Check Out the New Salado Creek Greenway!

Still under construction, this new linear park works well for both biking and hiking. Four sections are now open. The San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department website has maps.
I shot this photo on the Huebner-to-Blanco stretch.

There are currently two main access points. (There’s a third from the Summerfield subdivision, but unless you live here, you can’t get to it.) The first is in the 15000 block of Huebner, between NW Military and Churchill Estates. You can easily see the sign and ramp from Huebner. Major problem: no parking whatsoever, other than four street parking spots a short walk away. (A nursing home located at the trailhead has sprouted a forest of “No Public Parking” signs since the park opened.)

The second access point has adequate parking. Find Old Blanco Road, off Blanco just south of Churchill Estates. (Two small directional signs are easy to miss.) Drive to the end, through the construction for Voelcker Park, to find the parking area.

More sections will open throughout the year. Eventually, this section of the greenway will connect with the under-construction Voelcker Park, near Wurzbach and NW Military. (Watch for a post on this as it gets closer to opening.)

Keep in mind:

• Do not lose track of time and linger after sunset. A) They lock the vehicle gate at sunset, and you’ll be stuck. B) Due to vandalism problems, the SA Parks Police have stepped up their nighttime patrols, and if they find you there after sunset, your next stop might be the pokey.
• Do not visit during an inundating rain (assuming such a thing ever happens again here). Not for nothing is it called “Salado Creek.” Most of the time, it’s bone dry, but visit during one of our gully-washers, and, hey presto!, you’re going to be underwater.
  

Two New Restaurants to Try

Dough Pizzeria Napoletana

Texas Monthly recently rated this fabulous new place as the #2 "best new restaurant in Texas," and for good reason. This is some of the best pizza I've ever tasted. You can't visit without trying one of their signature burratas--homemade mozzarella balls stuffed with all kinds of goodies. My favorite is the one with proscuitto and a fried egg. They're open Tuesday-Saturday for lunch and dinner. On the weekends, get there early, or expect a long wait. Seating choices are indoor, outdoor, and at the L-shaped bar. The two seats at the base of the L are the best in the house....you get to watch them assemble and cook the pizzas as you dine. It's like dinner and a show! map

Two Bros. BBQ Market

Jason Dady's newest restaurant features pit-cooked barbecue in a very informal atmosphere. The outdoor dining area features a large playground so the kids can expend their energy while you're waiting for your goodies. My favorites include the brisket (very smoky and just the right mix of lean and fat) and the cherry-glazed baby backs. The macaroni and cheese is some of the best I've ever tasted. (Note to my favorite vegetarian: you can make a meal here on just the sides alone!) Homemade pickles and a choice of three sauces ("hawse," sweet, or spicy) complete your meal. Oh, and don't forget the extensive wine and beer selection. map

Travel Advisory Dates

We love to have visitors during Fiesta, and I strongly encourage out-of-towners to visit at least once to experience it. Fiesta can present problems, though, for casual travelers who just want to pop into our fair city for a day or two. If they happen to pick the ten-day party that's Fiesta, they're going to have trouble getting a hotel.

Large conventions also strain hotel availability (mostly downtown).

SO....I'll post Fiesta dates and large conventions to the right, to keep you informed. I'm also working to find out the dates of the annual river draining/cleaning. It's a bummer when you book a hotel room on the lovely Riverwalk, only to find that all the water is gone! It's usually first or second week of January.

This Weekend's Featured Performance

This weekend's featured concert: a performance by YOSA. Who/what is YOSA, you ask??

Youth Orchestra of San Antonio (http://www.yosa.org/)

YOSA has been performing for 32 years. They’re about to end their 2008-2009 season, but they’ll be back in the fall with a program of around 20 performances. Their mission is to “to cultivate musical talent, help our students build foundations for life through learning the discipline, cooperation and leadership required of orchestral music making, and enrich the cultural life of our community through performances.”

YOSA supports five different performing ensembles, as well as a beginning strings program and a summer “string camp.”

And THIS weekend (Sunday at 4, as a matter of fact, tickets=$15), they have a lovely program that features selections from Holst's "The Planets."

Which, in this humble blogger's opinion, is the BEST piece of orchestral music EVER.

A REAL Farmers Market!

Finally, San Antonio gets its first “real” farmers market! I’ve been to a few of the smaller ones in town and have always left disappointed. No more.

In conjunction with the redevelopment of the Pearl Brewery and the extension of the River Walk, the farmers market is held every Saturday from 9am-1pm. (Get there early for the best selection.) The official grand opening is May 16, but they have been operating for a few weeks as a “soft” opening. When we went, there were several produce and meat stalls (bison, grass-fed beef, lamb), nuts, honey, spreads, and other things. We bought some lovely beets and carrots.

Several local area chefs have also been spotted there, including Chef Jason Dady (Twitter: chefjasondady), owner of The Lodge at Castle Hills, Bin555, Tre Trattoria, and Two Bros. BBQ Market.

If you go....stop by Al's Gourmet Nuts and say "hello" to my friend Margaret Anaglia. She makes the most terrific candied nuts!

Welcome to Alamo A La Carte!

Welcome to “Alamo A La Carte”! This blog is the place for you if you’re looking for:

• Foodie news in and around San Antonio (new restaurants, where chefs have moved, new stores, etc)
• Arts and cultural events (I’ll focus on mostly smaller, more affordable ones, like community theaters and concerts by university and community/church groups.)
• Fun places to visit in/around San Antonio
• News/updates on the above

I plan to leave movie reviews in the capable hands of “Jalapeno Guy” Larry Ratliff. If you plan to go to the movies, you need to visit his site first! (www.larryratliff.com, larryratliff on Twitter)

Also, your best bet for restaurant reviews are the top-notch food staffs at the San Antonio Express-News (www.mysa.com) and Texas Monthly (www.texasmonthly.com, TMfood on Twitter).

If you find this blog useful, please share with your friends! I hope you enjoy!

Laura Bray
(Twitter: laurabray)