san antonio restaurant week 2012
kat worked extra hard this week, five late nights (early mornings) in a row. so, we took a weekend of 100% relaxation, no projects. packed up the truck and drove down to san antonio,
the sunken gardens of san antonio. back in 1917, this was an old quarry (hole in the ground). they converted it to an asian style garden, and it was good.
from the japanese tea house area, you can see the waterfall to the left and one of the koi ponds below.
the last time I was here (sunken gardens) the sex pistols were playing san antonio around the same time.... really. so that must have been 1978. I remember hearing my mother and aunt talk about it, "I hear people spit on each other at those shows, just awful".
then we went to Boudro's on the riverwalk for their restaurant week offering.
kat was enjoying a prickly pear margarita while having her weekly phone conversation with her mother. the food at boudro's was good, everything is made in house and very fresh. but I don't think their restaurant week menu was a strong offering. we found that restaurant week in san antonio is not nearly as well organized as the event held in austin.
the weather cooperated. as summer comes to a close, we don't have much to complain from the weather. we got some rain, and not too much heat.
we spent the afternoon at the hotel pool. kat used a lounge chair to catch up on her sleep while the boys played with new friends. I overheard #1 son tell his new minions "normally, I don't play sports that involve balls". he made an exception as they threw that football and raced across the pool over and over again, as he made up the rules of the games. (see the yellow/orange ball in mid air above left)
Monterey, easily our favorite place for eats and drinks in san antonio.
the pickled menu item was GOOD! I loved the radish as well as the watermelon rind and kimchi ... all of it was good.
the charred squid and jicama salad was another success, along with the fried goat balls (not shown)
the kids loved the house made pop-tart
good food and beverage, even better when shared with friends old and new. one friend I've known since high school and others I met for the first time in person.
the boys made a new friend and huddled around the fireplace. OK, it's august in texas... the fireplace was illuminated via light bulb, it was a nice effect.
BREAKFAST AT GUENTHER HOUSE:
the family that owned the Pioneer Flour Mill built a mansion next to their mill around 1860. the limestone blocks for the house were quarried from what is now the sunken gardens... it's all related. the mansion is now a restaurant that features products from their mill. the waffles and biscuits are the star of this show.
some of the mansion has been set aside as a museum, featuring the original furnishings of the family. there is a beautiful art noveau dining area downstairs. it was too nice to not eat outside.
probably the best waffle we ever had.
guenther house is located in the historic king william district. towering oak trees line the streets and shade beautiful historic mansions.
guitar practice back in the hotel room. the crowne plaza was nice enough, it was clean and the staff friendly.... BUT, the lobby bar really sucked. the family let me know that they prefer the westin. point noted, I'll try harder to meet their high standards next time.
mom took the boys on a river boatride around the riverwalk.
OSTRA: san antonio restaurant week 2012
the restaurant week offering at Ostra was fantastic! kat said "this meal made the whole trip worth it", and that made me happy. #2 son enjoyed the pineapple agua fresca that accompanied four other items for only $15.
tortilla soup, a delicious salad, lobster roll and a coolhaus ice cream sandwich. ironic that the coolhaus is from austin... but nobody complained.
really, he was happy about it all. I don't recall why he gave me the pouty lip.
and closing up on summer projects.... the daughter finished painting her new cabinet boxes and we put them up. they're mostly empty for now, except for her favorite female jedi, shaak-ti
