San Antonio - December 2012
We arrived late on Christmas Day after our typical airport snack at Chili's in the SW terminal. We checked into our gorgeous boutique hotel, the Contessa on the Riverwalk. We didn't get to sleep until almost 1 AM so we slept really late on Carol's 50th BD and lounged in the morning. By noon, we were starving and went out to find a Mexican lunch. We found Guadalahara on the edge of the shopping district called La Vallita. We had beef and cheese enchiladas and a mojito. Our waitress was great and appeared to be "family". From there, we were refueled and ready to shop. I saw a great little oil painting of a minature pinscher but being in the de-clutter mode, I passed it by and we settled on a couple great little photo cards.
For Carol's birthday dinner, we had reservations at the Chart House which is located at the top of the Tower of the Americas. The Tower dates back to 1968 when San Antonio hosted the World's Fair in Hemisphere Park. Our wine was a Hess Select. The appetizer was a wonderful Tuna Ahi with a gorgeous presentation. The dining area rotates much like our own local Millenium does so we saw the beautiful city lights as we dined. I had a macadamian encrusted mahi mahi while Carol had the rare Chilean Sea Bass. Dinner was exquisite and the menu even had a heading that read Happy 50th Birthday which was a really nice touch. We decided to head back to our own beautiful hotel lobby and finish the night with a cocktail. On the way, we stopped for a horse drawn carriage ride. Our horse was named Babe and we snuggled under a purple blanked while hearing some interesting San Antonio history. Once back at our hotel, I had a classic Blood and Sand while Carol had an Old Fashioned.
On the 27th, we went for a big buffet breakfast at the hotel, which had all the classics, eggs, pastries and more. This got us ready for our somewhat cold Segway ride. Despite the temperature, we both found we enjoyed it and felt very comfortable riding them and enjoying the tour. We were able to ride along a stretch of the Riverwalk that was away from the hustle and bustle and we finished our trip at the Alamo. We had actually toured the Alamo while we waited for our tour to begin. You can feel the history as you take in this classic Texas site.
For dinner, we made our way to the Lonestar Cafe. I had brisket while Carol had pulled pork. We each had a mega margarita to warm ourselves from the ride. Later in the evening, Carol had a glass of Woodford Reserve and I had a shot of bourbon on the rocks.
On the 28th, we headed for breakfast at the Zuni Cafe. There we enjoyed a dish of SW eggs Benedict topped with applewood bacon and poblano Hollandaise sauce. It came with potatoes and we each ordered a pot of Mayan chocolate truffle tea. We looked high and low for the Texas wine shop which promised a tasting of Texas wines, but only found the Delmar wine shop. He had two Texas wines from Becker Vineyards. The cabernet was really good and the Viogner was a nice afternoon sipper.
It went well with a goat cheese tapas from the hotel bar. This was the pick day of the week with temperatures heading up toward 70 so we decided to take the Riverwalk barge ride.
We were having good luck finding restaurants on Open Table so for dinner, we decided to go with Las Canarias and what a find. It was exquisite. Carol started with the wilted spinach salad. It was topped with strawberries, smoked almonds, brie, and aged sherry. I had the cider butternut squash soup. We each had the veal tenderloin which came with local goat's milk ricotta ravioli, a smoked date puree, a crispy piece of Proscuitto, and a carrot meringe. For dessert, Carol had a mango basil sorbet. I had a piece of chocolate cake topped with cherry sorbet. There was a Spanish guitarist, lots of locals having an elegant holiday family gathering, and warmth from the chilly San Antonio evening. We finished the evening at the Westin and sat outside by their heaters listening to a band play some mellow holiday selections. I sipped a Don Julio Anejo tequila and Carol had an Old Fashioned.
On the 29th, we set out for another Open Table lunch at the Acenar, which was touted as modern Mexican. The place was all in pink and the food was very good as were the margaritas. This was the day we planned to go back to Tower of the America's and do the 4D Texas experience. We did that and also went back to the top for a cocktail in the lounge. By dinner, we were running out of room, so we ate a few small plates at Achiote, a restaurant in the Grand Hyatt. The place was deserted as it was the focal point of the Alamo Bowl and everyone was at the game. We went back to our room and watched the game ourselves.
We were scheduled to leave on the 30th, but not before another great lunch. We went to the Iron Cactus and had the best margaritas of the week. We shared the fish tacos and the shrimp enchilada. It was a great time. From there, we went to see the Menger Hotel, a place full of history and apparently ghosts. We had a final drink in the classic saloon, which was all wood and very beautiful.
Soon after, we had to head for the airport and then head home.
For Carol's birthday dinner, we had reservations at the Chart House which is located at the top of the Tower of the Americas. The Tower dates back to 1968 when San Antonio hosted the World's Fair in Hemisphere Park. Our wine was a Hess Select. The appetizer was a wonderful Tuna Ahi with a gorgeous presentation. The dining area rotates much like our own local Millenium does so we saw the beautiful city lights as we dined. I had a macadamian encrusted mahi mahi while Carol had the rare Chilean Sea Bass. Dinner was exquisite and the menu even had a heading that read Happy 50th Birthday which was a really nice touch. We decided to head back to our own beautiful hotel lobby and finish the night with a cocktail. On the way, we stopped for a horse drawn carriage ride. Our horse was named Babe and we snuggled under a purple blanked while hearing some interesting San Antonio history. Once back at our hotel, I had a classic Blood and Sand while Carol had an Old Fashioned.
On the 27th, we went for a big buffet breakfast at the hotel, which had all the classics, eggs, pastries and more. This got us ready for our somewhat cold Segway ride. Despite the temperature, we both found we enjoyed it and felt very comfortable riding them and enjoying the tour. We were able to ride along a stretch of the Riverwalk that was away from the hustle and bustle and we finished our trip at the Alamo. We had actually toured the Alamo while we waited for our tour to begin. You can feel the history as you take in this classic Texas site.
For dinner, we made our way to the Lonestar Cafe. I had brisket while Carol had pulled pork. We each had a mega margarita to warm ourselves from the ride. Later in the evening, Carol had a glass of Woodford Reserve and I had a shot of bourbon on the rocks.
On the 28th, we headed for breakfast at the Zuni Cafe. There we enjoyed a dish of SW eggs Benedict topped with applewood bacon and poblano Hollandaise sauce. It came with potatoes and we each ordered a pot of Mayan chocolate truffle tea. We looked high and low for the Texas wine shop which promised a tasting of Texas wines, but only found the Delmar wine shop. He had two Texas wines from Becker Vineyards. The cabernet was really good and the Viogner was a nice afternoon sipper.
It went well with a goat cheese tapas from the hotel bar. This was the pick day of the week with temperatures heading up toward 70 so we decided to take the Riverwalk barge ride.
We were having good luck finding restaurants on Open Table so for dinner, we decided to go with Las Canarias and what a find. It was exquisite. Carol started with the wilted spinach salad. It was topped with strawberries, smoked almonds, brie, and aged sherry. I had the cider butternut squash soup. We each had the veal tenderloin which came with local goat's milk ricotta ravioli, a smoked date puree, a crispy piece of Proscuitto, and a carrot meringe. For dessert, Carol had a mango basil sorbet. I had a piece of chocolate cake topped with cherry sorbet. There was a Spanish guitarist, lots of locals having an elegant holiday family gathering, and warmth from the chilly San Antonio evening. We finished the evening at the Westin and sat outside by their heaters listening to a band play some mellow holiday selections. I sipped a Don Julio Anejo tequila and Carol had an Old Fashioned.
On the 29th, we set out for another Open Table lunch at the Acenar, which was touted as modern Mexican. The place was all in pink and the food was very good as were the margaritas. This was the day we planned to go back to Tower of the America's and do the 4D Texas experience. We did that and also went back to the top for a cocktail in the lounge. By dinner, we were running out of room, so we ate a few small plates at Achiote, a restaurant in the Grand Hyatt. The place was deserted as it was the focal point of the Alamo Bowl and everyone was at the game. We went back to our room and watched the game ourselves.
We were scheduled to leave on the 30th, but not before another great lunch. We went to the Iron Cactus and had the best margaritas of the week. We shared the fish tacos and the shrimp enchilada. It was a great time. From there, we went to see the Menger Hotel, a place full of history and apparently ghosts. We had a final drink in the classic saloon, which was all wood and very beautiful.
Soon after, we had to head for the airport and then head home.
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