You may have heard Fiesta San Antonio referred to as “A party with a purpose” and if you have ever been to Oyster Bake at St. Mary’s University, you know it’s a huge party with a great purpose.  This year’s festival marks the 100th anniversary of one of the biggest and best Fiesta events this city has to offer.  The Fiesta Oyster Bake committee estimates 7,000 volunteers work over 50,000 hours to put on this 2 day event for 60,000+ attendees. Held the first Friday and Saturday of Fiesta every year, this year’s event was just as fun as it always is. 

The event boasts some of the best festival food and drinks along with various stages with bands playing tunes to suite almost any musical taste.  This year, some of the headliners included rock band Chevelle, Texas country singer Kevin Fowler, and Tejano star Bobby Pulido.  There was also a carnival on site that buzzed all day and night long.  April in San Antonio usually means heat, humidity, and rain and it is looking to be no exception this year.  There was a high chance of rain threatening the day but that didn’t stop the crowds from showing up and luckily for everyone, it didn’t end up raining at all.  
  The Oyster Bake carnival is perfect for kids (and kids at heart) while others use the grassy area near by to take a break from the fun.

In my experience attending Oyster Bake, I can say there are two types of people who attend:  1) Arrive early to enjoy no lines and the laid back atmosphere of the day 2) Arrive after 5pm, deal with the crowds and rock out to the headlining bands.  

I used to be a group #2 attendee but over the last few years I have converted and I am now a proud member of group #1.  No matter which group you belong to, you will no doubt have a great time.  
  
The infamous Chicken on a Stick.  

Food options at Oyster Bake vary widely.  Of course, there are oysters!  You can get them baked, fried, and as a shot (raw served in a little plastic cup).  If you have never been to OB, as a first timer, you have to get the baked oysters just for the experience.  After renting an oyster shucking knife, find a spot to crack open your oysters to enjoy.  Don’t forget to find the oyster shell recycling station when you’re done!  As an Oyster Bake veteran, I opt for the oyster shot.  Less mess and easy to garnish with cocktail sauce, horse radish, lemon juice and Tabasco. 

Other food options include everything from fajita tacos and pizza to hamburgers and turkey legs.  And there are so many options for food on a stick- shrimp, sausage, steak and of course chicken.  I found out yesterday that not only can you order a chicken on a stick with a jalapeño, you can ask them to dip it in the jalapeño juice for a little extra zing! 

Food and beer options vary from  $2 to $7 (at .50 cents a coupon) depending on what you’re buying.  Definitely plan ahead based on how hungry and thirsty you are.  A chalupa at Oyster Bake

 
Pro-tip #1:  Use Via Park and Ride to get to Oyster Bake.  The event takes place on the St. Mary’s campus which is surrounded by neighborhoods so parking on the streets fills up fast or you’ll have to pay $15 -$20 for anything nearby.  The Via will drop you off right in front of one of the entrance gates and only costs $2.50 each way (discounts available for kids, students, and seniors).  Plus, you get a free coupon for a bottled water or soda to redeem at Oyster Bake.  Check out their website for more info on how to use Park and Ride for the remaining Fiesta events here: http://www.viainfo.net/SpecialEvents/FiestaService.aspx

Pro-tip #2: If you’re planning to stay into the evening to watch the headlining bands, bring your lawn chairs and umbrellas to set up.  Find a great spot for watching the shows and make it your home base for the day.  Not only will you have an area to come back to through out the day for resting and cooling down from the heat, but you’ll have a great area for watching the headliners later in the evening.  Don’t worry about leaving your chairs unattended while you walk around, they will be there when you come back- San Antonio is friendly like that!  PS: no coolers are allowed.

Want more information about this event for next year? Find it all here: http://www.oysterbake.com/index.html

Be sure to put this event on your calendar for 2017…Happy Fiesta!

-CL

Hey San Antonio!  It’s that time of year again- Fiesta 2016!

If you’ve been in this town for any period of time, then you probably already knew that.  I read a Facebook post earlier this week where someone said “we can feel it in the air!” and they couldn’t be more right.  Let’s face it, although the festivities don’t officially begin until later today, the party has already begun.  For the last two weeks there were Fiesta medal launch parties popping up all over the place (my collection is out of control!), houses and businesses are decorated with papel picado, and I just received a Chicken on a Stick cookie!

It’s my favorite time of year.  Yes, even more than Christmas.  Who else out there has their yearly Fiesta staycation all lined up?  This year you will catch me at the usual events- Fiesta Fiesta for Pin Pandemonium, Market Square, Oyster Bake, The River Parade, NIOSA, The Battle of Flowers Parade, King William Fair, and the Fiesta Flambeau Parade.  I’m also going to be trying out a few new events I have never been to like the Deco Festival, Chilli Queen Fest, and Cornyation (yes, I know- I’ve never been!).

For those of you who don’t know, Fiesta started as a single parade to honor the memory of the heroes of the Alamo and the Battle of San Jacinto but has grown to 11 days of parties, festivals, parades, and so many other events.  It is also now referred to as the “Party with a Purpose” because official Fiesta events raise funds for various charities and services through out the city.  Fiesta 2016 is the 125th anniversary of Fiesta!

One of my favorite pictures event though the Hemisphere Arch is no longer there- wasn’t she so pretty all dressed up for Fiesta?

A few Fiesta virgins have asked me about where to go that would be a good first time event and my recommendation is the Southwest School of Art Festival this Saturday and Sunday (4/16 & 4/17) or Tuesday night at NIOSA.  For NIOSA, get there before gates open to grab good parking (or even better- grab an uber) and walk in when the gates open.  It’s usually less crowded on Tuesdays so you’ll be able to walk around and enjoy before the craziness starts.  The lines for the chicken on a stick and the anticucho get really long- be sure to hit those booths up early to avoid the lines.

What would you recommend to Fiesta first-timers?

NIOSA 2015 with Valdez family and friends

NIOSA 2014 with Vera family and friends

You must get a Chicken on a Stick- find them at Oyster Bake or at NIOSA in the Froggy Bottom area.

 

Follow me on Instagram @mrs_liserio for fun events and Fiesta information.

You can buy your own chicken on a stick cookie (plus other cute Fiesta inspired cookies) here-  https://www.facebook.com/nancysfancycookies/?fref=ts

Check out this link to find a full list of events-  http://www.fiesta-sa.org/events

Looking for the free events? Check here-  http://www.mysanantonio.com/fiesta/article/Fiesta-for-free-30-events-that-don-t-charge-7226466.php#photo-4494858

¡VIVA FIESTA!

-CL

 

 

I’m just going to get this out of the way now- The Clean Plate is one of my all time favorite restaurants in San Antonio.  I don’t know why they picked the name but I suspect it has to do with either the fact that it’s a farm to table restaurant that only uses locally sourced, non-GMO food or that their food is so good you will literally clean your plate.  Probably both reasons right?

Ok, now a bit of bad news.  Their ridiculously delicious fried chicken is not currently on the menu. This stuff is seriously the best fried chicken in SA.  It was two large pieces of juicy, fried chicken served with smashed potatoes, the best glazed carrots I’ve ever had in my life and this wonderful tarragon cream gravy.  Keep an eye out for it to show up on the menu again and then get there as quickly as you can to try it out!  The good news is that it has been replaced with a chicken fried steak that made up for all of the sorry chicken fried steaks I’ve been subjected to.

Lil Emma’s shrimp nachos as a starter- chipotle, black beans, cilantro cream, cheese.

The menu here is small but packed with so many delicious options.  You won’t be disappointed with anything you choose.  There are so many rave reviews about the Mac and Cheese as well as the Gua Bao (braised Asian pork belly in a steamed bun) and those reviews are right.  If you go with a group, order a few appetizers to share with the table.

You also cannot go wrong with the Spaghetti Bolognese.  It sounds like a simple dish but there’s something about the meat sauce that really makes it more than just a bowl of spaghetti.  I haven’t had the waygu burger myself, but Jonathan is a fan.

Chicken fried steak with smashed potatoes, glazed carrots (of my dreams) and bacon cream gravy. 

On top of how awesome their food is, the waitstaff is amazingly friendly and helpful.  Don’t let the tiny little building throw you off- good things come in small packages!  Find some time to stop by while we are still having this nice, mild weather and grab a table on the patio.

Fettuccine Alfredo with grilled shrimp.

Pro-tip #1- The Clean Plate does not serve alcohol BUT they are totally BYOB friendly.  Bring your own wine then sit back, relax, and get ready to enjoy your evening.

Pro-tip #2 – I hear lunch time during the week can get pretty busy so it might be best to try this place out for an early dinner or on the weekend.
You can find them on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and here: http://thecleanplatesanantonio.com

– CL

To start with, I will say that Paramour is one of my favorite coffee spots.  But I’ll be completey honest- I was kind of disappointed the first time I went to Paramour because of the vibe and crowd it attracted.  It is such a beautifully built and decorated bar with a HUGE selection of beer and liquor to choose from but it reminded me that the atmosphere of a bar really makes a difference.  When I found out that they decided to start a coffee program, I got excited to go back and give the place another try.  So we went back and now it’s one of my favorite morning spots for coffee. 

Even on a cloudy day, you can’t beat this view in SA. 

When it comes to coffee, I’m pretty simple.  I like strong, dark roasted black coffee.  So when I go to Paramour, I order the drip coffee (which comes with a free refill).  Their menu contains most of the standard items you’d expect for a coffee bar so you should find something you like easily.  They also have some special things like the Americanski which is a tiny americano (watch out that glass is really hot when served!).  I’ve also tried a hot jasmine tea and an iced mocha which were both very good.  They have added drinks like an Irish coffee and bloody Mary’s to the menu which are perfect for some day drinking.  Everything is prepared on demand and with attention to detail so it’s not a place for a quick cup of coffee- it’s a perfect place to spend some time relaxing and checking out the view.

The bar, located on the 4th floor of the Phipps Building, is beautifully decorated and has plenty of couches and chairs.

Another reason I like this place for coffee so much is the people who work there.  It doesn’t hurt that Jesse, the Manager of the Coffee Program, and the rest of the baristas are incredibly knowledgable and super friendly.  If you have any questions about the menu, ask away.

Irish coffee- Irish whiskey, espresso, demerera sugar, heavy cream.

Pro-tip #1:  Parking can be tricky here especially if it’s more crowded.  There is some street parking available or valet (at night) if nothing is open in walking distance that you’re cool with.  As always, I’ll recommend taking an Uber. Also, be prepared to hike it up 4 flights of stairs since it seems like the elevator is often not available for use.  Hey, taking the stairs is good for you.

Pro-tip #2:  This is a great spot to get some work done.  Bring your laptop and grab a spot at the bar.  There are plugs installed underneath the bar so you don’t have to worry about running out of power.  I’ve also seen others use this as a meeting spot.

Find them on Facebook or at http://paramourbar.com.

– CL