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The garcias hit the flavorjackpotinLakeCharles –digging intoperfect gumbo, heartypo’boys,and thefreshestseafood. This is howtheypackfor joyinLakeCharles. Howwill you?
It’s Red,White, & GreenThyme at Milberger’s
FRESH-CUT
CHRISTMASTREES
After Thanksgiving, explore SanAntonio’smost trusted selection of Christmastreesfresh-cut, water-displayed and hand-selectedfor shape and needle retention:
• Noble Firs
• Norman Firs
• Fraser Firs
• Sizes: 5’ to 12’tall Christmas
DECEMBER 13 &14, 11AM-2PM
• BalloonArt
• Face Painting
• Chili& FritoPie
• FamousHot Wassail
• Little RedChoo-Choo (FREE ridesfor kids)
PHOTOSWITH SANTA
All proceedsbenefit the SanAntonioChildren’sShelter
Remember to bring atoy for theBlue SantaToy Drive
C
haarrmms s f foor r C Chhrriissttmmaas s
46 Holiday Spirit Afamily legacy is served daily on these plates at Isidore.
50 Tiles and Traditions Mahjong gathers generations, community together.
56 TopAttorneys 445 peer-nominated legal professionals who stand out.
IN THE LO OP
14 History
River Walk tradition has lit up the holidays since 1975
16 City News
First San Antonio Marathon arrives full of festivities.
18 Maker
Wildcraft General brings slowliving style to San Antonio.
EA T+DRINK
22 EatHere Now
Petit Coquin delivers Parisian simplicity to Southtown.
24 Imbibe
Anacacho at St. Anthony serves bold flavors with Western flair.
30 Travel
Where to stay, eat and explore in Carmel-by-the-Sea.
34 Mi Casa
S.A. designer elevates private jet interiors to sky-high luxury.
122 Hopscotch
‘Quantum Trampoline’ lets you bounce through the universe. WO RK OF ART
On thecover
San Antonio Magazine celebrates its 20th anniversary in November.
Illustration by Imelda Robles
THIS IS THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY ISSUE OF SANANTONIOMAGAZINE. THAT IS AREMARKABLE achievementfor aprinted city magazine in today’smedia landscape. Themagazine’s stayingpower speaks to theimportanceofa publicationthatreflectsthe lifeand lifestyles of SanAntonio’s population
SanAntonio Magazine hasswitchedbetween publishing monthlytobimonthly severaltimes in itstwo decades. Throughout that time,the magazine hasalwayssharedstories of thepeople, places,historyandlookedforwardtothefutureofthiscity.Thatisreflectedintheremembrances from each of thefiveeditors of SanAntonio Magazine within thesepages
In this milestoneissue,werevisit both nostalgiaand what’s new.
In Imbibe,a cozy Westernlook designed by KimWolfe paired with Chef LeoDavila’s flavorful bitesatAnacachobreathe freshenergyinthe historic St.Anthony hotel, aholiday must-visit Theholidaysare atimetoslowdown, to gather with family andfriends,and to give thanksand celebratethe season
Asyouspendtimewithlovedones,you’llwanttoaddamadgameofMahjongtothemix.Read aboutlocal groups who’ve been playingfor yearsand whereyou cangotoget in on theaction.
Checkout thenew WildcraftGeneral neighborhood apothecary in DignowityHill, wherecustomersareinvitedtogather,sharespace,andsitandhaveacupofteaorcoffeewhiletheyshopfor unique gifts.
Feastyoureyesonthe high-flyingluxuryjet interiorsdesignedbyUniversityofthe Incarnate WordgraduateNatalieRodriguez.Sherecentlywasfeaturedinthe“WomenRockWings”Ownthe ClimbcampaignthatcelebratesHispanicleaders whoare shapingthe industry,and youcan read abouther in Mi Casa
StoryIdeas, Letters to theEditor editor@sanantoniomag.com
STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP SANANTONIO MAGAZINE
Statement of Ownership, management and circulation (required by 39 U.S.C. 3685). 1. San Antonio Magazine 2. Publication No. USPS 008-350 3. Oct1,25. 4. Bi-Monthly, 5. No. of issues published annually, 6. 6. Annual subscription price $30.00; 7. PO Box 2171, San Antonio, TX 78297-21719
Names and addresses of Publisher and Editors are: Publisher, Mark Medici, P.O. Box 2171, San Antonio, Texas 78297-2171. Editor, Jennifer McInnis, P.O. Box2171, San Antonio,Texas 78297-2171. 10.Owner:Hearst Newspapers, LLC, mailing address: 300 West 57th Street, New York, NY 10019.Members of Hearst Newspapers, LLC are: Hearst Communications, Inc. (Managing Member), and Newspaper Holding, Inc., mailing address: 300 West 57th Street, New York, NY 10019 11.See Item 10 above. 15.A.Totalno. copies printed (Net Press Run). Average no.copies each issue during preceding 12 months, 18,978. Actual no. copies of single issue published nearest to filing date 21,166. B. Legitimate Paid and/or Requested Distribution. 1. Outside-County Subscriptions. Average no. copies each issue during preceding 12 months, 13,786. Actualno. copies of single issue published nearest to filingdate, 17,486. 3. Sales through dealersand carriers, street vendors, counter sales and other outside USPS. Average no. of copies each issue during preceding 12 months, 464. Actual no. copies of single issue published nearest to filing date, 455. C. Total Paid and/or Requested Circulation. Average no. copies each issue during preceding 12 months, 14,250. Actualno. copies of single issue published nearest to filingdate 17,941. D. Nonrequested Distribution. 1. OutsideCounty, Averageno. copies each issue during preceding 12 months, 1,614. Actual no. copies of single issue published nearest to filing date, 1. 4. Outside the Mail, Average no.copies each issue during preceding 12 months, 1,743. Actual no. copies of single issue published nearest to filing date, 1,925. E. Total Nonrequested Distribution. Average no. copies each issue during preceding 12 months, 3,357. Actual no. copies of single issue published nearest to filing date, 1,926. F. Total Distribution. Average no. copies each issue during preceding 12 months, 17,607. Actual no.copies of single issue published nearest to filing date 19,867. G. Copies not Distributed. Average no.copies each issue during preceding 12 months, 1,371. Actual no. copies each issue published nearest to filing date, 1,299. H. Total Average no. copies each issue during preceding 12 months, 18,978. Actualno. copies of single issue published nearest to filing date, 21,166. I. Percent Paid and/or Requested Circulation. Averageno. copies each issue during preceding 12 months81%.Actual no. copies of single issue published nearest to filing date 90%. 17.Icertify that the statements made by me above are correct and complete. Mark Medici, Publisher.
BY MELISSARENTERIA
IN THE LO OP
Twinkling Traditions
Theenduring magic of the River Walk holiday lights
TAKING IN THE FESTIVE RIVER WALK lights is aChristmastime traditionformanySanAntoniofamilies.Generationsofthecity’sresidentsand visitors have made thedowntown displaya part of theirholiday celebration since1975.
Like with many traditions,noone likes change.And it seemsevenSan Antonio’s squirrels don’twantanyonemessing with it
Newholiday lightsinstalledin2011along theRiver Walk were closer to theground thanpreviousdisplays,andthatmeantsquirrels were able to chew theirway through many of them.Accordingto“SanAntonio
Express-News”archives,therodents’holiday feastcausedthousands of dollars in damage.
Chatteronsocialmedia andmakingthe rounds across thecitypoked funatit, saying either thesquirrels likedthe tasteofthe lights or wanted to do theirparttoget ridof theunpopular decorations.
SanAntonio City Council’s2011decision to replacethe holiday display’sincandescentlightswitharound1.76millionenergy-efficientLED lightsdidn’timpress holiday revelers
Oneofthe biggest criticisms wasthe switch to wrapping lightsaroundthe trunks of treesliningthe RiverWalkinstead of
FI
PHOTOS
hangingthe lightsfrombranchesand letting them dangle from treetops.
“The cascadinglightshanging overhead andthe twinklingtheyproduce on thewater arepartofthe magicofthe holiday season in SanAntonio,” wrotethe SanAntonio Express-News editorialboard,agreeing with widespread criticismofthe city’s decision to modify aholiday custom
Transforming a3-mile portionofthe RiverWalkintoanilluminatedholiday display firststarted on Nov. 28,1975, when MayorLila Cockrell flippedthe switch on 35,000 lights.
TheRiver Walk lightswereanimmediate hit, anditdidn’ttakelongfor annual treks downtown to become apopular custom
And,itseems,eventhecityconcededthat youdon’t mess with tradition.
Thecity, whichin2011took over theRiver Walk holiday displayfromthe Paseodel RioAssociation,addeddraping LEDlights in 2012. ★
LACE UP! SanAntonio Marathon
Debuts in December
Newrunning tradition featuresa5K, half-marathon and full marathon
The inauguralSan AntonioMarathon will kick offDec.5-7 in the heartofdowntown. This will be a historic weekend, as thousands across Texasand beyond arelacinguptheir running shoesinanticipation.
Last November,San AntonioSportsincollaboration with thecityofSan Antonioannouncedthemarathonasareplacementofthe Rock ’n’RollMarathon. After16years,a new
eventisintownand expected to succeed. Therearethreedistanceoptionsforparticipants:A 5K,a half-marathonand afullmarathon.The5K,opentoages7andolder,willtake placeonDec.5.Itwill kick offat7 p.m. beginning andendingatHemisfair.The 5K is presentedbyHolidaysonHoustonStreet,andthe course will be completedwithin1hour Thehalf-marathon,opentoages14+,begins at7:15a.m.Dec.7.Withfourhourstocomplete
theroute,runners will beginatMainPlaza on DolorosaStreetandendatHemisfaironSouth AlamoStreet. It is ashort trip southand then back up into theheart of downtown Runners will pass throughmultiplehistoric neighborhoods, includingKingWilliam, NorthSt. Mary’s Street andthe PearlDistrict. Alongtheway,theyalsowillseelandmarkslike theAlamo,FortSam Houston, Brackenridge Park andmore.
Boththehalf-marathonandfullmarathon will startatthe same placeand time,but full marathon runners will have sevenhours to finish.Following asimilarbut longer route, they will travel farthernorth into theOlmos Park andAlamo Heightsareas.Runners must be at least16years oldtoparticipate in thefull marathon Thefinishlinefiestafor thefullmarathon andhalf-marathonwilltakeplaceatHemisfair.
Withmorethanthreedozenrunningclubs acrossthecity,morethan18,000peopleareexpectedtoparticipateintheSanAntonioMarathon.Friends andfamily membersare welcome to support theirrunner(s) outsideofthe variouslandmarks andalong theroute
In addition to theraces,there will be a Health andFitness Expo at theHenry B. Gon-
zalezConventionCenterthroughouttheweekend. This will take placefromnoon to 7p.m Dec. 5and from 9a.m.to5 p.m. Dec. 6.
With this year’s motto,“Whereevery step tells astory,” it is evidentthatone of theSan AntonioMarathon’sleading functionsisto warmlywelcomediversitythroughouttherunning community Registration is availableatsanantonio marathon.com untilNov.30. ★
Wildcraft General owners TylerBeakleyand Kelsey Minard
Step Inside WildcraftGeneral
ushopenthe doorstoWildcraft Generaland thepaceinstantly shifts.Theairhumswithquietcuriosity; each corner is artfully staged,layered with vintagetreasures and handpicked apothecary goodsmeant to be used,lovedandlivedwith.Attheheartofitall sits acozycoffeeand teabar.The kind of spot that invitesyou to slow down,sip something warm andlet your browsing turn unhurried. Founders TylerBeakley andKelseyMinard firststeppedintoa smallbusinesswith Relyt, awellnessbrand they launched midpandemic.Pop-ups andcommunity markets helped them build afollowing,but it wasn’t untila nearby vendor whisperedabout an availablestorefrontthatthe idea of apermanent spacefeltpossible. With thesupport of encouraginglandlords,theydecided to take theleap— adecisionthatturnedyears of dreaming into aretailshop.
Theirguidingprincipleshowsineverydetail: salvaged shelvesstacked with curiosities,
adressing room pieced together from estatesale findsand just afew newtouches —the coffeebar andits checkeredtilefloor
“Wewantedtobuild with intention,” Beakleyand Minard say. “Minimal waste, maximalpurpose.”
That deliberate, scavenger-styleapproach drewcuriousneighborslongbeforethedoors officially opened,turning construction into quietstorytelling.
Inside,the shopping experience feelsrefreshingly personal andtactile.Customers leavewishlists in awell-worn Rolodex, and theownerscallwhenthe perfectpiece arrives. To deepen that senseofcommunity, they’vealsolauncheda membership program,rewarding regulars with perkslike discountsontea refills,early access to new
Theshelves themselves brim with finds that feel discovered,not mass-produced: weatheredhats, vintagejackets,wellthumbedbooksand apothecary products chosen with care.Everyherbalblendistested (and even approved by theirdogs) before it earnsa spot,underscoringtheir beliefthat whatyoubringhomeshouldfeelbothbeautifuland trusted.
ForBeakley andMinard, theheart of Wildcraftisn’tjustthegoodsontheshelves —it’sthe people whowalkthrough the door.The quiet“thankyou foropening this”theyhearalmostevery dayreminds them whytheybuilt it in thefirst place: to slow things down,tomakeshoppingfeel personal againand to create aspace where neighborsactually connect.
WildcraftGeneral on the East SideinDignowity Hill.
No OnionSoup, No Problem
Petit Coquin charms withmodern, neo-bistro approach
FTER ONLY AFEW MONTHS, PETIT COQUINHAS collected accoladesfor itsstreamlined menu,warmservice andoutstanding wine list. Butsometimes,peoplestill wonder: Where’sthe onionsoup? Andthe escargot?
TexasMonthly,amongothers,raisedthatquestion when it calledthisplace “the French restaurant Texas needs.”
Instead,PetitCoquintakesitsinspirationfromthe neo-bistro movement that emergedinlate-’90s Paris, when chefstrained at Michelin-starredpalaces decided to cook simple yetcreativedishesatpricesmore accessiblethanmulticourse tastingmenus
What IloveisthatSan Antonionow hasroomfor both terrificbistroclassics andthese deceptivelysimpleneo-bistrodishesfromchefMax Mackinnon. His cookingdemonstratesanunderstated eloquence honedbyyears of high-level work,and everything pairswonderfullywithadeepandthoughtfulwinelist.
Take thelentils vinaigrette— aperfect balanceof brightdressingandearthylegumes,toppedwithslices of cold roastchicken anda generousdollop of creamy aioli. Icould have eatenthatdishfor allthree courses. Or thenote-perfectbraised leeks.
This restaurant wasyears in themaking. Careyfirst metCarennMackinnonwhenshe wasa customer at TheMonterey, blownawaybythe food andwineprogram.She wasworking as awinesales repthenand hadn’t yetmet Max. Sheand Careystayedintouch, andwhenthe couple married,theytalkedabout collaborating on aproject.Thatconversationeventually ledtoPlusduVin,a Brooklynwinebar that marked EmptyStomach’s firstventure outsideSan Antonio. Meanwhile,theMackinnonsbuiltimpressiverésumés. Max’sVermont restaurant,Pistou, earned a James Beardnominationfor Best NewRestaurantin 2012.Mostrecently, he waschefand partneratLibertine,a more traditionalbistroinNew York’s West Village.Carennworkedaswinedirectorand sommelier at NewYorkstandouts Frenchette andEstela.
When Carenn wanted to return to herhometown andMax grew tiredofthe NewYorkgrind,San Antoniobecamethe obviouschoice. With Carey, they mappedout what they wanted —and what they didn’t want —toreplicate. Theresult: aneo-bistroserving oneseating anight,witha menu offering twochoices across threecourses
“Ifyou’reapickyeater,”Careysaid,“it’snotgoingto be foryou.”
Thepeoplewhogetitabsolutelyloveit.Therestaurant recently expanded with steakfritesfor walk-ins on Mondaysand lunchservice on Fridays.
This neo-bistro is alabor of love forthe threepartners andfor thecoupleworking as servers— Anne Ng andJeremyMandrell, formerly of Bakery Lorraine.
“Wewantsomethingthatsustainsitselffinancially, makesa littlemoney andmakes us happy,” Careysaid. We’relovingit, too. ★
BY EDMUND
PETIT COQUIN
Anacacho Coffee& Cantina
HERE’S NO POWER LIKE STAR POWER. OneofSan Antonio’spremier hotels became home to anew concept this spring driven by “Survivor”winnerand HGTV’s “Why theHeckDid I BuyThisHouse?” host KimWolfe andJames BeardAwardssemifinalistchefLeoDavila,who formerly operated thecritically acclaimedrestaurantStixs &Stone
Where KimWolfe’s style meets Leo Davila’s culinary innovation
Anacacho Coffee &Cantina opened in MayatTheSt.Anthonyhotel.Thecompletely refreshedspace wasdesignedbyWolfe Thenew baroccupiesthe room formerly home to thecocktailloungeHaunt just across thestreet from Travis Park in downtown SanAntonio
Theredesignbrought brightness, soft
shades of desert browns anda Western-inspired vibe to theformerlydarkand swanky room.Taxidermied Texasbison anda bobcat posedinmid-attempttocatch fleeing birds givethespaceaLoneStarappeal.Alargepaintingdubbed“ChuckTimeonthe Lazy R, Scene from Anacacho Ranch” by Harry Antony DeYoungdominates thebackwallofthe bar, castingthe historic legacy of thefamed West Texasranch over thevibrant room
WhileAnacachofeelslikeavibrantbarwitha deeplistofcocktails,ittakesamorefood-forward approach to itsexperiencethanits predecessor. Chef Davila’s signatureMexico-meets-Asia flavor profile is showcasedonthe Anacacho menu.Dishessuchasthe BaoBun Flight stars porkbelly,friedchickenandbarbacoapunctu-
ated with fieryhitsofkimchi. Hisminitostadasfeature pureed beansand nopalesalong with an Asianslaw. Thepapas bravas come dressedwitha miso aioli.
Davila’s approach to food is informed by hisMexican,Chinese andKoreanbackground.Thatmelding of traditions earned himaspotasaUNESCOChefAmbassadorrepresenting SanAntonio’s City of Gastronomydesignation—oneofonlytwocitiesinthe U.S. to have such amarkofdistinction
300 E. Travis St., 210-227-4392 anacachocoffeecantina.com.
Some of thehistory divesdeep here.The BourbonKingOld Fashioned, made with GarrisonBrotherssinglebarrelbourbon, pays tributetothe namesake chestnut stallion BourbonKing, whowas foaled in 1900 andgaverisetothe Chieffamily of American Saddlebreds
TheDoubleReins cocktail is basedon Wild Turkey 101Rye,yellowchartreuse, sweet vermouth andorangebitters.Its name also owes adebttothose famedSad-
dlebredstallions.A particular two-handed grip needed to controlthemwas perfected at Anacacho Ranch.
Anacacho also serves itsfunctionasa hotelcoffeeand breakfaststop. Coffee-based drinks canbeservedasa straight-upcup of joeorembellishedwithfrothymilk (lactoseandgluten-free milk alternatives areavailable)asa cappuccino or latte.There’s aSpicy Ginger Chai Latte if so desired.
Awiderange of breakfasttacos,servedon heirloomcornorflourtortillas,areavailable. If you’re feelingmoreluxuriant,perhaps opt fora MonteCristosandwich, served on Frenchtoastwithporkbellyandturkey,oran orderofwagyusteakandeggs,withfriedeggs, potatoes andchimichurri sauce. ★
ANACACHO COFFEE &CANTINA
Join SanAntonio Magazine at the BriscoeWestern ArtMuseum on June 5 foranunforgettableculinaryadventure at ourannual Best NewRestaurants event,wherethe spotlight shines on thenewestand most exciting restaurants in town!Checkout thefulllist here.Whereelsecan youtry nearlya dozenof SanAntonio’s best newdishes allatonce? In additiontocuisine from stellar eateries,eachticketalsoincludesexquisite wines from our friendsat Michael RosWinery,aswellassomegreat selections from otherlocal purveyors Plus,enjoy specialbites anddrinkscourtesyof Fredericksburg Food &Wine Festival
Forthe ultimate experience, come to the VIPpower hour, 6-7p.m., whereyou can be thefirst to tasteand sip, andchatwiththe chefs. VIPsnacks and specialtycocktails will be provided by previous Best NewRestaurants winners BarLoretta,and you’ll have access to theVIP lounge throughout the evening.
Stroll around theBriscoe listening to thelivejazzquartet,browsing some local artisans and samplingthe newest from thebrightestculinarytalentwith fabulous wineinhand —a fantasticway to spendanevening!
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Dr.Straightspecializes in both advanced vein treatmentand cosmetic procedures to providea comprehensivesolutiontoyourproblem. He is anationallyinvited speakerand publishedauthor. Join thethousands of happypatientswho decidedtodosomethingabout their vein problem.
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Unwind This Winter in California’s Cool Monterey County
SomethingaboutCalifornia’sCentral Coastdoeswonders forthe soul.Perhaps that’s whyfor years, MontereyCountyhasbeenahaven forartists,poets,actorsand writerslikeDoris Day, John Steinbeckand,mostrecently, Brad Pitt. Like many fellowTexans, Ifindmyselfmigratingwesttimeand again, seekingthe fragrantpineairandrestorativeseaviewsafforded by this quaint coastalsetting
Thepicturesque hamlet of Carmel-bythe-Seaisparticularlyenchanting, with its storybook streets, clandestinecourtyards andfloweringcottages.Thetown,whichcoversonly1 square mile,isuniquelyold fashioned. Here,there arenochain restaurants, stop lights, or even postal numbersonbusi-
nessesand residences.Instead,homes are marked by monikers like“Once Upon a Time”and “Dreamland.”
While everyseasoninCarmeloffers its gifts, theholidaysare especially charming, with crispcool evenings,warmcrackling firesandtwinklelightsateveryturn.Theseasonofficially begins on Dec. 5withHolidays in thePark, afestive eventwithtreeand menorahlightings,and visits from Santaand Martin theMagical Elf.
Hard as it maybetobreak away from the comfortableconfinesofCarmel, however, a bounty of adventureawaitsjustbeyondits city limits, from world-classgolftoawe-inspiringhikes,iconicdriving routes and award-winning food andwine. Here,we
break down howtospend alongweekendin this spectacularsection of theGoldenState, includingday tripstoCarmelValleyand unforgettablesojournstoPebbleBeach andthe legendaryBig Sur.
THURSDAY
If possible, startyourweekenda dayearly in Carmel-by-the-Sea, wherelifemoves at asnail’spaceand theworries of theworld seem simplersomehow.FromSan Antonio, youcan flydirectintoSan Francisco, followedbya three-hour drivesouth.Or book aflight into thepocket-size MontereyRegionalAirport just minutesfrom town,which is accessiblevia shortlay-
Thesun sets on asandy beach alongthe Pacific Ocean coastlineinCarmel, whichislocated in Monterey County in California.
Howtoslow down from Carmel to Big Sur
oversinPhoenix,Dallasand Denver
On arrival, checkintoVilla Mara,a 16room luxury boutique hoteltuckedintothe Carmel Point neighborhood.Thisintimate adults-onlyproperty, stepsfromCarmel Beach, feelslikestaying in awarmcoastal homedreamedupbythebelovedHollywood filmmakerNancy Meyers,withits neutral colorpalette,outdoor firepits andgardens brimming with plants
Aftersettlingin, walk to lunchatStationaery. Therestaurantislocated ashort stroll uphill, or borrowone of Villa Mara’s Linus Bikes, reserved exclusivelyfor guests.This chic neighborhood restaurant,owned by husband-and-wife duoAnthony andAlissa Carnazzo,servesseasonaldaily brunch and
Post-lunch,pop into thebevyoflocal shopssprinkled across town.A fewfavorites includeJan de Luz, with itsFrenchlinensembroidered in-house,along with HouseofCardoon,a technicolorconcept shop sellinghomegoodsand knickknacks in everycolor of therainbow.Tancredi& Morgen is anothersuperlative localhaunt that’s been offering artisanpottery,handblownglasswareandvintagehotelsilverfor thelast40years
As thesun begins to set, drivetoMission Ranchtotoast thetravelday.Thishistoric
property,owned by longtime resident,Oscar winnerand Carmel’s former mayor, Clint Eastwood,has apiano barand seatsoutside overlookinga verdantmeadow, complete with roamingsheep DinnerinCarmelisa sensoryfeast. For something ultradecadentand special, book atableatAubergineinsidetheRelais&ChâteauxL’Auberge Hotel, or,for an elevated yetrelaxed setting,headtoChezNoir. Following stintsatNoma, Quince andPer Se, chef Jonny Blackand hiswife, Monique, opened theirpopular restaurantintown, servingfresh seasonal fare with aSouthern twist. Theeaterydoesall itsbaking, dry-agingand pasta-makingin-houseand receivedaMichelinStarwithinitsfirstyear
The 17-Mile Drive offers breathtaking views of the California coast
of opening. Later, if nightcapscall, stop by Terry’s Lounge,withits rotation of jazz trios, acoustic sets andlocal performers striking an oldHollywood tone
FRIDAY
Thenextmorning,riseand shineovera cup ofcoffeeandawarmalmondcroissantdelivered freshtoVilla Mara from Sweet Elena’s ArtisanBakery. Take astrollonCarmel Beachand join thethrongs of locals walking theirdogsinthe briskpineair.Ifhikingis preferred, venturetonearbyPoint Lobos StateNatural Reservenestled alongMontereyBay,where youmight spot wintering whales andsea lions as youwindalong the floweringcoastline, fringedwithtowering cypresstrees
Later,it’stimetoweightheday’soptions. Formarineenthusiasts,nirvana awaits at therenownedMontereyBay Aquarium, whichranks amongthe topaquariums in theUnitedStates. Others mightfavor an electric catamarancruisewithMonterey BayEco Tours, with ridesthrough theElkhournSloughwatershed,which is rife with otters,seals andbirdlife.
Meanwhile,wineenthusiasts won’twant
to miss avisit to Carmel Valley, whichis20 minutesinlandbycar.There,you canstop forlunch at Earthbound Farms, an organic farm andmarketsellinghouse-madebreads andnaturalwine,alongwithflowers,toasted panini sandwiches andfresh salads.Continue onward forwinetasting at Georis Winery andHolmanRanch.Today,manytasting roomsare also availablebackinCarmel-bythe-Sea, likeAlbatross Ridgeand Silvestri Vineyards. Thelatterisowned by Academy Award-winning composer Alan Silvestri, whoseiconicfilm scores,including “Forrest Gump”and “Backtothe Future,” play as patronssampletheir wine.End theday with a golden,wood-fired pizza at localhot spot Le Bicyclette
SATURDAY
As themorning sunstretches over Carmel Beach, indulgeinone last breakfastatVilla Mara before checking out. On theway outof town,makea pitstopat5th Avenue Deli to purchase picnic provisions forlunch on the road,and if time permits, peek inside the 250-year-old Carmel Mission,datingto1771. Whetheryou’vehired adriverorrenteda car, theroughly 30-mile routesouth to Big
Surisunforgettable. Amid thetwistsand turnsonHighway1,stopandadmiretheaweinspiringviews offthe cliffs,and explorethe plethora of scenic trails andcoastal havens, like PfeifferBeach andAndrewMoleraState Park.The award-winning PostRanch Inn, an off-the-grid,bucketlisthotel experience for discerning travelersaroundthe world, is the finalstopofthe day.
Here,visitorsare invitedtounwind, unplug andimmersethemselvesinMother Nature’s ruggedsplendor. Equally splendorous arethe luxury accommodations, from contemporary tree houses tucked amongthe redwoodstostrikingcliffside andocean-facingsuites. While avisit to the hotel’shealingspa is ahighlight,others prefer soakinginthe property’s heated infinity poolsorpartaking in therange of curatedseasonalexperiences.Someofthese includeactivitieswiththe property’s falconryprogram,along with guided hikes throughancient forests to shaman-led spiritualsessions. Recently,PostRanch Innalsolauncheda complimentary celestial program, ledbyanin-houseguide Thanks to astate-of-the-artCelestron telescope, alongwiththe clear, moisture-free airand minimallight pollution,winter
Mediterranean-inspired boutiquehotelCasa Palmero featuresjust24rooms andsuites, making it oneofthe most intimatehotels in the region.
Formany, Post Ranch’sculinaryreputation is reason enough to visit. Elevated in both geographyand approach,the esteemed restaurantSierraMarboastswallsofglassand porthole windowsoverlookingthe Pacific Ocean, giving patronsthe feelingofdiningin theclouds. Locally andethically sourcedingredientscomprisethe hyper-seasonal prix fixe dinnermenu, with an award-winning list of more than 3,200wines
SUNDAY
Thenextmorning,takea briskwalkalfresco andenjoy thehotel’s complimentary breakfast before packingupand headingout.The weekend’sfinal port of call awaits at Pebble Beach, home to world-classgolf, magnificent mansions andthe iconic 17-Mile Drive.
This scenic thoroughfare,regardedas oneofthe most breathtaking coastalroutes on theplanet, is also home to Casa Palmero, aMediterranean-inspiredboutiquehotel blanketedinlushlandscaping,trellised walkways andtiledpatios. Thereare just 24 roomsand suites at thenewly revamped property,makingitone of themostintimate hotels in theregion.
home.The accommodationsoozecomfort, with theirtones of honeyandtaupe, andmix ofleatherandwood,nottomentiontheirgas fireplaces,deep soakingtubs, privateterraces andpersonalvalets. Meanwhile,the hotel’sexclusive partnershipwithLexus allows guests to explore17-Mile Driveatleisure, with picnic basketsavailabletounpackby thesea
Take advantageofthe former or walk to lunchatthe TapRoom on thePebbleBeach Golf Linksfor loaded Cobb salads andprime steaks in atavernlikeenvironment covered inprizedgolfmemorabilia.Thehotel’sproximitytothisiconiccourseisamajordrawfor golf enthusiastsnearand far, many of whom
alsotryoutTheHayPar-3coursedesignedby TigerWoods.
Golfingaside,othersvisit Casa Palmero forits pamperingpanache.The hotelboasts aWellnessMiniBarstockedwithpercussion massagers,infraredsauna blankets,PEMF therapymatsand CBDsoaks,while restorativetreatmentstakeplaceattheaward-winning Forbes Five-StarSpa at PebbleBeach Forsomething entirely unique,inquire aboutthe After-Dark Floating SoundBath, whichtakes placeatnight in thehotel’s moonlit pool.
With dusk descending on thefinal dayof thetrip, grab acomplimentary cocktail at Casa PalmerobeforedinneratThe Bench. This restaurant serves up savory starters and decadent entrées,including Cabernet beef shortribsand seared seascallops,withunbeatable viewsofPebbleBeach’s world-famous 18th hole illuminatedbystarlight
No matterhow long onestays here,or howoften onereturns,mostwill agreeMontereyCountyhas itsown breed of magic. As youdepartthe next morning, with colorful memories in tow, letthe reverieand inspiration from thelongweekendlinger— until your next visit.
Tip: WhileUberisaccessibleinboth Carmel andPebbleBeach,venturing to BigSur requires aprivate chauffeur or rental car. ★
VISITBAYCITYTX.ORG
Casa Palmero is located near the Pebble Beach Golf Links, home to world-classgolfing.
RiversidePark RiversidePark Fat Grass FatGrass Dia d Dia d losMuertosFestivalelos MuertosFestival Matago Matago daBeach daBeachr r
Cabins of Distinction
Natalie Rodriguez’s high-flying designs
The phrase flight of fancytakes on anew meaningwhenyou boarda VVIP privatejet with glamorous interiorsdesignedbySan Antonio’sown Natalie Rodriguez. An accomplished, award-winning interior designer, with11yearsofexperience, Rodriguezspecializes in customizingBoeingand Airbus aircraftinteriors (narrowand wide body)for a storiedclientelethatincludesheads of state, ultra-high-net-worth,highprofile individualsand Fortune100 corporations andother stylishjet setters.Now theprincipal at her owneponymous firm —Natalie Rodriguez, Luxury Design —she beganher internship at GoreDesigninSanAntonio.That’swhereshe firstexperienced theonboard lavishness of a wide-bodyheadofstateaircraft.Natalienever looked back.
“Women Rock Wings, especially through their Own The Climb campaign, has been a powerful reminder how powerful it is when women uplift one another.None of us climb alone.”
Natalie Rodriguez
“I knew then that this wasmyfuture,”she says
Always fascinated by airtraveland how aircraft connect people around theworld, Rodriguezgrewupflyingoften.Evenasa teenager,shewasspellboundbytravelandinterior design,but she’dnever imagined one dayshe’d design “flyingpalaces.” Sherecalls howshe relishedthe moment afrienddescribedheraunt’sjobdesigningtheinsidesof privateaircraft.
“I didn’t know that jobexisted.Thatwas my a-ha moment,” shesays.
Graduating from University of theIncarnate Word with aBachelorofArtsinInterior EnvironmentalDesign, Rodriguezwentonto workfor threeVVIPcompletioncenters,includingGoreDesignCompletions,AERIALuxuryInteriors(bothformerlyinSanAntonio)
andCitadel CompletionsinLakeCharles,La. In 2019,while at AERIA, herBBJ MAX8 concept wasshortlistedfor theInternational Yacht& AviationAwardsinVenice.Withthathonor,Rodrigueztook flight,landing in thefront rowof theglobaldesigncommunity.Ultimately, she openedherownpracticeinSanAntonioin2022 toserveclientsacrosstheglobe.Thoughshetravelsworldwide forprojectsand client meetings, she’sgratefultolivenearfamily,whomshecreditsfor encouragingher creativity,resilienceand discipline.
“Women Rock Wings, especially through theirOwn TheClimbcampaign, hasbeen a powerful reminder howpowerfulitiswhen womenupliftone another. None of us climb alone— andthatspiritofsupport is somethingI bringintoevery part of my work,” she says
With20aircraftcompletedtodateanduntold proposalsand concepts that embracethe full rangeofaircrafttypes underher belt,Rodrigueznotes that each projectisunique.
“Takinganarrow-bodysizeaircraftasanex-
ample, arefurbishment cantakeanywhere from 5-7months, while acompletioncan take 12-14months,dependingonwhat’srequiredor desired,”Rodriguez says
As in theaircraftshe designs, Rodriguez’s personal aestheticemanatespeacefulnessand purposeful tranquility.
“I’m especially drawntowardlotsoflight, andI liketobring in naturalelements: walnut, antiquegoldaccents, cleanlines with softness,”she says
Naturally,she brings that viewpointtoplay as sheunpacks andstrives to realizea client’s vision fortheir plane. Thesky’s thelimit in termsofthe aircraft’s aestheticormood
“Welisten,”saysRodriguez,who likes to “layernaturaltextures,lightinganddetailsthat bringa senseofcalmand interest.”
Sheand herteamenhance aircraft interiorswithaviation-certifiedluxuryelements, includingleather,richfabrics,wool or silk carpets,veneers, stoneand fine metalfinishes. Shestrives to bringquiet luxury andserenity intothemixnomatterthecustomplanforthe plane.
“Wemakeinteriors that don’tjustlook good,but feel good andworkwell,”she says, noting that interiorsmustmeet strict aviation regulationswhile deliveringpeerless luxury Emblematic of Rodriguez’ssignature elegant style, SOLRISE, herlatestBBJ 787-8concept with Boeing Business Jets,has “storytellingwoven into everysurface anddetail.”
Designed with upmarket swankvibes,it mightbea light-dappled boutique hotelora tonycocktailbar.Thoughcontemporary,itexudesavintageopulencewithlashingsofHollywoodRegencychic.Think:high-glossfinishes, dramatic shapes,gold-yaccentsand pops of sumptuousgreen furnishings. On board, aprimary bedroom holdsa privatecinema, abar beckons, anda convertibleconferenceroom doublesasa formal dining area.Nearthe circle-shaped Main Lounge +CoffeeBar,two guestbedroomsaccommodate additional passengersfor arestorative flight
It’saplanewe’dallliketotakeforajourney to anywhere. ★
TWO DECADES OF HEART
Editorsreflect on their favorite moments
BY JENNIFERMCINNISAND PREVIOUS SANANTONIO MAGAZINE EDITORS
Novemberisthe 20th anniversarymonth of San AntonioMagazine. Twenty yearsofsharing stories aboutthe people,placesand cultureofthis beautifulcity. Iinvited each of thepreviouseditors to sharetheir favorite momentsduringtheir tenure.Sadly, founding editor Sharon Wong died in 2023.I thoughtit fitting to republishher very firsteditor’sletterfromthe November 2005 Best of theCityissue.Init, sheprovided theroadmap that each of us have followed. Ihopeyou enjoythese reflectionsand much as Ihave.
Sharon Wong
Founding Editor, 2005-2008 (Deceased 2023)
From thestrikinghistoricarchitecturedowntown alongthe windingRiver Walk,tothe rollingoaksinthe lush Hill Country, San Antonioistruly beautiful. Butthere is so much more here than eye-pleasing aesthetics.Thisis avibrant modern city shaped by arichcultural heritage,blessedwitha generous heartand a pioneeringvision. It is filledwithwonderful people whoare notonlygraciousand welcoming, butwho take prideinhavinganenduring senseoffamily,community andtradition
Thewarmwelcome SanAntonio Magazine
Sharon Wong
hasreceivedhas been phenomenal.Weare trulyhonored andproud to have thesupport of topbusinessleaders,chambersof commerce, nonprofitartsorganizations and civicgroups. ThepremiereissueofSan AntonioMagazineowesa debt to theoverwhelming dedication of ourstaff, as well as to theready acceptance from membersof thecommunity such as ourEditorial Advisory Council, writersand photographers. We couldn’t have produced such ahighqualityand allencompassing publication withouttheir tremendous support!
TheBestofthe City is notonlyour first coverstory,itreflectsthe creative philosophy that embodies SanAntonio Magazine.In each bimonthlyissuewewill strive to capture theuniquespiritand sparklingcultural diversitythatmakes ourcityone of themost inviting places in whichtolive. We will showcase thebestofwhatSan Antoniohas to offer in cuisine, homesand gardens, fashion, arts andeventsthrough entertaining,informative editorialand stunning photography.
It is ourgoalfor SanAntonio Magazine to be atimelyresourcefor ourreaders to discover— andrediscover— thefascinating, people,placesand pleasuresofthiscitythat we call home
Sit back,relax andenjoy SanAntonio Magazine.You neverknow, youmight find somethingelsetoloveabout thecity.
Here’s to ourpremiereissue …and remember,there’s more to come.
Rachel Benavidez Editor, 2008-2012
Cheeseenchiladas. My very firstmealin SanAntonio wasthe Enchilada Plateat Mi Tierra.I was10years old, freshfroma family road trip up I-37 forFiesta, when we stoppedatthe landmark Market Square restaurant.Itwas sensoryoverload in thebestway:piñatas,mariachis, pandulce anda Christmastreeforestin April. Ididn’tknowitthen, butthat moment wouldbecomemyintroduction to SanAntonio’s cultural rhythm andculinarysoul.
Decadeslater,whenI steppedinto theroleofeditoratSan AntonioMagazine in 2008,I carried that same wideeyed curiositywithme. As only the second editor to lead thepublication, I wastaskedwithreimagining itsdesign, sharpening itscontent andgrowing its audience.Mygoalwas notonlytomodernize it buttomakeitvibrant,layered andauthentic.Mostofall, Iwantedto deepen themagazine’sconnectiontothe city itself andgiveita voicethatsounded likehome.
Iworkedwithanincredibleinhouseteamand acadre of freelance
writers,editors,photographers and artists, whosecollectivetalents delivered contentthatwas surprising and fun, butalwaysmeaningful. Together, we setout to make themagazinerelevant,withjustenoughwhimsytoshow thecity’slighter side andenoughsubstance to make thecontent matter. We aimedtocapture SanAntonio’s spirit with reverencefor itshistory anda nodtoits potential— from theart of painting cascarones andbreakfast tacos worthfeuding over,tohomegrown heroes,local leadersand thepeoplewho make theeverydayseem extraordinary. Thereweremilestones I’ll never forget.Featuring author Sandra Cisneros on ourcover in 2008 wasone of them. At thetime, shehad spoken critically aboutthe lack of Latino representation in national publications.She said yesto an interviewwithusbecause shetrusted thevisionofa magazine ledbya Latina editor committedtotellingSan Antonio’sstories.Thatcover wasn’t just an editorialwin;itwas astatement about theimportanceofrepresentationand tellingstories in avoice that reflects cultureand community
Afeature that became apersonal favorite in 2010,was apictorial featuring
Visiting Mi Tierra for the first time as achild is acore memory for formereditor Rachel Benavidez.
Rachel Benavidez
JO MANDO CRUZ
localveteranstitled“BraveFaces”— portraitsofmen andwomen whoserved in WorldWar II throughIraqand Afghanistan, alongsideSan AntonioExpress-News correspondent SigChristensen, whohad chronicled wars firsthand. Behind thestrikingimagesweresomeof themostmovingconversations Ican recall in my nearly 20 yearsasa journalist.
Othercoversfeaturedpoliticians and performers,modelsand millionaires, athletes andartists,eventhe occasional coyote.But what Iremembermostaren’t just bignames.It’sthe smallerstories: therestaurateurs whobuilt gathering places outofscratch kitchens,the artists painting SanAntonio’s essenceontoits walls,the communities whosehistories we carried forward. EditingSan Antonio Magazine wasnever just aboutpublishing amonthly —itwas aboutstewardship, aboutholding up amirrortoa city that is proud, diverseand endlessly surprising
As Iwrote in my farewell letterin 2012,the role wasbothanadventure and aprivilege.For nearly four years, Ihad therarejoy of exploringSan Antonio throughthe lens of itsstories andof helpingotherssee themselves reflected
there,too. Lookingback, my yearsatthe magazine were aboutmorethanediting They were abouthelping shapea publication into aplatformwhere SanAntonio couldsee itself:diverse,vibrant,complicated, andalwaysmovingforward
Rebecca Fontenot Cord Editor,2012-2021
The13years Ispent at SanAntonio Magazine,including nine as editor-inchief, were some of themostspecial in my career.Withthe mission to tell the storiesofSan Antonio, Ihad theunique privilege of getting to meet andlearn aboutsomeofthe most passionateand inspiringcitizensofthe city
In my firstyearonthe job, as an assistanteditorworking underthe amazingRachelBenavidez,I taggedalong with herfor an afternoon visittoartist Franco MondiniRuiz’shomeand studio On thespot, Franco dida quickpainting of me that remainsone of my favorite possessions.
Later, Ihad coffeewithRon Nirenberg to discussKRTUatTrinity University,where he wasthenthe generalmanager.Hewas as personable andpassion-
ate then as when he became mayora fewyears later.
Ihad thepleasureofgetting to meet anddinewithmostofthe city’s top culinarytalent, oftenatthe recommendationofour freelance food experts: first, Julia CelesteRosenfeld,and then,EdmundTijerina— twoofthe most delightful people I’ve ever worked with.I’m especially proudand fond of theseriesofSecretSuppers we organizedinthe year leadinguptoCOVID, in whichanintimategroup of readers gathered at an unexpected location includingone time on thestage of the Majestic Theatre— to feastona multicourse meal from asurprisechef.
Perhapswhatstandsout themost, though,are theopportunitiesI hadto hear theremarkablestories of San Antoniolocals— throughmyown interviews andthrough theworkofmy dedicatedcolleaguesand freelancers From militaryservice membersto teachers,small business owners and corporateleadership, we wereblessed with theopportunitytoamplifythe unique momentsand ideasofa broad swathofpeople.
Iwould be remiss to notmention the wonderfulstaff andcadre of kind and
Rebecca FontenotCord
Thelast Secret Supper onstage at Majestic Theatre in February 2020.
VI NCENT GONZALEZ
talented freelance writers, photographersand illustrators Iwas fortunateto work with during my time at SAM. Withoutthemand thecommunity of marketingand public relationsteams throughoutthe city whogaveusideas,access and resources, we couldhavenever produced amagazineofsuchaward-winning qualityaswedid
Life hastaken me away from both San Antonioand media, butSan Antonio andSAM will always hold aspecial place in my heart. I’mthrilledtosee themagazine celebratetwo decadesand hope it continuestoinspire,entertain and celebratethe incredible people and places of theregionfor decadestocome.
Kathleen Petty Editor, 2021-2023
What Iloved most aboutmytimeatSan AntonioMagazineisthe same thingI always hopedour readersexperienced when they picked up an issue: It made me fall in love with SanAntonio
Over my 10-plusyears at SAM, Ihad theprivilege of notonlypursuinga dreamjob as editor butalsotellingthe storiesofthe people,places, cultureand events that make thecitya placesomany people areproud to call home
Earlyon, Ifound myself packed into ArnesonRiver Theatretowatch as CoachPop,Tim Duncan andthe team celebrated theirchampionshipduring an epic riverparadeand rally.I entered La Villitaasanobjective observer and left understandingexactly why“Go SpursGo” is oneofthe city’s monikers ThenextApril foundmesifting throughthe sixth-floor genealogy sectionatthe CentralLibrary where antiqueFiestaposters,medalsand othermemorabiliawerecarefully stored away.The 10-day traditionwas notone I’dheard of before moving to SanAntonio,but Iwas immediately fascinated by itshistory andadopted thefestivalasone of my owntraditions from then on
Throughout my tenure,Rebecca Cord andI shared thegoalofhelping readers find thebestparts of SanAntonio —the hiddengems— andthere’s no waytodo that withoutfirst experiencing them yourself.Sobeyondthe bigheadlines, milestones andannualtraditionswehad thehonor of writingabout,I also gotto explorebeautiful trails (Eisenhowerison my must-visit listevery time I’mintown), learnabout sourcing coffee beans(and find my favorite latteinthe process), shadow chefsastheypreparedfor dinnerservice andenjoy behind-the-scenes peeksoflocal artexhibits.
Andwhile thosethingsare abig part of what makesSan Antoniowhatitis, it’s theheart of thecity’sresidents that
turn it into aplace people want to stay It is always an honortobeentrusted with someone’sstory,and I’mforever grateful forthose whosharedwithme —whether theAir Forcefatherrebuildingafter thetragiclossofhis wife,the respiratorytherapist whotook on extra shiftafter extrashift to ensure COVID patients at herhospitalwerewellcared
fororthe retiredcoupleraising foster childrensimplybecause they felt called to meet theneed
Thereare things abouteachissueI wasinvolvedwiththatare memorable— includingthe storiesand photos by talented freelancers— butone that will always standout is theJune/July 2020 issuethatwededicated to “Why We Love
Former editor Kathleen Petty recalls watching theriver parade celebrationafter the San Antonio Spurs won their fifth NBAchampionship in 2014
Kathleen Petty
SanAntonio.” Thecover wasillustrated as acoloringpagetogivethose stuckat home away to interact with theissue. Inside,artists,poets,politicians,business owners,longtimeresidents andhistorianssharedwhattheylovemostabout theircity, anditwas alistofall of the things I’dcometoloveoverthe years. As Martha Martinez-Floresaptly
shared in herpandemic-eramural:SA is amor
Jennifer McInnis Editor, 2024-current
It is an honorcelebrate this 20th anniversarymilestoneand to carrySan
AntonioMagazineforward into its thirddecade. As areader, themagazine hashelda specialplace in my heartfor years.
Iwas sadwhenI sawthe news in September2023thatthe magazine was planning to ceasepublishing.Thatwas short-lived news,and Iwas happy when Ilearned in November 2023 that Hearst andthe SanAntonio Express-News were planning to acquireit. Iwas elated in January 2024 when Iwas offeredthe opportunitytobecomeeditor— a dreamjob
SanAntonio is theseventh largest city in theUnitedStates, andthiscity needsa magazine!
Ihaveenjoyed reconnectingwith SanAntonio andthe people,placesand culturethatmakeitspecial.Itwas validating to receiverecognition that we areonthe righttrack.The March/April 2024 relaunch issuefeaturedFiesta from covertocover,and it wasawarded firstplace forSpecial Productatthe 2025 Societyfor Features Journalism Excellence-in-FeaturesAwardsand an AwardofExcellencefor theSociety for News Design 46th Best of News Design Creative Competition.
It hasbeen afun journeytodig through20years of archives,reviewing storiesfromour past that reflecthow andwhere we arenow.One discovery wasfromthe May2017issue, “The Future of SanAntonio:MeetingInside.” Thecover story“TheCoreIssue: What should alocals-focuseddowntownSan Antoniolook like?”dug deep into the subjectand hada sidebartitled, “Center of Attention: Five projects that will reshapedowntown.”ItincludedHemisfair Park,San PedroCreek Improvement Project, FrostBankTower,Alamo PlazaRestoration Projectand Broadway Street Corridor. Threeofthose completed projects were recently featured in SanAntonio Magazine . No doubt, thefutureisstill unfoldingfor downtown.The same is true forSan AntonioMagazine. Over the past year,wehavedoubled theprint circulationtomorethan21,000 to reachreaders in andaroundLoop 1604, wheremassive growth is underway.We broughtbacksignature events likeBest NewRestaurants in Mayand theinauguralDream Bigevent in Marchto celebratewomen leaders. We rebranded theCasahomeand design specialissue andfeature to astandaloneMiCasa issuethatpublishesinJuneand hasa fabulous issuerelease party. There’smuchmoretocomein2026 andthe next decade.I invite youto subscribetothe magazine andour email newsletters,bothdelivered directly to yousoyou don’tmissa moment
Cheersto20years of SanAntonio Magazine! ★
TheMarch/April 2024 relaunch issuefeatured Fiestafromcover to cover and Flambeau Parade Grand Marshal MichaelQuintanilla
Jennifer McInnis
Heirlooms andHaute Cuisine
At Isidore, Chef Danny Parada honors
his grandmother’s legacy andthe spirit of holiday
gatherings
BY KELSEY BROWN
Danny Parada,directorofrestaurants forthe Pullman Market,didn’teat on hisgrandmother’s chinacollection while growingup.
From thekidstable on holidays, Parada waited forhis turn.Itwas ariteofpassage to eatoff thedelicate, detailedsaucers,a distinctionofbeing grown, trustedand responsible.
ButatIsidore,a restaurant at thePullman Market that embraces native Texasflavor, customerseat offhis grandmother’schina collectionnightly
Thecollectionwas inheritedbyParada’s mother afterhis grandmotherdiedover10 yearsago.Whenhis mother decidedtosell herhouse in Austin to explorethe country in atraveltrailer, Parada wasnextinlineto acquirethe plates
Therewere10different sets,a fewofthem with accompanying matching glassware. Parada didn’t know wherehewould store them.The sets wouldonlygatherdustina storagecontainer.And sellingthemdidn’t feel right.
This came at atimewhenParadawas preparingtoopenIsidore.While Parada and hiswifekeptsomeofthe collectionat
Pullman Market’s restaurant director, Danny Parada, keeps his grandmother’s memory close,using her china collection in everyday service.
home to useduringdinnerparties with friendsand family,the bulk of thecollection came to Pearl.
“Thatway it canbeexperienced over and over andoveragain,” Parada said.
Theplateshavebecomemorethanjust vessels forthe food,theyare symbolic of the unique experience —intertwiningrusticand vintagefeelings with elevated andexperimental execution— Parada andhis team aim to curate andplate
ForParada’smother, it’s become away to seethe chinacollectionthatshe regularly ateonduringthe holidayshavea second life.
Theplatesthenare aphysicalmanifestationofthe personal ethosintentionally entwined in theupscale restaurant.A favoritepiece of Parada’s is awhite platewitha delicategoldrim
Certaindishesare exclusivelyplatedon thechina.The Yuba,one of therestaurant’s most populardishes, pops on theblank background,outlined by thegoldhalolining thetrim.
“It’salmostlikethateleganceofthe classicwhite tablecloth butdoneinnot a whitetableclothsetting,” Parada said.“We
likethatjuxtaposition.”
Otherdishescomeservedonpastelpink china. Parada’s wife,who does ceramics,also hasher creationsexclusively used forspecific dishes.
Insteadofpostcards,Paradasaid, his grandmothercollected chinaasshe traveled theworld.His grandparents wouldtraveltwo to threeitems ayear, andslowly, hisgrandmother acquired arobustchina collection spanning in origin
Some were from China, whereporcelain wasfirst invented during theShang Dynasty. Hisgrandmother collected otherpiecesin Poland,Germany andLondon. Theglassware,hesaid, comesfromPortugal. Shealso collected silverware made of real silver,but Parada hasn’t founda placefor that yet.
Parada,who jokeshethinkshewas his grandmother’sfavoritegrandchild,saidthat hisgrandmother wouldbeelatedabout her plates beingusedinthe restaurant
“Mygrandmother wasalwaysa huge supporter of my culinary career andwould record BobbyFlayTVshows at herhouse,” Parada said.“Whenever we’d come over,we’d watchthemtogether. Shewas really into the
factthatI wasa chef.”
While Parada hasn’t needed to buynew plates sincethe restaurant opened in August 2024,heimaginesgoing to estate salesin MonteVista or thrift shopstoexpandthe collectionofvintage pieces.Inthe future, when linecooksare promoted to chefs, they maybring in theirfamily’s chinatocontinue thetradition
“Asmuchasitisabout thefood,it’sall aboutthe experience as well,” Parada said “All thoselittlethingslikethatiswhatmakes theexperiencehereunique.”
Thevintage plates play into thetheme of therestaurant, whichutilizes itsmenutotug at nostalgicmemoriesand familiarflavors
In September, Parada andhis team brainstormednew dishes forthe restaurant, pullingfromfood that they lovedgrowing up
They came up with twodishesrooted in nostalgia— popcornchicken andfried pickles.
Butfried pickleswould’vebeen toosimplefor themenu, so instead, they settled on cheddarcroquettes, an upscaleinterpretation of friedpickles.
Thecheddar croquette is craftedusing localcheesewithpicklerelishinside. Thedill pickleswerepreserved last year.The croquette is breadedinold sourdough, sprinkled with freeze-drieddillpicklepowderand served with aeratedbuttermilk ranchmadein house.
“You bite into it andyou’relike, ‘Ohmy god. This is afried pickle,but themostluxuriousone of alltime,’” Parada said
Parada hopestouse thefood to transport people to childhood memories,comparing thefood’s impact to ascene in theDisney movie“Ratatouille,” when thechefishaving theItaliandishfor thefirst time sincechildhood.Through food,Paradaaimstoinvokea similarsense of awe, he said
That thoughtfulness andcreativityin Isidore’smenu, whichisdesignedwithan immersiveexperienceinmind, is what helped land therestaurantonthe NewYork Times’ America’sBestRestaurantList.
Parada said therecognition is amazingfor himand hischefs,who sometimeswork14to 18 hoursa daytoensurethe experience is what it needstobe. He’s grateful that the national recognitioncan drivemorebusiness, Parada said,and getthe word outabout thebusiness.
“Anytime anyone compliments us,evenif they walk by andthey’re like, ‘Thatwas the best meal Ieverhad,’”Paradasaid. “That’s what it’s about.” ★
Mahjong IsHavinga Moment
AndSan Antonio is playing to win
You couldattributesomeofthe resurgence in thepopularityofmahjong to thepopular movie“CrazyRich Asians”(aromanticcomedy),but give much of thecredittoa long lineofJewishmothersand grandmothers,Air Forcewives and suburban womenwho areenjoyinggetting together forlaughsand friendly competition
In that 2018 movie, thegameofmahjong is featured in apivotal sceneinSingapore.
MahjongoriginatedinChina butwas popularized in theUnitedStatesatthe beginning of the19thcentury.It’sa game much likerummy,but played with tilesinstead of cards.
Popculture continuestoattractnew playerslikeSavannahGuthrie andJenna Bush Hagerof“TheToday Show.” In an August story, they play both theAmerican versionofthe game andthe Chineseversion,witha fewruledifferences.Theyshow aclipofactress Julia Robertssayingshe playsregularly with herfriends.Onanother
summersegment,whenGuthrie wascohost forthe dayon“Jenna &Friends,” she andHager admittobeing “addicted” to the game.Guthrie said hermotherhas been playingsince the1970s
Generations of players
Meet some of thelongtimeplayers in San Antonioand youcan seehow thegamehas been handed down by generations— especially in Jewish families.
At ReneeSilber’s recent Tuesdayeve-
BYTERRY SCOTTBERTLING
ning groupgathering on SanAntonio’s NorthSide, four membersplaya quickmoving game while they talk abouttheir mothers, grandmothers andsomeoftheir relativeswho have learnedtoplay.
Silber, 68,and fellow player Mindy Eisen, 67,started playingmahjong together at theUniversityofTexas as sorority sisters many yearsago.Onthisnight,theywere wearingnew T-shirts embroideredwith “Mahjong is my favorite sport” andplaying at Eisen’snewly remodeledhome. Members ownsetsoftilesthathavebeenhanded
down by theirJewishmothers andgrandmotherswho played
“All ourdaughters play,” said Eisen, who teachesmahjong.Silber hasa niecewho is 7 andalready playing.
“It’sreally fun, andit’snot that hard when youget it,” said Lauren Ross, 62,and oneofthe youngest at thetable of four Conversation canrange from families, health or TV,and nobody is checking a cellphone
Brenda Schram,62, hasplayedinlocal tournaments andinLas Vegaswitha
groupof1,000.
“It’sthe perfectgame,”Schramadded. “Wepretty much arepresent.Wedon’t pick up thephone,” shesaid.
Troop Mahjong
KristelPowell, 31, aSan Antoniolifestyle influencer whoisthe @StylinBrunette on Instagram, is attracting ayounger crowdfor herTroop Mahjonggroup.She has80,000 Instagramfollowersand launched the exclusiveTroop MahjongSociety in 2024
with 150foundingmembers.Now the group, with dues-payingmembers ($35/ month),has more than 250members in Texasand otherparts of thecountry.Members applyonline, andthere’s awaiting list. Theaverage ageofher groupis40, butshe hasmembers up to age70.
“Realconversations happenaroundthe mahjongtiles,”Powellsaid. “Peoplewalk into mahjonggames andleave as friends.” Shecalls mahjong“my therapy” andtaught mahjongclassesfreefor ayear, then launched theleagues.Her StylinBrunette .com site sells Troop Mahong meritstickers andbookstoput them in,plusmahjong jewelryand magnets. Sheplans outingsand social events andhosteda summercampin August at alocal resort.She recently named Troop Mahjongchapter leadersinNew Braunfels, Dallasand Laredo;Memphis, Tenn.;Atlanta;and Yuma,Ariz. Powell ran fall leaguesinSan Antonio, Boerne and NewBraunfels,and newwinterleagues will startinlateJanuary.The six-week fall league in NewBraunfels played at theJohn Newcombe CountryClubonFridaymornings.The Boerne Troop Mahjonggroup finished itsseven weeksofWednesday nightgames in mid-October, meetingat Lost Oaks Cellars.San Antonio’sTroop MahjongleagueplayedatVinoGrottoon BabcockRoadthrough Septemberand October. Leaguesrange from $180 to $280 Participants need to know howtoplay, but they don’thavetobeexperts.
“I’vegrown alittlemahjong empire basedonsomething that givesmejoy,” Powell said
“Lifeishard. Youmay winorlose, but youalwaysfeel better aftergoing to an event,” said theTexas StateUniversitygrad.
“Thisisn’t just agame. It’s amovement,” said theinfluencerworking on newmahjong merchandisefor theholidays.
To getintoa league,you firstneed to learnhow to play.Powellrecommends starting with aMahjong 101lesson($65for threehours)and goingtoopenplaygatherings.Troop Mahjonghas lessons forgroups as youngas8-12.
NationalMah Jongg League
TheNationalMah JonggLeague, basedin NewYork, issues anew annual card each Aprilfullofwinning combinations of tiles or “hands.” Mahjongand mahjongg arejust twoofthe variousspellings on theword translated from theoriginalChinese name Mahjongsetsconsist of 152tilesinsuits (bams, dots andcraks or cracks), plus flowers, windsand dragons. TheChinese version has144 tiles(no Jokers). Playerstry to gettwo of akind(an eye),three of akind(a pung), four of akind(akong) or runs and combinations listedonthe NMJL cards. It cantakea while to learnall theterminology andrules
While mensometimes play,photosof mahjonggames usually look likeit’sgirls
MAHJONG LESSONS AND MERCH
Where to learn:
The National Mah Jongg League, based in NewYork, explains the popular game and sellsthe annual card for $15for the Americanversionofthe game that showseach year’s winning hands. You can also readabout thehistory of the game,whichhas various spellings, including mahjong, sign up to play online at NationalMahJonggLeague.org and buy basic tile sets.
But if you want to enjoy what many considerthe bestpart of the game, join the social movement by starting witha Mahjong 101 class with agroup like Troop Mahjong in San Antonio at StylinBrunette com, the site for lifestyle influencer/blogger mahjong teacher and Troop Mahjong Society founder KristelPowell, also @StylinBrunette on Instagram.
Practice your skills at OpenPlay events hostedbylocal groups such as Troop Mahjong before joining asix- or seven-weekleague of play in San Antonio,Boerne or New Braunfels.
The BarshopJewish Community Center hasOpen Play Mahjong Tuesdays at 6p.m.for $5 for nonmembers at 12500 Northwest Military Highway. Call 210-302-6820 formore info.
Localclasses alsohavebeen taught at SanAntonio Public Librarybranches and by other local mahjonggroups youcan findonFacebook or Instagram
Tinsel &Tiles Event:
Join fellow mahjongenthusiasts for “Tinsel &Tiles,” an event from 9a.m. to 4p.m.at the Creamery at 875 E. Ashby Place in San Antonio, sponsored by the Majestic Empire Foundationtoraise moneyfor arts education. It advertises aday full of mahjong for beginners to seasoned pros, shopping and merriment. Reserve atable for four for $550 from 9a.m. to noon or 1to4p.m., getlessonsfor atable for fourfor $600 or sign up as an individual for $125. Get an all-day pass for$175ora Taste &Mingle nonplaying day pass for $50 with access to Amelia’sSocialLounge for shopping,bites and drinks Grab lunch from noon to 1p.m. or catch happy hour withentertainment from 4to6 p.m. Formore information, email maddie@themajesticempirefdn.org. Where to buy:
Sunset &Co. in the SunsetRidge Shopping Center on 6438 N. NewBraunfels Ave. offersavariety of mahjong merchandise, ranging from how-tobooks to sets of 152 tiles, including acharming andcolorfulset from theTexas Series with tilesfeaturing hats, horseshoes, wildflowers andthe Alamo($350from My Fair Mahjong). Also colorful Oh My Mahjong brand mats ($80-$90),hats ($35) sets of racks and pushers ($60) neededfor theAmerican version of the game, Mahj tote bag ($150), mahjong tree ornaments($20) andmore. Shoponline at sunsetandco.com.Sign up for the store’s monthly Mahj SocialClubgamenights ($70)online. For more info, call 210-930-1717
nightout
If youwanttogoall in,itcan getexpensive. Startersets(tilesand dice)can be under$100online, butifyou want to go forprettycolorsand artistic sets,they easily cansellfor $180 to $450.Some come with rackstoholdtilesand pushers to lineuptiles. If we’retalking about setting up an attractive mahjongtabletop, you’ll want amahjong mat($80-$90),ina colorful design
EarlyU.S.players included AirForce wiveswithhusbandsstationed at what is nowknown as Wright-Patterson AirForce Base in Ohio.The Wright-Patterson wives arecreditedwithhelping grow thepopularityofthe game in the1920s with their ownversion of therules they couldtake with them around theworld to play.The Wright-Patterson Spouse’s Club’s firstrule book waspublishedin1963 andupdated in 2022 with credit giventosomeofthe earliest players, accordingtothe club, whichnow includes menand women. You canreadmorehistory andorder the club’s rule booksatwrightpattersonosc .org
Articles aboutmahjong in publications likeSouthernLiving, Veranda, PaperCity, DMagazine, HouseBeautiful,Forbesand theWallStreetJournal keep boosting the popularity of thegame.
Lasting friendships
Retiredpublic relationsand advertising executiveLorraineStevens,71, describes howeasyitistomakelasting friendships with aneighborhood groupofmahjong players. Shestarted playingyears agowith agroup of moms with kids in Northwood Elementary School in SanAntonio’s NorthEastIndependent School District Agroup of friendswentawayfor the weekendand onebrought outthe mahjong game
Shehas nine womeninher group, and they play on Thursday nights at Central Market in AlamoHeights Hergroup,which hasbeen playing weekly for15years,has been on mahjong outingstoRuidoso,N.M.; andPortAransas Sometimesit’seat,playand repeat “I just putmyworries away andjustplay.
That’s very calming.”
Like others interviewedfor this story, shelikes thesoundsofthe tilesclicking when they’reshuffled,often compared onlinetothe soundofa groupofsparrows as thetilescollide.
Stevensand herfriends arealsohanding down thegametoyounger generations.
Stevensdescribed howintense play can get. At onegamenight at amember’shome, afirestarted outsideand wasput out, but theelectricity went outinthe house. That couldhavebeen theend of thegame, butit wasn’t.Theypulledout candlesand kept playing.
“It’sjustwonderful camaraderie,”she said ★
SAN ANTONIO’S TOP ATTORNEYS 2025
We askedSan Antoniolawyers whothey wouldwantto representthem; theseare themostrecommended legaleagles.
GUIDE TO FINDING ALAWYER
Navigatingthe legalsystemcan be complex, no matterthe situation. From drafting contractstosettlingdisputesorprotectingyourrightsincourt, having atrustedattorney by your side canmake allthe difference.
Thefirst step toward resolvingany legalmatterisfinding the rightlawyer— onewho understandsyourneeds, communicates clearlyand hasthe expertisetoguide youtowardthe best outcome.Attorneys help clientsmakeinformeddecisions,manage paperworkand deadlines,and advocate on theirbehalfwithskill andintegrity.Ratherthanrelying on onlinesearchesorwordof mouthalone,we’ve compileda peer-nominated listof445 outstandinglegal professionalsinSan Antoniowho standout for theirexperienceand dedication
Whetheryou’restartinga business, buying ahome, planning your estate,orfacinga legalchallenge, take alook throughthis year’s listoftop attorneysinthe AlamoCity:
GEORGESALINAS PERSONALINJURY
GeorgeSalinasInju Antoniocommunity home,andwe’rede pg g neighborswhohavebeeninjuredinaccidents.
Sandra Laurel Ford is an attorney whospecializes in CivilLitigation. Shehas over 30 yearsoftrial experience andispassionateabout protecting her clientsrights. Shehas been “OfCounsel “withthe litigation sectionofCarabin Shaw since2018. Prior to this,she hadher ownlaw firmfor many years.
Sandra is BoardCertifiedand hasbeensince 1995. Outofmorethan110,000attorneysinthe stateof Texasonly6,950 areBoard Certified.Thisisone of themostrespected achievements foranattorney.
Sandra is also amemberand oneofthe National Representativesofthe American BoardofTrial Advocates. This is an invitation only national association of experiencedtrial lawyersand judges throughout the50states, balanced between plaintiff,defense attorneysand Judges.
In addition to trialexperience, theorganization only allows personsofhonorable reputation and personal characterinthe community to become a member.Thisorganizationpromotes civilityand is dedicatedtothe preservation andpromotion of theright to acivil jury trial, provided by theSeventh Amendmentofthe U.S. Constitution.
Sandraalsobelievesingivingbacktothecommunity andhas been active in many organizations.
Currently sheisonthe BoardofAugustHeart , whichisanorganizationdedicated to providing free heartscreenings to localteenagers. This organization wasstarted by theKoontzfamily following thedeath of theirson.Todatethere have been 94,860 teenswho have been provided free screenings since2011 becauseofAugustHeart.
Last year shewas honoredtobeonFabianCastillo, ReyFeo 76’sRoyal Court, whosefundraising missionistoprovide scholarships forSan Antonio Students.Thatyear, over 1milliondollars in scholarships wasawarded.
SANDRA LAUREL FORD Of Counsel Attorney
CHRISTINEBURKHART
Germer PLLC
1826 N. Loop 1604 W. Ste. 300 210-640-1650
DANIEL SCHICK
Germer PLLC
1826 N. Loop 1604 W., Ste. 300 210-640-1650
ADRIAN SENYSZYN
Germer PLLC 1826 N. Loop 1604 W. Ste. 300 210-640-1650
DANIEL KUSTOFF
Kustoff &Sanders,L.L.P. 4103 Parkdale St 210-614-9444
MELANIESANDERS
Kustoff &Sanders,L.L.P 4103 Parkdale St 210-614-9444
TheattorneysatPutmanLeFlore Pullen& Reed LLP have over 150 yearsofcombinedexperience providingexemplary representation forclients in litigation, arbitration, bankruptcy,realestate, corporatelaw,and arange of otherareas Forover 21 years, Pulman LeFlorePullen& Reed LLP has been AV-rated "Preeminent" by Martindale-Hubbell, whichisthe highestratingavailable, andwe have been recognized forthe last sixyears as one of thecountry's Best LawFirms by U.S. News.
MEDICAL MALPRACTICE DEFENSE
CYNTHIAGRIMES
ClarkHillPLC 2301 Broadway St 210-445-8815
RICHARDKASSON
GonzalezChiscanoAngulo &Kasson, PC 9601 McAllisterFwy., Ste. 401 210-569-8487
LAURAMACOM
Langley& Banack,Inc
745E.MulberryAve., Ste. 700 210-736-6600
LUCRETIA MARMOR
Langley& Banack,Inc.
745E.MulberryAve Ste. 700 210-253-7188
RICHARDMCNITZKY
Langley& Banack,Inc
745E.MulberryAve., Ste. 700 210-736-6600
MICHAELWALLIS
Langley& Banack,Inc
745E.MulberryAve Ste. 700 210-736-6600
BRUCEANDERSON
Mimari Anderson Cilfone &Watkins PLLC 1100 N.E. Loop 410, Ste. 400 210-734-7092
CHARLESDEACON
Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP 111 W. HoustonSt.,Ste 1800 210-270-7133
PETERCARIO
Wagner CarioVeale & Zuber, LLP 7705 Broadway St 210-979-7555
JAMESVEALE JR
Wagner CarioVeale & Zuber, LLP
7705 Broadway St 210-979-7555
W. RICHARDWAGNER
Wagner CarioVeale & Zuber, LLP 7705 Broadway St 210-979-7555
R. BLAKEZUBER
Wagner CarioVeale & Zuber, LLP 7705 Broadway St 210-979-7555
WILLIAMWOOLSEY
Woolsey& Woolsey 711Navarro St Ste. 710 361-561-1961
TheLaw Office of JamieM Mathis,PLLC 1507 Fredericksburg Road 210-852-4666
DIANADAVALOS
Woodford Sathappan McGee 18756Stone Oak Parkway, Ste. 201 210-729-6640
WORKERS’ COMPENSATION
LARA BROCK
Espinoza &Brock 10202HeritageBlvd. 877-205-0652
JAVIER ESPINOZA
Espinoza &Brock 10202HeritageBlvd. 877-205-0652
STEVEN SACHS
Espinoza &Brock 10202HeritageBlvd. 877-205-0652
AMANDASPENCER
Workers’ Compensation
Espinoza &Brock 10202HeritageBlvd. 877-205-0652
Howthe List is Made
San AntonioMagazine partneredwithDataJoeResearch,a software andresearchcompany specializing in data collectionand verification that conducts variousnominations across theUnitedStatesonbehalfof publishers.Tocreatethe list, we facilitated an onlinepeervoting processinwhich licensedattorneyscould nominate theirmostesteemed peersfor inclusioninthe list. DataJoe then talliedthe votesand generateda listofwinners.Professionalscannotpay to be part of thelist. We recognizethat thereare many good lawyerswho arenot showninthis representative list. This is only asamplingofthe huge array of talented professionalswithinthe region.Inclusion in the listisbased on theopinionsofrespondingattorneysinthe region.Wetaketimeand energy to ensure fair voting,although we understand that theresults of this survey nominationare notanobjective metric.Wecertainly do not discount thefactthatmany, many good andeffectiveattorneysmay notappear on thelist.
Disclaimers: DataJoeusesbestpractices andexercises greatcareinassemblingcontent forthislist. DataJoedoes notwarrant that thedatacontained within thelistare completeoraccurate.DataJoedoesnot assume,and hereby disclaims, anyliabilitytoany person forany loss or damage caused by errors or omissionshereinwhether such errors or omissionsresultfromnegligence,accident, or anyother cause. Allrightsreserved. No commercial useofthe informationinthislistmay be made withoutwritten permission from SanAntonio Magazine andDataJoe.
If yousee an errorinthe informationlisted, please contact info@sanantoniomag.com
AWARD PLAQUES
Attorneys: Congratulationsonthishonor!Celebrate this awardwitha custom plaque to displayinyouroffice.Visit sanantoniomag.com/plaquesfor pricingand details.
ST
.M AR Y’S UNIV ER SIT YS CH OO LO FL AW
St.Mary’sUniversity School of Lawproudly congratulates our alumniwho serve their communities with integrity and distinction in the legal profession.
Inspired by the successof theSt. Mary’s Lawgraduates before them, ourstudents followintheir footsteps —gaining the knowledge, skills andethicalfoundation to lead with purpose in thecourtroom and beyond.
Scan the QR code to learn more.
TOPATTORNEYS
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Be sure to checkout our SanAntonio Magazine
Top Attorneysdigital hub foreven more great content including legaltips, attorneys’profiles, insightintolaw practices in SanAntonio,and more
SanAntonio wins together when we supportlocal nonprofits.
Localnonprofitsprovide vitalservicestoour community that impact everysingleresident. From housing, health andhuman services to workforce development, cultural experiencesand everymission in between, nonprofits servethe needsofour community from thegroundup. Ourlocal economy andour abilitytoadvance as acommunity relies on thestrengthofour nonprofitecosystem.All Hearts on Deck is amovementthatcalls allSan Antoniansto standtogetherand supportthe nonprofits that support us
MusicalBridges Aroundthe World
Mission &Services: MusicalBridgesAround the Worldbringsmusic andculturalunderstanding to SanAntonio throughliveand interactive concerts,festivals,and educationalprograms. Weserve thepublic, underservedyouth,seniors, andmilitarymembers by offering culturally enrichingexperiences,educational curricula, and ambassadorand scholarshipopportunities
“Celebrating ourshared humanitybyproviding access to global arts forall.”
AmericansUnited SanAntonio Chapter
Mission& KeyServicesProvided
Fornearly80years, AmericansUnitedhas defended church-state separation in thecourts, legislatures,and in thepublicsquare.
We bringtogetherpeople of allreligions andnone to protecteveryone'sfreedom to live as themselves andbelieve as they choose andstopanyonefrom usingtheir beliefstoharmothers.
Want more information? Want to join today? Become amember, donate,joinus!
TEAMability
Mission&
TEAMabilityisa SanAntonio nonprofitona mission to empowerindividuals with complexdisabilities.
Butwecan’t do it alone. As anonprofit,werelyon community support to keep progress moving forward. Yourhelpfuels firststeps,first words, andlifelong breakthroughs. Join us—because at TEAMability, everyability deserves achancetoshine.
830-743-8320 roomredux.org
Room Redux
Mission& KeyServicesProvided
Wherehealing andtransformationgohandinhand. Room Reduxisa nonprofitorganizationthatfocuses on transforming theroomsofchildrenwho have facedsexualorphysicalabuse.Room Transformation canbea powerful tool to foster healing, as many timesabuse occurs in achild’s room or bed, making theroomitselffeel unsafe. As aresult, children may stop sleeping,start acting outormay become depressed, avoiding theirroomentirely. Through donationsand grants,RoomRedux fully transforms children’s roomssotheywillfeel comfortableand safe.A newroom=a newstart
Room Transformationshelp children recoverfromabuse by turningpainful places into peaceful sanctuariesfilled with safety,love, andcare.
facebook.com/roomredux/ instagram.com/roomredux/
ClarityChild Guidance Center
Mission &Services
ClarityChild Guidance Center serves over 6,000 children ages3-17annuallywithmental health conditions,offeringinpatientcare, 24/7 crisis services,partial hospitalization, outpatient therapyand therapeuticart/play. Donationsensureessential mental health treatment, regardless of abilitytopay
safoodbank.org
SanAntonio Food Bank
Founded in 1980, theSan AntonioFoodBankserves oneofthe largestand most diverseservice areasin SouthwestTexas
Ourmission extendsbeyondproviding food fortoday —weare dedicatedtoempoweringour neighbors with theresources,education,and support they need to achievelong-term self-sufficiency
Throughcommunity partnerships andinnovative programs,weworktocombathunger whilefostering stabilityand independence forindividuals and families in need
Thrive Youth Center
Mission
OurMission is to provideLGBTQ+youth experiencinghomelessnesswitha safe and supportive environmenttofacilitatetheir empowermenttowardtransformingtheir lives.
Life
Education Support
CommunityConnections
LargestLGBTQ+Emergency ShelterinTexas
Our16-bedemergency shelterensures youth have asafeand supportive spacetoexit homelessness. Shelteroperations arefully fundedbythe supportofindividualswanting to providesafespaces. Youcan invest in the future of theseyouth by joiningthe Thrive family!
1,069Youth served since2015
*Receivedshelter,housing,and support
“SAYouth is nothinglikeregular school in thebest possibleway.Theytruly do care aboutthe students they help as people andwantthemtobe thebesttheycan be.” -SOAR! Student
BUILDING A STRONGER COMMUNITY, TOGETHER
SA Youthworks to prevent s leavingtraditional school pri throughCALMClinicmenta intervenes througha youth d programcalledSOAR!,givin chance at earninga high school diploma, and provides continuedsupport through therapeuticservices.
tudentsfrom or to graduation lhealthservices, evelopment gyouth asecond
SanAntonio FeralCat Coalition
Mission & KeyServices
Provided
SAFCCisa volunteerdrivennonprofit organization dedicatedtoreducingcat overpopulation in San Antoniothrough Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR), rescue,and public education.
Ourvisionistoensurenokittens arebornwildon thestreet,noadoptable catiswithout ahome, and no outsidecat goes withoutfood, water, or care. We empowerthe community with TNReducation, a Helpline forsupport,subsidizedspay/neuter surgeries, trap loans, andfostering foradoptable cats.
Ourworkissustained entirely by donationsand grants,and we rely on community support to continue creatinganenvironment whereevery cat is treated with compassion
Hope at Heart
We understand theall-encompassing impact of this diagnosis. It’s notjustthe childbattlingfor theirlife– it’s the entire family unit grapplingwithimmenseemotional turmoil, financialstrain, anda life putonhold.
Ourprogramsare designed to addressthe unique needsof each family,fromfinancial assistance throughBlessing’s Waytocompassionatecarefor families grieving thelossof achild to cancer
We believethatnofamilyshouldhavetochoosebetween keepingthe lights on andstaying by theirchild’s side in the hospital.Nochild andnofamilyshouldfacecancerwithout acommunity behind them
At Hope at Heart, we putthe heartwhere thehurtis, providingrelief, dignity, andstrengthtofamilieswho deserve allthree
SPONSOREDBYGAMEZ LAWFIRM
GAMEZLAW FIRM: 50 YEARS OF JUSTICE, COMPASSION,AND COMMUNITY
Foroverhalfa century, GamezLaw Firm hasstood as asteadfast advocate for thepeopleofSan Antonio, fighting forjustice in thecourtroom whileinvesting deeply in thecommunity.Founded by JoeA.Gamez,a proudson of San Antonio’sWestSide, thefirm’sstory is oneofintegrity,service,and unwavering dedication to thecitythat shaped him.
From theverybeginning,Joe Gamezunderstood that trueleadershipextends farbeyondlegal victories. Alongsidehis wife,CarmenGamez,hebuilt alegacy rooted in giving back.Together, they have supported countlesslocal organizations- from educationscholarshipsthatopendoorsfor young dreamers,toinitiatives that providehopeand resourcesfor children battling cancer
Throughfivedecades of service, GamezLaw Firm hasbecomemorethan a trustednameinpersonalinjuryand communityadvocacy, it’s asymbolofwhat it means to care.Joe and Carmen’s commitmenthas earned them numerous community leadership awards,but what trulydefines theirlegacy is theimpact they’vemadeinthe livesofothers.
ForJoe Gamezand histeam, success isn’tmeasuredonlyinverdicts, it’s measured in thestrengthofthe community they serve.
You’re invited to make adonation to your favorite charity or school program through Champions fore Charity. Theorganizationwill receive 100% of your contribution.
KLRN’s mission is to open aworld of lifelong learning throughtrustworthy andenriching programs on-air,online, andinthe community. KLRN hasservedSouth CentralTexas formore than 60 years, reaching over 3.7million people across 33 counties.
Throughtrusted programming anda varietyof free resources, KLRN is dedicatedtotelling the storiesofour community,supportingteachers andfamilies, andinspiring continuedinterestin educationacrossall generations.
In acitywithmorethan52,000 businesses, the followingcompanies standout as trulyexceptional places to work. They representthe best of thebest— organizationsthatleadwithpurpose,inspire their teams, andcreateenvironmentswhere people love to come to work. This sectionisabout recognizingthese brands’commitmenttoexcellence.
At Chesmar,wedon’t just buildhomes, we helpbuild thelives livedinside them, andwedoittogether. We understandthatyourhomeisthe singlemost importantinvestmentyou’llevermake. It’s where memories arecreated,milestonesare celebrated, andeverydaylifeunfolds That’s whyevery Chesmar home is designedto fityourlifestyle,reflectyour personality, andbecomethe place youtruly love. Forus, buildinghomes isn’tjusta business, it’s ourcalling. It’s in ourblood,our passion, andour professionofchoice. ThepeopleofChesmar are dedicated to creating neighborhoodsand homesof distinction, wherequality,design, andcommunity come together.
KnownasChesmarians,our associates aretalented, driven individualswho embody the“Chesmar Spirit”—a cultureofteamwork, growth,and trust. We invest in ourpeoplethrough mentorship,education support, andteam-buildingopportunities that inspireconnectionand collaboration. Guidedby ourmotto,“Settinga Higher Standard,” Chesmarians
know “goodenough” is neverenough. Here,you’ll be part of creating somethingmeaningful—while buildingyourcareerinanenvironment that values integrityand impact.
chesmar.com/careers/
Faces of Top Workplaces KNIGHTOFFICESOLUTIONS
At Knight Office Solutions in SanAntonio,you’lljoin a companythatvaluesintegrity,service,and work-life balance. As aleading independenttechnology provider,Knightdeliversmanaged IT services,print and documentmanagement, and workflow solutions— neverlimitedbyvendorrestrictions. With nearly 30years in the region,the organization has builta reputationfor fast,dependableservice anda culture thattreatsitspeoplelikefamily.Their“award-winning culture”and recognitionasa TopWorkplace stem from their emphasis on honoring faith, family,health, and workinall theydo. As part of the team,you’llhave opportunities to grow across IT,operations, sales, or technical service, backed by training,autonomy, and clear purpose. Here,yourworkhelps businesses solve realproblemsand stay efficient.Knightoffers more than ajob-you’llget to buildacareerinacommunity-rootedcompany thatdeliversrealimpactwhile caring aboutits people.
Faces of Top Wo kplaces
JEFFERSONBANK
Foundedonthe importanceoffamily values and building long-termrelationships, JeffersonBankpridesitselfon aculture thatisdeeplyrootedin thephilosophy“This is personal to us.”Thatstatementisa guiding principle– a promisethatour employees, customers andcommunities allmatter.Asalocal,family-ownedandoperatedfinancial institution, Jefferson Bank has retainedthe intimacy and care of aneighborhood institutioneventhoughithas grownsignificantlyinrecentyears.
With astable, supportiveenvironment builtonintegrity, responsiveness andcommitment, manyemployees have chosen to stay fordecades as proofofthe Bank’srelationship-driven culture. Team members aresupported with training,tuition reimbursementand leadership development. Competitivebenefitsand astrong commitmenttocommunity engagement, including volunteerprogramslikethe Community Crew,reinforce the senseofpurpose behindthe work. If youwanttogrow professionallyinaplacethatprioritizescharacterasmuch as performance, Jefferson Bank deliversthatbalance.
Faces of Top Workplaces
BRIDGEHEAD IT
Bridgehead IT is aworkplace where curiositymeetsimpact, welcoming you into aculturebuilt on integrity, collaboration,and relentless improvement. Leadershiptrusts their people, ideas are heardand rewarded, andyou’ll work alongside smart, mission-driven colleagues delivering strategic, outcome-orientedITsolutionsrather than just “fixingIT” tickets.The company investsingrowththrough certifications, continuingeducation,flexible work arrangements,and strong benefits, whileanchoringits culture in respect and accountability with valueslike “Always ActWith Integrity,” “Selfless Exceptionalism,”and “Relationships Are Everything.” Employee reviews highlight career advancement, culture, and leadershipastop strengths, with a4.1/5 Glassdoor rating underscoring its appeal. As a fast growing firm, Bridgehead IT offersenergy, opportunity, and thespace to stretch,lead, and make real impact if you thriveinfast-moving, autonomousenvironments.
Faces of Top Wo kplaces
BROADWAYBANK
Forthe ninth consecutiveyear, BroadwayBankhas been named aTop Workplace—and it’s no coincidence. Ourpeopleare the secret sauce behind ourexcellenceand success.
Sinceour founders, Col. CharlesE. Cheeverand hiswife, Elizabeth “Betty”Cheever,establishedBroadwayBankin1941, their founding valueshaveguidedusthrough84yearsofservingTexas.Today,we’reone of the state’spremier privately owned financial institutions with more than $5.8 billioninassets and $3.5 billionunder Wealth Management.
Working at Broadwaymeans your daily contributions create lasting impact—helping neighbors, businesses,and communities thrive. We invest in ourpeoplewithbenefits like paid volunteertime off, empowering ourBankers to servethe communitieswheretheyliveand work.
Whileother banksconsolidate, we remainindependent, family-owned, and focusedonTexas. Readyto join ouraward-winning team? Visit broadway.bank/careerstoexploreopportunities.
Fiercely Local. Uniquely Personal.ProudlyTexan. Member FDIC
SWBC Faces of Top Workplaces
Here’s to celebrating nearly 50 years strong at SWBC! Here we don’t just celebratemilestones, we celebratethe people whomakethem possible.
During ourrecentEmployeeAppreciation Week, ouremployees showedupinstyle,proudly wearing ourbrand-new50thanniversary polosgiftedbyourowners,CharlieAmato,ChairmanandCo-founder, and Gary Dudley,President andCo-founder.
From seasoned veteranstofresh faces, employeesfromvarious departments came together foragroup photothatcapturedthe heart of SWBC.
HeadquarteredinSanAntonio,Texas,SWBCisadiversifiedfinancial services companyserving clientsacrossall 50 states.Wedeliver customized solutions in insurance, mortgages, wealth management, employee benefits, andmore, with apeople-firstapproach.
Here’s to the next 50 yearsand the incredibleemployees drivingus forward.
Faces of Top Wo kplaces
BENE. KEITH
At BenE.Keith SanAntonio,peopleare at theheart of everything we do.Asone of the nation’s leading foodservicedistributors, we take pride notonlyin servingourcustomersbutalsoinbuildingaworkplace whereour employeescan thrive. Team members join asupportive,family-like environment rooted in respect, collaboration, and shared success. Whether you’re on the road,inthe warehouse, or supporting operations, you’re part of aculture that values hardwork, celebrates contributions, and provides opportunities forgrowth.Webelieve in investing in ourpeoplethroughtraining,careeradvancement,and strong benefits, ensuring thatevery employee has the toolsand support to succeed. Ourteamtakes pridein deliveringexcellencetocustomers across theregion whilebuilding long-termrelationships and making adifferenceinthe community.AtBen E. KeithSan Antonio,you’llfind more than ajob—you’llfind a career in an organization thatvaluesyou,yourgoals, andyourfuture.
Faces of Top Workplaces
HOWARD ENERGY PARTNERS
At HowardEnergyPartners, you’ll join ateamcommitted to delivering positive energyacrosscommunities whilebuilding a careerwithpurpose.Asamidstreamenergycompanyoperating in the U.S. and Mexico, Howard fosters aculture rooted in integrity, collaboration, andsafety, whereemployees are empoweredtocontributemeaningfully. Thecompany invests in itspeoplethrough leadership development, cross-functional opportunities,and exposure to complexinfrastructure projects, whilealsooffering competitivebenefits including health, life, and disability coverage, parental leave, paid time off,401(k) match, and wellness programs. Beyond theworkplace,Howard emphasizes community involvementwithpaidvolunteer hours andnonprofitsupport, reinforcing thatevery role contributes to something bigger.Ifyou wanttomakeameasurableimpact, grow professionally,and be part of apurpose-drivencompany, HowardEnergyPartnersprovidestheenvironmenttodoso.
SENERGY Faces of Top Workplaces
SEnergyisaconsultingfirmdrivenbyinnovation, collaboration, and excellence.Specializing in energy solutions,SEnergysupportselectricutility systems and business operationsthrough abroad rangeof services—including engineering,energy consulting, land surveying,and field services.
With offices in the SanAntonio andHouston regions, SEnergy’smission is to empowerclients with practical, results-driven solutions thatenhanceperformance, reliability,and long-termsuccess.
ProudlyrecognizedasaTop Workplace, SEnergyis actively hiring across multiple departments. Current openings include rolesinAccounting,Business Development, Engineering,and FieldServices. The companyoffers acompetitive and rewarding work environment, featuring generous medicalinsurance plans, 200% 401(k)matching,competitive wages,and arobustpaid time off(PTO) program.
Discover your future at SEnergy!
Faces of Top Workplaces
XPEL
Serving 16 countriesworldwide and headquarteredin SanAntonio,XPELhas builtaculture of innovation and progress whereeveryonehas the opportunity to thrive. We provide hands-onexperienceindiverse career pathsdesignedtomatch your skills and ambition.Withspecialists in paintprotectionfilm, ceramic coatings, windowtintand more,weoften use the phrase, “Weprotect everything.” Asentimentthat includesthe entire XPEL team.
We arecommitted to employee growth by offering training,advancement, and the promiseofa rewarding future.Joinapassionateteamdedicated to the protection of vehicles, homes, andoffices through cutting-edgefilmtechnologies.
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EVENTS LISTINGS
BY JIMKIEST
November
Wurstfest: New Braunfels’annual celebration of all things German, especially sausageand beer, will feature music by polka hotshotAlexMeixner,Squeezebox with Mollie Band master yodelerKerry Christensen. The food menu goes deepon wurst and schnitzel, often served on astick Through Nov. 16,Landa Park, New Braunfels, wurstfest.com
John Mulaney: Stand-up comedy star Mulaney returns to San Antonio followinga season of his eccentric Netflix talk show. His current tour is titled “Mister Whatever.” Nov. 12 (Nov. 11 show sold out),Majestic Theatre, majesticempire.com
Mavis Staples: Singer and civil rights activist Mavis Staples turned 86 this year. She’s been aworking musician for about75 of those years, starting with the Staples Singers, the group formed by her father, Pops Staples. For an idea of her range, and the respect her peers have for her, check out the recording of the 2016 celebratory concert “I’ll Take You There.” The set list runs from gospel to the Talking Heads, and guests include Aaron Neville, Gregg Allman, Jeff Tweedy and Bonnie Raitt. Nov. 21, Carver Community Cultural Center, thecarver.org
Andy Bell: As half of the duo Erasure, Andy Bell is the voice of synth-pop hits such as “Oh L’Amour” and “Chains of Love.” Bell’s tour willinclude music by Erasure, covers and songs from his new solo album,“Ten Crowns.” Nov. 14,Aztec Theatre, theaztectheatre.com
“Beauty and the Beast”: The 30th anniversary tour of the classic Disney musical about bookish Belle and the cursed Beasthas been refreshed with new sets and costumes and some original choreography. Texas State University graduate Kyra Belle Johnsonstars as Belle. Nov. 19-30, Majestic Theatre, majesticempire.com
Jingle Bell Roll: This new holiday attraction at the La Cantera Resort &Spa promisesto turn the resort’s Topazpool into a“twinkling roller rink floating over water.” In additionto
DA TEBOO K
open skate sessions, specialevenings are planned for families, date nights and teens. Opens Nov. 21,LaCantera Resort &Spa, lacanteraexperiences.com
Ice!: This year’s version of the resort’s annual holiday attraction is dedicated to the Rankin Bass animated classic “Frosty the Snowman.” Ice sculptures depict scenes and characters from the special, including Frosty and the rabbit Hocus Pocus. Atwo-story ice slide is part of the frosty fun (parkas provided). Opens Nov. 22, JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort &Spa, jwhillcountrychristmas.com
Red Dot: The Contemporary at Blue Star’s 35th annualRed Dot artsale features affordable works by many of the city’s best-known artists. Nov. 12,Contemporary at Blue Star, contemporarysa.org
“Frozen”: Think you don’t need to see “Frozen” again? Let thatnotion go. San Pedro Playhouse will be the first theater in town to produce the full blockbuster Disney musical about sisters divided by achildhood accident and lots and lots of ice. Nov. 21-Dec. 23, San Pedro Playhouse, sanpedroplayhouse.org
San Antonio Christmas Showcase: Make alist, check it twice, then head to this holiday shopping event featuring more than300 vendors selling gifts, holiday décor andfood. Santa will be present for those wantingto take aphoto or get in an early Christmas request. Nov. 22-23, Freeman Coliseum Expo Hall, christmasshowcase.com
Ford Holiday River Parade: The Friday after Thanksgiving is best known as Black Friday, the first big shopping dayofthe Christmas season. In SanAntonio, it’s more like bright Friday, when the Ford Holiday River Parade and Lighting Ceremony take place along the River Walk. More than 100,000 lights will glow on the parade, with floats reflecting the theme Merry Movie Magic. Buddy the Elf from the musical“Elf” will be the parade’s grand marshal. Nov. 28, River Walk, thesanantonioriverwalk.com
December
Santa Experience: The food-and-drink destination at the former Borden factory in Tobin Hill will embrace the holidays with lights, carolers andseasonal fare. This event promises storytelling with Santa, with milk and cookies for the kids, andphoto sessions for pets with old St. Nick. Dec. 6, The Creamery District, thecreamerysatx.com
“Las Nuevas Tamaleras”: Since itslocal premiere in 1993 at the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center, Alicia Mena’s one-act playhas become aholiday tradition in San Antonio.
The bilingual comedy is about agroup ofcooks making tamales for the first time and the spirits whotry to advisethem. Dec.4-7, Carver Community Cultural Center, lastamaleras.com
Mariachi Extravaganza: MariachiVargas de Tecalitlan is the headliner at San Antonio’s long-running mariachi competition and concert But it’s the group and vocal competitions for students from across Texas that have attracted national attention in recent years, with aNetflix documentary, coverage in the New York Timesand aforthcoming book. Dec. 4-6, Lila Cockrell Theatre, mariachimusic.com
San Antonio Marathon: After more than a decade of hosting aRock ’n’ Roll Marathon, San Antonio will have its own, locally organizedevent. The race, which is expected to draw morethan 18,000 participants, will feature miles themed according to the city’s cultural highlights, such as the Fiesta mile, the military mile and therodeo mile. Dec. 7, sanantoniomarathon.com
Valero Alamo Bowl: The city’s college football bowl game usually draws teamsfrom the Big12 conference, though that does not necessarily mean aTexas team will be in thegame.Last year, it was Deion Sanders’ ColoradoBuffaloesand the BYU Cougars. Dec. 30, Alamodome, alamobowl.com
Jingle Bell Run: With bells on is the only way to
go at this holiday-themed 5K, which is abig fundraiser for the Arthritis Foundation. Don’t be surprised to see afew elves or even areindeer on the course. Dec. 13,Martin Luther King Park, arthritis.org
Sarah Brightman: Classicalcrossover star Brightman originated the role of Christine in “Phantom of the Opera” and recorded aseries of bestselling albums such as “La Luna” and “Classics.” Her current tour, titled “A Winter Symphony,” will showcase holiday music and Brightman’s hits with an orchestra and choir. Dec. 20, Majestic Theatre, majesticempire.com
“Elf the Musical”: Thismusical, based on the 2003 Will Ferrell movie, has become aholiday favorite in its own right. Watch as Buddy the elf travels from Christmastown to New York to find his family and bring the spirit of Christmas back to the Big Apple. Dec. 23-28, Majestic Theatre, majesticempire.com
Trans-Siberian Orchestra: Thisclassic rock-meets-Christmas spectacle has become as much of aholiday tradition as driving through Windcrest to see the lights or searching for aSee’s Candies kiosk. Thisyear’s winter tour is “Ghosts of ChristmasEve: TheBest of TSO &More.” In the holiday spirit, some of the proceeds will benefit the Elf Louise Christmas Project. Dec. 21 (two shows), Frost Bank Center, frostbankcenter.com
WHAT DEFINES SANANTONIO?
More than just thebustlingRiver Walk,the historical Missions,and even theboomingpopulationthat places it seventhinthe nation,it’sthe community-driven,entrepreneurial people that make up theFaces of SA.
January
CelebrateS.A.: If you haven’t checked out out the latest developments at Hemifair, San Antonio’s annual New Year’s Eve partyand countdownisagreat opportunity to do just that whilebidding goodriddanceto2025with thousandsofyour friends and neighbors. Dec. 31, Hemisfair, saparks.org
Morrissey: It can’t be comforting to San Antonio fans to known that the British singer canceled apair of shows in October due to severe infections in both ears. He’s pulledthe plug on four straight appearances here.Which isn’ttosay Morrisey won’t make the latest makeup date. To paraphrase one of hissongs with theSmiths, there is hope and it never goes out. Jan. 10,Boeing Center at TechPort, boeingcentertechport.com
Holiday lights
Zoo Lights: The San Antonio Zoo’s annual wintertime transformation will be bigger, brighter and wilder this year, according to the zoo’s website. Displays in the past have included apolar playground and fa-la-la flamingos. Starts Nov. 15,San Antonio Zoo, sazoo.org
Illuminate: The gardens become aglowing adventure during Illuminate, with handcrafted lanterns, glowing trails and larger-than-life sculptures of flora and fauna. Opens Nov. 21, San Antonio BotanicalGarden, sabot.org
Light the Way: Like the first child downthe stairs on Christmas morning, Universityof the Incarnate Word is up early with its holiday lights, millions of them across the campus, which get switched on at afestival that featuresmusic, food and holiday shopping. Nov. 22, Universityofthe Incarnate Word, uiw.edu
Coca-Cola’s ClassicChristmas: The home of San Antonio FC has adifferent goalinthe winter, but it’s still akick. A 90,000-square-foot light display is the star of ClassicChristmas, which also offers ice skating, asnow slide and classic Christmas movies. Nov. 28-Dec.28, Toyota Field, classicchristmas.com
Holiday Lights on the River Walk: More than 2,000 strings of lights sparkle in the cypress trees that line the River Walk
Switched on Nov. 28 during the Ford Holiday River Parade, thesanantonioriverwalk.com
Windcrest Light-Up: In Texas, the City of Lights isn’t Paris, but Windcrest, the Northeast Side community that goes all out for the holidays. This year’stheme is “A StorybookChristmas.” Kickoff celebration Dec. 6, Windcrest, windcrest-tx.gov
River of Lights: The Museum Branch of the River Walk hasits own holiday season sparkle and its own lighting celebration, which will feature live music and 50 tonsof snow. Dec. 13,San Antonio River Lock &Dam, sariverauthority.org.
The Nutcracker
“The Nutcracker” is such aholiday favorite that ballet fans will again have their pick of several versions in thelead-up to Christmas.
San Antonio Dance: This is a pre-professional companyfor students ages 14 to 22. Nov. 29-30, Carver Community Cultural Center, sadance.org
Ballet San Antonio: The ballet is aholiday tradition for the Tobin Center’s resident company. Dec 5-7 and 12-14,Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, balletsanantonio.org
Starlight Dance Company: Students from the Helotes dance company star in this production. Dec. 14,Woodlawn Theatre, woodlawncomedy.com
San Antonio Youth Ballet: San Antonio Ballet School’s companyperforms with alive orchestra. Dec. 19-21, Scottish Rite Auditorium, sanantonioballetschool.com
Universe Dance Company: This production is by thecompanyofUniverse Dance School in StoneOak. Dec. 19-20, Edgewood Theater of Performing Arts, universedanceschool.com
“The Nutcracker: Act II”: The companyof Collective Dance Artistry in Helotes will perform the dances from “TheNutcracker’s” Land of Sweets in addition to contemporary dance pieces. Dec. 22, Edgewood Theatreof Performing Arts, collectivedanceartistry.com
“Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet”: This touring production boasts elaborate puppetry, costumes andsets. Dec. 29-30, Majestic Theatre, majesticempire.com
DI NI NG OU T
WheretoDine+ DrinkAroundTown
2M SMOKEHOUSE $ Barbecue (Southeast). Esaul Ramos serves all the classic barbecue fare —from brisket and pulled porktospare ribs and turkey —but with aMexicanflair, whichmeans 2M has barbecue tacosand tres leches cake. Get there early. The restaurant closes when the day’s meat sells out. L Thursday-Sunday. 2731S.W.W. White Road, 210-885-9352
ÁCENAR $$ Mexican/LatinAmerican (downtown). Founded by Rosario’s Lisa Wong, this eatery’s menu includes favorite Tex-Mex dishes plus traditionalMexicanspecialties each with acontemporary twist. If a tequila-infused cocktail is what you’reafter, head to the bar, Atomar, during happy hour for killer drink specials and $5 platitos, or “little plates.” L-D daily. 146E.Houston St., 210-222-2362, acenar.com
BAR LORETTA $$ American,bar (Southtown). Restaurateur Roger Herr worked with executive chef Paul Petersentocreatea Texas-inspired menu that combines fine dining and approachability in dishes like chile-glazed quail, chamoy Brussels sprouts and burgers. D Tuesday-Sunday; BSunday. 320 Beauregard St., 210-757-3607, barloretta.com
BARBARO $$ Italian/pizza (Monte Vista) The house-made cocktails at this eateryare the perfectcomplement to pizzasthat are anything but ordinary. From Benton’s bacon and carbonara to clams to hash browns,kale andhoney, the mix of toppings on thesepies is original and delectable. Salads and sandwiches fill out the menu. LFriday-Sunday; Ddaily; B Saturday-Sunday. 2720 McCullough Ave., 726-268-1780, barbarosanantonio.com
BATTALION $$-$$$ Italian (Southtown) This rustic Italian conceptishoused in a1920s fire station. The real star of the show is the handmadepasta. DTuesday-Sunday. 604 S. Alamo St., 210-816-0088, battalionsa com
BEST QUALITY DAUGHTER $$ Asian(Pearl). Chef Jennifer Hwa Dobbertin’s restaurant, informed by her time living abroadinBangkok andtravels throughout Asia,has earnedher three James Beard Award nominations Entrées include creamycoconut tom yum noodles and salt-n-pepper shrimp,while Sunday brunchincludes Chickenand Hong Kong Waffle with Thai teaglaze and Thaibasil L-Ddaily; BSunday. 602 Avenue A, 210-819-4236, bestqualitydaughter.com
THE BIG BIB $ Barbecue (Austin Highway) Bring your appetite. Whetherit’s abrisket or turkey breast sandwich, or afamily platter with 5pounds of different barbecuemeats,there is no suchthing as asmallportionhere.Favorite sides include the sweet potato casseroleand potato salad,and thepeach cobblerroutinely sells out L-DTuesday-Sunday. 104Lanark Drive, 210-654-8400, thebigbib.com
BIGA ON THE BANKS $$$ American (downtown). BruceAudenled the march toward locally grown, seasonal gourmet dishes.Epicureanscontinue to praisethe flavors in everybite from this multiple James BeardAward-nominatedchef. From Hill Country venison to sticky toffeepudding, each mealisattentively servedand artistically plated. Ddaily.203 S. St. Mary’s St., 210-225-0722, biga.com
BIRD BAKERY $ Bakery (Alamo Heights). Founded by Elizabeth Chambers,this popular Broadway bakeryserves up classic comforts done extremely well. Comefor the sweets cupcakes, cookies, lemon bars— or the savory —chicken salad, pimento cheese sandwiches, tomatobasil soup. Either way, you won’t be disappointed. B-L-D daily.5912Broadway, 210-804-2473,birdbakery.com
BLISS $$-$$$ American(Southtown). The ever-changing menu affirms alove of seasonal flavors and dedication to artisanal goods.A darling of Southtown, this contemporary American eatery focusesona creativeand delectable entrée selection, as well as exquisite service. It’s relaxedelegance at its best. D Tuesday-Saturday.926 S. Presa St 210-225-2547, foodisbliss.com
BRASSERIE MONCHOUCHOU$$$
European (Pearl) At Brasserie Mon Chou Chou,chef Laurent Réabrings careful attention to French classics, choosinga corn-fed cut for his steak fritesthatelevates the dish and rootsthe Art Nouveauspace firmly in South Texas. Whetherit’sescargot, an endive salad, or avol-au-vent with craband spinach, the menu delightsatevery turn L-D Monday-Saturday,B-L-D Sunday 312Pearl Parkway,210-469-3743, brasseriemonchouchou.com
THEBREAD BOX $ Bakery (Central) Tina and Lucas Kent have grown from makingbaked goods for other businessesintotheir owncafé. Join themdaily for pastries, pies,breads and brownies, plus afull breakfast andlunch menu thatincludes tasty sandwiches andmore. B-L Tuesday-Sunday.555 W. Bitters Road, Suite 115,210-277-8612,thebreadboxsa.com
CAPPY’S RESTAURANT&BAR $$ American (Alamo Heights). Whenthe weather is perfect for outdoor dining, Cappy’s is an idealsetting. Inside or out,you willfind aclassic American bistro with aTexastwang,servedthrough a menu of oak-grilledbeef, freshseafood and salads. L-Ddaily,BSaturday-Sunday. 5011 Broadway,210-828-9669, cappysrestaurant.com
CHIKA$$$ Asian (Pearl). At Chika, 1970sfunk humsaschefs Jonathan Reyes andJohn Ramos craft atasting menu rooted in San Antonio memoriesand flavors.Thinkpickled daikon with Tajín, shaved serranonods to Rudy’s Seafood, and touches of lemon-caper, al pastor and molepoblano. Each course feels like alove letter to the city’sculinary soul. D Thursday-Saturday.875 E. AshbyPlace, 210-800-5993, sevenrooms.com
CHRISMADRID’S $ Burgers/Mexican (BeaconHill). Legions of locals sayitserves the best burgerintown. The MachoTostada burger, topped with refriedbeans andchips, now approacheslegendarystatus. The restaurant reopened withupdatesin2019after the original eatery wasdamagedbyafire. L-D daily.1900 BlancoRoad, 210-735-3552, chrismadrids.com
CLEMENTINE$$ American(Castle Hills). ChefsJohn and Elise Russ present a neighborhood eatery withAmerican classics that are anything but boring. Select theFeed Me menu and let the chefs take you on atourof current seasonal inspirations.The dessert menu shines; it includes must-try cardamom
ChikaatThe Creamery
doughnuts with coffee ice cream. D Tuesday-Sunday. 2195NWMilitary Highway, 210-503-5121, clementine-sa.com
CULLUM’S ATTAGIRL$ American (Monte Vista). The marriage of chickenand cold beer at Chris Cullum’s restaurantismore than just a pleasing combination,it’sa necessity. That’s because the fried chickenthat Cullumserves is Nashville-style, meaningvery hot. Cullum’s simple menuuses aversion of his grandparents’recipe from achickenshack they owned. Avariety of ever-changing beersare on tap. L-D Wednesday-Sunday. 726 E. Mistletoe Ave., 210-437-4263
CULLUM’S ATTA BOY $$ American (Monte Vista). The sister restaurant off the St. Mary’s Strip from Chris Cullum, nominated for Best Chef: Texas in the 2024 James Beard Awards, is atribute to Cullum’slate father, jazz musician Jim Cullum. Find classics such as pancakes, eggs Benedict, steak and eggs, Champagne and caviar, escargot, burgers and more at this Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand restaurant. B-L -D Wednesday-Saturday. B-L Sunday 111 Kings Court, 726-229-7301, cullumsattaboy.com
CURED $$ American (Pearl). James Beard Award-nominated chef Steve McHugh restored the 109-year-old Pearl Brewing Co. building to its original glory. McHugh, who hails from Wisconsin and spent time in New Orleans, leads aNew American concept here, complete with brews, cured meats and house-made (almost) everything. Ddaily, B Saturday-Sunday. 306 Pearl Parkway, Suite 101, 210-314-3929,curedatpearl.com
DEMO’S GREEKFOOD $-$$ Mediterranean (North Central, Stone Oak, Tobin Hill). The Demo’s food family won San Antonio’s heart as one of the city’s first Mediterranean outlets in 1979 and has since introduced generations to lamb kebabs, gyros, souvlaki, tzatziki, spanakopita and dolmas. Servings are generous, and the french fries are among the best in town. L-D Monday-Saturday. Multiple locations, demosgreekfood.com
DOUGH PIZZERIA NAPOLETANA $$ Italian/Pizza (Castle Hills, downtown). Offering more than “just” pizza, this hip trattoria transports diners to Naples with certified authentic pies, calzones andmore from Doug Horn’s wood-burning volcanic stone oven. The handmademozzarella helps keep tables full, and we promise the waitisworthit. L-D daily 6989 Blanco Road,210-979-6565; 518S.Alamo St 210-227-2900, doughpizzeria.com
DOWN ON GRAYSON $-$$ American (Pearl). The team behind Gruene Halland Josephine Street Café combined whatwelove most about their other venues into this eatery across from Pearl: relaxed outdoorseating, well-executed modern American fare and abar with plenty of brews, wine and cocktails to keep us returning to happyhour week after
week. L-D daily.303 E. Grayson St., 830-248-9244, downongrayson.com
EL BUCANERO $ Mexican/Seafood (Shavano Park, North Central, far West Side). This isn’t just another Tex-Mexjoint with fish tacos. It’s pure Sinaloa-style freshness —seafood cocktails awash in spicy, onion-spikedshrimp broth with fresh tomato and cucumber, loaded with large shrimpand tenderoctopus; camaronesaguachiles, butterflied flash-marinated shrimp in lime juice and serrano peppers, draped on the rim of a molcajete; moist and flakey whole grilled red snapper; and cool, plump oysters. No wonder lines form. L-D daily. Multiple locations, el-bucanero.com
THE ESQUIRE TAVERN $-$$ Bar (Downtown). The city’s beloved downtown tavern —boasting one of the longest wooden bar in Texas (at 108feet) —was resurrected in 2011 and instantlyfell back intothe loving arms of patrons, oldand new. Thislongstanding institution openeda bar downstairs on the River Walk level in 2016.Aptly named Downstairs, the bar features inventivecocktails and small bites. L-D daily.115 E. CommerceSt., 210-222-2521, esquiretavern-sa.com
HOT JOY$$ Asian (Downtown). The twice-friedchickenwings are asell-out favorite,and there’s plenty of other menu items to fill your craving for quirky but delicious dishes worth trying. Plus, there’s a full bar with plenty of specialty cocktails. L-D Monday-Thursday;Brunch-D Friday-Sunday. 1101 Broadway, Suite 140, 210-940-4488, hotjoysa.com
IL FORNO$$ Pizza (Southtown). When Michael Sohocki set out to openapizza place, he decidedhewouldn’t be satisfiedwithjust any pizza oven. So he built his own brick oven
to create crispy crusts on theNaples-style pizza. The menu is rotating and includes details like house-curedmeats, homemade mozzarella and vegetables picked from a garden outside L-D Tuesday-Saturday. 122 Nogalitos St., 210-616-2198, ilfornosa.com
ISIDORE $$-$$$ American (Pearl). Located inside Pullman Market, Isidore celebrates Texas’ rich agricultural roots with arefined farm-to-table approach. The menuhighlights include atender, juicy pork chop, aflavorfulrib cap from Floresville’s Peeler Farms and afull section devotedtoartisan-raisedbeef. Gulf oysters shine withahouse-made blackberry vinegar mignonette, while afour-course Texas wine menu invites gueststorediscover the depth and elegance of the state’s vineyards. D Tuesday-Sunday,1101Broadway, Suite 140, 210-940-4488, 221Newell Ave., isidoresatx.com
LADINO$$$ Mediterranean (Pearl). Radiating Mediterranean charm, Ladino invites diners to linger and share. Begin with spreads like whipped spicy feta or taramasalata, then move to meze such as kibbeh nayeh or grilled veal sweetbreads. Theleekswith lemon and dill and the agristada de pishkado, afamily-inspired tilefish in lemon-egg sauce, capture the restaurant’s vibrant, heartfelt spirit. Thursday-Saturday. 200 E. Grayson St.,Suite 100, 210-325-6007, ladinosatx.com
MAGPIE $$ New American(East Side). Sue Kim,a South Korean chef, delivers an inventive blend of Korean-inspiredflavors and modern technique in an intimate, unpretentious setting. Standout dishes include braised king oyster mushrooms in arich red miso beurre blanc, coffee-curedsmoked duck with sour cherry sauce and crisp pork belly ssam with fennel slaw —all showcasing the kitchen’s finesse and creativity. Thoughtfully paired wines and exceptional quality at aremarkable value.
Apizza bakes in the brick oven built by chef/ownerMichael Sohocki at Il Forno.
CO
Friday, DWednesday-Sunday, 1602 E. Houston St., Suite 106, 210-389-1584, magpie.us
NINETEEN HYAKU $$$ Asian (Broadway). At Nineteen Hyaku, the Carpenters blend refinement and boldness in their most ambitious project. Start with oysters dressed
in truffle ponzu, shiso oil and smokedtrout roe before diving into inventive rolls like the Little Em’s or Guajillo Akami. Every bite strikes a balance of flavor, texture and control. D Thursday-Saturday.1900 Broadway Suite 119, 210-429-0771, www.nineteenhyaku.com
SIGNATURE $$-$$$ American (Northwest). Located within La Cantera, Michelin-recognizedSignature blends Texas Hill Country charmwithelevated French-inspired cuisine. The warm, artfully designed space showcasesthe work of local artisans, from salvaged oak tables andazinc bar to hand-forgedchandeliers andcustom cabinetry. Highlights includeslow-cooked, charred octopus with squid inkarancini and romesco, and aperfectly seared venison tenderloin with potato pavé andcherry jus. D Tuesday-Sunday,BrunchSunday. 16401La Cantera Parkway,210-247-0176, signaturerestaurant.com
YOZORA $$-$$$ Asian(Dominion). Inspired by Japan’s jazz kissa culture.The dishes sing as much as the records do —acreamy miso soup with truffle and crispy rice puffs pairs beautifully with dry sake or sparkling wine. Don’t miss the signature crispy toro: pan-seared rice topped with mediumfatty tuna, house-made ponzu gel, jalapeñoand pickled wasabi. LSunday,DTuesday-Sunday. 22211 Interstate 10 Access Road, Suite 1111 yozora.online
B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner Restaurants are updated,asspace allows. Contact advertising@sanantoniomag.com to sponsor your restaurantlisting
Yozora Japanese Izakaya and listening bar JO
Faces ofSan Antonio Release PartyinPhotos
SanAntonio Magazinecelebrated therelease of the September/October issue withthe community-driven, entrepreneurial business community featured in the Faces of San Antonio section. These ambitiousindividuals lead SanAntonioinavariety of industries.
Avery specialthank youtoSternewirth at Hotel Emma and all who joined us.
CHRISSTOKES
PHOTOS BY
BY DEBORAH MARTIN
Thegallery:
Hopscotch, 711Navarro, Suite 100
Thework:
“Quantum Trampoline.” It is on permanent display.
QUANTUM TRAMPOLINE” MIGHTBETHE MOST FUNPIECEOFART IN THE CITY
As thetitle indicates, it is awell-padded trampoline in an enclosureatHopscotch,the everevolving interactivegallery just across thestreet from Travis Park downtown Thosewho want to give “Quantum Trampoline” agomustfirst tuck theirshoes into acubby (leaving theirsocks on)beforesteppinginside. As NewAge-style musicplays,folks areencouragedtomove andgrooveastheywish. Abstract projectionsswirl about, theimagery shifting in response to themovement.
Theideaistogivethose inside asense of what it wouldbeliketobecomea stream of light or aparticlein thecosmos.
Thepiece wascreated by Kuflex,aninteractive design andaudiovisual artstudiobased in Moscow
