Fresh Guacamole at the New Guac Bar at Central Market!

New in the Central Market produce section.....a fresh guacamole bar! The only way to get it fresher is to make it yourself.

Central Market partners make it fresh, right before your eyes, with avocados, tomatoes, red pepper, cilantro, and lemon juice directly from the produce department. The bar is open Friday-Sunday from 10:00 am-7:00 pm at all Central Market locations; in some locations (such as San Antonio), they're open during the week also. San Antonio Unit Director Kim Cates is having nametags made for her guac masters that say "guacamologists."

And remember, when storing guacamole (assuming you don't eat it all in one sitting, which is a definite possibility), place a piece of plastic wrap directly on top of the leftover guac before putting the lid back on. This will keep your guac fresh and green.

Run, Do Not Walk, to Brasserie Pavil

When I suggested an outing to Brasserie Pavil, I didn't realize it had just been named the "best new restaurant--critic's choice" by the San Antonio Express-News. Really. I didn't. Let me just say....that designation is well-deserved.

Modeled on a classic French brasserie, Chef Scott Cohen has created a menu of French favorites, such as cassoulet, pate de campagne, and steak au poivre. We thoroughly enjoyed our foie gras appetizer. My husband had an off-menu special of grouper, flown in that day from Florida, served with a sweet corn hash.It melted in the mouth. My pate de campagne and gougeres were equally delicious. A perfect Anjou pear tart completed the meal.

(And I learned something today...the difference between a brasserie and a bistro. Follow this link to learn more.)

Pavil serves brunch on Saturdays (11:00 am-5:30 pm) and Sundays (10:30 am-5:30 pm). Weekend mornings are also a good time to make some purchases from the "boulangerie" or bakery. The fresh, crusty bread we had with dinner was delicious.

Our waitress was very knowledgeable and attentive without being intrusive.

Pavil has an extensive wine and beer list and a comfortable bar space. A room is available for private dining as well.

My only complaint (and it's a small one) is that the space is too big for a classic "bistro" beel, but then, it's a "brasserie." They're going to need all that space when word gets out.

We'll definitely be returning soon!

Two More Summer Film Series to Check Out

In addition to TPR’s Cinema Tuesdays (see earlier post), here are two more summer film series to check out. Both are free.

A monthly foreign film series presented by Slab Cinema and The Main Plaza Conservancy, “CineMundo” kicks off at Main Plaza at 9:00 pm. Features include:

· June 19: The Darjeeling Limited
· June 20: an Indian film to be determined
· July 25: The Dinner Game
· August 29: Cinema Paradiso
· September 18/19: “Golden Age of Mexican Cinema”

The City of San Antonio sponsors “Movies by Moonlight” every Thursday at 8:30 pm (“pre-show entertainment at 7:30) at Hemisfair Park. Bring your own blankets and lawn chairs. Concessions are available. Features include:

· June 4: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
· June 11: Madagascar
· June 18: Kung Fu Panda
· June 25: Big

Check the website for future features. Slab Cinema and Nikita Productions sponsor the event.

A New Chef's Table in Town

I do go on about the Pearl Farmer’s Market, but here’s yet another reason to visit.

True Flavors Catering and Chef Johnny Hernandez have started MesAlegre (“joyful table”) every Saturday at 11:00 am. Chef Hernandez and his staff roam the farmer’s market and choose products from the various stalls. They then cook/prepare it on site, and serve it to eager guests.

Last weekend, I saw flats of blackberries and ears and ears of corn on the cob.

Cost is $20 (children $12), and you can reserve online. Call their office with any questions (210-434-4388).

I encourage you to visit this weekend…but do be aware. It’s the Grand Opening of the Riverwalk extension, and the crowds may be heavy.

Enjoy a Game of Missions Baseball!

The Spurs aren’t the only game in town! Why not check out the Missions baseball team this summer?

The Missions play in the Wolff Municipal Stadium (pictured) just off Hwy 90. The games provide a family-friendly environment, with activities for kids and fun, short entertainment between innings. Many game nights are themed, such as “Military Appreciation Night,” “Dollar Night,” and “Family Night.” Some games feature fireworks afterwards. The Missions are a minor league farm club for the San Diego Padres.

Most tickets start at under $10 each. You can also purchase season tickets and 20-ticket voucher books at very reasonable prices.

Enjoy the Texas Hill Country Wine Trail

There’s no better way to spend a weekend day than driving through the Texas Hill Country and sampling wines. The Texas Hill Country Wine Trail (http://www.texaswinetrail.com) features 24 vineyards (currently; more are added each year). The trail’s northernmost point is in Bend (Alamosa Wine Cellars); the closest to San Antonio is Dry Comal Creek in New Braunfels.

We generally target four or five vineyards, plan our route, and pack a picnic lunch. We often go with friends, which of course makes the entire outing more fun. You’ll sample a variety of wines at each location. Most tasting rooms have a small tasting fee that is often waived if you purchase a bottle.

Many vineyards have invested a great deal in their tasting rooms, and some schedule non-wine events. Torre di Pietra (just east of Fredericksburg) features a lovely gift shop and live music on the weekends on their outdoor patio. Becker Vineyards just completed their annual lavender festival and has recently expanded its tasting room.

Our personal favorite is

Flat Creek Estate, about 20 miles east of Marble Falls. Their wines are fabulous (we’re members of their “grand cru” tasting club), and they have one of the prettiest tasting rooms on the trail. They’ve recently begun serving a light lunch in their events building.

You’ll also meet many friendly “vineyard dogs.”

IMPORTANT NOTE about traveling the wine trail in the summer: So how quickly do you turn on your a/c when returning to the car? Think about your wine sitting in that as you taste. Texas summers are an enemy of your wine purchases. When taking the wine trail during warm months, bring a cooler filled with ice to hold your purchases while you visit other vineyards. Otherwise, the Texas heat will ruin your wine before you can get it home.

Feeling "Artsy"? Take A Class at the Southwest School!

Have you ever wanted to try your hand at weaving? What about papermaking? Or throwing a pot on a wheel?

The Southwest School of Art and Craft offers a wide variety of art classes for all ages. Categories include:

• Painting/Drawing
• Fiber Arts
• Photography
• Ceramics
• Digital Design
• Metals
• “Other” arts, including glassblowing (yes, really!)

In addition to classes, their gallery hosts rotating exhibits from visiting artists as well as students and faculty. Check their website for a current schedule.

It’s a cool location, too. Their main offices and gallery are on Navarro just behind the Central Library, but many of their classes are held in the former Ursuline Convent and Academy (pictured) just across the street. It’s a wonderful re-use of a beautiful space.

The school also hosts our very favorite Fiesta event, the Fiesta Arts and Crafts fair. We’ve never walked out of there without a beautiful purchase. But more on that next April.

Enjoy the View at Wildseed Farms

Located just east of Fredericksburg on Hwy 290, Wildseed Farms boasts over 200 acres of wildflowers. According to their website, it’s the largest working wildflower farm in the nation. The best time to visit is spring and summer, when many varieties are in bloom, but don’t avoid in the fall/winter. The grounds are always beautifully decorated, and the nursery well-stocked. And it’s the best place to purchase your own wildflower seeds for planting in your yard.

In addition to a wide variety of plants, flowers, and herbs, the Market Center features a large selection of gifts, food, ladies apparel, and jewelry. A personal favorite: a large collection of bluebonnet-themed merchandise. We walked out this weekend with a colorful frog planter made in Mexico.

You can pick your own bouquet, visit the Butterfly Haus (extra fee applies), or enjoy a beverage in the Brewbonnet Biergarten. They host Texas wine tastings on the weekend in the Biergarten.

They also host a variety of events throughout the year. Upcoming:

• Gourmet Chili Pepper and Salsa Festival, July 24-26


• Fall Planting Days, September 11-13


• Monarch Butterfly Celebration, October 17-18

They’re open seven days a week from 9:30 am-6:00 pm (summer hours).

Three Fine Articles in Today's Express-News

In lieu of a regular post from me, see the follow three excellent articles in today's Express-News (and on www.mysa.com) on previous Alamo A La Carte posts...two about the river extension and one on Cinema Tuesdays:

• "Dream Becomes a Reality on River" by Tracy Idell Hamilton


• "For Museum Reach, artists take to bridges" by Elda Silva


• "Genre-spanning film series includes several special requests" by Deborah Martin

Enjoy!