The Buffalo Ranch Chicken Strip Sandwich is back for a limited time only at Whataburger. Photo courtesy of Whataburger, used with permission.
This week Whataburger announced the much anticipated return of their Buffalo Ranch Chicken Strip Sandwich. As of yesterday and for a limited time only, fans can enjoy their favorite sandwich which is layered with three crispy, all-white meat chicken strips, two slices of Monterey Jack cheese, creamy buttermilk ranch and topped off with Whataburger’s own Buffalo Sauce – all served on a toasted five-inch bun. (Whataburger, 2016)
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.
Sam Shepard’s ‘Fool for Love’ opens at The Playhouse’s Cellar Theater on Friday January 13, 2016. Photo by Daniel D Baumer, used with permission.
Up next at The Playhouse’s Cellar Theater is Sam Shepard’s ‘Fool for Love.’ It opens on Friday January 13 and will run until Sunday February 5, 2017. Show times are Friday and Saturday at 8p.m. and Sunday at 3p.m. Tickets may be purchased online or by calling the box office at (210) 733-7258. Prices are $40 for general adult, $23 for military with valid ID, $23 for seniors aged 60 and up, $15 for students with valid ID and $12 for children aged 12 and under. Group rates are available for groups of ten or more. (The Playhouse San Antonio, 2016)
‘Fool for Love’ is the Obie award winning play written by playwright and actor Sam Shepard. The lines of love and scandal blur in the story of May and Eddie, former lovers who meet again in a motel in the desert. Their on again, off again relationship has bonded them to each other and they are doomed to keep repeating their destructive past. May is trying to go on with her life with a new life and a new job when Eddie shows up in the hopes of reconciling with her. Her date, Martin, is caught in the middle of the drama while the character of the Old Man sits on the sidelines and offers commentaries. It is directed by The Playhouse’s CEO and Artistic Director George Green with a cast that includes Damon C Mentzer as Eddie, Holly Clifford as May, Bill Gundry as the Old Man and Michael Zaiontz as Martin.
The Playhouse San Antonio
800 West Ashby Place
San Antonio, TX 78212
The movie adaptation of the children’s book ‘A Monster Calls’ by Patrick Ness will be out this Friday January 6, 2017.
Patrick Ness is a British-American author, journalist and lecturer who is best known for his young adult novels. These include “More Than This,” “The Rest Of Us Just Live Here,” the best-selling Chaos Walking trilogy and “A Monster Calls.” “A Monster Calls” is about a young boy who struggles to cope with his mother’s terminal cancer and is often visited in the middle of the night by a monster who tells stories. The movie adaptation of “A Monster Calls” stars Sigourney Weaver, Felicity Jones and Lewis MacDougall and is due to be released this Friday January 6, 2017.
According to Wikipedia, “A Monster Calls” is a novel for children based on an idea by award winning author Siobhan Dowd who died from cancer before she could write it herself. It is illustrated by Jim Kay and is set in modern day England where thirteen year old Conor O’Malley wakes up from the same nightmare he has been having for the last few months. At seven minutes past midnight a voice calls him from outside his window which overlooks an old church and a graveyard sheltered by a yew tree. This monster is a mass of branches and leaves formed from the yew tree and claims to be a version of the green man. It warns Conor that it will tell him three true stories after which Conor must tell a story of his own and if it is not true the monster will eat him. The monster continues to visit him and in between these stories it is revealed that Conor’s mother is struggling with cancer and that he is lonely and alone with no support from his distant father or his pushy and cold grandmother. On top of that he is also being bullied at school and as the story continues his mother’s condition worsens and his relationship with the monster has unforeseen consequences. It is a haunting and dark novel of mischief, loss and monsters, both real and imagined.
‘All the Time in the World’ is the debut novel by Caroline Angell. Photo: amazon.com
Caroline Angell is a New York native with a B.A. in musical theater from American University. She is a playwright and director and has had her work performed at regional theaters in New York City and the Washington, D.C. area. “All the Time in the World: A Novel” is her debut novel and it was released earlier this year. It is about a young woman’s choice between the future she always envisioned for herself and the people who have become an important part of her life.
“All the Time in the World” is the story of Charlotte who is a promising music student but after experiencing some setbacks in her career takes a job as a nanny. She goes to work for Gretchen and Scotty, a glamorous Upper East Side Manhattan, while she figures out her next move as a composer in New York. As time goes by she comes to enjoy taking care of Matt and George, the couple’s young sons, and her life comes to revolve around them. All is well until Gretchen dies in an accident and she is faced with having to continue being the children’s caretaker to make sure their lives do not get further upended. The first part revolves around the children and their lives that include school, home and friends. The second part is more about human connections and how they each deal with loss.
Overall the action is fast paced and easy to read but sometimes the timeline gets confusing because the author switches between the past and the present. The universal themes of grief, love and hope are combined with humor to make it appeal to the average reader. There are extensive character interactions and developments which advance the story at an acceptable pace. It is recommended for readers who enjoy coming of age novels that contain the day to day detailed interactions with small children.
*A copy of this book was given for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are solely the author’s.
Texas Public Radio will be hosting ‘Live from Jazz, TX’ this Saturday December 31 from 7p.m. to 8p.m. Photo by Hilmy, used with permission.
Texas Public Radio in partnership with Jazz, TX will be hosting ‘Live from Jazz, TX’ this Saturday December 31 from 7p.m to 8p.m. on Texas Public Radio 89.1 in San Antonio. This special programming will include music from the Grand Opening week at Jazz, TX and Doc Watkins and his orchestra along with Texas Public Radio’s Nathan Cole. It will be a swinging hour of jazz standards and country classics with a Texas twist some of which were first made famous by Willie Nelson and Bob Wills. There is no cover charge and listeners will get to enjoy the music that makes Jazz, TX one of the city’s best places for live music. (Jazz, TX, 2016)
Jazz, TX is owned and operated by renowned musician Brent “Doc” Watkins. It is located in the cellar of the Bottling House and hosts musical acts include jazz, blues, big band, Texas swing, salsa, conjunto and Americana including Doc Watkins. It is open from Tuesday through Saturday and aside from music guest can enjoy a wide variety of food, beverages, wine and spirits.
Jazz, TX
312 Pearl Pkwy, Suite 6001
San Antonio, TX 78215
(210) 332-9386
Jazz, Tx at the Pearl is having a New Year’s Eve show this Saturday. Photo courtesy of Jazz, TX, used with permission.
The Pearl’s newest upscale music venue, Jazz, TX, is having a New Year’s Eve show featuring venue owner and musician Doc Watkins and his orchestra. Ticket price includes dancing, featured show by Doc Watkins and his Orchestra and a full dinner that includes prime rib, crab cakes, shrimp, parmesan risotto and braised kale. Beverages are not included but will be available for purchase. This is a black tie event with the early show starting at 6p.m. and the late show at 10p.m. Early show bar seating is $150 per person and $200 per person for reserved table seating. Late show bar seating is $150 per person (sold out) and $200 per person for reserved table seating. Tickets may be purchased online. (Jazz, TX, 2016)
Jazz, TX is owned and operated by renowned musician Brent “Doc” Watkins. It is located in the cellar of the Bottling House and hosts musical acts include jazz, blues, big band, Texas swing, salsa, conjunto and Americana including Doc Watkins. It is open from Tuesday through Saturday and aside from music guest can enjoy a wide variety of food, beverages, wine and spirits.
Jazz, TX
312 Pearl Pkwy, Suite 6001
San Antonio, TX 78215
(210) 332-9386
Nao Latin Gastro Bar will have special menus available for Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. Photo by Sandra Cruz
Nao Latin Gastro Bar is a student-staffed restaurant at the Culinary Institute of America located at the Pearl. The menu features Latin American dishes rooted in tradition but reinvented using a variety of ingredients and techniques and includes seasonal and progressive Latin food. For guests who would rather eat out for the upcoming holidays Nao Latin Gastro Bar is having special Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve menus available. (Nao Latin Gastro Bar, 2016)
Nao Latin Gastro Bar will be open on Christmas Eve for brunch and dinner and will have the normal brunch menu available from 10a.m. to 3p.m. For dinner there will be a special four-course menu available for $40 per person. Dinner hours are from 5:30p.m. to 10p.m. and reservations can be made by phone at (210) 554-6484 or via Open Table. Guests will have a choice of arugula salad with goat cheese, fennel and apple or roasted squash soup with coconut milk, malagueta peppers and cashews followed by a choice of charred octopus served with Chilean pebble and celeriac, pork belly skewers with chicharrón, ají rojo, and cilantro or burrata and charbroiled beets with basil and orange. For the main course, there is a choice of hanger steak served with crispy fingerling potatoes, charred vegetables and chimichurri, Red Bird Farms roasted chicken served with white beans, lemon and peppers or the fresh Gulf catch served with charred vegetables, tomatoes stewed with capers, olives, onion and golden raisins. Dessert consists of a choice between Churros tossed in cinnamon sugar served with chocolate and dulce de leche sauces and fresh whipped cream or almond Panna Cotta with passion fruit curd, charred pineapple and lime zest.
For New Year’s Eve there will be a four-course dinner menu available from 5:30p.m. to 10p.m. which includes a glass of bubbly to ring in the New Year. Cost is $70 per person with an optional three-course wine pairing for $25 per person. Reservations can be made by phone at (210) 554-6484 or via Open Table. The menu begins with a choice of charred carrot salad with goat cheese, arugula, pepitas and chimichurri or roasted squash soup with coconut milk, malagueta peppers and cashews. It is followed by a choice of seared scallop with crispy fried oyster, ají amarillo, creamed leeks and spinach and sweety drop peppers, crispy pork belly with ají panca, green apple and pickled vegetables or burrata and charbroiled beets with basil and orange. The main course consists of a choice between veal chop with sunchoke, pebre and snap pea salad, duck confit served with tamarind, sweet potato and brussel sprouts or fresh Gulf catch with charred vegetables, tomatoes stewed with capers, olives, onion and golden raisins. Dessert consists of a choice between churros tossed in cinnamon sugar and served with spiced chocolate, stewed plantains and fresh whipped cream or almond Panna Cotta with passion fruit curd, charred pineapple and lime zest.
Nao Latin Gastro Bar
312 Pearl Parkway
San Antonio, TX 78215
(210) 554-6484
SweetFire Kitchen at La Cantera Resort & Spa has special Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve menus available. Photo by Sweetfire Kitchen, used with permission.
Many venues around town are offering special Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve menus for guests who would prefer dining out. One of those is La Cantera Resort & Spa whose dining accommodations include SweetFire Kitchen. It is located on La Cantera Parkway and offers guests an authentic Texas experience. Guests can enjoy fine dining at SweetFire Kitchen either on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day or New Year’s Eve. (SweetFire Kitchen, 2016)
On Christmas Eve there will be a ‘Twas the Night before Christmas menu from 5p.m. to 10p.m. Reservations can be made through open table or by contacting the concierge at (210) 558-6500. Reservations for eight or more can be made by contacting SweetFire Kitchen at (210) 558-2479. Appetizers include tossed winter greens, roasted butternut squash salad, roasted mushroom soup, baked Gulf oysters, Gulf crab cakes, house made pimento, ricotta, pepper jelly and garlic butter flatbread and wild mushroom flatbread. Main courses include crispy skin arctic char, Filet Mignon, Cider brined pork chop, whole wheat gnocchi, slow roasted prime rib and pan seared sea bass. There is a children’s buffet option for $25 and a dessert option for $15 per person.
The SweetFire Christmas Day Feast will be offered from 11a.m. to 8p.m. and is $65 for adults, $26 for children ages 5-12 and free for children under 4 years old. Reservations can be made by calling (210) 558-2479. The menu consist of a raw bar that includes items like California and spicy tuna rolls, a cheese and charcuterie station that has a selection of local and house made cheeses, a salad table with winter greens, quinoa and kale and wild rice, a carving station with turkey and prime rib, a sides station with broccoli gratin, roasted sweet potatoes, an action station that features made to order risotto and a bakeshop station.
The New Year’s Eve menu consists of action stations for $85 per person. It includes a raw bar with poached Gulf shrimp, Gulf oysters on the half shell and tuna ceviche, an antipasto bar with roasted tomato hummus, basil tomato tapenade and grilled asparagus, a chef’s carving station with smoked beef tenderloin and peppered duck, a winter salad station with warm Montrachet salad and beet and blue salad and a chocolate bar with warm chocolate mellow cake, chocolate tarts and salted caramel tarts.
La Cantera Resort & Spa
16641 La Cantera Pkwy
San Antonio, TX 78256
(210) 558-6500
Holiday themed pastries at Bakery Lorraine include seasonal macarons. Photo by Christina Coker, used with permission.
Christmas is almost here and for anyone looking for ideas to celebrate the season there are holiday events and specials going on around town. Hotel Emma is having breakfast, lunch and dinner on Christmas Day, Bakery Lorraine is having special order opportunities for specialty large pies and seasonal macarons, Jazz, TX is having a special holiday show on Christmas Eve, Southerleigh has winter beer flavors, Paramour will have two holiday themed events and Hotel Contessa is offering a holiday brunch. Details on each is available online.
Supper at Hotel Emma will have breakfast, lunch and dinner available on Christmas Day. The menu will include a roasted lamb special with roasted garlic, spinach and parmesan potatoes, blistered carrots and salsa verde for $35 per person. Breakfast will be served from 7a.m. to 10a.m., lunch from 11a.m. to 2p.m. and dinner from 5p.m. to 8p.m. There will also be a special holiday cocktail (Joy to the Pearl) at Sternewirth for $12.
Bakery Lorraine is offering customers a chance to place and pick up orders of specialty large pies and seasonal macarons. Customers may place orders from now until Friday December 23 to pick up on Saturday December 24. Large pie flavors (9” for $26) include house roasted pumpkin pie, pecan pie, dutch apple pie and apple cranberry pie. Macaron holiday flavor packs (6pk for $12 or 12pk for $20) includes eggnog, hot cocoa, hot cinnamon, peppermint, caramel apple, gingerbread and raspberry.
Jazz, TX will have a special holiday show on Christmas Eve from 5p.m. to 12a.m. with happy hour and no cover from 5p.m. to 8p.m. The main act will perform from 8:30p.m. to 12a.m. and will include a $20 cover.
Southerleigh will feature new and returning winter beer flavors just in time for the holiday season. These flavors include Belgian Quad, Cranberry Collaboration Dorcol, Don’t Squeeze Me and Downtown Miss Brown. The restaurant will be open and taking reservations until 9p.m. with holiday themed specials available off the menu.
Paramour will be having two holiday themed events: “Winter is Here,” a holiday cocktail celebration on Wednesday December 21 and “Drinkmas,” an ugly sweater Christmas party on Friday December 23.
Hotel Contessa will be having a holiday brunch on Sunday December 25 from 11a.m. to 2:30p.m. and reservations are required. Cost is $55 per person, $20 for children ages 6 to 13 with children under 5 free.
John Stillwagon as Crumpet the Elf in ‘The Santaland Diaries.’ Photo courtesy of The Classic Theatre of San Antonio, used with permission.
The holiday season is in full swing and with it comes the holiday cheer and the usual Christmas shows. Thankfully, for anyone looking for something different ‘The Santaland Diaries’ is now playing at The Classic Theatre of San Antonio. This one man show is based on NPR comic genius David Sedaris’ experiences working as an elf in Macy’s Santaland display. Crumpet the Elf, his alter ego, is expertly brought to life onstage by John Stillwagon and the show is directed by Kelly and Bart Rousch.
It all begins as Sedaris’ character ponders how he got to the point of considering applying for a job as a Macy’s elf. He comes into town looking to become an actor but now he is running out of money and is ‘$20 away from walking dogs.’ So he applies for and is called in for an interview and what follows is nothing short of hysterical. He disappears offstage for a couple of minutes and comes back in full elf costume and continues his story. His colorful descriptions of the selection process and eventual training give way to his impressions of everyone from co-workers to clueless tourists who do not speak the language but got railroaded into the Santa line. Some of the funnier moments include when he is so frustrated with the job that he muses that ‘Santa’ must be an anagram for ‘Satan’ and his portrayal of over controlling parents. As an added bonus, those who stick around after the show can take a selfie with Crumpet.
‘The Santaland Diaries’ is a must see comical and sometimes irreverent behind the scenes look at life at Santa’s village during the holiday rush. John Stillwagon’s performance is lively and energetic and manages to get the audience to sympathize with his plight. Hopefully there will be more unconventional shows like these in the future. It is on a limited run and final performances are at 8p.m. this Friday and Saturday and 3p.m. and 7p.m. on Sunday. Tickets may be purchased online or by phone at (210) 589-8450. Disclaimer: for adults only. It contains adult language and material.
