Tag: La Cantera Resort & Spa

Free jazz concert and holiday tree lighting at La Cantera Resort & Spa

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Vincent Ingala will be performing at this year’s holiday tree lighting at La Cantera Resort & Spa. Courtesy photo, used with permission. 

La Cantera Resort & Spa, a Destination Hotel, sets a sweet and soulful tone for the holiday season as it hosts a free jazz concert by Vincent Ingala on Thursday November 29 from 7p.m. to 9p.m.  The Grinch is sure to steal hearts as he joins Santa for the annual holiday tree lighting ceremony at 8p.m. on Plaza San Saba.  Guests will be able to enjoy free holiday treats, children’s activities and photos with Santa.  Donations will be accepted and proceeds will benefit the San Antonio Library Foundation.  (La Cantera Resort & Spa, 2018)

 Vincent Ingala is a twenty-something music prodigy who has catapulted to the top of the Billboard Contemporary Jazz charts, garnering three Billboard #1s and eight top 10 hits.  Handpicked to open for Dave Koz at the age of 16, Ingala is an old soul with a musical identity and wisdom well beyond his years.  His musical influences span the worlds of jazz, R&B, disco, pop and beyond.  A virtual one-man band playing everything from tenor saxophone, piano and drums to guitar, bass and lead vocals, Ingala possesses ingenuity, extraordinary versatility and an endless supply of inspiration.

 La Cantera Resort & Spa
16441 La Cantera Pkwy
Plaza San Saba, just off the main lobby
San Antonio, TX  78256
(210) 558-6500

Music and Cocktails weekend at La Cantera Resort & Spa

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The Nightowls will be performing on Saturday September 15 as part of the Music and Cocktails weekend at La Cantera Resort & Spa. Courtesy photo, used with permission. 

La Cantera Resort & Spa, a part of the Destination Hotels collection, in partnership with the San Antonio Cocktail Conference present a Music and Cocktails weekend from Friday September 14 through Sunday September 16. Friday and Saturday events will benefit children’s non-profits through Houston Street Charities. The weekend event includes tastings, seminars and free music. (La Cantera Resort & Spa, 2018)

Schedule of events:
Friday, September 14 – 8p.m. to 10p.m.
Free jazz concert by saxophonist Roger Tamez on Plaza San Saba. Space is available on a first-come, first-served basis and is limited to 1,000 people.

Saturday, September 15, Cocktail Seminars – 11a.m. to 4p.m.
$50 per person
o Texas Cocktails, presented by Nico Martini, author of Texas Cocktails and Chris Caldwell, resort Beverage Manager.
o Coffee Tequila Martinis Deconstructed, presented by Juan Pablo DeLoera, Avion Tequila.
o Japanese Whiskey & Mizuwari (Highball) History, presented by Rashidi Barrett, Beam Suntary.

Saturday evening – 8p.m. to 10p.m.
Free concert by The Nightowls on Plaza San Saba. Space is available on a first-come, first-served basis and is limited to 1,000 people.

Sunday, September 16 – 10:30a.m. to 3p.m.
Gospel Brunch at Signature Restaurant, $50 per person
Live music by Wesley Bray and the Disciples of Joy. A pre-fix Southern style menu inspired by Chef Andrew Weissman, Bourbon Punch, Champagne and hand-crafted cocktails.

Tickets for the seminars can be purchased a la carte and guests can opt for a one or two-night stay at La Cantera Resort & Spa, the ideal retreat for sophisticated fun, poised at the pinnacle of 550-acres. It offers a pristine oasis with stunning views of the Texas Hill Country, an ideal backdrop for a weekend to celebrate music and mixology.

Cocktail Seminars tickets are $50 per person and are available online. Gospel Brunch is $50 per person, for reservations call (210) 247-0176.

La Cantera Resort & Spa
16641 La Cantera Parkway
San Antonio, TX
(210) 558-6500

Kids Club Naturalist Program at La Cantera Resort & Spa

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La Cantera Resort & Spa now has a nature program that gives guests’ children the opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors. Photo: La Cantera Resort & Spa, used with permission.

Part of the Destination Hotels collection, La Cantera Resort & Spa announces the launch of Kids Club Naturalist Program benefitting San Antonio Zoo and San Antonio Botanical Garden. A picturesque Hill Country nature trail on the west side of La Cantera Resort & Spa is now a classroom where children can get an up-close and personal introduction to flora and fauna. Children will learn about the different trees, cactus, birds and native wildlife such as raccoons, armadillos, deer, wild pigs and possums, that share the 550-acre grounds of the resort. (La Cantera Resort & Spa, 2018)

The Kids Club Naturalist Program is designed for children ages four to twelve and is available to resort guests for $70 per child. Reservations can be done online or by phone at (855) 499-2960. A trained resort staff member will accompany eight to ten children on a quarter-mile tree-shaded nature trail for the start of a four-hour adventure. Children will have the opportunity to see deer, road runners, lizards, hummingbirds and more, and to walk among the cedar, oak and cactus on the trail. Young naturalists get a backpack with tools to support their adventure, such as a magnifying glass, notebook to log observations and a booklet with naturalist-themed puzzles and games.

Children enrolled in the daylong Kids Club Naturalist Program will scout animal tracks, observe and categorize trees and wildflowers and learn to identify different kinds of animal poop. They will do this under a curriculum co-developed with San Antonio Zoo and San Antonio Botanical Garden. For their partnership, La Cantera Resort & Spa will donate a portion of the registration fee to these non-profit organizations. Aly Wehde, Director of Recreation for La Cantera Resort & Spa, worked with educational staff from San Antonio Zoo and San Antonio Botanical Garden on site as they developed the program.

On the trail, resort staff place molds of various animal tracks for children to discover (coyotes, rabbits, deer and more) just in case the critters that inhabit the grounds are a bit shy. Signs identify native Hill Country trees, flowers and plants. After the trail hike, children return to the Kids Club activity center for arts, crafts and educational exercises that complement the outdoor lessons.

While the kids are on their four-hour educational adventure, parents can relax at the adults-only infinity pool, take a few swings at one of the two world-class golf courses, be pampered with a signature treatment at Loma de Vida spa or sit and enjoy a hand-crafted cocktail and sumptuous meal at one of the property’s fine restaurants.

“We’re thrilled to be partnering with La Cantera Resort & Spa on nature programming that connects children to the plant world,” – Bob Brackman, Executive Director of the San Antonio Botanical Garden.

La Cantera Resort & Spa
16641 La Cantera Pkwy
San Antonio, TX 78256
(210) 558-6500

Evenings on the Edge at La Cantera Resort & Spa

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Evenings on the Edge at Topaz are adult pool parties taking place during the summer. Photo: La Cantera Resort & Spa, used with permission.

Evenings on the Edge at Topaz are evening events that benefit local charities and feature live entertainment. This series of popular sunset adult pool parties is back this summer at La Cantera Resort & Spa every Thursday beginning June 7 and running through August 9 from 7p.m. to 11p.m. Guests must be 21 and over and ID is required. Tickets are $30 and available online and if purchased in advance it includes valet parking. Valet parking at the door is $10 and event tickets at the door are $40. A portion of proceeds from ticket sales benefit San Antonio non-profits. Event is free for resort guests: all they must do is simply present their room key at the registration desk to receive a wrist band. (La Cantera Resort & Spa, 2018)

Ticket includes a summer-inspired cocktail, live performances and/or DJ with unrivaled Hill Country views as backdrop. This year, themed evenings add to the aura of intrigue and excitement. Attendees will receive a complimentary cocktail upon entry and a Moet Chandon toast at sundown. In the event of inclement weather, ticket will be honored at a future event based on availability; tickets are non-refundable.

Ten private cabañas also are available for rent and require 24-hour cancellation. A portion of ticket sales and cabaña rentals benefit local charities. A Topaz Sunset Pass is available for $150 per person ($300 value) and includes one ticket to each Evenings on the Edge event and complimentary valet parking. Available through week 6, July 12, of 2018 Evenings on the Edge season. Detailed information on cabaña rentals and Topaz Sunset Passes is available online.

  • Thursday, June 7 – San Antonio Zoo; Music by Finding Friday; Theme: Yacht Club
  • Thursday, June 14 – August Heart
  • Thursday, June 21 – Houston Street Charities
  • Thursday, June 28 – Viola’s Huge Heart
  • Thursday, July 5 – Culinaria SA, Music by Passing Strangers; Theme: White Party
  • Thursday, July 12 – TBA
  • Thursday, July 19 – The Doseum
  • Thursday, July 26 – TBA
  • Thursday, August 2 – Sal Barbaro III for Rey Feo
  • Thursday, August 9 – San Antonio Library Foundation; Theme: One Night in Old Havana

La Cantera Resort & Spa
16641 La Cantera Pkwy
San Antonio, TX 78256
(210) 558-6500

Texas Taco Showdown new addition to Culinaria

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The Texas Taco Showdown is a new addition to the popular Culinaria Wine + Food Festival coming up next week at La Cantera Resort & Spa.  Photo: Culinaria, used with permission.

The Culinaria Wine + Food Festival is coming up next week from Thursday May 17 through Sunday May 20 and among the new additions to the festival this year is the Texas Taco Showdown. Also new to the festival are pop-up restaurants and the opportunity for guests to mix and mingle with up-and-coming chefs. (Culinaria, 2018)

The Texas Taco Showdown will take place on Saturday May 19 when thirty chefs from across the Lone Star State will descend on La Cantera Resort & Spa in the heart of the Texas Hill Country to take part of this exciting new competition. On the line are bragging rights and the chance to take home the title of taco champion. The Texas Taco Showdown is set for 12 noon to 5p.m. and will be divided into three categories: Modern, Classic and the ever-popular Breakfast Tacos. A panel of ten celebrity judges featuring chefs, media personalities and foodies will make the final determination about who earns the Top Taco titles.

The Texas Taco Showdown is just one of many new activities that Culinaria has planned for this year.  For example, guests will be able to mingle with up-and-coming chefs working alongside executive chefs from the city’s top restaurants on Friday night at the Texas Grand Tasting.

Restaurants currently signed up to participate in the pop-up restaurants are Grayze on Grayson Street, La Cantera Resort & Spa, Baklovah Bakery and Pasha Mediterranean Grill. Pasha will offer a Hookah lounge, a pop-up bakery featuring baklava and a food truck.

Culinary education remains a major part of the festival and will feature cooking and wine demonstrations.  The Lone Star State’s most delicious resource –Gulf Coast shrimp – will be featured at a station sponsored by the Texas Department of Agriculture.  Guests will be able to quench their thirst at the Wine Garden, the Beer Lounge or at the Yes Way Rosé Lounge.

The Burgers, BBQ & Beer event returns on Sunday when Chefs will set up grill stations for a backyard barbecue like no other. Expect exotic burger offerings featuring wild game alongside sumptuous beefy favorites as chefs go bun-to-bun to earn the top burger title. New this year is a fry station for French fries and onion rings for burger pairings.  Guests will also can enjoy the Culinary District happening in and around Burgers, BBQ & Beer.  This will provide festival-goers with ample opportunity to have access to tasty seminars, demos, wine, cocktails and shopping at the Culinary District with pop up restaurants, a variety of experiential hospitality and more; culminating to make Burgers, BBQ & Beer a Texas-sized experience of astonishing culinary and beverage proportions.

Culinaria was created to highlight San Antonio’s passion for food and to spotlight the city as a premiere food and wine destination. In the beginning, it was just a weekend of food and wine on the Riverwalk. Now it has expanded to include events as diverse a food competition and a barbeque extravaganza.

La Cantera Resort & Spa
16641 La Cantera Pkwy
San Antonio, TX 78256
(210) 558-6500

SweetFire Kitchen Easter Feast

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SweetFire Kitchen is having an Easter Feast on Sunday April 1.  Photo: SweetFire Kitchen, used with permission.

Next up on the calendar is Easter and SweetFire Kitchen at La Cantera Resort & Spa is having an Easter Feast on Sunday April 1 for $65 for adults and $26 for children. Reservations are available through open table or by calling (210) 558-2479. (SweetFire Kitchen, 2018)

SweetFire Kitchen is located on the lobby level of La Cantera Resort & Spa and features an open-air style kitchen. Guests can enjoy home style cuisine and signature dishes and a full-service bar with unique craft cocktails, an extensive wine list and draught beers.

Menu includes:
Raw Bar
Calamari salad, olives, Meyer lemon & dill
Gulf Coast oysters on the half shell, cucumber- vodka mignonette
Cajun rubbed poached shrimp, chipotle cocktail sauce
Cheese & Charcuturie
House cured meats & Texas cheeses
Spiced lavosh, seasonal jams & local honey
Salad Table
Artisanal greens, spring vegetables & assorted dressings
Braised duck & quinoa salad, celery, fennel & citrus
Baby romaine, brown butter croutons, roasted tomatoes & roasted garlic dressing
Beet & potato salad, pickled mustard seed & tarragon
Grilled spring vegetable antipasto, fava bean hummus & crostini
SFK Specialties
Apple wood smoked bacon
Chicken apple sausage
Pork sausage
Scrambled eggs, chives & roasted tomatoes
Roasted Yukon gold potatoes, caramelized onions, peppers & Smoked paprika
Sautéed BBQ shrimp, Jalapeno sausage & cheese grits
Grilled Texas squash, leeks & blistered tomatoes
Roasted heirloom carrots & English peas, cardamom butter
Action stations
Made to order pancakes
Blueberries, chocolate chips, Oreo pieces, butter, whipped cream
Chocolate sauce, caramel, maple syrup
Made to order omelets & eggs
Carving Station
Garlic & herb rubbed Prime Rib, horseradish cream & Au jus
Porchetta, bourbon-apple mostarda
From the Bakeshop
Display of house made breads & pastries
Assorted verrines
Milk chocolate mousse cake
Texas orange cheesecake
Pistachio financier, hazelnut streusel
Cream puffs strawberry, raspberry
Olive oil and mascarpone cream cake
Chocolate almond tarts
Easter sugar cookies
Carrot cake carrot macaroons
Action station
Orange crepes hazelnut cream filling mandarin orange ice cream

SweetFire Kitchen
16641 La Cantera Parkway
San Antonio, TX 78256
(210) 558-6500

Tickets to Culinaria Wine + Food Festival now on sale

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Culinaria Wine + Food Festival is coming up in May and early bird tickets are now on sale. Photo: La Cantera Resort & Spa, used with permission.

Culinaria Wine + Food Festival is coming up in May and tickets are now available for purchase. Scheduled for Thursday May 17 through Sunday May 20, Culinaria celebrates the best of food through events featuring gourmet creations paired with elegant wines for extravagant tastings prepared by San Antonio’s best chefs, guest chefs and global and local wineries.  Culinaria was created to highlight San Antonio’s passion for food and to spotlight the city as a premiere food and wine destination. In the beginning, it was just a weekend of food and wine on the Riverwalk. Now it has expanded to include events as diverse a food competition and a barbeque extravaganza. (Culinaria, 2018)

Individual tickets start at $75. Early bird ticket purchases are 25 percent off through April 1. Ticket packages feature special amenities and include:

Rising Star: $275
Single ticket package for one to all events: Bubbles, Texas Grand Tasting, Texas Taco Showdown and Burgers, BBQ & Beer.

Weekend Warrior: $210
One ticket to the Texas Grand Tasting, Texas Taco Showdown and Burgers, BBQ & Beer.

A-Lister: $340
VIP ticket package for one to attend all events with access to VIP areas. Bubbles, Texas Grand Tasting, Texas Taco Showdown; Burgers, BBQ & Beer.

Chop It Like It’s Hot: $125
Ticket Package to include one ticket to the Texas Taco Showdown and Burgers, BBQ & Beer.

La Cantera Resort & Spa, a part of Destination Luxury collection, will host Culinaria Festival and is offering guests special rates during the event using promo code: CULINARIA18. Rates start at $249 for standard rooms, $349 for SEVEN, a 46-room “adults only” guest floor experience and $399 for The Villas.

Scheduled events include:
Bubbles – 7p.m., Thursday, May 17, Topaz at La Cantera Resort & Spa
Becker Luncheon – 11:30 a.m., Friday, May 18, Becker Vineyards
Texas Grand Tasting – 7p.m., Friday, May 18, San Antonio Ballroom at La Cantera Resort & Spa
Texas Taco Showdown – 12p.m. to 6p.m., Saturday, May 19, La Cantera Resort & Spa
Burgers, BBQ & Beer – 12p.m.to 6 p.m., Sunday, May 20, La Cantera Resort & Spa

La Cantera Resort & Spa
16641 La Cantera Pkwy
San Antonio, TX 78256
(210) 558-6500

Christmas Day feast at SweetFire Kitchen

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SweetFire Kitchen at La Cantera Resort and Spa is having a Christmas Day Feast. Photo: SweetFire Kitchen, used with permission.

SweetFire Kitchen at La Cantera Resort and Spa is having its annual Christmas Day feast on Monday December 25 from 11a.m. to 8p.m. Price is $65 for adults, $25 for children 5 to 12 and free for children under 4. Reservations can be online or by calling (210) 558-2479. (SweetFire Kitchen, 2017)

Some of the menu offerings include:
Raw Bar: Steamed snow crab, Gulf oysters on the half shell, Old Bay poached Gulf Shrimp, Chipotle cocktail sauce, mignonette and lemon aioli.

Cheese and Charcuterie: Selection of local and house made cheeses, venison terrine, tasso, duck ham and pork rillettes, pickled vegetables, grain mustard, sour apple chutney, candied walnuts and wildfire honey, assorted breads and crackers.

Salads: Winter greens, roasted pear, dates and citrus vinaigrette, Belgian endive, shaved fennel, grapefruit, feta and truffle vinaigrette, quinoa and kale, “marcona” pinenut, butternut squash and dried cranberries, slow roasted beets, candied pecans, salted ricotta and mache.

Carving station: Apple cider sliced turkey breast with cranberry sauce and giblet gravy, salt baked prime rib with creamed horseradish, IPA au jus, honey siracha glazed pork tenderloin with apple mostarda.

Action station: Made to order risotto, wild mushrooms, show braised lamb shank.

Side dishes: Lobster bisque, whipped potatoes, braised white beans, caramelized carrots, stone oven roasted Brussel sprouts, brocco-flower gratin.

From the Bakeshop:
Action Station: Flaming pears, golden raisins, spiced cider ice cream and ginger bread, carrot and pecan cake, pistachio chocolate cake, roasted apples panna cotta, chocolate mousse cups, cream puffs, pumpkin cheesecake, chocolate ganache Yule log, green tea Tiramisu, assorted Christmas cookies, warm sticky toffee pudding and maple pecan chocolate tarts.

SweetFire Kitchen is located on the lobby level of La Cantera Resort & Spa and features an open-air style kitchen. Guests can enjoy home style cuisine and signature dishes and a full-service bar with unique craft cocktails, an extensive wine list and beers.

SweetFire Kitchen
16641 La Cantera Parkway
San Antonio, TX 78256
(210) 558-6500

Holiday tree lighting and jazz concert at La Cantera Resort & Spa

 

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La Cantera Resort & Spa will be having its annual Holiday Tree Lighting event on Thursday November 30.  Photo:  La Cantera Resort & Spa, used with permission.

La Cantera Resort & Spa, a Destination Hotel, is having its annual Holiday Tree Lighting event on Thursday November 30 from 7p.m to 9p.m. The evening will set a smooth tone for the Holiday season with a free Jazz concert by Paul Taylor, internationally acclaimed jazz saxophonist. The concert will coincide with the annual tree lighting ceremony on Plaza San Saba. Guests will be able to enjoy free holiday treats, festive cocktails, kids’ activities and photos with Santa. Donations will be accepted with proceeds to benefit a local children’s charity. Santa will be lighting the tree at 8p.m. This event is free and open to the public. (La Cantera Resort & Spa, 2017)

La Cantera Resort & Spa
Plaza San Saba, just off the main lobby
16641 La Cantera Parkway
San Antonio, TX 78256
(210) 558-6500

Destination Cocktails at La Cantera Resort & Spa

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Destination Cocktails is set for October 20 through 22 at La Cantera Resort & Spa.  Photo: La Cantera Resort & Spa, used with permission.

La Cantera Resort & Spa, in partnership with the San Antonio Cocktail Conference, is hosting Destination Cocktails. Set for Friday October 20 through Sunday October 22, this event will benefit children’s charities through Houston Street Charities. It will explore the creation and execution of handcrafted cocktails through tastings, seminars and paired dinners. Guest mixologists scheduled to appear are: John Garrett, Victory Wine Groups, Jason Kosmas, The 86 Company and Elyse Blechman. Ticket prices range from $40 to $150 and are available online. They can be purchased alone for any event or as a package to include a one night or two-night stay at La Cantera Resort & Spa. The resort stay includes two seminars per adult, admission to Texas Tasting Suite and daily breakfasts. Paired dinners are not included and must be purchased separately. A complete list of events is available online. (La Cantera Resort & Spa, 2017)

Event highlights:
Texas Tasting Suite
Saturday October 21, 2p.m. to 4p.m. – $40

Seminar: Understanding Tequila
Saturday October 21,10:30a.m. to 11:30a.m. – $50

Seminar: The Drinkable Journey of Gin & Tonic
Saturday October 21, 10:30a.m. – 11: 30a.m. and 1p.m. to 2p.m. – $50

Seminar: The Twelve Fashioned
Saturday October 21, 1p.m. – 2p.m. – $50

Paired dinner: SweetFire Kitchen and Cadre Noir Imports
Saturday, October 21, 7 p.m. – $150

Paired dinner: Primero Cantina and Mezcal El Silencio
Saturday, October 21, 7 p.m. – $100

La Cantera Resort & Spa
16641 La Cantera Parkway
San Antonio, TX 78256
(210) 558-6500