon Chou Chou” is a French term of endearment that roughly translates to “sweetie” or “darling.” Brasserie will exemplify a laid back and comfortable atmosphere that serves as a welcome environment for guests at Pearl. (Brasserie Mon Chou Chou, 2020)

Brasserie Mon Chou Chou will be led by French born Executive Chef Laurent Réa, who formerly served as the Executive Chef at Andrew Weismann’s Signature. The new restaurant is a concept by Chef Réa and Southerleigh Hospitality Group partners Jerome Serot, Philippe Placé, and Chef Jeff Balfour. Réa, Placé and Serot all hail from France, but did not meet until they all ended up in San Antonio in 2001. Nineteen years of friendship later, they have joined forces to bring the comforts and flavors of their native France to Pearl. Brasserie Mon Chou Chou will initially open for dine-in service only, with curbside/takeout and delivery coming later.  

Brasserie Mon Chou Chou will open to the public on Monday, December 7, 2020 at 3p.m. Walk ups will be accepted as capacity allows so reservations are highly encouraged. Business hours: Monday – Saturday: 3p.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday: Closed. Mon Chou Chou is located near the entrance to Hotel Emma at 312 Pearl Parkway, Building 2, Suite 2104, San Antonio, TX 78215.

During the era of COVID-19, Mon Chou Chou will be taking all the necessary precautions to make sure the experience is safe for both staff and guests—including additional sanitizing, frequent hand washing, mandatory masks for guests, associates, and operators, socially-distant tables, temperature checks of employees, regular COVID-19 testing of employees, upgraded HVAC filtration system, and hand sanitizer stations throughout. 

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.

Based in San Antonio, Texas, Southerleigh Hospitality Group is an independent fully integrated restaurant and hospitality company, owning and managing various restaurants and food concepts such as Southerleigh Fine Food & Brewery, Southerleigh Brewery, Southerleigh Haute South and Brasserie Mon Chou Chou. Southerleigh Hospitality Group is a strong group of foodies who are obsessed with connecting people with savory, comfort, flavorful food experiences. With an unwavering passion for palette tantalizing menus, the restaurants serve up decadent cuisine along with distinguished hand-crafted beers for food lovers abound. The friendly neighborhood gathering places make every visit an unforgettably fun social dining experience.

Television adaptation: ‘The Stand’ by Stephen King

The new adaptation of Stephen King’s enormously popular ‘The Stand’ premieres on CBS All Access on December 17. Photo: google

Stephen King is an American author of horror, supernatural fiction, suspense, crime, science-fiction, and fantasy novels.  His books have sold more than 350 million copies, and many have been adapted into films, television series, miniseries and comic books.  One of his most popular works, “The Stand” is a post-apocalyptic dark fantasy novel that centers around a pandemic of a weaponized strain of influenza that k8lls most of the world’s population.  It was adapted into a miniseries in 1994 and a now a new miniseries will be released on CBS All Access starting Thursday December 17 with new episodes releasing weekly.  Cast includes Whoopi Goldberg as Mother Abigail, Alexander Skargård as Randall Flagg and James Marsden as Stu Redman. (Wikipedia, 2020)

In “The Stand,” the lethal strain of influenza is accidentally released when there is a security breach in a secret U.S. Department of Defense laboratory in northern California.  A security guard, Charles Campion, manages to escape the facility before it is locked down and takes his family out of the state.  His car crashes in Texas and bystanders and ambulance workers become infected. The army tries to contain the virus by isolating the town, but it eventually spreads across the country and the global pandemic nearly kills everyone in a month’s time. The few survivors, united in groups, establish a new social system to adapt but eventual confrontations emerge.

Celebrate the holiday season with Taco Cabana’s new menu items

Taco Cabana’s new breakfast tortas are available all day every day at all Texas locations. Photo: Taco Cabana, used with permission.

Taco Cabana is celebrating the holiday season with the addition of several all-new holiday menu items. Starting tomorrow, December 2, 2020, guests can enjoy Taco Cabana’s new TC Torpedoes, breakfast tortas, churros and hot and cold alcoholic and non-alcoholic holiday beverages including Rum Tea Punch and Cafe de Olla, as well as two new Taco Cabana margarita flavors, Candy Cane and Apple Spice. (Taco Cabana, 2020)

For the very first time, Taco Cabana introduces TC Torpedoes – fried corn masa filled with the guest’s choice of chicken tinga or cheese and poblano. TC Torpedoes come as a two-pack for $4.99; as a plate with rice, beans, guacamole and two tortillas for $6.99; or as a combo with chips, queso and a 20 oz. drink for $7.99.

Taco Cabana continues to enhance its beverage options with a variety of new hot and cold alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. For guests looking to warm things up, Taco Cabana is offering its new Rum Tea Punch made with Bacardi Rum or non-alcoholic Cafe de Olla, a sweetened coffee with hints of cinnamon. As the margarita capital of Texas, Taco Cabana delivers again with its latest margarita offerings – Candy Cane and Apple Spice. Each beverage is available for $3 at all participating Texas Taco Cabana locations. 

Looking to sweeten your TC meal? Guests can now enjoy a two-pack of Taco Cabana’s new churros for just $2.99. This holiday season, guests can also give the gift that keeps on giving. For every $25 in Taco Cabana Gift Cards purchased, guests will receive a free $5 Holiday Guest Appreciation Card to use on future Taco Cabana visits.

Also releasing system-wide tomorrow at all Texas locations, Taco Cabana introduces its new breakfast tortas, available all day every day. Breakfast lovers can enjoy a Chorizo & Egg or Cheese & Egg torta for $2.99, or a Bacon, Egg & Cheese torta for $3.99.  

The seasonal menu items are available for online ordering for front counter and curbside pick-up, via the drive-thru or by mobile order when using the MyTC! App. Select Taco Cabana dining rooms and patios are now open as well.

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 January 1, 2020, Taco Cabana operates 145 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.

Calling all artists: Virtual Winter Art Show

The Harlingen Public Library is hosting a Virtual Winter Art Show. Photo: Harlingen Public Library, used with permission.

During Hispanic Heritage Month, the Harlingen Public Library hosted a Virtual Art Show and reached out to the community for submissions. Artwork submissions came in from all over the Rio Grande Valley in all age groups and due to the positive response from the community, the library is hosting another one this winter. The Harling Public Library is putting out an official call for art submissions for a Virtual Winter Art Show.  Interested artists should send a photo of their work and responses. The photo should be high resolution, suitable for a family show and any medium is acceptable.  All participants will be entered into a raffle for a chance to win some new art supplies. Submission deadline is Tuesday, December 8.  The library website and social media will display the Virtual Winter Art Show. More information, as well as the Entry Form, is available online. (Harlingen Public Library, 2020)

The Harlingen Public Library provides dynamic and engaging services for a diverse and evolving community.  Mission statement: “We exist to build bridges that strengthen the ties of our community. We create innovative pathways for people to connect with information and each other. Working together, the people of our community can experience infinite opportunities and growth. We are the bridge builders; we make ways where none exist.”

Deck the Paws Parade at the San Antonio Botanical Garden

Deck the Paws Parade at the San Antonio Botanical Garden this Saturday December 5, 2020. Photo: San Antonio Botanical Garden.

Looking for something to do with your dogs this weekend? This Saturday, December 5 from 9a.m. to 12p.m. at the San Antonio Botanical Garden, (555 Funston Place) guests can enjoy the garden’s 38 acres of holiday blooms with their four-legged friends.  So, dress up your fur family in the best holiday attire and join the Deck the Paws Parade as winners from each category will receive a prize.  The event will feature dog vendors and food and drinks will be available for purchase for the humans accompanying the dogs.  Doggy dress up contest categories: Best Costume Overall, Best Dog/Owner, Best Puppy in Costume (for dogs 1 and under) and Best Duo Costume (for dogs with a matching theme). (San Antonio Botanical Garden, 2020)

The parade begins at 10a.m. by Mays Family Display Garden and goes around Greehey Lawn.  Doggy Dress Up Contest begins at 10:45a.m. at Greehey Lawn.  Cost: Included with Garden admission + $5 per leashed dog. Members enjoy free admission + $5 per leashed dog. Tickets are available online.

Dog guidelines: All dogs on-site must be current with appropriate shots and registrations. Dogs in heat or aggressive animals may be removed from the Garden at the discretion of management, no refunds.  No dogs will be allowed in the Garden after 12p.m. and all dogs must always be on a leash.  All dogs must remain on pathways. No dogs will be allowed at The Zachary Foundation Culinary Garden, Family Adventure Garden or Children’s Vegetable Garden.