Get ready to expand your palate with a spirited month spotlighting world wine, art and local charitable happenings. Quench your thirst for new wines at Ruth’s Chris Wines of the World dinner, Tango of the Vines gala at Lambermont mansion and the new Nectar Wine Bar & Ale House. Then, it’s off to the world of arts and culture with Luminaria and SAMA’s 28 Chinese exhibition. Feeling generous in spirit? Participate in some fun-filled charity events like Brew-ha Roundup, Cure Fur Cancer Gala and Holiday Ole Market. Then, get your boots over to the Briscoe’s The Cowboy Returns photography exhibition showcasing cowboy life in the gritty American West.
RUTH’S CHRIS WINES OF THE WORLD DINNER (Northside)Taste the best expressions of some of the world’s most exceptional vintages hailing from the greatest growing regions. From New Zealand, to California to Bordeaux enjoy 90-point rated wines paired with regionally inspired cuisine. Reserve your table to spend an amazing evening with some of the world’s most highly rated wines. Visit www.ruthschris.com to make a reservation.
Russo’s Coal-Fired Italian Kitchen (Northside) And right around the corner is the newly opened Russo’s Coal-Fired Italian Kitchen at 17631 La Cantera Parkway, #102, in the Rim. Pizza, pasta, caprese salad, mussels, flatbread specialties, spaghetti, Italian cream cake, tiramisu and calzones are made to perfection. It’s all about the coal-fired tradition and freshest ingredients ensuring a success every time. You don’t have to fly to the Big Apple to indulge in New York-style pizza. Ask about the 28-inch pizza — perfect for a special event or feeding a group — and catering is available, as well as gluten-free options.
That’s amore! Nectar OPENS DOWNTOWN (Downtown) A wine bar that serves food — not a restaurant with a wine list. That is how wine aficionados and husband-and-wife duo Rob and Rachel Stephens describe their newest venture, Nectar Wine Bar & Ale House. The downtown neighborhood wine bar and tasting room located at 214 Broadway is serving up wines and beers from all over the world with foods chosen to enhance the flavors. Open daily and for private events. Visit www.nectarsa.com. Hotel Emma Emerges (Pearl/Midtown) Hotel Emma opens in November.
It is a 146-room luxury boutique hotel housed within the original 121-year-old brew house of the Pearl Brewery, founded by Otto Koehler on the northern banks of the San Antonio River. The name Hotel Emma pays homage to the legacy of founder Koehler’s wife, Emma, who led the brewery successfully through Prohibition after the untimely death of her husband. With distinct design features in all guest rooms, seventh-floor suites featuring private terraces, two stories and unique amenities throughout, Hotel Emma proposes a unique, history-rich view of South Texas. Hotel Emma adds to the Pearl culinary experience with three distinct new offerings — Supper, an American eatery; Sternewirth Bar and Club Room; and Larder Fine Groceries and Foods. The Cowboy Returns (Downtown) The Briscoe Western Art Museum presents its first original photography exhibition – a collection of works by Bank and John Langmore that artistically chronicles the gritty reality of working cowboys in the American West.
The Cowboy Returns, runs from Sept. 12 through Nov. 29. Cure Fur Cancer (Northside) The seventh and final Cure Fur Cancer Gala will be held at Franklin Park, 18323 Sonterra Park, Oct. 10 at 6:30 p.m. The annual fashion show will feature cancer survivor models and beautiful furs from sponsor and event host Morris Kaye & Sons Furs. Check out www.curefurcancer.com, or morriskayefurs@sbcglobal.net or phone 210-820-3877 for tickets and information. Holiday Olé Market (East Side) Holiday Olé Market, A Joyeux Noël, is scheduled for Oct. 15-18 at Exposition Hall at Freeman Coliseum. A fabulous collection of holiday items for every person on your gift list can be found under one roof. Presented by the Junior League of San Antonio, this 22nd annual party features not only shopping, but performances, entertainment and items from merchants across the United States. It’s not-to-miss shopping. Visit www.holidayolemarket.com for operating hours, tickets and event information.
Luminaria (Downtown) For over 300 years San Antonio has been a crossroads between cultures. Established in 2008, the arts festival Luminaria has astounded audiences with works by featured regional, national and international artists. It is produced by the artists and makers of San Antonio and advances the creative economy. This contemporary arts festival presents new works from all artistic disciplines in a free night festival in various downtown locations. Meet downtown on Friday, Oct. 23, and Saturday, Oct. 24, from 7 p.m. to midnight in the River North neighborhood. Check out www.luminariasa.org or call 210-721-1670 for details. 28 Chinese Exhibition (Downtown) The San Antonio Museum of Art hosts the 28 Chinese exhibit comprising works by 28 contemporary Chinese artists culled from the Rubell Family Collection in Miami.
The exhibition offers only a sample of the dynamic contemporary art scene in China. The impressive roster boasts new talents and several of China’s best-known artists, including Ai Weiwei. 28 Chinese is an exploration of the variety of materials being used today — wood, oil and acrylic paints, bronze, taxidermy animals, tea, Coca-Cola and worn clothing. Works on view range from paintings and photographs to sculptures and video. Guests are able to walk through the 49-foot piece made of more than 8,500 sheets of calligraphy paper strung on bamboo rods and suspended from the ceiling with cotton thread (above).
Many of the artworks deal with social, political and historical issues that can be connected to China, but are also universal concerns. Others engage the viewer through landscape, portraiture and abstraction. The exhibit runs through Jan.3. Find more at www.samuseum.org. 3rd Annual Tango of the Vines (Midtown) A catchy description that begs for more. Save the date, Nov. 6, for the third annual bon vivant festival to be held at the beautiful Lambermont mansion 7-11 p.m. This year’s event will feature a tremendous variety of Texas Hill Country wines, craft beers and cocktails, samplings from top local restaurants, live entertainment and a silent auction. Freetail Brewing Company, Pedernales Cellars and Bending Branch Winery will be participating and ditto for Nothing Bundt Cakes. Proceeds support the AFE (Amniotic Fluid Embolism) Foundation.
Ticket information is available at www.afesupport.org. Brew-Ha Roundup (Northeast) Grab your costume and running shoes for a run like no other….dress up or down, but make sure you can MOVE! The Children’s Bereavement Center of South Texas will be the beneficiary of a half-marathon, 5K, and Kid’s Run scheduled for Saturday, Oct., 24, at Tejas Rodeo, 401 Obst Road, Bulverde. Race entries include Adidas technical T-shirts for adults, food, live music and beer or soda. Winners will be chosen from the fastest runners in the following costume categories: Texan, superhero, princess, rock star and creative. Kid’s Run participants will receive a T-shirt and a superhero cape upon crossing the finish line, compliments of Spirit of Halloween stores. The event begins at 8 -8:30 a.m., or you could always choose to sleep in and make a donation.
Visit www.brewharoundup.com for details.
