Culinary Monographs at Hotel Emma to celebrate Ole, San Antonio

20151112_083632 — Hotel Emma is hosting Culinary Monographs this summer to honor Spain’s most beloved flavors.

Olé, San Antonio is in full swing at the Pearl and Hotel Emma is joining in the celebration by hosting Culinary Monographs. These are six delicious, immersive experiences that will honor the most beloved flavors of Spain: olive oil, jamón (Spanish ham), tinned fish, salt and spices, wine and sherry and cheese, to help celebrate San Antonio’s Tricentennial. (Hotel Emma, 2018)

These culinary monographs will take place every two weeks, beginning on Wednesday/Thursday from June through September, each offering a look into the history, craftsmanship and diversity of flavor and utility of each product.

Each monograph includes a ticketed Monograph Session facilitated by experts and makers of the individual product. Guests will enjoy, depending on theme, a deep dive into the culture, economy and trends of the product and an expertly guided tasting opportunity. There will be an open-to-the-public Casual Tasting at Larder, where the fine grocery store at Hotel Emma will support each monograph with a multi-day tasting of the highlighted product. Tapas tastings will be held at Sternewirth, the main bar at Hotel Emma, which will create a special tapas dish highlighting the product at play. There will also be a Dinner at Supper series, where Chef John Brand will create a special tasting menu highlighting the various uses, applications and flavors of the spotlighted product. Monograph Sessions and Dinner at Supper will be ticketed events, while Tapas will be a menu option for Sternewirth guests and tastings at Larder will be free and open to the public. More information on these event is available online.

Upcoming Culinary Monographs:

June 27 – Olive Oil
July 11 – Spain’s Great Match
July 25 – Salt & Spices
August 8 – Tinned Fish
August 22 – Jamón
September 6 – Cheese

In honor of San Antonio’s Tricentennial, Hotel Emma is also offering a special rate now through September 16, 2018. The special ‘300 years, 300 dollars’ features rates starting at $300, plus complimentary valet parking.

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

New Year’s Eve holiday specials and menus

southerleighsign — Southerleigh is one area restaurant having a special New Year’s Eve menu. Photo: Nick Simonite, used with permission.

Still need plans for the long New Year’s Eve holiday? Area restaurants have special menus and events planned to help guests usher in the new year. (Hotel Emma, Hotel Contessa, Boiler House, Southerleigh, Esquire Tavern, Rosella at the Rand, Krause’s Café, Pinch Boil House, 2017)

Hotel Emma will offer special holiday themed menu items on New Year’s Eve at Sternewirth and Supper.
New Year’s Eve at Sternewirth
San Antonians are invited to celebrate New Year’s Eve at Sternewirth, Hotel Emma’s bar and club room. Guests will be able to enjoy Latin jazz music by local icon Henry Brun and his international trio. A $20 cover fee will include champagne toast and party favors. Price: $20 Time: 9p.m. to 2a.m.
New Year’s Eve Special at Supper
Supper will open its doors during New Year’s Eve and will be welcoming guests and locals to dine in and ring in the new year. Please call the restaurant at (210)448-8351 for reservations. Hours: 11a.m. to 3p.m. and 5p.m. to 10p.m.

Hotel Contessa is offering a pre-fixe dinner menu on Sunday, New Year’s Eve. Reservations are required for New Year’s Eve dinner, $55/person, $25/children ages 8-13 and children 7 and under eat free.

Boiler House will be serving holiday themed cocktails and dinner items on New Year’s Eve from 5 p.m. to close. The restaurant will also have their regular lunch menu along with special brunch items on New Year’s Day from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. New Year’s Eve Cocktail items include: Gingerbread Martini for $14 and Hot Buttered Texas Rum for $12. New Year’s Eve Dish items include: Lemon Chive Crabcake for $15, Calamari Piccata for $21, Roast Leg of Lamb for $29 and Eggnog Pound Cake for $8. New Year’s Day Brunch items include: Green Chile Pulled Pork, Poached Eggs & Popcorn Grits, Hangover Hash, BLT Mac & Egg and Barbacoa Sando.

Southerleigh will have specialty items for New Year’s Eve brunch and dinner. Southerleigh’s hours on New Year’s Eve are from 10 a.m. to 12 a.m. and will be closed on New Year’s Day. Brunch hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will include House Cured and Braised Country Ham, Creamed Field Peas, Flash Fried Collards and Eggs Over Easy. Dinner hours: 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. and will include Slow Roasted Pork Shank, Hoppin John, Black Garlic spiked Spinach, Dijon Glace and Whole Fried Gulf Flounder, Creamy Crystal Butter, House Fries and South Texas Slaw. Guests will receive a complimentary glass of champagne to ring in the new year at 12 a.m.

Esquire Tavern will be celebrating New Year’s Eve with dinner reservations and sparkling wine to toast at midnight. There will be live music and more.

Rosella at The Rand will be serving regular Sunday brunch on New Year’s Eve from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The restaurant will then open the same evening for a FREE New Year’s Eve party from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Rosella at the Rand will be open for New Year’s Day brunch from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Krause’s Cafe will have a self-serve Hot Chocolate bar, Bloody Mary bar and free black eyed peas on New Year’s Day. Restaurant hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. and will be celebrating the new year with a Munich Platter – A pork shank stands atop of mashed potatoes, chicken schnitzel, red cabbage, sauerkraut, assorted sausage, crisp pork belly and a side of Dunkel Sauce.

Pinch Boil House and Bia Bar will be hosting a crawfish boil with a Boil & Brews on New Year’s Eve, Eve, Saturday December 30 from 12p.m. to 3p.m. Guests can enjoy boiled crawfish or crab legs, shrimp and other seafood items. There will also be a DJ and cold beer.

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.

Latin Jazz Wednesdays at Sternewirth

hotelemma2-pg — 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

Dinner & A Book series at Hotel Emma

dinnerandabookseries — Dinner & A Book series at Hotel Emma kicks off on Tuesday August 15, 2017. Photo: Hotel Emma, used with permission.

Hotel Emma’s new Dinner & A Book series kicks off on Tuesday August 15 from 6:30p.m. to 8p.m. with the first of four book talks about women writers of the South hosted by Sherry Kafka Wagner. The night’s event will begin with dinner at Supper followed by a cocktail and savory bites in the library where Wagner will be sharing her enthusiasm for Texan Katherine Porter’s work. Katherine Anne Porter is a Pulitzer Prize winner, journalist, political activist and novelist. She is best known for her short stories and the novels “Ship of Fools” and “Pale Horse, Pale Rider.” For those interested, the conversation will continue at Sternewirth over drinks.

This book event is free for overnight hotels guests and $15 for the public. Price includes a cocktail and snacks in the library and entry to Wagner’s book event. Due to extremely limited searing, RSVPs are required at rsvp@thehotelemma.com. Future Dinner & A Book dates include August 22, August 29 and September 5, 2017. (Hotel Emma, 2017)

Hotel Emma Library
136 E Grayson St
San Antonio, TX 78215
(210) 448-8351

Father’s Day special menus

krausecafepic — Krause’s Café is one area restaurant that will be having special Father’s Day menus. Photo: Krause’s Café, used with permission.

Father’s Day is coming up on Sunday June 18 and area restaurants and businesses are offering specials to celebrate dad on his special day. Some of these include Boiler House, Hotel Emma, Paramour, Southerleigh, Krause’s Café and Twang. Detailed information is available online. (Giant Noise, 2017)

Boiler House will have a specialty Father’s Day menu and regular brunch items served on Sunday. Entrees include Makers and maple glazed baby backs, Mexican corn, bourbon baked bean for $18, smothered pork chops and biscuits-grilled pork chop on buttermilk biscuits, fried eggs, buttermilk gravy for $19 and lobster pot pie for $21. Dessert includes The Homer Simpson-Warm glazed donut, espresso ice cream, Guinness caramel for $8.
Brunch hours are from 10 a.m. to 3p.m.

Hotel Emma:
Supper will offer a lunch sandwich special of Bratwurst Burger with Burgundy Cabbage, Pickles and Cider Mustard. Brunch hours are 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Larder will offer all fathers a complimentary iced coffee or glass of wine with every purchase. Larder hours are 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Paramour will have a specialty whiskey flight menu, “Hey Daddy Que Paso?!” on Father’s Day from 11a.m. to 3p.m. Dads are welcomed to bring outside cigars so they can smoke them on Paramour’s patio. Reservations: info@paramourbar.com

Southerleigh’s Beer Club makes the perfect Father’s Day gift. A one-year membership valued at $250 includes exclusive access and perks for members.
Brunch hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Krause’s Cafè will have a special Father’s Day menu along with the regular menu items. Brunch entrees include Herb Crusted Bone in King’s Cut Prime Rib with fresh ground horseradish with twice baked potato served with hefeweizen aujus and a beer flight for Dad for $36.95 and Steak and eggs Benedict with béarnaise sauce with toasted English muffin topped with seared beef medallions and poached eggs for $14.
Brunch hours are 7 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Twang also has gifts for dad: their Beer Salt, a delicious, citrus-flavored salt product pairs well with a six pack of beer.

Book signing: ‘Taming the Feast’ by Chef Ben Ford at Hotel Emma

chefbenpic — This Friday May 19 Hotel Emma is hosting a book signing with Chef Ben Ford at Curio. Courtesy photo, used with permission.

This Friday May 19 Hotel Emma at the Pearl is hosting a book signing with Chef Ben Ford. The community is invited to join Chef Ben Ford for a special book signing at Curio, the gift shop at Hotel Emma from 5:30p.m. to 6:30p.m. This event is free and open to the public and there is no need to RSVP. He will be there to sign copies of his first cookbook: “Taming the Feast: Ben Ford’s Field Guide to Adventurous Cooking” and guests will be able to enjoy some bites, a glass of wine and get to meet the chef and author. Guests may bring their own copy of the book or purchase one on site. (Hotel Emma, 2017)

Chef Ben Ford is known for wowing crowds with his over the top handcrafted feasts and now with “Taming the Feast” he presents a field guide to adventurous cooking. He gives step by step instructions with photos and illustrations so anyone can grill, smoke or roast outdoors or a smaller version of the feast in their own kitchens. Along with recipes, artisanal techniques and gorgeous photography, Chef Ford shares stories of growing up with his father Harrison Ford, then a carpenter, and his life as a chef at some of California’s best restaurants.

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

Easter Sunday specials in San Antonio

bakerylorrainebunnies — 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

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

‘Holiday Cooking with the Culinary Concierge’ at Hotel Emma

Hotel Emma at the Pearl is getting into the holiday spirit by hosting ‘Holiday Cooking with the Culinary Concierge.’ Hotel guests and community members are invited to submit a favorite holiday dish for a chance to cook their dish alongside Hugh Daschbach, the Culinary Concierge at Hotel Emma. This event will be held on Wednesday December 21 from 5:30p.m. to 7p.m. inside the hotel’s Exhibition Kitchen. The winner will cook and share the winning recipe with the night’s guests. Anyone interested in participating can submit their recipes through the Facebook event page and the recipes with the most likes will be finalists for the big win. The winner will be announced on Friday December 16, 2016. (Hotel Emma, 2016)

Hotel Emma is located 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.

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

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