www.78209magazine.com
February 2014
78209 MAGAZINE
TOM FROST Banker, Leader, Leader, Model Model Citizen Citizen Banker,
Condo Living Living with with Condo Architectural Appeal Appeal Architectural
PATI RODRIGUEZ Cara Mia Mia Spa Spa and and Salon Salon Owner Owner Cara
AHISD NEWS
CONTENTS FEBRUARY 2014
06
Cara Mia Spa and Salon Owner, Pati Rodriguez Comes Home Again
10
Profile: Tom Frost
14
Home: Midcentury Style
18
AHISD School News
20
Neighborhood News
22
Restaurant Guide
23
09-Lives
24
Police Blotter
25
Wine & Dine
26
Vintage View
ON THE COVER: Midcentury classics in comtemporary condominium
18 78209 MA GA ZIN E
10
February 2014
www.78209magazine.com
Publisher J. MICHAEL GAFFNEY
Copy Editor KATHRYN COCKE
Editorial Director BEVERLY PURCELL-GUERRA
Advertising Sales STEVEN COX, JEN EARHART, MADELEINE JUSTICE, ROSANNE LIMON-KILLIAN
Graphic Design MARIA JENICEK, KEVIN HERRERA Contributors RON BECHTOL, JOHN BLOODSWORTH, COURTNEY BURKHOLDER, LESLIE FOLEY, CASEY HOWELL, JENNA-BETH LYDE, BONNY OSTERHAGE, PATTI PAWLIK-PERALES, AL RENDON, JANET ROGERS
Administration & Customer Service NANCY A. GAFFNEY Printing SHWEIKI MEDIA, SAN ANTONIO, TX Advertising information: (210) 826-5375 email: info@78209magazine.com
78209 MAGAZINE is published monthly by PixelWorks Corporation (Publisher). Reproduction in any manner in whole or part is prohibited without the express written consent of the Publisher. Material contained herein does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the publisher or its staff. 78209 MAGAZINE reserves the right to edit all materials for clarity and space and assumes no responsibility for accuracy, errors or omissions. 78209 MAGAZINE does not knowingly accept false or misleading advertisements or editorial, nor does the Publisher assume responsibility should such advertising or editorial appear. Articles and photographs are welcome and may be submitted to our offices to be used subject to the discretion and review of the Publisher. All real estate advertising is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968, which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or an intention to make such preference, limitation or discrimination.” Printed in the U.S.A. Copyright ©2014 Pixelworks Corporation.
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4 | february 2014
78209 F EATU RE
By BONNY OSTERHAGE
Photography by CASEY HOWELL
Cara Mia OWNER PATI RODRIGUEZ
COMES HOME AGAIN Making people look and feel their best Who says you can’t go home again? Certainly not Pati Rodriguez.
Twenty years ago, she was working as a massage therapist and estheti-
cian at Patricia’s Day Spa. Today, she is the owner of Cara Mia Spa and
Salon, located in the same building on the corner of Sunset and Broadway that once housed Patricia’s.
“I feel like I’ve come full circle,” says the Alamo Heights resident, who
opened the doors to her full-service salon in May 2013. “It’s like the house kept calling me back.”
ON THE MOVE
A self-described “people person,” Rodriguez has devoted her career to
making people look and feel their best. Whether it is women who need a
little “pick-me-up” or teens who are plagued with skin problems, Ro-
driguez takes great pleasure in watching the transformation that happens
on the inside when her clients are more confident in their outward appear-
ances. “Even something as simple as a brow wax or a new hairstyle can
“MY BEAUTY”
she explains.
beauty”) with the goal of offering clients everything they need for head-
make such a big difference in terms of how a woman feels about herself,” After graduating from Thomas Jefferson High School and working at
Patricia’s, this San Antonio native decided to take her show on the road,
Rodriguez opened Cara Mia (which translates to “my beloved” or “my
to-toe beauty in a welcoming and non-intimidating atmosphere. “People like being able to get everything under one roof,” she says. “This neigh-
so to speak, with a mobile spa business. Working with hotel concierges,
borhood wanted a full-service salon, and I wanted to bring it to them.”
as 100 clients in one day. Massage therapy for Dallas Cowboy football
feel. The bustling hair salon is home to four stylists, while a separate,
Rodriguez traveled all across the city, sometimes accommodating as many
players or facials for Miss USA contestants were all in a day’s work for
Rodriguez and her mobile crew. After 12 years of going to her clients, how-
ever, she was ready to provide her clients with a comfortable, tranquil en-
vironment where they could come to her.
6 | february 2014
Cara Mia is divided into three very distinct areas, each with a different
soothing nail lounge that can accommodate up to 10 customers at a time for parties invites customers to relax and unwind. The tranquil spa features
everything from body wraps to Turkish baths and is the ideal place for the client who wants to indulge in some serious pampering.
Pati Rodriguez opened Cara Mia Spa and Salon last May in the same building where she had worked 20 years earlier. Opposite, Cara Mia staff members (front row) Michelle Medina, Christina Davila, Barbie Gonzalez, Priscilla Fuentes, (back row) Rachel Johnson, Rodriguez and Rafael Cantu.
www.78209magazine.com | 7
78209
F EATU RE
Rodriguez prides herself on hiring only
the best in the business and offering the latest services. One of the newest spa offerings
is the lymphatic drainage massage that
many clients choose as an add-on during a
facial. This relaxing treatment might look a
little strange at first, but it is highly effective in ridding the body of toxins. Clients zip into a
special suit that resembles an oversized pair of pants. Through a process that can best be described
as something akin to vacuum sealing, a series of squeeze-and-release-type movements pulse along
the lower body. While the toxins are being squeezed out, esthetician Cynthia Sandoval is working
her magic on your skin. The personal esthetician to San Antonio Spurs owners Peter and Juliana Holt, as well as a host of local celebrities, Sandoval has more than 20 years of experience in skin care, and her facial massage is nothing short of magic.
“She is the best in the business,” boasts Rodriguez. “I call her facials ‘getting Cynthiatized.’”
The entire experience leaves clients feeling refreshed and looking amazing!
PRETTY IS AS PRETTY DOES
Rodriguez, with her clear, smooth skin and shiny hair, is a walking testament to her business, but
this savvy business owner knows that beauty is more than skin deep. That is why she is committed to
participating in local philanthropy, giving back to various organizations within the community. Cara
Mia services and products can almost always be found at the auctions of various local charities, including
the American Cancer Society, the American Heart Association and the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation.
Rodriguez also offers a custom service for cancer patients who are suffering from hair loss be-
cause of treatment. For these special customers, Rodriguez offers free hair removal services in the soothing salon environment.
When she is not making women feel wonderful about themselves, Rodriguez, a single mother of
a teenage son, can be found cheering him on at an Alamo Heights football game or hunting with her
fiancé. Full of energy and spontaneity, Rodriguez wears many hats — from business owner, to mas-
sage therapist, to esthetician, to mother. Perhaps that is why she can relate to the needs of the women who come through the Cara Mia doors.
“It is my goal to provide a neighborhood facility where women can get away from daily living,”
she explains. “I want them to be able to take a break, even if only for 30 minutes, and simply do
nothing but relax.”
8 | february 2014
www.78209magazine.com | 9
TOM FROST EXTRAORDINARY LEADER
He’s at the top of banking and civic endeavors
10 | february 2014
78209 PROF ILE
By COURTNEY BURKHOLDER
Photography by CASEY HOWELL
There are few names that resonate in San Antonio and across Texas like the name Frost. As the chairman emeritus of Frost National Bank, one of the largest and most successful banks in the country, Tom Frost is a fourth-generation banker and long-time resident of Alamo Heights. His San Antonio roots date back to 1868, when his great-grandfather, Col. T.C. Frost, founded the first Frost Bank in San Antonio. orn in 1929 at the Santa Rosa Hospi-
known for his wisdom and good decision mak-
boys were doing anything they shouldn’t, Mr.
home all his life. “I am probably one
decision to set down roots in Alamo Heights.
“I remember one time, Mr. Harper called Pat
boys and our growing family,” Frost states.
were sitting on the side of the road on New
footprints in Alamo Heights in 1941 as a stu-
our kids. We were two blocks from the high
there’s a small town for you!”
Frost and his wife, Pat, bought their first home
Everything was close and convenient.” The
small-town feeling remains, Alamo Heights
they never looked back.
atmosphere of Alamo Heights, where neigh-
past six decades. “The government seems to
same wife, the same job, the same church and
their children could mature in a safe and nur-
more like a larger town,” he explains. “But it
B
tal, Frost has called San Antonio
of the few people you will ever know who goes to work two blocks from where they were born,” he states proudly. He laid his first
dent at TMI. Fourteen years later, in 1956,
on Rosemary Avenue in Bluebonnet Hills, and “The really interesting thing is I’ve had the
the same house for over 50 years,” Frost says.
ing, he admits he had nothing to do with their “Pat picked out the house because it fit our
“It was the house where we wanted to raise
school and six blocks from the grade school.
Frosts quickly fell in love with the small-town
bors looked out for one another and where
Harper would call and let us know,” he recalls. during a heavy rainstorm and told her our boys
Braunfels watching the water rush by. Now Frost readily admits that although that
has experienced considerable growth in the have enlarged significantly, and we are acting
turing environment.
is still basically a community where we are
years, we bought a new house around the corner
boys in what was a wonderful small town,”
school district as individual people. San An-
life, and both are in Alamo Heights.” A man
Lone Star Ice House in Sunset Ridge. If our
“The only thing that has changed is after 52
from the old one. I’ve owned two homes in my
“It was a wonderful time of life to raise four
Frost says. “A dear friend, Mr. Harper, ran the
able to deal with the city government or the tonio has grown around us, but Alamo Heights is still a relatively tight community.”
www.78209magazine.com | 11
78209
PROF IL E
Today, Frost dedicates much of his time to the civic endeav-
ors he has championed for years, many right here in Alamo
Heights. “I have always been involved in community devel-
opment,” he says. “Our whole philosophy of the bank was that
we needed to help grow the community. The only way the business could grow was if the community grew. I’ve never forgotten that.”
Currently, he serves as chairman of TMI and chairman of
the board of trustees of the McNay Art Museum and is on the
vestry of Christ Episcopal Church, to name a few. “I’ve spent a lot of time raising money for entities for which I have had a lot of interest over the years,” he explains. “Most recently, I
realized the most important element for education we have in San Antonio is UTSA, so I have been involved in capital fund raising for them, as well.”
Although Frost still goes to the office every day, his most
important job these days is the one he has at home: “Family occupies a big part of my life. I am the helpmate to a profes-
sional grandmother, who is now a great-grandmother. Manag-
ing a grandmother is a full-time job in itself!” Alamo Heights is blessed to have the Frosts as long-time residents.
12 | february 2014
Creative Couple Find Sustenance In Midcentury
Style
BY JOHN BLOODSWORTH PHOTOGRAPHY BY AL RENDON
14 | february 2014
78209 AT
FURNISHINGS REPRESENT THE BEST OF THE ERA
H OM E
Nestled on a quiet, tree-shaded lane between Old Alamo Heights and Terrell Hills, Torrey and Ed
Carleton’s contemporary condominium exudes midcentury élan.
Architect Allison Peery, who worked for O’Neil Ford in his early career, designed the four-unit com-
plex. The late architect — unknowingly — helped to shape Torrey’s architectural acumen. Her parents,
while building a home in Terrell Hills, leased an apartment designed by Peery as a temporary residence.
When Torrey moved into her first high-rise condominium as an adult, it was a Peery design. And
when she and Ed moved into their condo, they later discovered Allison Peery had also designed it.
As executive director of the American Institute of Architects San Antonio chapter, Torrey has a pas-
sion for good architecture. And architects. She married one. Ed is a senior project architect with Durand-Hollis Rupe, Inc.
“My sense of style is ‘Early Savings & Loan,’” Torrey quips. Way ahead of the curve, she began
acquiring pieces of midcentury furniture during the savings and loan crisis of the 1980s. “When the recession hit, powerhouse companies with contemporary design began dumping important furnishings,” she says.
The talented pair continue to add midcentury selections to their well-edited home. A recent purchase
of two Castelli m_sit lounge chairs in black leather and chrome flank a sofa by the same designer. Two
Platner side tables in stainless steel and clear plate glass keep cocktails at bay when entertaining. The perfect complement to the setting, a Barcelona coffee table in chrome and glass exudes modern style
and simple sophistication.
Discerning guests dine in 20th-century style in Warren Platner cylindrical mesh steel chairs with up-
holstered seats. A massive marble-topped dining table rests on a sculptural base of nickel-plated steel
rods resembling a shiny sheaf of wheat, also by Platner. A contemporary painting that was the first pur-
chase made by Torrey’s parents after their marriage hangs above the grouping.
A gift from Ed’s mother on his and Torrey’s wedding day, a baby grand piano resides in the foyer.
www.78209magazine.com | 15
78209 AT
H OM E
It has been in the family since it was
purchased by his great-grandmother for his father when he was 13. A painting
from the ‘70s that was recently given to the couple hangs in the stairwell.
When Ed went to pick up the paint-
ing, he packed the piece in the back of
his small convertible. The huge painting protruded out both sides of his vehicle. Torrey exclaimed, “You are going to
take off like the flying nun if you go too
fast!” the painting made it home without
an aerial episode.
“I think that architecture can change
the way you look at the world and how
you respond to it,” Torrey says. “And
for me, having a thoughtfully designed home is very important.”
16 | february 2014
www.78209magazine.com | 17
78209 A H IS D NEW S
Focused Instruction to Meet the Needs of Individual Learners During the spring of 2013, the three ele-
mentary campuses partnered to redesign the
way the three-tiered Response to Intervention (RtI) services are offered to AHISD students
at Howard, Cambridge and Woodridge Elementary.
The most important component of the ele-
mentary RtI framework is the quality of the
primary prevention level (the core curricu-
lum), where all students receive high-quality
instruction that is differentiated according to individual needs and is aligned with the cur-
riculum standards (Texas Essential Knowl-
edge and Skills—TEKS).
Thanks to the financial support of the
Alamo Heights School Foundation, new universal screeners were purchased in reading
and math for all elementary students. The
screeners provide teachers with meaningful information regarding student needs in the areas of fluency, comprehension, vocabulary,
spelling and phonemic awareness, as well as
mathematical computation and mathematical concepts in grades K-5.
These tools provide screening and progress
monitoring data that can be aggregated and used to compare and contrast the effectiveness of the core instruction as well as the effective-
ness of different instructional strategies. Teachers are sharing the results of the begin-
ning-of-the-year data from the universal screeners with parents during fall conferences
and will continue to monitor student progress,
as screeners will be administered again at se-
mester and in the spring. These tools provide
AHISD elementary teachers with meaningful
data to help differentiate their instruction to
best meet the individual needs of all learners
in the classroom.
18 | february 2014
78209 A H IS D
N EW S
Howard Takes Science to the
K I T C H E N
Students at Howard Early Childhood Center take their science lessons to the kitchen with the im-
plementation of the new Science Kitchen. Designed to help teachers engage their students through
interactive, thought-provoking scientific lessons, the Science Kitchen was made possible through the collaborative efforts of the Alamo Heights School Foundation, Howard ECC and Alamo Heights
High School.
With the kids in the kitchen, science is definitely more hands-on, challenging and engaging. www.78209magazine.com | 19
78209
N EIG H BORH OOD N EW S
By LESLIE FOLEY
CURIOUS ABOUT
vacant buildings, construction, unfinished business and wondering what’s moving in?
Streets are torn up, roads are in-need of repair, black tarps are the décor over at Artessa at Quarry Village, and around the corner the Meridian has been undergoing some costly and much-needed update and repairs. Have you noticed some new street signs or that you couldn’t get to point A from point B anymore? Just what is going on? I will try to find out. Guess who’s back in business? LA POSADA DEL REY has re-opened
in Carousel Court. Owners Ramiro and Jo Ann Valdez have opened a cozier,
more intimate restaurant. Same owners, same chef, and same workers are providing the same food you’ve known and returned for many times. This
APARTMENTS and responsible for overseeing the rehab of all 146 units
— a $2.5 million undertaking, including all new flooring, tile, stainless ap-
pliances, lighting, hardware, granite countertops, sinks, plumbing fixtures, paint, 2-inch blinds and shower door replacements in each unit. Other up-
Alamo Heights favorite features such best-sellers as enchiladas, fajitas, flau-
grades include a newly redesigned clubhouse and fitness center with a yoga
one other thing to cure my Mexican fix — the La Posada Giant Margarita.
Exterior improvements include rebranding with a new sign package, land-
tas, bistec ranchero and, of course, the homemade flan and sopapillas. And Muy bueno!
I spoke with Luke Holland, who works in the construction services de-
partment at the Lynd Company. He is on site daily at the MERIDIAN
20 | february 2014
room and juice bar.
scaping, energy-efficient LED parking garage lighting, pool decking repairs,
waterproofing and structural repair. This gated project is right across from
the Quarry and Lincoln Heights shopping areas. Targeted completion is set for early 2015.
78209
N EIG H BORH OOD N EW S
KENDRA SCOTT, the Texas-based designer, jeweler to the celebs and
fashion magazine favorite, has hung her shingle in the Quarry
Village.Austin-based Kendra Scott Jewelry is a multimillion-dollar global brand regularly seen on celebrity A-listers, featured in leading fashion
magazines and carried by retailers such as Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom.
Whether you’re giving to yourself or as a gift, it’s fun to shop and select
from statement necklaces, delicate earrings, dazzling bracelets, cocktail
rings and more. Guys, don’t be left out — there are cufflinks to add the perfect touch.
Shopping can be lots
of fun when you visit
BAKER TATUM, a new homeware shop on
Broadway in Alamo Heights specializing in flower containers, gor-
geous linens and garden
party-worthy
tions.
decora-
You’ll find Jon Hart
and Nest Candles, ex-
quisite statement pieces,
unique furnishings or
fabulous
linens
and
napkins. Make someone
happy with a wonderful gift — a unique container filled with orchids, a
favorite in the store — or purchase artistic glassware to sit on the coffee
table or to dress up a bookshelf. The women behind Baker Tatum are Jody
“Baker” Cochran and Nicole “Tatum” Nugent. Together they share a passion for finer things and now will share that passion with you.
If you have information to share, then drop me a line at leslieLfoley@ yahoo.com and let’s explore together. www.78209magazine.com | 21
78209 RES TAURA NT GUID E
AMERICAN 20NINE 255 E. Basse, #940 798-9463
STONE WERKS Broadway at Basse 823-3508
LION & ROSE ENGLISH PUB 5148 Broadway 822-7673
LA FONDA SUNSET RIDGE 6402 N. New Braunfels 824-4231
410 DINER 8315 Broadway 822-6246
TWIN SISTERS BAKERY AND CAFE 6322 N. New Braunfels 822-0761
GREEK PAPOULI’S GRILL 255 E. Basse, #384 804-1118
PALOMA BLANCA 5800 Broadway 822-6151
ANNE MARIES’S BISTRO 555 Funston Place 826-5800
ZEDRICK’S 5231 Broadway 824-6000
HAMBURGERS CHEESY JANE’S 4200 Broadway 826-0800
BIRD BAKERY 5912 Broadway 804-2473
ASIAN HSIU YU 8338 Broadway 828-2273
CHESTER’S HAMBURGERS 1006 N.E. Loop 410 805-8600
KOI KAWA 4051 Broadway 805-8111
FIVE GUYS BURGERS 260 E. Basse, #107 822-6200
MON THAI BISTRO 4901 Broadway 822-3253
FUDDRUCKERS 8602 Botts Ln. 824-6703
OSAKA JAPANESE STEAK AND SUSHI 4902 Broadway 822-0300
LONGHORN CAFE 1003 Rittiman at Harry Wurzbach 822-7272
BOARDWALK BISTRO 4011 Broadway 824-0100 BROADWAY 50/50 5050 Broadway 826-0069 CAPPY’S 5011 Broadway 828-9669 CAPPYCCINO’S BISTRO 5003 Broadway 828-6860 EARL ABEL’S 2101 Austin Highway, #175 822-3358 EZ’S BRICK OVEN & GRILL 255 E. Basse 804-1199 EZ’S BRICK OVEN & GRILL 6498 N. New Braunfels 828-1111 GOOD TIME CHARLIE’S 2922 Broadway 828-5392 J. ALEXANDER’S 255 E. Basse, #1300 824-0275
P. F. CHANG’S 255 E. Basse 507-1000 SUSHI ZUSHI 999 E. Basse 826-8500
ITALIAN CERRONI’S PURPLE GARLIC 1017 Austin Highway 822-2300
TONG’S THAI 1146 Austin Highway 829-7345
MILANO RISTORANTE 1907 Nacogdoches 821-6373
BARBECUE BUN ‘N’ BARREL 1150 Austin Highway. 828-2829
PAESANOS 555 E. Basse 828-5191
THE BARBEQUE STATION 610 N.E. LOOP 410 691-3332
MAGIC TIME MACHINE 902 N.E. Loop 410 828-1470
EUROPEAN CRUMPETS 3920 Harry Wurzbach 821-5454
MAMA'S CAFE 2442 Nacogdoches 826-8303
FREDERICK’S 7701 Broadway 828-9050
NOSH 1133 Austin Highway 826-6674
HOFBRAU & BEER GARDEN 7310 Jones Maltsberger 290-8066
SILO ELEVATED CUISINE 1133 Austin Highway 824-8686
LA MADELEINE 4820 Broadway 829-7291
22 | february 2014
ORDER UP 999 E. Basse 824-9600
PIATTI 255 E. Basse 832-0300 SORRENTO 5146 Broadway 824-0055 TRE TRATTORIA 4003 Broadway 805-0333 MEXICAN/LATIN ADELANTE 21 Brees Blvd. 822-7681 BETO’S 8421 Broadway 930-9393
PICANTE GRILL 3810 Broadway 822-3797 SOLUNA COCINA MEXICANA 7959 Broadway 930-8070 TACO GARAGE 8403 Broadway 826-4405 TOMATILLOS CANTINA 3210 Broadway 824-3005 URBAN TACO 290 E. Basse, #105 332-5149 PIZZA CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN 255 E. Basse 424-2014 FLORIO’S PIZZA 7701 Broadway 805-8646 GRIMALDI’S PIZZA 330 E. Basse, #101 832-8288 VOLARE GOURMET PIZZA 5054 Broadway 828-3354 SOUTHWESTERN CANYON CAFE 225 E. Basse 225-0722 STEAKS THE BARN DOOR 8400 N. New Braunfels 824-0116 FLEMING’S STEAKHOUSE 255 E. Basse 824-9463 RUTH'S CHRIS 7720 Jones Maltsberger 821-5051
Book & Author Luncheon
78209 09-L IVES
San Antonio Gardenia & Musical Club
Poinsettia Ball
www.78209magazine.com | 23
POLICE BLOTTER ALAMO HEIGHTS POLICE DEPARTMENT Criminal Investigations Division 6116 Broadway, San Antonio, TX 78209 (210) 822-2164 FAX (210) 822-7111
01/18/14 Alcohol Violation 4900 blk. Broadway 18-year-old female found walking during early morning hours under the influence of alcohol. Subject issued citation for consumption of alcohol by a minor and transported to local university. Released to on-duty campus officer. 01/17/14 Theft 300 blk. Cardinal Jewelry reported stolen from home. Resident suspects contractors who were performing work at residence between November and December. Alcohol Violation 01/17/14 5100 blk. Broadway Vehicle stopped for speeding found to have 7 occupants all under age 21 and all under influence of alcohol with exception of driver. 6 passengers received citations for consumption of alcohol by minor and released to driver who transported them back to dorm units of nearby university. Identity Theft 01/15/14 100 blk. E Oakview Resident discovered someone used his identity to open several charge accounts and purchase cell phone. Narcotics Violation 01/15/14 700 blk. Corona Driver of vehicle found to have several active warrants issued for his arrest by Bexar County and San Antonio Municipal Court. Officers found 3 bags of methamphetamines on his person along with drug paraphernalia. Driver transported to jail. Criminal Mischief 01/11/14 200 blk. Viesca Unknown subjects entered swimming pool area during overnight hours. Subjects damaged property, threw trash and debris into pool. Arrest Warrant 01/10/14 12200 San Pedro AHPD Detectives secured arrest warrant for carpet installer involved in theft of property from residence on College Blvd. Subject arrested without incident.
24 | february 2014
01/07/14 Public Intoxication 4700 blk. Broadway Intoxicated male suffering from laceration to head found stumbling along roadway. Subject treated by EMS and transported to detoxification facility. 01/05/14 Theft 200 blk. Harrison Resident reported jewelry stolen from home sometime since December 15th. Resident suspects new housekeeper. Public Intoxication 01/02/13 100 blk. Arcadia Male subject left residence after fight with girlfriend. Subject returned a short time later and began kicking the door. Officers detained subject found to be under the influence of alcohol. Caller refused to prosecute, subject released to relative. Assault - Family Violence 01/01/13 5700 N New Braunfels Uncle arrived home creating disturbance. Situation escalated to assault when uncle began physically pushing family member and child. Uncle taken into custody for family violence and transported to jail. DWI 3rd 12/28/13 6500 blk. Broadway Vehicle stopped for crossing into oncoming lanes of traffic. Driver found to be under the influence of alcohol and impaired. Driver charged with Felony DWI due to 2 previous DWI convictions. Evading Arrest 12/27/13 6100 blk. Broadway Vehicle stopped for erratic driving. Female driver ran away from officer on foot. Subject apprehended short distance away and placed under arrest. Vehicle Burglary 12/25/13 100 blk. Barilla Parked vehicle unlawfully entered to gain access to purse left in open view. Theft 12/24/13 400 blk. College Blvd Jewelry and camera reported stolen by homeowner. Resident suspects contractors working in area.
DWI - Enhanced 01/09/14 5100 blk. Broadway Driver stopped found to be under the influence of alcohol and impaired. Driver booked on enhanced DWI charges due to having 1 previous conviction for DWI and 2 pending cases for DWI.
Vehicle Burglaries 12/23/13 Various locations Suspicious vehicle observed driving aimlessly on residential streets. Investigation revealed stolen property and narcotics inside vehicle.
Theft 01/08/14 5100 blk. Broadway Wallet reported stolen from unsecure office left unattended for a brief period.
Theft 12/22/13 100 blk. Wildrose Package delivered to front porch by UPS stolen while resident was away.
78209 W IN E
& D IN E
By RON BECHTOL
Piatti
Photo by Janet Rogers
@The Quarry
Some restaurants seem to twist in the wind, constantly in search of the next new thing. Alligator kale? You bet — at least until roasted cauliflower takes over as the darling of the day. And while we’re at it, let’s throw some pork belly on both of them. Piatti is not this kind of restaurant. True, a look at the current menu suggests that a previous emphasis on locally sourced produce seems to have diminished. But otherwise a certain familiarity prevails. Pollo alla matone may now be described only (and less romantically) as “chicken breast grilled under a brick,” the locally raised, all-natural part of the description having been deleted, but it’s basically still the same appealing product. Personal favorite ravioli alla limone, stuffed with spinach and ricotta and sauced with a wine-lemon-cream sauce remains steadfast. With a variation on that lemon sauce firmly in mind, I moved into only slightly new territory for a recent visit. Piatti’s cannelloni filled with lobster and crab and napped with the lemon sauce embellished with capers and diced raw tomato (small portion $12.95, large portion $16.95), is an almost perfect dish — tender pasta, well-developed flavors, luxurious appearance. The only issue, and some might consider it altogether minor, is with the texture of the uniform filling: It would be encouraging to encounter a chunk of lobster from time to time. Just so you know, a small portion of two tubes is plenty for the average diner. Especially if he or she (and it’s a mixed crowd at noon with businessmen coexisting happily with daddies taking kids to lunch and women chatting in groups) has ordered one of Piatti’s signature salads. Salads here are not only thoughtfully composed, but (and these, too, can be had in small or large size) they are generously portioned. A small baby spinach rendition with fried “tobacco” onion rings, romano cheese and a mellow balsamic vinaigrette might have made an entire meal on another day, with the ample serving of good bread and spicy olive oil dip filling in any gaps. Dessert didn’t seem necessary. But I ordered it anyway, wanting just a little more time in the light-filled, flower-accented space. The choice of a custard tart made with fresh lemon juice and served with pillowy whipped cream on the side will not come as a surprise; Piatti seems to have a way with the citrus, and the tart was no exception. Attentive service only adds a grace note to the experience. The dining space at Piatti’s newest outpost in the Eilan development on IH10W has quite a different look, with more emphasis on the bar, and that location deserves investigation. But for those perfectly happy to keep revisiting The Quarry, happy hour here is both a social experience and a way to sample well-priced appetizers such as the excellent vegetable fritto misto with, once again, limone—this time in the form of a lemon caper aioli. www.78209magazine.com | 25
78209 Photo courtesy Alamo Heights Independent School District
VINTAGE VIEW
Centennial photo showcases one of the first libraries in Alamo Heights Independent School District.
26 | february 2014