Slide your moon roof open to savor the fresh cool views in this installment of Outside ’09. From Marisol DeLuna’s gorgeous new downtown boutique, to Lush’s rooftop nightclub, this ride will delight the senses. We offer up an overview of La Cantera Hill Country Resort & Spa’s enhanced amenities and new restaurant, brighten your palate with bites from Pita Pit, Revolutionary Tacos, El Mirasol at Alon and the sweets of Real Crumbles Bakery. And we roll down the windows for the ninth annual Fredericksburg Road Tour and lyrical notes from the international music festival. Ride on!
FASHIONS FLOURISH DOWNTOWN
New York fashion designer and San Antonio native Marisol Deluna will open a design studio, boutique and educational facility in San Antonio’s La Villita Historic Arts Village. The space will serve as a design and working studio for the Marisol Deluna New York and New York Designed Texas Made collections as well as the Marisol Deluna Foundation Inc., a Texas tax-exempt nonprofit organization. Deluna will offer educational art, design and fashion programs.
LA CANTERA
I simply cannot do it justice! Seeing is believing, and La Cantera Hill Country Resort is one not to be missed. Stunning views of the Texas Hill Country, two world-class golf courses, infinity pools, new dining restaurant SweetFire, and my new fave where one can sample smoked and cured meats from the charcuterie Bocado. A new spa is in the works, and this place is beautiful — a hot spot for a cool drink during happy hour at the bar Sire or outside looking over the lights. Plan your next getaway here.
IT’S LUSH
Dancing under the stars is indeed possible at the new Lush Rooftop nightclub located at 4553 N. Loop 1604 West at Lockhill-Selma. Deejays mix the music using a state-of-the-art sound system and a video LED. Relax under the stars, or head inside and soak up the atmosphere, enjoying hookhas and bottle/VIP service. To learn more visit www.lushrooftop.com for dress code, hours and theme nights.
PITAS TO THE RESCUE
Kept off the weight from your New Year’s resolution? There’s a new healthy alternative to fast food: Pita Pit, which specializes in Mediterranean fare such as gyros and falafel, opened its first San Antonio location on the Northwest Side at 7115 UTSA Blvd., Suite 10. Soft and roll-able pita bread is filled with fresh veggies, cheeses and lean or grilled meats topped with savory sauces. You can order online, also a great way to customize your pita. Meat pitas, veggie pitas and breakfast pitas mean no excuses not to eat healthy. Look for other Pita Pits to pop up in SA, joining nearly 600 locations worldwide. .
CRUMBLY GOOD!
You can find pleasure both sweet and sinful at Real Crumbles Bakery, a recently opened gluten-free and vegan bakery. According to Alyssa Torres, “We offer only gluten-free sweets, cookies and doughnuts. Our Real Crumbles Bakery mission is for people to eat ‘real ingredients in every bite.’” Indulge in dairy-free, egg-free and grain-free options; and genetically modified ingredients, chemical food dyes or partially hydrogenated oils are never used. “We deliver to all of San Antonio, and the best way to order is online at RealCrumblesBakery.com or by phone, 210-709-1398. We hope to appeal to all dietary needs by offering dairy-free, soy-free and grain-free options.” Check out the French toast doughnut, lemon poppy seed doughnut or cinnamon doodle cookies. Don’t miss this sweet treat!
EL MIRASOL AT ALON
The Calvillo family, owners of El Mirasol, 13489 Blanco Road, and SoLu
na, 7959 Broadway, are opening a new restaurant in early 2016:
El Mirasol at Alon. It will be
located at 10003 NW Military Highway, Suite 2107, in The Shops of Alon, the former home of Franco’s Pizza and Naples restaurants. The menu will be nearly identical to that at the original El Mirasol. Go for lunch and dinner; breakfast may be soon to follow. The target date for opening is planned for sometime in mid-February or early March.
VIVA VILLA TAQUERIA
Looking for a quick bite? Drop in for Revolutionary Tacos at 905 Dolorosa St. The Cortez Family Group, owners of Pico de Gallo, Mi Tierra and La Margarita, are well rehearsed in Mexican cuisine. Finish your meal with Big Red soft serve ice cream. Open daily for your taco fix.
NINTH ANNUAL FREDERICKSBURG ROAD STUDIO TOUR
Presented by Bihl Haus Arts, the ninth annual On and Off Fredericksburg Road Studio Tour on Feb. 20-21 offers art enthusiasts and the public a personal glimpse into the private homes, art studios and galleries of more than 70 established artists, including painters, sculptors, metalsmiths and photographers. Additionally, some 200 musicians, poets, theater troupes and dance groups help make this community event the biggest art studio tour in San Antonio. The tour meanders through seven historic neighborhoods beginning at Bihl Haus Arts, 2803 Fredericksburg Road. For more information and hours, visit www.OnandOffFred.org or call Bihl Haus Arts at 210-383-9723.
INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVAL COMING
Musical Bridges Around the World presents the third International Music Festival Feb. 12-21. The Festival offers five free culturally diverse productions of not-to-be-missed performances. Guitar, jazz and cello artists, piano duos, violinists and performers will bring these events to life. To attend the free events, dial 210-464-1534 or visit www.musicalbridges.org to register for tickets.
BY LESLIE FOLEY
