The Dirty Mextini is just one of the many margaritas that can be enjoyed on National Margarita Day this February 22. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
National Margarita Day is this Wednesday February 22 and the Pearl is making it easy to celebrate hump day with a margarita crawl. Guests can start with Sternewirth’s La Babia margarita which is usually given to Hotel Emma’s guests upon arrival. Boiler House has their version of a margarita made with local honey and orange bitters. Southerleigh has the citrusy Margarita Gose beer which has notes limes, oranges and tequila and is brewed in house. (Pearl, 2017)
The following are two margarita recipes featuring different Twang salts and seasonings.
Dirty Mextini
Ice
3oz anejo tequila
½oz olive brine
1 ½ oz fresh lime juice
1 ½ oz Cointreau
Splash of orange juice
TwangARita Gold Salt for rimming glass
Add ice to cocktail shaker.
Add in tequila, olive brine, lime juice and Cointreau. Shake vigorously for several seconds.
Moisten rim of glass with lime wedge. Turn glass rim a few times in TwangARita Gold Salt.
Strain martini into rimmed glass.
Top with a splash of orange juice. Garnish and enjoy!
Burro Borracho, AKA Mexican Mule
1 oz fresh lime juice
1 oz grapefruit juice
1 oz orange liqueur (such as Grand Marnier or Triple Sec)
2 oz ginger beer
2 oz tequila
Ice
TwangARita Paloma Salt
The Culinary Institute of America, San Antonio recently announced the return of the popular CIA Bakery Café to Pearl. For nine weeks starting on Monday February 13 and running until Wednesday April 12 the pop-up café will offer a variety of signature sweet and savory bakery items, new creations, specialty coffee and tea and daily aguas frescas. This pop up Bakery Café was created to give visitors an exciting dining experience while giving students the experience of working in a bakery. It is the most important course for the CIA baking and pastry arts majors graduating in April with their AAS degrees. Students will work in both the front and back of house at the café under the direction of Chef Dubernard, Chef Patrick Clark and Instructor Amandy Carranza. (CIA Bakery Café, 2017)
Business hours will be Monday through Friday for breakfast and lunch from 8a.m. to 2p.m. and will have patio and interior seating. The menu will rotate and will feature house-made soups, salads, sandwiches and lunch specials. Pastry selections will include house-made pastries, bagels, breakfast breads, cookies, breads and desserts. Favorite dishes return, including the Chocolate XS Cake, Opera, Alfajores and White Chocolate Banana Tarts, along with the “Best Breakfast Sandwich Ever” and a reincarnation of the House-Cured Bacon Mac and Cheese. New items for this year include Chocolate Truffles and select healthy items.
The Culinary Institute of America was founded in 1946 as is the world’s premiere culinary college. It is an independent, not for profit facility that offers associates degrees in the culinary arts and baking and pastry arts. Students can also earn bachelor’s degrees in management, culinary science and applied food studies. With campuses in New York, California, Texas and Singapore it trains thousands of students that are bound for the foodservice and hospitality industry.
CIA Bakery Café
312 Pearl Pkwy, Ste 2102 – entrance located off Karnes Street
San Antonio, TX 78215
(210) 554-6464
Shop local for Valentine’s Day at Pearl. Photo: google.com
February is the month of love and the boutiques and at Pearl have put together a handy shopping guide to make it easier to shop for a Valentine’s Day gift. Starting with special deals at this week’s First Thursday, shoppers are encouraged to shop local at Pearl and give thoughtful and unique gifts from local businesses. (Pearl, 2017)
Gift ideas for women: The Tiny Finch – Choose from a variety of small art prints, each hand signed and printed on 100% cotton rag paper. Lick Honest Ice Creams – Pick up the Foxwares bowl and wooden ice cream spoons to create the perfect set. Curio at Hotel Emma – The 14K pave double heart necklace makes a memorable gift. Ten Thousand Villages – Give the gift that keeps on giving by purchasing jewelry and supporting makers in developing countries. Larder – Indulge in a gift basket filled with wine, chocolate and body products. Adelante – Stock up on jewelry for the trendy girl. Niche – Get the latest from the Niche Spring 2017 collection. The Cabana dress in red is a flirty and fun addition to any wardrobe. LeeLee – The Adina Reyter 14K pave necklace is a must have. Bakery Lorraine – Satisfy any sweet tooth with delicious macarons from the bakery. Bike World – A bicycle rental is the perfect gift for adventurous couples. Rentals are rent one get one half off. The Synergy Studio – Violet love headbands for women who love to get fit.
Gift ideas for men: The Sporting District – Mckittrick’s Fine Goods candle “Shut The Blinds” is made from the finest soy wax and scented with delicious oils. Leighelena – exotic Santa Fe Stoneworks knife or stunning onyx, coral and natural wood liner lock knife with clip. Local Coffee – The Murago from Katanga, Burundi, Merit Light Gray Sweatshirt and Hario V60 Dripper are perfect for the coffee lover. High Street Wine Co. – Enjoy the Terra Valentine Cabernet from Napa Valley; a big, bold red wine that brings power and elegance to any occasion. Dos Carolinas – Purchase a special Valentine’s guayabera for the one you love.
Gift ideas for children: Roo & Me – Choose from an assortment of clothing and gifts. The Twig Book Shop – Choose from a variety of cards or books about love.
Pearl Brewery
303 Pearl Parkway
San Antonio, TX 78215
(210) 212-7260
The next First Thursday at Pearl on February 2 will include specials just in time for Valentine’s Day. Photo courtesy of Pearl, used with permission.
First Thursday at Pearl was created to give guests an evening of family fun and shopping deals. The next First Thursday is this Thursday February 2 from 5p.m. to 7p.m. Pearl kicks off the month of love as guests will be able to take advantage of in-store specials at Pearl’s boutiques and enjoy live music by National Standard. (Pearl, 2017)
Exclusive specials for this month’s First Thursday include: Cured – there will be a “Roses & Chocolate” demo. The bar will present a sample of a Rose Pedal Cocktail while the kitchen will do a demo on chocolates and how to decorate with them. Leighelena – guests will be able to enjoy complimentary Rosé from 5 to 7 p.m. Niche – there will be an artist reception with Barbara Natoli Witt. Guests can enjoy wine and sweet treats, meet the artist and view the current collection. Roo & Me– there will be a 50% off sale to make room for new spring merchandise. Tiff’s Treats and champagne will also be offered. Twig– guests have a variety of books and cards to choose from. Ten Thousand Villages– specials include 25% off all handcrafted jewelry and select Valentine’s gifts. Curio – Gifts include a variety of Valentine’s themed merchandise.
Pearl Brewery
303 Pearl Parkway
San Antonio, TX 78215
(210) 212-7260
Nao Latin Gastro Bar will be hosting a dinner and educational seminar with Argentinian winery Bodega Colome. 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. Next month the restaurant will host an exclusive dinner and educational seminar with vineyard director Thibaut Delmotte of legendary Argentinian winery Bodega Colomé. This five course dinner will feature dishes prepared by Chef de Cuisine John Carpenter and will be paired with unique wines from the Salta region of Argentina. Before the dinner there will be a short seminar on the winemaking philosophy of Bodega Colomé. This will all take place on Wednesday February 1 at 6:30p.m. at a price of $125 per person. Space is limited so reservations are required and may be done via OpenTable. (Nao Latin Gastro Bar, 2017)
The dinner consists of the following: Reception– Tuna with passion fruit, pomegranate seeds and serrano paired with Amalaya White Blend 2015, Salta Argentina. First Course– Charred baby carrots with goat cheese, tamarind and arugula paired with Colomé Torrontes 2015, Salta Argentina. Second Course-Crispy pork belly with ají panca, green apple and pickled tiny vegetables paired with Amalaya Red Blend 2015, Salta Argentina. Third Course– Seared scallop with ajo blanco, charred grapes, cucumber and toasted almond paired with Colomé Malbec ‘Autentico’ 2015, Salta Argentina. Fourth Course– Beef tenderloin with celery root, roasted cippolini onions, peas and Malbec glaze paired with Colomé Altura Maxima Malbec 2013, Salta Argentina. Fifth Course– Red wine-poached pear with caramelized white chocolate, pistachio and coriander whipped cream.
Nao Latin Gastro Bar
312 Pearl Parkway, Building 2
San Antonio, TX 78215
(210) 554-6484
Texas legend Jimmie Vaughan will perform at Jazz, TX on Wednesday January 11, 2017. Courtesy photo, used with permission.
The Pearl’s newest upscale jazz venue, Jazz, TX, is hosting an exciting show this week featuring Texas legend Jimmie Vaughan. The show is set for Wednesday January 11 from 8:30p.m. to 11:30p.m. Tickets are $35 and area available online. As founding member of the Fabulous Thunderbirds, Jimmie Vaughan was one of the leading Austin guitarists of the late 70s and 80s. He brought the gritty roadhouse blues and R&B sound to the national stage and was influenced by guitarists like Freddie King, B.B. King and Albert King. His music had a tough lean sound that became one of the most recognizable sounds of 70s and 80s blues and rock and roll. Most of his career consisted of co-leading the Fabulous Thunderbirds with vocalist Kim Davis. In 1994 he launched his solo career and sometimes makes special appearances with the likes of Gary Clack Jr and Bob Dylan. (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
Hotel Emma is holding a ‘Holiday Cooking with the Culinary Concierge’ event this month. Photo by Sandra Cruz
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
High Street Wine Company and Hotel Emma will be hosting ‘A Night at the Pearl with Chateau Palmer’ this Thursday November 17, 2016. Photo by Sandra Cruz
This Thursday November 17 High Street Wine Company and Hotel Emma will be hosting “A Night at the Pearl with Château Palmer” from 6:30p.m. to 9:30p.m. Château Palmer is a winery located in the Margaux appellation d’origine contrôlèe of the Bordeaux region of France and produces some of the best wines in the region. Two of these wines include Château Palmer and Alter Ego, both known for their fineness and deep aromatic complexity. The night will consist of three events at three different locations at the Pearl. It will include Sommelier Scott Ota from High Street Wine Co and Culinary Concierge Hugh Daschbach from Hotel Emma with Jean-Louis Carbonnier, the Director for the Americas at Château Palmer. The cost is $325 per person, all inclusive and RSVPs should be made with Scott Ota at scott@highstreetwine.com or by calling (210) 908-9144. (Hotel Emma, 2016)
The schedule for the night starts at 6:30p.m. with a Wine & Cheese course at High Street Wine Co, Supper at Hotel Emma. Jean-Louis Carbonnier will provide guests with valuable information about Château Palmer, the vineyard, the region and the history of Bordeaux. At 7:30p.m. guests will be able to enjoy a dinner at Supper American Eatery’s Private Dining Room where chef John Brand will serve a family style meal paired with some of Château Palmer’s best wine offerings. The evening will end with Dessert at Pearl Amphitheatre at 9p.m. There will be dessert and entertainment in the Pearl Amphitheater overlooking the Museum Reach of the Riverwalk.
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.
Pearl
303 Pearl Parkway
San Antonio, TX 78715
(210) 212-7260
SA Examiner 