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Publisher: Michael Wagner & Lara Fischer Interim Editor: Scott Andrews (sandrews@sacurrent.com) EDITORIAL Art Director: Eli Miller (emiller@sacurrent.com) Music & Film Editor: Enrique Lopetegui (elopetegui@sacurrent.com) Arts Editor: Scott Andrews (sandrews@sacurrent.com) Calendar Editor: Bryan Rindfuss (brindfuss@sacurrent. com) Copy Editor: Isis Madrid (imadrid@sacurrent.com) Digital Content Editor: Isis Madrid Digital Developer: Jaime Monzon (jmonzon@sacurrent. com) Staff Writer: Michael Barajas (mbarajas@sacurrent. com) Contributing Photographers: Michael Barajas, Brian Rindfuss, Josh Huskin, Guy Rubio Contributing Writers: Contributing Writers: M.R. Brown, Joshua Pedrick, Ashley Guzman, James Courtney, Travis E. Poling, Steven G. Kellman, Ron Bechtol, Bryan Rindfuss, Michael Barajas, Kim Hallows, Veronica Anne Salinas, Lauren Silva Editorial Interns: Ashley Brune, Josh Pedrick, Veronica Riojas, Lauren Silva, Selina Smith ADVERTISING Advertising Director: Lara Fischer (x105) Account Manager: Chelsea Bourque (x123) Senior Account Executives: Carlos Aguirre (x117), Mindi Overman (x119) Account Executives: Johnny Deosdade (x114), Sarah Estrada (x120), Dianah McGreehan (x122), Ashley Domanski (x111), Blanca Morales (x118) PRODUCTION Production Designers: Jay Reyna, John Mata CIRCULATION Circulation Director: Mark VanHudson (x121) Distribution: Juanita Alpizar, Oscar Alpizar, Sergio Alpizar, Ray Cardenas, Pam Clepper, John Miller, Sharron Miller, Lucas Muniz Jr, Charles Tiller, Mario Rios, Joseph Rodriguez, Lisa Ann Rodriguez BUSINESS Business Manager: Elizabeth Hubbard Office Assistant: Kelsie Green National Advertising: Voice Media Group 1-888-278-9866, voicemediagroup.com San Antonio Current 915 Dallas San Antonio, Texas 78215 Editorial: (210) 227-0044 / Fax: (210) 227-6611 Display Advertising: (210) 227-0044 / Fax: (210) 227-7733 Classified: (210) 227-CLAS / Fax: (210) 227-7755 Get listed: Send us your complete info two weeks before publication. For complete submission guidelines, visit www.sacurrent.com. E-mail: sacalendar@sacurrent. com; Mail: Calendar Editor, same address as above; Fax: (210) 227-6611. Listing submissions are not accepted by phone. TIMES SHAMROCK COMMUNICATIONS Regional Publisher: Michael Wagner Š2013, San Antonio Current Co. all rights reserved. San Antonio Current Co. is a wholly owned subsidiary of TimesShamrock Communications. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission of the publisher is prohibited. Publisher does not assume liability for unsolicited manuscripts or materials, which must be accompanied by a stamped, selfaddressed envelope to be returned. All editorial, advertising, and business correspondence should be sent to the address listed below. Printed in the U.S.A. Distribution: The San Antonio Current is available free of charge, limited to one copy per reader. Prior written permission must be granted by the San Antonio Current for additional copies. The San Antonio Current may be distributed only by its authorized distributors and independent contractors. Additional copies or back issues may be purchased at the Current offices for $1. Six-month domestic subscriptions may be purchased for $50; one-year subscriptions for $100.
SOUTHTOWN Artsy Southtown claims some of the city’s greatest restaurant finds. For those who have yet to venture into this eclectic district, here’s a short list of spots you may want to try — Lauren Silva
926 S Presa (210) 225-2547 foodisbliss.com
1127 S St. Mary’s (210) 745-2581 themontereysa.com
1012 S Presa (210) 532-2551 biterestaurant.com
Serving up American cuisine, Mark Bliss’ menu rotates, based on availability of seasonal ingredients. Menu staples include the Australian lamb loin, Maine scallops, and a vegetarian mushroom gnocchi.
This Southtown gem turns comfort food classics into fine dining treats and changes its menu frequently. Po-Boys, smoked brisket, and grilled cheese sandwiches never tasted like this in Gram’s kitchen.
Bite Restaurant draws its inspiration from all things retro and features a compact menu offering smaller plates. Menu highlights are the lobster springs rolls, lamb chop Provençale, and octopus carpaccio.
BLISS
THE MONTEREY
BITE
LIBERTY BAR
FEAST
STATION CAFE
Housed in an old nunnery, Liberty is loved for their hefty bread and creative appetizers, lightly charred quail in piquant green mole, and Virginia Green’s chocolate cake.
Fairly new restaurant Feast opened in 2011 and offers small tapa-like plates. Highlights include the roasted gold Yukon potato chips, French toast, pork tenderloin and mac ’n’ cheese.
The Station Café opened in 2006 and features homemade pizza, sandwiches, soups and salads. Offerings include a vegan tuna sandwich, southwestern pizza, a pulled pork sandwich and more.
1111 S Alamo (210) 227-1187 liberty-bar.com
1024 S Alamo (210) 354-1024 feastsa.com
108 King William (210) 444-2200 thestationsa.com sacurrent.com • San Antonio City Guide • CURRENT 13
sacurrent.com • San Antonio City Guide • CURRENT 14
THE COOK’S TALE
STEFAN BOWERS, FEAST Stefan Bowers, the driving food force behind Southtown’s Feast, grew up in Berkeley and spent time in the Navy as a rescue swimmer, and then served an apprenticeship at an Italian restaurant in San Diego. The experience inspired him to attend Houston’s Culinary Institute LeNotre, after which he landed a job at Jason Dady’s late Lodge of Castle Hills. He later became executive chef at 20Nine Restaurant and Wine Bar. “I wanted to create a menu accessible to two worlds — those who want to be fortified and not over think things, and those who want to be challenged,” says Bowers about Feast. As befits someone who used to leap out of helicopters, he doesn’t want to become “too precious.” “Our dishes,” he says, “need to have pronounced flavor ... and we don’t need to be too in love with ourselves.” Mission accomplished. 1024 S. Alamo, (210) 354-1024, feastsa.com SHAWN FLETCHER, BELLA ON THE RIVER Shawn Fletcher, a local boy, has bounced around a lot — first to Austin’s Texas Culinary Academy (now Le Cordon Bleu). After graduation, he applied to Jonathan Parker, then chef at Watermark (now Ostra), where he worked for free a few months. When Parker moved on, Fletcher joined him at another ill-fated restaurant and moved, when it cratered, to Bohanans, where “the menu didn’t change much — I wasn’t learning anything.” Both ended up at the short-lived Merchants on Broadway, then at Ounce Steakhouse. Fletcher eventually learned of David Snyder’s plans to open Bella on the River, where he’s been for over a year. “Now,” he says, “the recipes are almost all mine.” Watch the specials chalkboard. 106 E. River Walk, (210) 404-2355, bellaontheriver.com MARTIN STEMBERA, BIGA ON THE BANKS In contrast, the story of Martin Stembera, Chef de Cuisine at Biga on the Banks, is a simple one: he was born in the Czech Republic, moved to the U.S. at age 12, worked as a busser at Alamo Café in high school, then labored at the Magic Time Machine for five years. Save for a hiatus while Biga moved from its old location to the river, Stembera has been there more than 17 years. “Bruce [Auden] and Mark [Bliss] have been my biggest influences — Mark for hands-on, Bruce for the conceptual part,” he says. Like any good son, he also says “for me, though, it’s mom’s [middle European] cooking that hits the spot. 203 S St. Mary’s, (210) 225-0722, biga.com
JOSH HUSKIN
sacurrent.com • San Antonio City Guide • CURRENT 16
M E X I C A N R E S TAU R A N T
BAR MOSAICO
HAPPY HOUR IS THE BEST HOURS! Join us Monday through Friday 3P - 7P & Saturday & Sunday 2P - 5:30P 815 Bandera Rd. • 210.433.2531 www.lisasmexican.com COME THIRSTY AND HUNGRY JOIN US FOR HAPPY HOUR AND STAY FOR DINNER M-F • 4-7PM AZUCA COCKTAILS WELL DRINKS WINE...
JUST $3.50
713 S. ALAMO STREET • 210.225.5550 18 CURRENT • San Antonio City Guide • sacurrent.com 19
Sushi Bistro & More
Happy Hour Monday - Friday 4-7pm Buy 1 Chef’s Special Roll GET the 2nd for just 8.95! $4.50 California, Spicy Tuna, & Philadelphia Roll Drink Specials Buy one small hot sake GET 2nd FREE $1 OFF any bottle of beer $2.50 Sapporo Pint, $8.95 Pitcher Sake Bomb Special $2.50 Beer & Sake Shot $10.95 Beer Pitcher & Small Sake
Lunch Specials until 4pm
wasabisa.com 210.877.2300 9921 IH-10 W. 78230
20 CURRENT • San Antonio City Guide • sacurrent.com
Anchored by the campus of the Culinary Institute of America, the Pearl is poised to become the city’s most concentrated dining destination; quality taken into account, it already is. And with the start of construction on a new boutique hotel and the announcement of plans for even more housing units, the concentration can only continue. Its only distant rival is Southtown. – Ron Bechtol
ANA AGUIRRE
PEARL
The menu at nearby Arcade Midtown Kitchen, opened in February, is the creation of chef Jesse Pérez, who cut his culinary teeth in San Antonio, left for exposure in larger markets, and has now returned brandishing the likes of lobster soft tacos in a masa crepe and George’s Bank diver scallops with green chile corn grits. A program of barrel-aged cocktails is a feature of the bar managed by Christopher Ware. 312 Pearl Pkwy, (210) 369-9664, arcadesatx.com
The C.I.A.’s own restaurant, Nao (pronounced nay oh), would be a destination in its own right anywhere else; its frequently changing menu, designed to plumb all the cuisines of Latin America in rotation as a part of the school’s curriculum, offers exotic tastes unfamiliar to most of us. A small but smart bar keeps the Latin vibe going with more than mere pisco sours. And around the corner, the C.I.A. also runs a busy café featuring coffees, exquisite pastries, and light lunch fare. 312 Pearl Pkwy, (210) 554-6484, naorestaurant.com Within spittin’ distance of Nao there’s The Boiler House Texas Grill & Wine Garden, and it’s that “garden,” decked out with picnic tables featuring wine-bottle troughs, that should enliven the space between the two restaurants come spring. Inside, the industrial-chic space frames a menu authored by chef James Moore, formerly of Max’s Wine Dive. It’s anchored by up-market meats, but also sprinkled with unexpected finds such as zesty meatballs and earthy mixed mushrooms with truffle oil. 312 Pearl Pkwy, (210) 354-4644, boilerhousesa.com sacurrent.com • San Antonio City Guide • CURRENT 20
FRANKFURTER
EXPRESS THE
DINE IN. TAKE OUT. . DELEIEVERY T FR KIDS EAad ult) TUESDAY ng yi eal per pa
(One Kid’s M
The Texican is just one of the many mouth watering hot dogs we’re famous for. Try a Specialty Dog or a variety of Veggie Dogs. Voted Best in SA.
111 KINGS CT • 737-7774 frankfurterexpress.com
URSDAY THIRSTY TH ings or Shrimp W 50¢ Boneless Drafts $1.00!! 12oz. Domestic ’S ALL DAY HAPPY HOURtic Drafts 16oz. $2 Domes Mon – Thur 11a – 12a Fri – Sat 11a – 1a • Sun 11a – 11p offer valid for Dine In Only Order Online: WingZone.com To Order, Call: 210.979.WING(9464) 7828 Callaghan Road, Suite 108 (Next to Lowe’s)
HAPPY HOUR MON-THURS 5pm-6:30pm Sushi Bar Area Only • DINE-IN ONLY •
9030 Wurzbach Rd. 78240
210.615.7553
San Antonio’s Oldest Authentic Full Menu Japanese Restaurant Open Seven Days a Week Since 1970
LUNCH
Mon thru Fri 11AM - 2:30PM Sat thru Sun 12PM - 3PM
DINNER
Mon thru Thu 5PM - 10PM Fri 5PM - 11PM • SAT 3PM - 11PM Sun 3PM - 9:30PM 22 CURRENT • San Antonio City Guide • sacurrent.com
www.FujiyaJapaneseGarden.com
ANA AGUIRRE ANA AGUIRRE
Tasty, house-brewed beers are but one reason to check out The Granary ’Cue & Brew, the only restaurant (it’s housed in a sensitively rehabilitated cottage) reminding us of Pearl’s former residential neighbors. Tim (food) and Alex (beer) Rattray hold forth here, carrying on a brotherly battle between hand-crafted ales and stouts and the traditional ’cue that is itself played against Moroccan lamb shoulder and pork belly with a cumin rub. 602 Ave. A, (210) 228-0214, thegranarysa.com
As accomplished as these new arrivals are, Pearl has a long food heritage. The pioneers were led by Andrew Weissman, and his decision to locate at Pearl his ode to informal Italian, Il Sogno Osteria (200 E. Grayson, (210) 223-3900) and his seafood-centered Sandbar (200 E. Grayson, (210) 2122221, sandbarsa.com) surely served as a catalyst to other aspiring entrepreneurs — including pioneering barman Steve Mahoney, whose Blue Box Bar is now a magnet for aficionados of thoughtfully stirred and shaken cocktails. 2107 Isleta, (210) 227-2583. Chef Johnny Hernández’s La Gloria both reflects San Antonio’s Mexican culinary heritage and ups the ante with riffs on street foods just unfamiliar enough to require a glossary of terms. 100 E Grayson, (210) 267-9040. Starting this year, there’s an old favorite in a new location. Presumably, no ’splainin’ will be required of the vegetarian menu at Green, scheduled to open at its new Pearl location in March. 200 E Grayson, Ste. 120, (210) 320-5865 Even more familiar should be the food of chef Steven McHugh, formerly of Lüke, whose Southern-centered restaurant is expected to come on line toward the end of the year. Yes, Pearl’s a’ poppin’. Get there before gridlock. sacurrent.com • San Antonio City Guide • CURRENT 22
MONDAY: FRIDAY 3PM - 12AM SATURDAY: SUNDAY 11AM - 12AM
943 S. Alamo San Antonio, TX 78205
210-224-BEER (2337)
MEATLESS MONDAYS!
ICE HOUSE
Friendly Bombers are meant to be shared with Friends.
2 for 1 Veggie Burgers & 2 for 1 Friendly Burger Tuesdays start Monday, March 4th. Housemade Sangria, Cool Rum Punch and Friendly Ritas are Friend Favorites.
Friendly Eats until Midnight. Friendly Nachos, Tacos, Burgers & More. Kids menu and Ice Cream Treats. Vegan
and Vegetarian Friendly.
Friends love #NoCrapOnTap. Look for rare craft brews and seasonals #justtapped on Facebook and
Twitter.
A VARIETY OF GOURMET EATS FROM #SATX FAVORITE ROLLING KITCHENS
14 taps of Puro SATX Draft
Featured
CULLUM’S ATTABOY BURGERS, WHERE Y’AT FOOD TRUCK, THE INSTITUTE OF CHILI, WHEELIE GOURMET, THE DUK TRUCK, ZUM SUSHI, AND MORE!
OUTLAW BBQ W/ CHICKEN & WAFFLES EVERY SATURDAY FROM 10AM TO 2PM Closed Monday • Tues - Thur: 5p - 12a • Fri & Sat: 5p - 2a • Sun: 5p - 12a
Friend us on Facebook & Follow us on Twitter. 609 S. Alamo Street • 210-227-2469
EAT LOCAL Farmers markets offer an abundance of delights such as charcuterie, fermented foods, salsa plump tomatoes, and select seasonal fruit, and it is a good place to enjoy some freshly baked goods over a steaming cup of joe. Elimination of packaging, shipping and wholesale costs also adds to the perks of being a farmers market consumer. While you’re there, chat with a farmer over growing techniques or learn how to start a community garden. And just in case you’re skeptical about purchasing produce in a parking lot, don’t worry — all vendors are registered with the Texas Department of Agriculture. — Kim Hallows and Veronica Salinas
SAN ANTONIO FARMERS MARKET ASSOCIATION The San Antonio Farmers Market Association provides weekday shopping at a variety of locations, providing fresh fish, jams, jellies, and handmade soaps in addition to seasonal produce. Visit the website to find current locations and times. sanantoniofarmersmarket.org
PEARL FARMERS MARKET
QUARRY FARMERS & RANCHERS MARKET
The Pearl Farmers Market, one of SA’s largest, is held every Saturday morning from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Pearl Brewery. There’s always a large selection of produce, baked goods, grassfed meats, and Texas honey. Located upstream from the San Antonio Art Museum on the San Antonio River, and near several top restaurants, visiting this market could be one of many stops on a hike along the River Walk’s Museum Reach.
Another large outdoor market is The Quarry Farmers & Ranchers Market, held every Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the parking lot near Whole Foods at the Quarry Market. There are many vendors including Dos Lunas Artisan Cheese and Engel Farms, which began in the 1800s near Fredericksburg. Cowgirl granola is a local favorite, made by Heather Hunter with 12 nutritious ingredients. She also makes her own fancy mustards.
312 Pearl Pkwy pearlfarmersmarket.com
255 E Basse quarryfarmersmarket.com
sacurrent.com • San Antonio City Guide • CURRENT 24 25
TACO TOWN Tacos for breakfast, tacos for lunch, tacos all the time! SA is awash with taco joints — many are quite good, and most of us have faves. Here are four that continue to amaze with homey goodness.
HENRY’S PUFFY TACOS
TACO TACO CAFÉ
Henry’s Puffy Tacos has been a family affair since 1978 at their original (and now express) location off Woodlawn. A larger location on Bandera opened in 2006. Their trademark puffy tacos are amazing, with pillowy shells that are remarkably lacking of grease and hold their integrity through each bite.
A plethora of choices here, but the best thing to order is of course, the namesake: tacos of all kinds, served on piping hot, homemade corn or flour tortillas. This little Mexican restaurant has received many awards, and tons of buzz from national publications, and for good reason: they’re damned good.
6030 Bandera (210) 432-7341
145 E Hildebrand (210) 822-9533
PETE’S TAKO HOUSE
RAY’S DRIVE INN
Pete’s has been delivering some of SA’s best tacos for over four decades; they’re good, and they’re huge. As is the menu, which rivals Chinese restaurant length. Done in traditional Tex-Mex style, don’t expect too much spice in your meal, but plenty of fresh ingredients. And if you need to turn up the heat, the bottle of fresh salsa nearby will make up the difference.
One of the most convincing claimants to the invention of the puffy taco, they have a patent number on display. If they didn’t invent it, they certainly perfected it. The décor is a cross between 1880s ranch house and vintage ’70s Tex-Mex “garage to den” conversion. Portions are large (bring the whole family). Our critics recommend the brisket puffy tacos.
502 Brooklyn (210) 224-2911
822 SW 19th (210) 432-7171
“Top
10
Live
BestBest Of 2009 Reader’s Choice Breakfast Best Breakfast tacos Best Breakfast Tacos Tacos
vegetarian Restaurant in the u.s.”
Outline
Artistic
- USA TODAY
Plant-BasedC
uisine TO
CHANGEWORLD THE
100o/o Gluten Fr ee
Saturday Brunch Lunch Buffett 11:00a - 3:30p Farm to Table Dinner Sat: 4:30P - 8:30P Seasonal. Local. Organic.
210.822.9533 • 145 E. HILDEBRAND & McCULLOUGH
8407 Broadway Suite 1 . 210.826.4223 Located In the Viva Bookstore Complex . myvegeria.com sacurrent.com • San Antonio City Guide • CURRENT 26 27
TEXAS STYLE BURGERS 1423 MCCULLOUGH AVE. | 210.226.7556
VEGETARIAN A list of vegetarian and “veggie-friendly” establishments that will help tender eaters survive in Meat City. GREEN VEGETARIAN CUISINE Macrobiotic, vegan, and vegetarian tastes are well served at this family-owned, homegrown vegetarian café. Tasty baked goods and savory breakfast and lunch options abound. New location opening in March at the Pearl. 10003 N W Military, (210) 233-1249 200 E Grayson, Ste. 120, (210) 320-5865
El Milagrito e caf
EST.1969
• SERVING SAN ANTONIO FOR 44 YEARS • • Dine In or Take Out • • Daily Breakfast & Lunch Specials •
PAVANI EXPRESS VEGETARIAN CAFÉ The all-veggie, vegan-friendly food is worth waiting for. We recommend the delicious saffron lemon rice, a big puri (fried, tortilla-like puffed-up bread), navratam korma (mixed vegetables), paneer (homemade cheese), and pakoras (fritters). Most menu items are under $10, but you’ll need to combine plates for a real Indian dinner. 5755 Evers, (210) 680-3134 VEGERIA SA’s only all-vegan restaurant offers gluten-free baked goods in addition to Tex-Mex and raw offerings. Not sure if you’re ready to go meat-free? The sun-dried tomato and sweet potato enchiladas, topped with cashew cream, will appeal to the most robust carnivore. 8407 Broadway, (210) 826-4223 ADELANTE This Alamo Heights staple proves that healthy Tex-Mex can still be tasty with tofu enchiladas, brown rice, refried beans, served in a gallery-like setting. 21 Brees Blvd, (210) 822-7681 THE COVE Home to grass-fed beef and bison burgers, The Cove has also become a veggie haven under the sustainabilityoriented hand of Lisa Asvestas. The fish tacos are rightfully famous and the vegan bacon cheeseburger has been known to tempt hearty meat-eaters. 606 W Cypress, (210) 227-2683
521 E. Woodlawn at ST. Marys 210-737-8646 Mon-Sat: 5:30a-3p Sun 7a-3p Facebook.com/ElMilagrito www.ElMilagritoCafe.com
00 AL • 210.692.99 SBURG @ MEDIC 8032 FREDERICK
TAURANT 966 ITALIAN RESN TO IO SINCE 1 N A N A S G IN V R SE
NDAYS! IA MOIZ MAMAFFM ALL 12” P ZAS $5.00 O ALF BEER BUCK-AND-A-H
GS! ERTS! AY TASETRIN TUESD DESS & S IZ ½ PRICE APPET ENDESDAY -BIT W WINE-A E HOUSE WINE ½ PRIC OR BOTTLE BY THE GLASTSTLES $10 OFF ALL CALL BO
TWIN SISTERS BAKERY AND CAFE Twin Sisters is, indeed, owned by twin sisters. It’s known for its vegetarian breakfast (chilaquiles, tofu rancheros) and lunch (tempeh salad, veggie burger, chalupa with black beans) menus, does have a few meat dishes. 6322 N New Braunfels, (210) 822-0761
MON - SAT 11A - 10P• WWW.LORENZOS.INFO sacurrent.com • San Antonio City Guide • CURRENT 29 28
PIT STOPS Texas is a national contender for BBQ king, with the pits in the Hill Country strong advocates of tradition. But in SA, the trend is towards chef’s interpretations of old customs. Here is our short list for both flavors.
B&B SMOKEHOUSE
TWO BROS. BBQ MARKET
Tiny and unassuming, B&B Smokehouse is known for melt-in-your-mouth brisket, St. Louis-style ribs, and to-die-for homemade BBQ sauce. After washing down a Ranch Hand plate with sweet tea or pink lemonade, you’ll understand why folks drive out of their way.
Chef Jason Dady and sibling Jake try their hands at the Texas triple-lutz and pretty much land it with oak-fired smoke pits, a great dry rub, and a genius take on chicken thighs. The fruit cobblers get a standing ovation. Kidfriendly, with outdoor seating.
2627 Pleasanton Rd (210)921-2745 bbsmokehouse.com.
12656 West Ave (210) 496-0222 twobrosbbqmarket.com
AUGIE’S BARBED WIRE SMOKE HOUSE
TWO STEP RESTAURANT & CANTINA
There are no shortcuts to great barbecue. Slow, low cooking in an iron pit has produced the authentic taste of Texas style at Augie’s since 2009. Augie’s brands itself as a “Hill Country setting in the heart of San Antonio,” and they’re not kidding around. Savory brisket, sausage, and even foot-long hot dogs are served alongside an excellent beer garden and tree house.
Steve Warner brings a new barbecue experience to the Northwest side in this converted 1860s stone house and barn. Oak smoked meats sold by the pound include fatty or lean brisket, loaded beef ribs, pork chops, and sausage. Catfish and chicken fried ribeye contend for attention with a top-ranked burger; wash it all down with one of the best margaritas in town.
3709 N St. Marys (210) 735-0088 augiesbs.com
9840 W Loop 1604 N (210) 688-2686 twosteprestaurant.com
Breakfast Is An Experience, At Our Haus.
MAGNOLIA PANCAKE HAUS 10333 Huebner Road • 496-0828 606 Emabassy Oak Suite 100 • 496-0828
MAGNOLIAPANCAKEHAUS.COM sacurrent.com •• San San Antonio Antonio City City Guide Guide •• CURRENT 30 31
BEYOND THE BORDER AUTHENTIC MEX IC AN CUISINE
/
PA E L L A E V E RY S U N D AY
3810 BROADWAY • 822-3797 • SUN–MON 11 AM-9 PM (ACROSS FROM THE WITTE MUSEUM) • TUES–SAT 11 AM-10 PM WWW.PICANTEGRILL.COM
Come to the Mediterranean and try our own specialty lahmacun, San Antonio’s first Turkish pizza. We also offer exquisite vegetarian dishes such as Imam Bayildi as well as our famous fresh bread made daily.
Live Music
Friday & Saturday 7pm - 9pm Belly Dancing every other Friday Daily Lunch & Dinner Specials 32 CURRENT • San Antonio City Guide • sacurrent.com 33
• BYOB • 8507 MCCULLOUGH
(AT RECTOR BEHIND NORTHSTAR MALL)
210•399•1645
kmturkishgrill.com
O T E M O C L WE ! O I N O T N A N A S N I Y T R A P THE BEST OVER 110 BEERS DAILY HAPPY HOURS • 48 TV’S SERVING FULL MENU UNTIL 2AM
LUNCH SPECIALS STARTING AT $6.99! WE’VE GOT YOUR LUNCH BREAK ENJOY YOUR FREE* LUNCH WITH US UPON COMPLETING YOUR EXECUTIVE LUNCH CARD.
*ASK YOUR SERVER FOR AN EXECUTIVE LUNCH CARD. ONE VALIDATION PER VISIT, PER GUEST. MUST HAVE FIVE VALIDATIONS BEFORE REDEEMING FREE LUNCH. $8.00 VALUE. CANNOT BE USED ON HOLIDAYS
12651 Vance Jackson Rd #110 • 210.696.1356 FoxandHound.com
MICHELADA MADNESS
MICHAEL BARAJAS
The michelada, or ‘mixed chela’ (chela meaning beer in Spanish), is a type of cerveza preparada that includes varied combinations of lime, beer, tomato juice, and something spicy — among other additions. Like the finest of cocktails, making a great michelada requires finesse. Available many places, here are a few that stand out. – James Courtney
M.K. DAVIS
LA GLORIA
THE FRIENDLY SPOT
EL 7 MARES
This classic American food joint offers up scrumptious micheladas made with the traditional Clamato, freshly squeezed lime juice, and Tabasco. They’re served in a giant icy goblet with fine table salt on the rim.
Notably made without any kind of tomato juice, this modern Mexican ice house’s micheladas are extra sour, and get their unique flavor from Maggi and soy sauce, along with fresh-squeezed lime and Tabasco.
Neighborhood ice house The Friendly Spot does a bunch of things well. Their micheladas, made with a popular Bloody Mary mix as a base and served with crushed ice in a pint glass, are definitely one of those things.
This Westside home to killer Mexican-style seafood serves up some of the best micheladas in town. Devoid of the typical tomato juice, they feature heavy lime, plenty of Tabasco, a Tajin chile rim, and come in a tall glass.
1302 N Flores (210) 223-1208
100 E Grayson (210) 267-9040
943 S Alamo (210) 224-2337
3831 W Commerce (210) 436-6056
ILL
WE’RE ST
SMOKELR Y FRIEND
Watch all the Spurs Action Here!
13920 N IH 35 LIVE OAK, TX • 210.654.4444 HooligansBarandGrill.com
38 CURRENT • San Antonio City Guide • sacurrent.com 39
JOSH HUSKIN
COCKTAILS Cocktail culture hit SA with an obsession the last year, with crews of young mixologists (yes it really is a word — from the early 1900s) in eager attendance filling new drinks venues. Here’s a list of our favorite new and old houses of elegant libation. –Eli Miller
1420 S Alamo, Ste. 001 (210) 227-1420
516 Brooklyn (210) 444-0707
155 E Commerce (210) 222-2521
Tucked snuggly under the lofts at Blue Star Art Center, Bar 1919 takes its name from the last year before Prohibition. Founded by Don Marsh (Bohanan’s, Green Lantern), this ode to cocktail culture cribs from NYC’s trendiest spots, delivering over 300 spirits, classic recipes, and new cocktail inventions.
Jaret Peña (Esquire) has raised the bar again with the Brooklynite, the city’s newest addition to the cocktail scene. Located a few blocks down river from our offices, it’s our new local, and we’re more than pleased. The Brooklynite delivers with amazing drinks, a unique retro atmosphere, and perfect service.
The 80-year-old River Walk institution is about as San Antonio as it gets, serving crafted cocktails, craft beers, and small production wines paired with San Antonio comfort food. Lunch and dinner menu items include deviled eggs, sirloin and bison burgers, pulled chicken salad, fried apples pies.
BAR 1919
BROOKLYNITE
THE ESQUIRE TAVERN
BLUE BOX BAR
BOHANAN’S BAR
SOHO WINE & MARTINI BAR
Named after a bygone blue cooler where brewery workers used to wind down after shift, the Blue Box is the Pearl’s full-fledged watering hole. While it nods to the past with industrial design elements and a railing made from pieces of a retired mash tin, the place gives off a distinctly modern vibe. Classic cocktails are available, of course, accompanied by new inventions.
Filling the ground floor under Mark Bohanan’s famed old world steakhouse, the swank interior features clubby chairs and a cherry wood bar as long and true as a bowling alley that was designed with the bar menu in mind: classic cocktails from the ’20s, ’30s, and ’40s — delivered by a crew trained by one of the best in the biz, New York’s Sasha Petraske, of Milk & Honey fame.
This sophisticated yet unpretentious riverside bar really does feel like a big-city hangout in its namesake Manhattan ’hood. The clubby atmosphere is helped along by deepred walls, stylish furniture, the former bank’s original 19th-century safe (doubling as an above-ground cellar), and a horseshoe bar that encourages long, conversation-rich happy hours.
312 Pearl Pkwy (210) 227-2583
219 E Houston Ste. 275 (210) 472-2600
214 Crockett (210) 444-1000
Microbreweries BRANCHLINE BREWING CO. Branchline Brewing Co. officially opened and started selling beers on the market in early February. A snazzy tasting room is part of the brewery, which makes 10-barrel batches. Branchline plans to use it for special events, and perhaps even for Friday evening tours. 3633 Metro Pkwy
RANGER CREEK BREWING CO. While microbreweries in Texas aren’t open to the public most of the time, Ranger Creek, the first combined beer brewery/whisky distillery in Texas often swings open its doors. The “brewstillery” holds tours — with plenty of tasting — most Saturday afternoons. Register online to attend. 4834 Whirlwind drinkrangercreek.com
BREWPUB GUIDE Even if you’re not a beer aficionado, there’s something about drinking a well-crafted brew and a meal only steps away from both were made. In the last few years, San Antonio has exploded into a good beer town with three brewpub/restaurants in the city, two outside town, and soon-to-be seven microbreweries in the area. Here’s where you can sample inside the city limits. – Travis E. Poling
Brewpubs BLUE STAR BREWING CO.
THE GRANARY ‘CUE & BREW
FREETAIL BREWING CO.
Blue Star is San Antonio’s longest surviving brewpub. Beers change with the seasons, including the signature strong brew dubbed King William after its neighborhood on the banks of the SA River. A new chef and a menu elevated above the usual pub fare, with housemade charcuterie, and a creamy nitro oatmeal stout are reasons to go back if you haven’t been in a while.
The newest edition to San Antonio’s brewpub life is in the heart of the city’s historic brewing district with house beers, barbecue, and an evening menu of more exotic fare from the smoker. Brewer Alex Rattray makes beers like Rye Saison, IPA and brown ale, while brother Chef Tim Rattray heads the kitchen at the former barrel cooper’s house on the former Pearl Brewery.
Freetail Brewing came on the scene in 2008 and generated an immediate buzz in brew-lover circles. The brewpub is recognized for top-notch pizzas from a brick oven and inventive beers. Taps change frequently, but the Rye Wit, La Rubia, and Freetail Ale are usually on alongside a host of more esoteric offerings. Bombers (22-ounce bottles) are available for carry out.
1414 S Alamo (210) 212-5506
602 Ave A (210) 228-0124
4035 N. Loop 1604 West Ste.105 (210) 395-4974
121 Alamo Plaza 210-220-1076
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SPORTS BARS Whether you’re looking for a place to watch the game or just a place to meet with friends, San Antonio has much to offer in the way of sports bars. The key, of course, is plenty of televisions. These local spots afford patrons multiple screens dialed to sports heaven. Don’t worry about bringing too many friends. Each offers ample seating and lots of space. Come with an appetite, come with a thirst, and come with your team’s colors, because these places are ready to serve. — Joshua Pedrick
CLICKS
THE LION & ROSE You might think it odd to see a British pub on this list, but The Lion & Rose can easily hold its own with other local sports bars (especially Premiere League soccer fans). The food is great and the drinks delicious, with plenty of imports. There are separate rooms for seating if your party wants some privacy, but TVs are scattered throughout. As an added bonus, smoking is still allowed inside this Alamo Heights landmark. 5148 Broadway Street thelionandrose.com
Clicks has struck a perfect balance between sports bar and pool hall. Your eyes will be drawn from the 15 pool tables to the ticker scrolling sports news just over the big screens. Have a seat and enjoy a burger cooked on the grill right next to the bar. If billiards and TV don’t grab your interest, try throwing some darts in the corner. 903 E Bitters Rd. (210) 496-5113
FATSO’S SPORTS GARDEN The first thing that will strike you about this sports mecca on Bandera is the massive sand volleyball pit. The inside is reminiscent of a barn, with rows of picnic tables set up to accommodate large parties. Fatso’s is family friendly, so bring the kids. Hungry? They make a mean barbecue plate, and offer a wide variety of country favorites. But Friday is karaoke night, so proceed with caution. 1704 Bandera Rd. (210) 432-0121.
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121 Broadway • 210.271.1058 46 CURRENT • San Antonio City Guide • sacurrent.com 47
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DANCE CLUBS When the sun goes down and you’re achin’ to strap on your dancin’ shoes, there’s only one thing that can be done: find a spot out on the nearest dance floor and start shakin’ it. Channel your inner dancing queen (or king) and check out these discothèques sure to keep you groovin’ and movin’ in the Alamo city. — Ashley Guzman HEAT Smack dab in the middle of the North Main Strip, Heat is the ultimate dance haven for dancing divas and hot lads. With a video lounge, a main room, front bar, and the HEATed patio, there are plenty of ways to party and enjoy the ridiculous drink specials. The drag shows are undoubtedly extraordinary and feature a “showcast” of beauties that are guaranteed to dazzle. 1500 North Main, (210) 227-2600, heatsa.com NEKTAR LOUNGE If an orchestrated fashion show set to blaring Top 40, hip-hop, house, and international music is your kind of thing, consider Nektar Lounge your dance club du jour, where designer duds and sky high stilettos dominate a dance floor laden with lights and fog. Expect to drop some cash, the drinks ain’t cheap. 19239 Stone Oak Parkway Ste.110, (210) 833-5370, nektarlounge.com BONHAM EXCHANGE With a history just as colorful as its patrons, The Bonham has undoubtedly paved the way for San Antone nightlife. The club attracts revelers from all walks of life, regardless of income, race, or gender-ptreference. Dance the night away to a variety of jams, play pool, or socialize on the patio. The drinks are hella cheap, but get there early because the lines get long. 411 Bonham, (210) 271-3811, bonhamexchange.net BRASS MONKEY This funky Monkey has proven to be the best dancing den deep in the heart of the N St. Mary’s Strip. The usual Indie/Hipster suspects trickle in, mixing with dance enthusiasts and eccentrics alike. The sound is stellar, the dance floor always hoppin’, and the impressive patio (with an outdoor bar) offers a nice break from the gyrating. Classic videos play onscreen, setting a quirky, 80s-tastic vibe meets hipster-club. 2702 N. St Mary’s, (210) 584-0103 CLUB RIO Everyone from record producer and trance DJ Paul Oakenfold, to Mexican pop-rock singer Julieta Venegas, have played Club Rio, creating an international club feel. It’s roomy, loungy, and also equipped with typical club lighting and an abundance of pulsating sound. Expect a cover, pricey drinks, possible raver sightings, and a variety of house, electro, and trance tunes. 13307 San Pedro, (210) 403-2582, club-rio.net
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ICE HOUSES
TEXAS ICE SERVICES
The Texas ice house is a steadily disappearing landmark. Once dotting the street corners of San Antonio, much like Starbucks does today, they provided communities with, as the name suggests, ice. As ice houses took on the role of local gathering places, they started to offer other goods. Beer, natrually, became the most popular. Sometimes food was added, but outdoor drinking with neighbors became their hallmark. Though ice houses do not enjoy the widespread popularity they once did, San Antonio still offers some of these icons from the past. — Joshua Pedrick
If you aren’t looking for it you might miss this tiny ice house on Blanco. Don’t be intimidated by the motorcycles outside — the crowd, though older, is friendly and welcoming. Regulars have their birthdays on the wall and the doors are always open to let in a fresh breeze. There’s not a lot of room for a large party, but the beer is cheap and the space is perfect for a couple of friends.
THE FRIENDLY SPOT
LA TUNA
This casual Southtown ice house offers lots of open-air seating and two bars covered by awnings. With 48 brews on tap in the back and 25 in front, any patron would be hard-pressed to walk away with an unquenched thirst. The bartenders are eager to answer any questions and match you with the perfect beer. If you need a place to sit down out of the elements there is a comfortable barn in the back with some televisions.
Situated right across from the Blue Star complex, this little ice house invites you to enjoy a cold brew in the ample outdoor seating. A fire pit lies in the middle of the chairs, a shield against chilly evenings, while colored light bulbs dangle from strings crisscrossing the courtyard. The bar is cash only, but the La Tuna grill, sitting just on the other side of the seating area, offers cash back on food purchases.
943 S Alamo (210) 224-2337 thefriendlyspot.com
100 Probandt St. 78204 (210) 212-5727 latunagrill.com
4102 Blanco Rd. (210) 735-8691 texzasicesevice.dinehere.us
SAN ANTONIO’S PREMIER SPORTS BAR EXPERIENCE HAPPY HOUR 1-6PM MON-FRI $3 DOMESTIC PINTS, $3 WELLS & $4 KILLER MOJITOS
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210.222.9722 • 420 E. HOUSTON STREET TICKETSPORTSPUB.COM 50 CURRENT •• San 51 San Antonio Antonio City City Guide Guide •• sacurrent.com
sacurrent.com •• San San Antonio Antonio City City Guide Guide •• CURRENT 50 51
Luminaria: arts Come to Light One night of art to illuminate San Antonio and beyond. Luminaria brings to light San Antonio’s creative, leading-edge personality through interactive contemporary artwork, dance, media, visual arts, literary arts, music, theatre and much more.
When: March 9, 2013 / Time: 7 pm – 12 am / Where: HemisFair Park and Downtown LUMINARIA 2013 PARTICIPATING ARTISTS Media Aztec Gold Bianca Pitman Erik Bosse & S.T. Shimi Hahn / Kimura Hladeka (Joseph Hladek)* Ruth Leonela Buentello & Joseph Todd Lopez Sarah and Victor Pagona Seme Jatib Literary Andrea Sanderson Gemini Ink / Children’s Reading Circle Gemini Ink / Libro Libre Jazz Poets of San Antonio Viktoria Valenzuela Visual Art Cars of Houston Austin Bike Zoo Carol Salmanson Cathy Cunningham-Little Charles Harrison Pompa Chris Sauter Daniel Armstrong* David Rangel* Diana Martinez Doerte Weber James Hetherington James Supa Medrano* Jonathan Sims Jose del Rio Judith Cottrell & Kim Bishop Kate Temple
Katy Silva* Kia Neill Lullwood Group Mark Menjivar Melissa H Potter & Paul Catanese Meow Wolf Michelle Graves S.O. O’Brien San Anto Cultural Arts Southwest School of Art Stacy Berlfein* Whoop Dee Doo Dance A’lante Flamenco Dance Ensemble ARTheism Ballet San Antonio Capacitor Capoeira Luanda* Kalalaya Indian Performing Arts SpareWorks.dance with Laura DiPasquale & Kelly Ramos San Antonio Dance Fringe* Shay Ishii Wendy Ellis/Align Dance Theatre Theatre & Performance Anna De Luna Ashram 5 Monks* Jesse Borrego & Oscar Alvarado* Matari Productions Proxy Theatre Company Rick Stemm Sasha Zeilig The Aesthetic of Waste
Sponsors: City of San Antonio, Bud Light, 80/20 Foundation, H-E-B, Valero, Rackspace, Bank of America, AT&T, John and Florence Newman Foundation, SAWS, CPS Energy, Creative Civilization, CE Group Photography by ArtGives.org Left to right: Paul Cruz, Yvonne Robles, Christopher Grange, Greg Harrison, Troy Wise, Ray Mata, Yvonne Robles, Yvonne Robles, Robert Cordova and Ray Mata.
Music Ashlee Rose Blacktop Legends Bleep Attack! Bombasta CHISME* Los #3 Dinners Dixon’s Violin Greg G Invincible Czars Jacinto y Su Conjunto Jai Roots and the Herb-N-Café Langton Drive Los Inocentes Los Nahuatlatos Los Padrinos* Melissa Ludwig Band Michael Garfield* Pop Pistol Rattletree Marimba Saakred The Children’s Chorus of San Antonio The Hares The San Antonio Choral Society Urban 15 Group Viet Ruse* Vital* Youth Orchestra of San Antonio Collaborations Public Art SA “X Marks the Art” Institute of Texan Cultures SmArt (Pie to the People) A Contemporary Art Month Event *indicates Fringe Artist
Produced by the artists of San Antonio.
www.LuminariaSA.org
WINE Texas is beer country, but even before the cocktail scene exploded, wine bars were offering an alternative, providing us with a less-rowdy atmosphere to participate in the cult of Bacchus. Here are our steady favorites. 20NINE Named after the highway that runs through Napa Valley, 20nine has expanded its California focus to include wines from around the world. The kitchen, now under Chef Scott Boone, offers a fine seasonal menu for pairings. Duck breast with porcini? A pinot noir from Burgundy will do just fine. Owner Troy Fullmer is usually on hand to offer suggestions, but don’t forget to try the pizza. 255 E Basse, (210) 798-9463, 20ninewine.com
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THE BUBBLE ROOM Catering to the 30-and-up crowd, this effervescent ladycentric lounge boasts a wide selection of champagne by the glass, off-the-beaten-path wines, sake cocktails, and even beer for non-believers (hey, it’s got bubbles, too). It’s perfect for private parties, guilty, girly pleasures, and unwinding with the gals after a long day at the office. 1846 N Loop 1604 W, (210) 479-9463, thebubbleroomsa.com COPA WINE BAR Wine cellar meets rec room with snacks and cleverly named flights, like “Pinot (Noir) Envy” and “Call Me a Cab.” It makes a great date night for any demographic. 19141 Stone Oak Pkwy, (210) 495-2672, thecopawinebar.com MAX’S WINE DIVE Max’s Wine Dive is the last word in bacchanalia... with style. Even unsuspecting dishes, like the truffled egg sandwich, will expand your mind and delight your soul. 340 E Basse, Ste 101, (210) 444-9547, maxswinedive.com ZINC BISTRO & BAR When the dinner shift winds down, servers from all over town descend upon Zinc to unwind with good company in stylish surroundings. Aside from boasting SA’s finest late-night food and wine menu, Zinc does “downtown” better than anywhere else, and the patio is one of the area’s best-kept secrets. Champagne and pizza at 11 p.m.? We’ll meet you there. 207 N Presa, (210) 224-2900, zincwine.com
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Madame Lui Lui Boutique San Antonio’s best kept secret for European & American Made Fashions
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Fab Finds Desperately seeking a Kabbalah from 1874? Can’t sleep without an ’N Sync pillow? For treasure, oddities, and other things you never knew you needed, look no further than our nine new favorite stores. – Words and photos by Bryan Rindfuss
Retro Haus
BEARDED LADY EMPORIUM
RETRO HAUS
AFTER L1FE
The compelling conversations one might hear in Janessa Consenz and Jedidia Reid’s Bearded Lady Emporium can rival the oddities on the shelves. But try not to let the talk of searching for spotted owl feathers and special-ordering skulls distract you from browsing the fascinating spread of antiquarian books (a Kabbalah from 1874 is on offer for $290), screen-prints (including works by Michael Michael Motorcycle for $82), vintage black-light posters ($5), and hard-to-find T-shirts ($28). While the shop sells a fair amount of animal bits and pieces ($8 raccoon penis bones fly off the shelves), Consenz assures its all part of recycling efforts made possible by roadkill collection and a source who cleans up National Parks — no creatures are harmed in the process.
On Saturdays, Midtown bustles and the Blanco Bazaar has been at the center of the action for nearly a decade. Organized in aisles that make shopping the 25 vendor booths a breeze, the neighborhood antique mall offers everything from industrial salvage and folk art to vintage vinyl and comic books. An easy winner in the eye candy department is Debra Zeitung and Dawn Martinez’s Retro Haus. Scattered between several poppy alcoves, the duo’s settings could easily pass for camera-ready sets from The Mod Squad and Laugh In era. With groovy furnishings and accessories including swag lights, sofas, cocktail tumblers, and other home bar accoutrements, the outfit makes shopping for retro on eBay seem like something of a dated concept.
Jesus (on a rug), Madonna (on a T-shirt), Selena (on canvas), ’N Sync (on a pillow), and Tweety Bird (on a tote) can all be found at After L1fe, a progressive little boutique stashed in a North St. Mary’s strip. The collaborative brainchild of Katalya Bustos and Elena Hernandez-Peña, the compact shop stocks a thoughtful selection of vintage duds (think rainbow-colored Wrangler shirts, fanny packs, and nylon ball caps) and truly unique DIY items (crafted by the likes of Chronically Cute, Moontime Gypsies, and ‘Y’ Clothing) and is also the only retail outfit in Texas stocking the occultish Seattle-based fashion line Actual Pain. In keeping with its roots as a First Friday pop-up, the adaptable space hosts monthly happenings showcasing local artists, bands, and performers.
4745 Fredericksburg (210) 913-3666
1705 Blanco (210) 320-2729
628 S St. Mary’s alamowasteland.tumblr.com
Period Modern
COLLECTIVE
FOUND
PERIOD MODERN
Resource sharing is a theme at Collective, a multi-faceted venture founded by Rachel Ann Dealy in the summer of 2012. Combining DIY retail, retro resale, and a warehouse workspace where bands can rehearse, the venue specializes in items and services you’re unlikely to find elsewhere. Fashioned from recycled bicycle chains and tires, the onsite Cycle Pit produces sturdy belts, industrial jewelry, and giftable black roses that share shelves with groovy garb from Dealy’s own RAD Vintage and Thrift, furs and other frills collected by Santa Fe transplant Beth Rose, and rentable cult treasures courtesy of VHS 1138. In addition to art openings (First Fridays from 8pm-midnight) and movie screenings (Sundays at 8:30pm), Collective’s headed in a culinary direction with pop-up dinners already in the bag and something permanent rumored to be on the horizon.
A Wall o’ Whimsy decked with vintage trims, antique dolls, and ethnic giftables ($3-$50) welcomes visitors to Found, arguably the most eclectic shop in La Villita. The handiwork of co-owners Laura Pitt and Patricia Jane Fugitt goes beyond their own assemblages and creations (including Fiesta medals issued by The Order of Adornment and The Order of La Villita) to play out in thoughtful juxtapositions pairing artwork (including photographs by Barbara Riley, block prints by Deborah Mersky, and glass pieces by Lynda Jones) and objects collected from estate sales, flea markets, and auctions. A former boarding house that was later incorporated into the Joy Kist Candy Company complex, the 19th-century structure offers a historic throwback with creaky pine floors, caliche block walls, and an antique farmhouse vibe complete with a resident tabby named Cutie.
Olmos Park’s Period Modern aims to be “at once worldly and San Antonio,” and passes with flying colors. A visit to the onetime feed store can easily turn into a crash course in anything from Italy’s 1980s-era Memphis Group (imagine a “shotgun wedding between Bauhaus and Fisher-Price”) to the role oil man Edgar B. Davis played in the evolution of art in the Alamo City in the 1920s. Playing on the strengths of co-owners Stephen Wilson and Ted Allen, the gallery-like shop presents mid-century furniture and objects in impeccably curated vignettes enhanced with artwork spanning early Texas, folk, modern, and contemporary. Among the more fascinating pieces found on our visit was a Porfirio Salinas mural of a bullfighter ($20,000) that once adorned the Fort Sam Houston Officers Club but was later discovered boarding up the window of a private home.
1432 S St. Mary’s (210) 531-9250
418 Villita, Ste. 2400 (210) 224-2484, foundart24.com
4335 McCullough, (210) 259-3234 periodmodern.com
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60 CURRENT •• San 61 San Antonio Antonio City City Guide Guide •• sacurrent.com
4522 Fredericksburg Rd. @ Wonderland of the Americas Mall Mon-Sat 10-7p • Sunday 12-5p
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RENE’S ANTIQUES
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MOM’S HANG-UPS
Family heirlooms, mid-century collectibles, and unusual treasures scooped up in Austin and the Hill Country come together in curious arrangements at Rene’s Antiques, a small Midtown shop opened in July of 2012. Attentive customer service, plenty of parking out back, and Texas-friendly touches like complimentary wine on weekends are among the perks that make browsing owner Rene Villegas’ ever-changing mix of vintage furniture, fixtures, accessories, artwork, religious statues, tchotchkes, and baubles a no-brainer after breakfast at neighboring Blanco Cafe. On a recent visit, Rene’s eccentric temptations included antique flashcards ($2 each), a double-sided U.S. Army recruiting sign from 1959 ($850), a weathered Dr. Pepper clock ($45), and a pair of brass Hollywood Regency peacock tables ($650).
Austin-based El Paso native Leigh Elena Navarro’s accessories and leather goods are sold internationally but the designer only claims two brickand-mortar boutiques: a flagship on South Congress in Austin and a freshly opened outpost here in the Pearl. Though she’s best known for the signature jigsaw cuffs (handmade in Austin in colorful leathers and exotic skins; $75-$110) high-profilers like Barbara Walters, Hoda Kotb, and AnnaLynne McCord have helped land on TV and in the glossies, Navarro’s versatile enamel-coated copper crowns (which can be magnetically attached to bases including cuffs and rings) are a close second. Add well-worn cowboy boots and leather jackets, vintage Western shirts, candles, books, and nostalgic impulse buys to the mix and it’s hard to leave without a wish list.
There are reportedly upwards of 50 vendors in the Ironside Antique Mall and Mom’s Hang-ups stands out with a sprawling selection. While the wellorganized areas comprise salvaged gas station signs, rhinestone-encrusted costume jewelry, impeccably preserved mod light fixtures, old-timey children’s books, vintage gowns, and enough trinkets and curios to fill anyone’s cabinet, the main focus of married owners Ida and Henry Escobar is “rescuing” furniture. For a decade the Boerne residents worked the South Texas trade show circuit selling wares he made and she painted. Now the duo takes pride in giving new life to old pieces found at flea markets and estate sales. Despite the obvious attention to details and displays, the prices ($10-$700 storewide) fall in line with the family operation’s decidedly homey vibe.
1810 & 1812 Blanco (210) 320-1117
303 Pearl Pkwy. Ste. 101 (210) 224-6666, leighelena.com
10211 Ironside, (210) 694-0134 ironsidemall.com
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Not that there’s any shortage of bizarre eye candy on the shelves and racks at Bearded Lady Emporium, but co-owner Janessa Consenz is particularly proud of the ceiling in her bathroom. A slightly sinister labor of love comprising comics, clippings, and tons of flash salvaged from a fire upstairs at Element Tattoo Studio, the collage eliminates the need for reading material in what’s arguably San Antonio’s most fascinating john.
sacurrent.com • San Antonio City Guide • CURRENT 62 63
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MON-FRI 10A-8P - SAT 10A-7P 300 W. BITTERS @ W. AVE STE #150 • 210.494.3006 SHADESOFLOVE.COM
DOS CAROLINAS The origin of the guayabera is debatable, but its name likely refers to the Cuban farmers along the Yayabo River who used the shirt’s lower pockets to store guava (aka guayaba). Some attribute the style’s breezy design to an 18th-century Andalusian who immigrated to Cuba and made her husband a white linen shirt with four large pockets designed to carry cigars, writing instruments, a hanky, and “otras cositas.” Guayaberas possibly arrived in Mexico via early 20thcentury henequen farmers traveling between Cuba and the Yucatán Peninsula — where the shirts evolved into the intricately embroidered garments many know as Mexican wedding shirts. In Miami, high-end guayaberas come from Ramón Puig, a line established in Little Havana in 1971 and recently revived by Louis Puig, the son of “The King of Guayaberas.” But in San Antonio they come from Dos Carolinas, a highly specialized operation founded by Caroline
Matthews in 1987. Through the windows of her boutique in the Pearl, shoppers might catch a glimpse of Matthews measuring a customer who’s just ordered one of her custom-made creations. While they’re available in a ready-to-wear variety, the full-on Dos Carolinas experience comes in selecting fabrics and embroideries. While Matthews stocks plenty of traditional options that would fit in fine at a wedding, her line stands out for its playful use of color, whimsical prints, hippie batiks, and statement fabrics like nudie-print “mudflap camo.” In addition to making men’s shirts in nearly a dozen styles (options include The Elegant, Rey Feo, Yucatán, and The Classic, which can be adapted as a hunting shirt), Matthews makes children’s shirts (a practice she says started as a way to use up leftover fabrics) and dresses. Depending on embroidery, a custom-made garment can cost anywhere from $135 to $220 and take between four and five weeks to complete.— Bryan Rindfuss 303 Pearl Parkway, Ste. 102, (210) 222-9117, doscarolinas.com
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plastic supply OF SAN ANTONIO INC.
Your plastic materials store since 1960. Providing acrylic (sheets, rods, and tubes), polycarbonate, polyethylenes, coroplast and various industrial plastics.
Specializing in Custom Fabrication:
• Custom cut to size any pattern • Light Diffusers • Stands and Risers • Vitrines
• Aquariums • Coffee Tables • Lamp Bases • Table Tents
HABLAMOS ESPAÑOL
102 W Josephine Street (210) 222-8091 • plasticsupplyofsa.com
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THRIFT SHOPS Whether it be your deep-seeded need for a unique piece for your home or your newfound love for Macklemore that brings you there, thrift shops are the treasure and trash troves for the millions. Regardless of economic background, a person can enter a thrift shop and be transported to childhood memories, inspired by vintage design or maybe just get that couch for the side room, cheap. Either way, the nucleus of thrift stores can be found on Hildebrand and West Olmos, a city block apart, centrally split by San Pedro. The streets are lined with hole-in-the-wall shops that may be bare bones or secret stashes, all within walking-distance of each other. — M. R. Brown
ANTIQUES ON HILDEBRAND With its sprawling assortment of furniture, both antique and sidewalk-worthy, Antiques on Hildebrand has a constant rotation of pieces for any home. Planted among the scattered thrift stores of this antiques haven, if something doesn’t strike your fancy, you can leg it to the stores across the street and nextdoor. 521 W Hildebrand, (210) 734-9337
BOYSVILLE AUXILIARY THRIFT In the shadow of H-E-B rests a clothing and furniture mecca for the thrifting masses. Though carrying an array of jewelry, kitchen items and records, Boysville Auxiliary Thrift has that discarded shirt your cousin spilt Big Red on last year and those shoes your aunt never knew were worth a few hundred dollars. 307 W Olmos, (210) 826-2195
THE NICETIES OF LIFE With venerable art installations hanging from the ceiling and filling cabinets, this local haunt is home to some of the most desirable pieces, historical or whimsical, in the city. The Niceties of Life, the last in the long line of thrift stores along Hildebrand, is a warehouse deserving of its own History Channel show. 1125 W Hildebrand, (210) 736-6661 DEBBIE SILVER CONSIGNMENT VINTAGE A thrift shop with an eye for vintage clothing and accessories, Debbie Silver Consignment Vintage is an ornately dressed woman in a city of dull grays. This thrift shop offers clothing from a variety of generations so you can always match the monthly trend. 248 W Olmos, (210) 214-3989 sacurrent.com • San Antonio City Guide • CURRENT 66 67
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FLEA MARKETS
BUSSEY’S FLEA MARKET
Here in San Antonio we have fine flea markets, influenced heavily by the vast indoor/outdoor mercados of Mexico. Looking to get a sonogram and a haircut, pet a donkey and ride a pony, eat some ice cream and a corn cup, play some videos games and pick up some new home furnishings? If you choose the right flea market, you can do it all on a Saturday morning — in one place. Here are a few of the best Saytown has to offer. — James Courtney
Opened in 1978, Bussey’s climbs a slight hill off the side of I-35 between San Antonio and New Braunfels. Bussey’s is half open air, offers excellent garage sale finds as well as imported and discount merchandise, and boasts simple but tasty concessions.
TRADER’S VILLAGE
FLEA MART (POTEET FLEA MARKET)
A huge, new facility with standard trinkets and gifts, tires, appliances, local produce, a singularly diverse array of food offerings, a petting zoo, rides, an arcade, and much more. Trader’s Village is clean, mostly covered, and also hosts events and concerts.
A local legend, Flea Mart is 50 acres of good deals on almost everything you can imagine. Expect standard concession-stand food and drink, live conjunto music, and mostly covered walkways winding through colorful surprise after surprise.
9am-6pm Sat-Sun, 9333 Southwest Loop 410, (210) 623-8383
10am-6pm Sat-Sun, 12280 Poteet Jourdanton Fwy, (210) 624-2666
7am-5pm Sat-Sun, 18738 IH 35 N, Schertz, TX, (830) 609-0800
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CARE FOR THOSE WHO’VE CARED FOR YOU!
LifeSpan Home Health provides qualified and attentive caregivers, nurses, and physical therapists to assist you or your loved one with the many daily activities that become more difficult with age or disability. We are devoted to meeting all of your needs, so that you or your loved one can stay at home, in the community, and in your life. If you are in need of services for yourself or a loved one, call us: 877.434.3153
JOIN A TEAM THAT CHANGES LIVES! MAKE A DIFFERENCE! We are always looking for compassionate caregivers, dedicated RNs, physical therapists, and other qualified clinical staff. We are also hiring for general office staff throughout the year. apply online – lifespantx.com
877.434.3153
DIY There comes a time, for some people, when working for a company just doesn’t make sense anymore — unless it’s their own. But the typical business strategy of obtaining heavy funds, hiring staff, then looking for a profit 3-to-10 years in the future isn’t an option. Here are two local outfits that get the job done craftsman-style. – Scott Andrews
PARTIDGE IN A PIE TREE
Geologist and photographer Guy Rubio climbs into caves in the Texas Hill Country, searching for endangered species habitat, and had long hankered after quality gear to carry his equipment in tough terrain. With an eye on leather packs from yesteryear, he contacted his friends — brothers Christian and Falcon Craft — to think about making their own handcrafted canvas and leather bags. A few years later, Bexar Goods is known internationally as a source for classic satchels and backpacks that satisfy the most demanding connoisseur. Falcon, a professional mountain climber, has left his post in Colorado to hand-stitch the leather and hammer the copper rivets of their bags; Christian pushes marketing, while Guy handles photographic documentation. Carried in few stores (one in Singapore), you can purchase Bexar Goods online. The prices aren’t cheap, but these are the real, handmade items, designed to go anywhere, and like a fine wine — improve with age.
Raised off the grid in a log cabin in Arkansas, Tonya Ellen Bates learned the gritty basics of garden-to-table life at an early age. Cooking commercially since she was 14, she taught culinary arts in Seattle before returning to San Antonio a couple of years ago, the first city she hit when she moved off the farm with her mother at age 10. Partridge in a Pie Tree is her “brick-andportal” kitchen. Specializing in both sweet and savory pies, she takes orders online, then delivers to your doorstep in 24-to-48 hours. The chocolate walnut pie is a must, and her meatloaf pie en croute is an organic wonder, made with heritage pork, grassfed beef, head-cheese, and tongue, among other locally sourced meats. Bates also makes her own pickles, delivers sesaonal salads, and strives to obtain all products from local farmers and ranchers who use sustainable practices. You can find Partridge in a Pie Tree on weekends at the Quarry Farmers & Ranchers Market. Try her wares, and tell Bates we sent you.
Bexargoods.com
Partridgeinapietree.com
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BEXAR GOODS CO.
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EARLY ART SCHOOL If you want to be an artist, don’t wait till college to make your move. Young eyes (and minds) have the best shot at attaining this life/work goal. SA is rich in community after school art classes. What, didn’t get a chance when you were a kid? Some offer classes for adults, too. — Scott Andrews
GEMINI INK
SAY SÍ
SA’s independent literary center teaches children and adults storytelling through fiction, poetry, memoir, and oral tradition as a way to develop compassion and community values. Classes range from elementary school to master classes that bring preeminent writers to read, and teach workshops.
Open year-round, SAY SÍ provides free long-term training in visual arts, theater, and media arts to middle and high school students at their facility in Southtown. Many students have gone on to professional careers in the arts —all are taught important lessons in community and self-worth.
513 S Presa (210) 734-9673 geminiink.org
1518 S Alamo (210) 212-8666 saysi.org
GUADALUPE CULTURAL ARTS CENTER In the heart of the West Side, the Guadalupe is a community-based organization with a mission to preserve and promote the arts and culture of the Chicano, Latino, and Native American peoples. Classes in dance, theater, poetry, music, visual, and media arts are offered to children and adults; the center presents changing art exhibitions and many events and festivals. 1300 Guadalupe, (210) 271-3151, guadalupeculturalarts.org
SAN ANTO CULTURAL ARTS
SOUTHWEST SCHOOL OF ART
This neighborhood-based nonprofit is home to El Placaza community newspaper and the famed Community Mural/Public Art project that has brought over 40 murals to enliven the West Side. The mural project is one of the city’s most active art incubators, teaching youth and young adults teamwork while honing visual arts skills.
Sited downtown next to the river, the SW School provides training for youths and adults in disciplines ranging from the usual painting and sculpture, to glass, ceramics, metalwork, textiles, and digital media. The student and faculty shows are stunning, while shows by visiting artists set the bar to international standards.
2120 El Paso (210) 226-7466 sananto.org
300 Augusta (210) 224-1848 swschool.org
The Carver has been a center of the city’s African-American culture for over 75 years, presenting educational programs on the East Side including the Carver School of Visual and Performing Arts for children and the Carver Master Classes for advanced students, along with music, dance, and theater performances by local and internationally renowned artists. 224 N Hackberry, (210) 207-7211, thecarver.org sacurrent.com • San Antonio City Guide • CURRENT 72 73
PHOTOS COURTESY OF SAY SI
CARVER COMMUNITY CULTURAL CENTER
DO YOU OR A LOVED ONE HAVE
CIRRHOSIS?
If so, please call about participation in a medical research study. Alamo Medical Research conducts research studies of investigational medications for those with cirrhosis. Insurance is not required and there is no cost to participate in research studies for those with cirrhosis. Compensation will be provided. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
— ALAMO MEDICAL RESEARCH — Toll Free at 1.855.437.2267 (HEP-C-AMR)
COURTESY PHOTO
RACKSPACE San Antonio was recently ranked #3 on Forbes’ list of New Tech Hot Spots. One of the main companies leading the advance is Rackspace Hosting, founded by three Trinity University alumni in 1998 as a web hosting company that provided more than just hardware. “Fanatical support” for customers separates this local business from the competition. Culture drives Rackspace’s employee environment. They strive to create a work environment as highly regarded as their customer service. From creating an inoffice “Harlem Shake” video to employee blogs, they encourage workers to enjoy
their job. Gone are the days of the suit, tie, and cubicle — Rackspace is employing a new breed. The SA company compares itself to the online shoe store Zappos as a company cultivating the passions and goals of each employee. Rackspace is not just a local name; they have offices throughout the US, and three in the UK, China, and the Netherlands. They are listed as number 34 on Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For, a list they have made for five of the last six years. Speaking of Fortune, 40 percent of Fortune 100 companies are clients of Rackspace. But success isn’t just
EAT
measured through numbers. Employees and customers alike are eager to give glowing reviews of the young company, whose Facebook page is peppered with accolades from satisfied clients. Constant growth has allowed Rackspace to consistently have job openings in their San Antonio office. To fill the positions with local talent, they were awarded a 2.5 million dollar grant in early February to help train new employees in partnership with Alamo Colleges. Rackspace has, over just a few years, demonstrated that our fair city can also compete in the fast lane. — Joshua Pedrick
PLAY
DRINK WORK
LIVE
Introducing The FREE
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The GEO Group, Inc. Karnes County Civil Detention Center We are hiring Detention Officers! Other opportunities in Heath Care, Nursing, Security, Maintenance, Food Service, Programs, Administration, and more! APPLY ONLINE: http://jobs.geogroup.com High School diploma or GED equivalent required. Must be at least 21 years of age and pass employment, criminal, and credit history background investigation. GEO is the leader in the delivery of private correctional and detention management, community re-entry services as well as behavior and mental health services to government agencies around the globe. EOE/M/F/D/V 210.402.6060 15909 San Pedro Ave, Ste 204 txweightlosscentersa.com
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BRYAN RINDFUSS
GREEN DREAMS When we first met Brandon McKelvey two years ago, his food truck was still in construction. “I’m going to put solar panels on this puppy someday,” he told us. Since then, Say. She.Ate, with their duck-fat sweet potato fries and Akaushi beef sliders, has gained fame as one of the very top food trucks in town. That rep made McKelvey’s dream possible. In February, panels installed by Freedom Solar Power, funded with a grant from sustainability advocate Awesome Foundation, were finally secured to the top of the familiar white food truck. While the panels won’t power the truck entirely, they will cut down on generator use, which will lead not only to fewer emissions, but a quieter run for crew and customers. One of the biggest draws for solar use locally are rebates offered by city-owned CPS Energy through its Solar Initiative Rebate Program. Long-time solar power facilitator Solar San Antonio helps direct residents and businesses to take advantage of this and other sources to make SA green. When you try your next pair of sliders from Say.She.Ate, meditate on this: the solar panels providing a quiet lunch were made possible through an intricate partnership between a green-minded city, a forward-thinking business, a couple of nonprofits, and a guy with a dream. — Scott Andrews Freedomsolarpower.com, solarsanantonio.org facebook.com/saysheatetx
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ON STAGE
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Community theater in SA has roots a century long. Here is our short list of favorite venues, specializing in repertory theater, new works, and community action.
One Trinity, (210) 999-8924 atticrep.org
12500 NW Military, (210) 302-6835 vexler.org
1920 Fredericksburg, (210) 738-1117 woodlawntheatre.com
Since it began in 2005, the professional theater company in residence at Trinity University has engaged the community with new and acclaimed works by established and emerging playwrights, such as Edward Albee, Rachel Axler, Yasmina Reza, Harold Pinter, and Sam Shepard, in smart productions that are consistently honed, often to brilliance.
Known as “The Vex,” the beloved community theater at the Barshop Jewish Community Center presents thoughtprovoking productions by local artists, focusing on classic works by American playwrights such as Thornton Wilder, Alfred Uhry, and Arthur Miller, and has received rare accolades from the Current’s tough theater critic.
The Woodlawn opened in 1946 as a movie house; now, it is the Deco District home to musical theater, recently performing well-known titles such as Rent, Miss Saigon, and the Rocky Horror Picture Show. New productions are always on the lookout for local talent, which is encouraged by the Youth Musical Theatre Workshops held regularly onsite.
ATTICREP
SHELDON VEXLER THEATRE
WOODLAWN THEATRE
JUMP-START
OVERTIME THEATRE
THE PLAY HOUSE
Since 1985, the Jump-Start Performance Company has created, produced, or hosted over 500 original works by local and international talent. Jump-Start is the home of the venerated Classic Theatre of San Antonio, and presents educational programs to the community, such as Historias y Cuentos (Stories and Tales) a long-term collaboration with 10 local, urban public elementary schools.
Known for producing original plays by local actors and crew year-round, the Overtime is now in a new location south of the Pearl, sporting two performance spaces, including the Gregg Barrios Theater. They continue to emphasize works by Texan playwrights, and are home to the experimental Proxy Theatre Company, and the River City Actors Studio workshop.
The Playhouse opened in its GreekRevival building in 1930 as home to community performers, eventually becoming known as the San Antonio Little Theater. Now owned by the City, The Playhouse is the longest running live theater in SA, presenting mostly family-centered fare on the main stage, and occasionally, more socially critical theater in the small Cellar Theatre.
108 Blue Star, (210) 227-5867, jump-start.org
1203 Camden, (210) 557-7562, theovertimetheater.org
800 W Ashby, (210) 733-7258, sanpedroplayhouse.com
McNay Art Museum 6000 North New Braunfels San Antonio, Texas 78209 mcnayart.org
Gauguin, Picasso, and van Gogh have a San Antonio home‌
Vincent van Gogh, Women Crossing the Fields (detail), 1890. Oil on paper, Bequest of Marion Koogler McNay.
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Mark Walley on location
JOURNEY OF THE OPPORTUNISTS WALLEY FILMS ROLLS CAMERA, TAKES ACTION, AND VISITS TÍA CHUCK
Meet Mark and Angela Walley, the dynamic dyad of arts advocates and documentarians professionally known as Walley Films. After studying film at Northwest Vista College, they received an emerging filmmaker fellowship from the Houston-based Southwest Alternate Media Project and decided to pursue their craft seriously. The Walley’s work ranges from documenting the curious comedy of the Mono Show, to capturing the art-making process in the studios of Ken Little, Chris Sauter, Sarah Sudhoff, and Houston’s The Art Guys, as well as creating films for nonprofit organizations in San Antonio. The Walleys documentary style is inquisitive and quirky, reminiscent of the hunky-dory narrative format used in the
1950s, but their shorts are interjected with the farce and absurdness that is associated with filmmaking. “We work together on film shoots with the artist, normally with Mark filming while I capture audio, or run a second camera,” said Angela Wally. “We make all the major decisions together and trust each other’s judgment along the way.” Their most recent work, Excerpts for John (released in November and created in association with the arts site Glasstire. com), is a profile on artist Vincent Valdez. The documentary centers on Valdez coming to terms with the loss of his childhood best friend, Army combat medic John Holt Jr., through a series of paintings and the production of a large-scale portrait. Coming up this year, the Walleys will
take on an experimental documentary about SA’s gone-too-soon artist, photographer and designer Chuck Ramírez, titled Tía Chuck. “Chuck, to us, embodied the welcoming spirit of the San Antonio art community,” said Angela. “He was interested in collaborating, and we quickly became friends.” The Walleys were set to collaborate with Ramírez, but the project was never completed due to his sudden death in November, 2010. Ramírez’s life and work will be told through artists, family, and friends in the San Antonio community. The film is scheduled for completion this year, with screenings held in 2014. View their current work at walleyfilms.com. – Veronica Anne Salinas
Live Music
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With national and regional talent taking increasing notice, and local heroes making the big time, it will soon be impossible for even the staunchest pessimist to consider San Antonio a second-rate music town. From national to local, from Tejano to metal to indie pop, and everything in between — here are some of the top spots to enjoy live music in the Alamo city. — James Courtney
2718 N. St Mary’s (210) 735-7775
437 McCarty Rd #101 (210) 629-5141
3030 Thousand Oaks Dr (210) 494-2309
War Room boasts solid sound and lighting, a relaxed and artsy atmosphere, a decent beer selection and will occasionally host 18-and-up shows. It’s a solid choice on any given night whether you’re into hip-hop, emo, indie-rock, dance, folk, or just drinking.
Fairly new and trying to gain its footing, Fitzgerald’s has a badass stage, passable lighting and sound, 4000 square feet of chill space, a good selection of Irish beer and whiskey, and features anything from hard rock to indie country (both local and touring).
A San Antonio staple that has featured some swell national acts, Jack’s is in a sleek new facility with excellent lighting and sound, a college to biker ambiance, and is one of the top choices when some of the biggest local acts have something new and hot to premiere.
WAR ROOM
FITZGERALD’S
JACK’S BAR
502 BAR
SAM’S BURGER JOINT
LUNA LIVE
The ultimate indie music venue, 502 Bar is a favorite spot for musicians and music listeners alike, with great stage lighting, superb sound, a stellar beer selection, a friendly ambiance and has hosted some of the biggest local shows and CD releases over the past year.
Sam’s draws big name Americana artists from all over the country, boasts one of the best sound systems in the city, and will keep you coming back with reasonable drink prices. Their killer burgers are an attraction on their own, grilled classics on a branded bun.
Upscale and modern, Luna Live is a good venue to take a date to see live music and dance. Decent sound and excellent lighting are supported by an old-school nightclub vibe and a selection of local and touring acts, often of the Latin music variety.
502 Embassy Oaks (210) 257-8125
330 E Grayson St (210) 223-2830
6740 San Pedro Ave (210) 804-2433
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www.SanAntonioTalons.com sacurrent.com • San Antonio City Guide • CURRENT 84 85
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*AND LATER 86 CURRENT • San Antonio City Guide • sacurrent.com 87
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SAN ANTONIO MUSEUM OF ART SAMA is San Antonio’s encyclopedic museum, spanning cultures ’round the globe from Ancient Egypt to New Guinea, with especially strong collections from Asia and Latin America. Modern and contemporary art is wellrepresented, too, and among the pieces of blue-chip art are ever-increasing numbers of works by local artists. Changing exhibitions are organized inhouse by accomplished curators. 200 W Jones, (210) 978-8100, samuseum.org BLUE STAR CONTEMPORARY Formed more than a quarter century ago by SA artists, the Blue Star is the center of the First Friday art party and a curatorial force, presenting contemporary art by local talent, backed-up by national and international shows. Blue Star also sends artists from SA overseas to enlighten Berlin and Scandinavia. Free on First Thursdays and Fridays. 116 Blue Star, (210) 227-6960, bluestarart.org
MUSEUMS A city without museums is hardly a town, and though San Antonio prides itself on retaining a small-town feel, our museums are known internationally — as institutions that could only happen here. – Scott Andrews
MCNAY ART MUSEUM
WITTE MUSEUM
ARTPACE
Founded in 1950, the McNay is the oldest modern art museum in Texas, and arguably the most beautiful museum in SA. Modern masterpieces by the greats, from Gauguin to Matisse and Cassatt, are joined by contemporary works by Calder, Judd, and de Kooning, exhibitions by local artists, and the Tobin Collection of Theater Arts, one of the top collections of its kind in the U.S.
Kids of all ages love dinosaurs, and the Witte delivers. Equal parts science museum, environment explainer, and center for all things Texas, the Witte is home to amazing traveling shows and great in-house exhibitions. Situated along the San Antonio River, it’s a great museum for kids, and the H-E-B Science Treehouse provides a climbing wall and high-wire bicycle rides for hands- (and feet-)on fun.
Artpace is known throughout the art world for its International Artist-inResidency program, which brings Texan, out-of-state, and international artists together to live and make art in SA. Founded by the late artist-philanthropist Linda Pace, this nonprofit isn’t strictly high art, as kid-friendly parties like October’s Chalk it Up street painting fest and potluck community dinners attest.
6000 N New Braunfels, (210) 824-5368, mcnayart.org
3801 Broadway, (210) 357-1863, wittemuseum.org
445 N Main, (210) 212-4900, artpace.org
SANTIKOS BIJOU
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Once dubbed “Ramboville” by movie distributors who assume that its taste in movies is not subtle, San Antonio boasts many state-of-the-art facilities for viewing blockbuster art. However, only one local theater is likely to be showing the latest release by Michael Haneke, Guillermo del Toro, or Zhang Yimou: the six-screen Bijou. It is true that the Northwest 14 does schedule special viewings of films in South Asian languages, and museums, universities, and cultural centers offer occasional screenings of work that did not originate in Hollywood. But the Bijou is generally the place to go for the rare import that does not speak English or for indies first glimpsed at Sundance. Though rumors of its demise have been circulating for years, movie impresario John Santikos’s sole art house cinema has survived two name changes (Wonderland to Crossroads to Wonderland of the Americas) of the shopping mall in which it is incongruously located, where two of the busiest highways in town intersect. The Bijou pioneered theaters that double as dining rooms. However, if you don’t care to order pricey pizza or panini from servers adept at working in the dark, you can at least savor sight lines enhanced by the wooden tables positioned between each row of seats. Because wine and beer are sold, children are excluded, and anyone 12-17 must be accompanied by an adult. Audiences come to the Bijou to see uncommon cinema — thus, they tend to be more attentive to the screen than their cellphones. 4522 Fredericksburg, (210) 734-4552, santikos.com — Steven G. Kellman
8134 Tezel Road, San Antonio, TX. (210) 520-0070
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CHOOSE ROSCOE, LIVE HAPPY Austin-style living in the heart of the Medical Center Completely Renovated Fenced Backyards NO BREED RESTRICTIONS Online Rent Payment
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COURTESY PHOTOS
WALK THE CITY CREEKS
Sure, you know the River Walk, and may have explored the Mission Reach that strikes south from the Blue Star Complex towards the green land surrounding the acequia of Mission Espada. But if you want to really escape turista town, take a hike on one of the creek trails. Now known as the Howard W. Peak Greenway Trail System, there are currently 41 miles of trails open to the public, running along Leon Creek, Salado Creek, and the Medina River. Initiated by former Mayor Peak when he was a councilman in the 1990s, Peak envisioned a “ring” of
walking and bike trails in the flood zones along city-owned creeks. The trails are paved with concrete, and wide enough for bikes to zoom past walkers with space to share — and yes, dogs are welcome. Coursing past trees, wild grasses, and thickets of shrub, you might come upon the remains of an old quarry, or mounds covering ancient building sites. Occasionally a vista opens up, offering spectacular views near sunset, when the dawn-todusk trail system officially closes. Leon Creek has several pathways, ranging from a 1.5 mile trail at Pearsall Park, to the
longest — 13.5 miles running from Loop 1604 to Ingram Road near UTSA. The Salado Creek paths range from just over a mile to four miles, while Medina River trail on the Southside covers seven miles, with switchbacks and gentle inclines through groves of pecan trees. Many of the trailheads are reachable by VIA, and often have parking spaces and water available. Maps and detailed information about the trail system is available at San Antonio Parks and Recreation website, sanantonio.gov/parksandrec — Scott Andrews
EAT
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Introducing The FREE
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CYCLING SAN ANTO
You’ll finish sweatier, dirtier and smell like the receiving end of a VIA bus tailpipe. But biking is, and will remain, the best way to move in and around downtown San Antonio. Expect more of us traveling to and from work, running
errands, or heading out at night on two wheels as SA continues to grow in a bikefriendly way. While navigating the traffic outside the city center remains risky, the streets in and around downtown sport ever-increasing bike lanes, and business-
es continue to set up racks hoping to reel in the two-wheel traffic. Ride defensively (and with a helmet, I’m obliged to say), and the worst you’ll likely face is a lame remark from some asshole motorist, like, “Get a car, hippie!” – Michael Barajas
EAST SIDE The recently revived Hays Street Bridge has grown into a mecca of sorts for SA cyclists. Closed in 1982 and slated for demolition by 1994, preservationists helped revive Hays and reopen it in 2010, and now the bridge connects downtown to the city’s woefully under-traveled East Side. For afternoon rides, fill up at nearby Boneshakers, known for good eats and killer Texas microbrews on tap. Or pack a bag to eat and booze it up on the bridge itself (my obvious preference). From Hays, cross the bridge east and explore Dignowity Hill. You can head south on Palmetto to peruse a handful of intriguing East Side cemeteries. Heading west on Commerce will loop you right back around into downtown proper.
More than just a microcosm of everything San Antonio’s striving to become (a city of multi-use development, hip shops, top-notch dining, and bougie apartments), the Pearl’s a good start for any fun weekend ride. Within biking distance from virtually anywhere downtown, you can stop in for a rest, or keep heading east for coffee and pastries at Bakery Lorraine. From there, head out into the East Side, or hop one street over to Josephine to catch the Museum Reach bike path. After winding through a golf course, it’ll spit you out right at the south end of Brackenridge Park. Grab lunch at nearby W.D. Deli, get a good book at Half Price Books, and find a spot to read in Brackenridge Park before biking back downtown.
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WEST SIDE
SOUTHTOWN / MISSION REACH
CRITICAL MASS
If you want public art, bike out to the near West Side. My preferred route from downtown is west on Martin Street, biking past the Bexar County jail and homeless shelter Haven for Hope, then heading south on Colorado until you hit Guadalupe. In and around the Guadalupe Street corridor, venerable West Side institution San Anto Cultural Arts has commissioned and catalogued over 40 murals on the sides of apartments, schools, and local businesses. Contact San Anto Cultural Arts for a list of locations, or see if you can hook up with one of the organization’s Saturday morning mural bike tours.
So much has grown up around Southtown/King William in recent years that roaming the area is almost selfexplanatory. But in case you need the help, here are some staples that are always stocked with really, really good beer: the Tap Room at the Filling Station, the Friendly Spot, or the Blue Star Brewery. From Blue Star, you can head straight out onto the newly expanded Mission Reach. Take the path down for miles along the river, or detour at any of the marked stops to see all the Spanish Colonial Missions — all, that is, except the Mission de San Antonio de Valero, or the Alamo, as it’s known.
Most days, there’s little reason to bike past the Alamo, except for maybe to buzz some tourists as they confusedly cross the street like a lost puppy. But the last Friday of each month cyclists from all over town converge on Alamo Plaza at 9 p.m. and ride out into the city. When it’s well attended, the ride resembles a true Critical Mass-like event, with cyclists filling and shutting down streets. Each month, the route is undetermined (or at least unannounced), so come prepared for what could be a long ride. Also, the crew takes several pit stops in parks or parking lots along the way, so BYOB.
VIA BUSES and high comfort service that runs between downtown and the new South Texas Medical Center Transit Center. Still not convinced hopping on the bus is right for you? Picture this. You are up a bit earlier than all the other commuters, so you have a chance to enjoy the pre-dawn sense of endless possibility that you’re so used to missing. Ready and at your bus stop early, you join the ranks of San Antonians from all walks of life in a communal setting where you can witness the best of our city. Once at your bus stop, you can put your morning on auto-pilot (a dangerous proposition if you were still driving to work) and focus on getting ready for work, sleeping a few extra winks, or daydreaming. You will arrive to work feeling de-stressed, having saved money, and satisfied at having done your part to help our community move in the direction of sustainability. Sound too utopian? Why not see for yourself? Plan your commute at viainfo.net today. —James Courtney
A public transit system that is extensive and useful, and extensively used, has long been one of the hallmarks of a thriving metropolis. For over 30 years, VIA has been San Antonio’s answer to the great subways of the east and impressive bus grids of the west. In recent years VIA has upped services in all sectors of the city, its daily ridership increasing to approximately 140,000. VIA operates with an eye toward protecting the environment (sponsoring recycling initiatives and purchasing cleaner-burning buses), convenience (the fleet has now grown to over 400 buses), and accessibility (new ViaTrans resources and transit stations are constantly popping up). It is now possible to ride VIA for more hours of the day, to and from more locations, and more comfortably than ever. VIA has also done a great deal of work with San Antonio youth; encouraging creativity, an active lifestyle, and community involvement. Most recently VIA began service on its Primo bus — an innovative high-capacity, high frequency,
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WONDER TWINS Julián Castro quickly rocketed past the heights of political celebrity Henry Cisneros, San Antonio’s once best-known mayor, reached in the 1980s. From the outset, Julián’s trajectory appeared almost pre-determined. Born to a celebrated West Side Chicana activist, Julián was elected San Antonio’s youngest-ever mayor in 2009. The following year, The New York Times Magazine drooled with an obsequious profile, calling him “The Post-Hispanic Hispanic Politician.” Soon enough, President Barack Obama came calling. Julián was invited to the White House to dish immigration and energy policy. Then, coinciding perfectly with twin Joaquín’s eventually successful run for Congress, and with his own push for expanded local Pre-K (Julián’s most ambitious policy achievement yet), the mayor was called upon to keynote the Democratic National Convention. The Castros are now national political fixtures. Both have entered the realm of talking-head-dom, routinely asked to talk gun control or immigration on the big Sunday morning “newsmaker” talk shows. Julián recently urged Congress to pass sane, humane immigration reform measures before a House committee. And the twins have even graced the pages of Vogue, with portraits shot by famed photographer Annie Leibovitz. Speculation abounds for what the future holds for either of San Anto’s Democratic wunderkinds. Many Democrats predict Texas turning purple in the near future, and hope a Castro could eventually take the governor’s seat. For now, Joaquín’s in D.C., wading through his freshman year, and — despite early rumors Julián would consider a plush Obama cabinet appointment — he’s sticking local. The mayor just officially filed to run for a third term he’ll inevitably win. — Michael Barajas 100 CURRENT •• San 101 San Antonio Antonio City City Guide Guide •• sacurrent.com
GROVELING FOR A GROCER Downtown San Antonio has an everexpanding roster of eat spots – from food trucks to high dining – to choose from, but good luck finding somewhere to stock up on goods for a home cooked dinner. Within the small downtown loop enclosed by interstates 35, 10, and 37, downtowners have few options: Delivery Market on Houston, the Main Plaza Market and Liquor Store, and Hippo’s Grocery and Deli. None are the H-E-B-like behemoth city leaders now say downtown wants and needs. This year, the City of San Antonio plans to solicit proposals from store owners,
dangling out a $1 million incentive that’s set to expire in December. City leaders this year tried to squash any speculation that a downtown grocer’s untenable with a new market study, supposedly showing that San Antonio’s urban core can support a grocery store of up to 20,000 square feet. While some speculate H-E-B will ultimately be crowned winner by default, possibly locating a store near their headquarters just south of downtown proper, others have already begun plans to fulfill downtown’s grocery-store desires. Bexar County Commissioner Kevin Wolff has
announced a venture that would open up a 7,000 square foot market near the Pearl, selling bread, produce, meat, and dry goods. Joey Villarreal, owner of Blue Star Brewing Co., has come out with plans to open up a 2,000 square foot market that would connect to his restaurant. And Josh Levine, who owns gyms in and around downtown, this year opened Uncommon Fare on the ground floor of the Cevallos Lofts, a 900 square foot market meant to act as a Whole Foods or Central Market alternative. – Michael Barajas
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