“We plan, we toil, we suffer – in the hope of what? A camel-load of idol’s eyes? The title deeds of Radio City? The empire of Asia? A trip to the moon? No, no, no, no. Simply to wake just in time to smell coffee and bacon and eggs.”
J.B. Priestley
Wake up to a weekend full of food activities.
Quarry Village Red Carpet Event
Thursday, November 12, 5 – 8 p.m.
Quarry Village
320 E. Basse Road
Paloma Blanca will be catering this event with proceeds going to Any Baby Can. Complimentary wine will be served and there will be shopping discounts at Bath Junkie, Amar Cosmetics, Starbucks, and The Shoe Club / Cork. Music by Steven Lee Moya.
Brown Estate Vineyards
Thursday, November 12, 6:15 p.m., $95 inclusive of tax and tip
The Wine Cellar at Boudro’s
207 N. Presa
This dinner features some limited addtion wines which are only available at the Napa winery. Start off with Parmesan Tuile with Chipotle Goat Cheese and Piloncillo, Poached Lobster Medallion Croutons with Bernaise Sauce, and Paté with Calvados Persimmon Jam and Pistachio, all served with 2007 Betelgeuse Rosé. Next, enjoy Pan-Seared Sea Scallop with Sweet Potato Gnocchi, Crispy Sweetbread, and Brown Butter, paired with 2007 Brown Estate Chardonnay. The next course is Roasted Moulard Duck Breast with Grilled Belgian Endive, Sweet Corn and Huckleberries, matched with 2006 Chaos Theory Proprietary Red Wine. Following this offering is Braised Beef Shortrib with Farro Salad, Escarole, and Wild Mushroom in Cabernet-Marrow Jus, served with 2004 Brown Estate Cabernet. Next is a Cheese Plate consisting of Spanish Manchego, St. Andre Triple Cream Brie, Drunken Goat, and Maytag Blue with Sundried Fruits, paired with 2007 Brown Estate Zinfandel. The dessert is Meyer Lemon Polenta Cake with Blackberry Zinfandel Compote, matched with 2006 Brown Estate Arrested Zinfandel Late Harvest. Part of the New World Wine and Food Festival. All reservations must be prepaid; call (210) 224-1313.
Chalk Hill Winery Winemaker’s Dinner Menu
Thursday, November 12, 6:30 p.m., $60 plus tax and tip
Bin 555
555 W. Bitters Road (Artisans Alley)
As you arrive, you will be greeted with chef Jason Dady’s Assorted Hors’ de Oeuvres and a Fall Inspired Vodka Cocktail. The first course is Diver Sea Scallop “Crudo” with Granny Smith Consommé and Celery Leaf, paired with 2005 Chalk Hill North Slope Pinot Gris. The next course is Spice Marinated Grilled Pear Salad with Frisee, Valdeon Bleu Cheese and Pickled Red Onion “Marmalade”, matched with 2006 Chalk Hill Sonoma County Sauvignon Blanc. The third course is Espresso Dusted Lamb Loin with Smoke Potato Puree, Roasted Fennel and Cippolini, served with 2006 Chalk Hill Cabernet Sauvignon. The evening will conclude with “Basque Cake” with Candied Pecan Filling and Butterscotch Ice Cream, partnered with 2006 Russian River Valley Chardonnay. For reservations, call (210) 496-0555.
Hall Winery Winemaker’s Dinner
Thursday, November 12, 6:30, $85 plus tax and gratuity
The Lodge Restaurant of Castle Hills
1746 Lockhill Selma
Start the evening at reception with chef Jason Dady’s assorted hors d’oeuvres and a Pomegranate and Estate Sage Apertif. The first course is Scallop “BLT”: Slow Roasted Tomato Jam, Romaine, Housecured Guanciale and Lemon Scented Bone Marrow Aioli, paired with 2008 Hall Sauvignon Blanc. The next course is Pan Roasted Duck Breast with Brown Butter Yukon, Baby Beets and Black Garlic Coulis, matched with 2005 Hall Merlot. The third course is “Coq au Vin”: Sous Vide of Guniea Fowl with Braised Mushroom, Pearl Onion and Italian Parsley, served with 2005 Hall Cabernet Sauvignon. The next course is Boneless “Rack of Lamb” with Celeriac Agnolotti, Roasted Root Vegetables and Bordelaise, partnered with 2005 Kathryn Hall Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Dessert will be “A Study in Tea”. Reserve your table by calling (210) 349-8466.
Ravines Wine-maker’s Dinner
Thursday, November 12, 7 p.m., $65 plus tax and tip
Grey Moss Inn
19010 Scenic Loop Road
Helotes, TX 78023
This event, part of the New World Wine and Food Festival, features the wines from a New York Finger Lakes region boutique winery. Lisa Hallgren will host the dinner which starts with Grilled Caribou Sausage with Point Reyes Blue Cheese & Pepperberry Jam, Pulled-Pork and Collard Green Ravioli, and Diablo Shrimp on Crostini with Sun Dried Tomato Cream Cheese and Cilantro Oil, all paired with 2007 Dry Riesling and 2007 Dry Pinot Rosé. The first course is Pineapple-Chipotle Glazed Rainbow Trout, served with 2007 Sauvignon Blanc and 2007 Chardonnay. The second course is Sautéed Duck Breast with Orange-Cherry Gastrique, served with 2007 Pinot Noir. The next course is Bison Short Ribs with Hoisin-Ginger Glaze and Truffle-Basil Mashed Potatoes, matched with 2006 Cabernet Franc. The dessert will be Twinkie-Tiramisu with Vin d’Paille, a dessert wine exclusively available at the winery. For reservations, call (210) 695-8301.
Champagne Tasting and Lecture, “A Taste of Place”
Thursday, November 12, 7-9 p.m., $75
Bihl Haus Arts
2803 Fredericksburg Road
Dr. Kollen M. Guy, author of the award winning book “When Champagne Became French” (John Hopkins, 2003), will host an evening all about Champagne. The evening will include hors d’oeuvres and the tasting of both New and Old World sparkling wines and French Champagne. Tickets and more information are at http://www.hhcinfo.org/events.htm.
A Simple Tuscan Meal – Cooking Class
Saturday, November 14, 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., $70
Central Market Cooking School
4821 Broadway St.
Giuseppe Mazzocchi, Member of the Italian Chef’s Federation and Les Toques Blanches International, will introduce you to traditional Italian dishes: Savory Artichoke Tart with Asiago Fondue; Florentine Gnudi with White Ragu; Pork Loin with Roasted Sage Potatoes in Extra Virgin Olive Oil; and Panettone Flambé with Sabayon.
Gingerbread Design Challenge
Saturday, November 14, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., free
Ingram Park Mall
6601 N.W. Loop 410, 78238 (near IBC Bank entrance)
The San Antonio Children’s Museum, American Institute of Architects San Antonio and the West East Design Group are hosting a timed “Iron Chef” style competition to create gingerbread houses from sheet pans of Gingerbread, courtesy of Grand Hyatt San Antonio. Royal icing and assorted surprise decorations will be available to the teams, which include SAISD and several architectural firms. Spectators can vote for “People’s Choice” and “Kids’ Choice” awards. The completed houses will be on view at San Antonio Children’s Museum with the price of admission from November 19 – December 31.
Rock ‘n’ Roll San Antonio Marathon Pre Race Day Pasta Dinner
Saturday, November 14, 4 – 8 p.m., $16.50 for adults, $10.50 for children under age 10, free under age 3, all plus tax and gratuity
Historic Sunset Station
1174 E. Commerce
Even if you are not carb loading for the race, you can enjoy this buffet including: Mexican Caesar salad; three types of pasta with a variety of sauces; garlic bread; dessert and your choice of iced tea, lemonade, water or coffee. Limited seating; purchase your tickets at Ticketmaster, the Rock ‘N’ Roll San Antonio Health & Fitness Expo, or at the Sunset Station box office.
Wine Tasting
Saturday, November 14, 5 p.m., $85 plus tax & gratuity
COCO Chocolate Lounge & Bistro
18402 US 281 N, Suite 114
Taste at least eight Bordeaux and Bordeaux-style international meritages at this tasting. The wines selected by the sommelier are ranked in the top 5% by leading publications, wine experts, or wine guides, most with ratings of 95 or above. Vintages will range from 1994 to 2005 with market prices in the $100 – $400 / bottle. A “mystery wine” will be served and the individual who comes closest to identifying the wine will win a $100 gift certificate. Premium cheese and light fare will accompany the wines. There will be a maximum of 20 participants, by reservations only. For more information, call (210) 491-4480.
“Prestige Wines” Wine Dinner
Saturday, November 14, 7 p.m., $59 plus tax and gratuity
Liberty Bistro
200 N. Seguin Ave
New Braunfels, TX 78130
The first course is Antipasto served with Tomero Torrontes, Mendoza. The next course is Smoked Shrimp in a Citrus Vinaigrette, matched with Altozano Vedego / Sauvignon Blanc Vino dela Tierra de Castilla. The third course is Rosemary Pork Roast, paired with Milbrandt Vineyards ‘Legacy’ Merlot, Columbia Valley. The next course is Hangar Steak Tagliata with Arugula and Rosemary Grits, served with Vistlba Corte C Malbec / Merlot, Mendoza. The fifth course is Brie Stuffed Ravioli Almodine, matched with Justin Cabernet. Dessert is Liberty Bistro Holiday Pie. For reservations, call (830) 624-7876. www.mylibertybistro.com
Marathon Brunch
Sunday, November 15, 11:30 a.m. – 3 p.m., $35 for adults, $20 for children, plus tax and gratuity
Biga on the Banks
203 South St. Mary’s St.
Whether or not you run twenty-six miles to get there, Biga welcomes you to a post-marathon brunch. All marathoners wearing their medal pay only $26.20 plus tax and gratuity. Some of the entrées include: Grilled Salmon with fall veggies, spätzle dumplings, and pistou; Free Range Eggs Benedict on sweet corn biscuits , hydroponic watercress, prosciutto, tomato confit, and truffled holandaise; and Seared Beef Tenderloin Medallions with au gratin potatoes, asparagus, smokey mushrooms, blue cheese or jalapeño bernaise. To make reservations, go to www.biga.com.
21st Annual Lone Star Vegetarian Network Vegetarian (Vegan!) Chili Cook-off
Sunday, November 15, 11:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., $7 adults, $3 children 6-12, free for children 5-
Austin Farmers Market
6701 Burnet Road
Austin, TX 78757
Taste all the delicious vegan chilis at this event which also includes great door prizes, live music, vendors, educational booths and exhibits. The cook-off is open to all interested entrants. More information is at http://www.lsvn.org/.
Czech Specialties
November 15 – 23
Little Gretel Restaurant
518 River Road
Boerne, TX
Executive Chef Jan Michalek, Senior Manager of the Czech Culinary National Team of the Czech Republic has selected a special team of chef’s to appear at this Hill Country restaurant. Team members have competed at IGEHO Stuttgart, Glasgow, ScotHot, Chicago, FHA Singapore, Ukraine, and Olympics IKA in Erfurt, Germany. From 7:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m., enjoy “Czech Pastry and Baking for the Holidays”. From 5 – 9 p.m., they will offer “Czech Vintage and Traditional Cuisine”. For more information, see www.littlegretel.com.
