Tag Archives: party

Ideas for an Incredible Summer Dinner Party in San Antonio

Eiffel Tower

Summer’s the perfect time to relax with friends outside on your patio, or even inside, when it gets too muggy. If you live in and around San Antonio, here are some tips on how to enhance any dinner party this season:

Bring Paris into Your Home

How about a little bit of Paris in Texas? Delight your friends and family with a Parisian-style dinner. Decorate with some effortlessly thrown-together fresh flowers made up of all different varieties. This is truly how the French do it!

Start the evening out right with a French cocktail such as a French 75 or Kir Royal. If you’re wanting to keep the spirits local, grab a bottle of Kinsman from Dorćol Distilling Company, which makes an apricot brandy that goes nicely in just about anything.

Next, serve some premium cheese and a few other nibbles to wet everyone’s whistle. Dinners at home in France can be very casual affairs so don’t feel like you have to go over-the-top. In France, they focus on what they can find locally. It’s a chance to be inspired by the freshest, most flavorful ingredients. Add a beautiful sauce to whatever it is, be it fish or beef, and voila! Dessert can be something as simple as berries and Chantilly cream or a few delicate truffles.

Madhatter’s Tea Party

Don’t get bogged down by the stress of having to cook yourself, if that’s not something you like to do. We recently discovered a unique local caterer called Honeysuckle Tea Time that doesn’t just serve great food, but creates fantastical themed parties.

They’re even known for their Madhatter’s tea parties, which might be fun for a ladies’ night. Another interesting aspect about Honeysuckle is that they incorporate teas into their menus. You might enjoy delicacies such as chocolate chai cupcakes, orange blossom donuts or matcha petit fours. Yum!

Just Desserts

If the previous ideas seem like too much effort, why not just have an old-fashioned ice cream party?! Sure, you can make your own or can simply buy an array of different ice creams, gelatos and toppings and invite everyone to come over and pig out like you did when you were teenagers! We recommend getting some caramel sauce from a new local company, Eat*Me Food Company that makes a variety of high quality caramel sauces, such as their original coconut caramel called Almighty CoCo as well as their pistachio and sesame caramels. You can find them at farmers markets around town, but check their Facebook for details. Add a few classic comedies to the mix, and you’ve got yourself a night to remember!

If you provide dessert, we’ll provide the luxury custom home! Call us at 210-494-5400 to set up a consultation. If you wish to be added to our private email list for our newsletter, please sign up here.

 

Celebrate Memorial Day with these Great Recipes

barbecue pics

Although in San Antonio, we’re never short of reasons to celebrate, Memorial Day is the perfect time to don your chef’s hat and impress your friends with a menu of yummy dishes, but ones that aren’t too complicated either. What’s the point if you don’t get to relax a little too?! This is our ideal Memorial Day cookout:

COCKTAIL – Fizzy Ginger Lemonade

Kick-off the party with a refreshing drink. We found a fun recipe for a Fizzy Ginger Lemonade that you can also make a little boozy for adults by adding your spirit of choice.

Ingredients

2-inch knob ginger, peeled and cut into small chunks

1 cup fresh juice from 10 to 12 lemons

1/2 cup sugar

Pinch salt

1 cup cold water

2 cups (1 pint) club soda

1 quart ice

Directions

Combine ginger, lemon juice, sugar, salt, and water in a blender. Blend on high speed for 1 minute. Strain through a fine mesh strainer into a pitcher. Add club soda and ice and stir to combine. Serve immediately in ice-filled glasses.

APPETIZER – Spicy Deviled Eggs

These may not taste like Grandma’s, but you’ll love them just the same!

Ingredients

12 hard-cooked large eggs

1/2 cup mayonnaise

3 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, finely chopped

1 tablespoon capers, drained

1 tablespoon stone-ground mustard

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon white pepper

Minced fresh cilantro

Directions

Cut eggs in half lengthwise. Remove yolks; set whites aside. In a small bowl, mash yolks. Add the mayonnaise, chipotle peppers, capers, mustard, salt and white pepper; mix well. Stuff or pipe into egg whites. Refrigerate until serving. Sprinkle with cilantro.

MAIN COURSE – Barbecued Short Ribs with Cucumber & Orange Salad

Nothing screams Memorial Day like cooked meats, but why not try something different. Leave those chicken thighs and sausages in the freezer. Your family will thank you!

Ingredients

1 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar

1 tablespoon cornstarch

1 tablespoon garlic powder

3/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon dry mustard

1 teaspoon ground red pepper

2 1/2 pounds bone-in short ribs

Cooking spray

1 navel orange, thickly sliced

4 Persian cucumbers, shaved paper thin (about 2 cups)

1/4 cup thinly shaved shallots (about 2 shallots)

2 tablespoons lemon juice

2 tablespoons white vinegar

1 tablespoon coarsely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

3/8 teaspoon kosher salt

1 habanero chile, seeded and thinly sliced

1 garlic clove, grated on a rasp or Microplane grater

1 tablespoon uncooked long-grain white rice

Directions

1. Combine first 6 ingredients. Pat ribs dry; rub with spice mixture. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.

2. Heat grill to medium heat.

3. After preheating, turn left burner off (leave right burner on). Coat grill rack with cooking spray. Arrange ribs on left side of grill rack; grill, covered, 3 hours or until tender and a thermometer registers 200° (maintain grill temperature at 325°). Place ribs on a cutting board; cover loosely with foil. Let stand 10 minutes.

4. Increase grill temperature to high. Place orange slices on right side of grill rack; cook 3 to 4 minutes on each side or until charred. Cool slightly; coarsely chop. Combine orange and next 8 ingredients (through grated garlic) in a large bowl.

5. Cook rice in a skillet over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes or until the color of toast, stirring frequently. Place rice in a spice grinder or mortar; finely grind.

6. Remove rib meat from bones; discard bones. Cut meat into thin slices. Place cucumber mixture on a platter; top with rib meat. Sprinkle with ground rice.

Now that you have the menu, why not let us help you create the perfect house for all of your future holiday parties?! Call us at 210-494-5400 to set up a consultation. If you wish to be added to our private email list to receive our newsletter, please sign up here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Viva Fiesta San Antonio!

CITY OF SAN ANTONIO FIESTA CELEBRATION

It’s that time of year again – the time to crack confetti eggs on people’s heads, eat oysters until you’re sick and see some of the best parades in America! If you don’t know what we’re talking about then it’s likely you’re new to SA or you’ve been living in a cave for the past few decades.

If you’re new to Fiesta – an 11-day long festival that runs this year from April 16 – 26 – you can get overwhelmed with all of the exciting events. Fiesta, which began in 1891 and was centered around the Battle of Flowers Parade back when women would meet in front of the Alamo and throw blossoms at each other, now brings in millions of people and hundreds of millions of dollars into the city each year and has spawned a nearly infinite number of events.

Here are some of our favorite events you don’t want to miss:

WEBB Party – Friday, April 17th:

The WEBB Party is one of Fiesta’s kick-off parties and this one takes the cake. It used to be held at the San Antonio Museum of Art until they caught people sneaking into closed-off exhibits. A fundraiser for the AIDS Foundation, it’s still one of the most entertaining Fiesta events with live music, dancing, performances, endless food and drinks.

Incognito Fiesta’s Masked Ball – Saturday, April 18th:

This isn’t the only masked ball that takes place during fiesta, but it is the best one! Who doesn’t love dressing up in beautiful outfits and mysterious masks – it’s almost like you’re at Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro!

A Taste of New Orleans – Sunday, April 19th:

Foodies love the array of amazing New Orleans food on offer at this popular event.

Cornyation – Tues, April 21st – 23rd:

Corynation, not to be confused with Coronation, is like San Antonio’s own version of Saturday Night Live set to music. Current events are made comical with the addition of dance, costumes and King Anchovy. For laughs, this is a must-see event! Get your tickets as soon as they go on sell because they sell out immediately.

King William Fair – Saturday, April 25th:

Once a quaint neighborhood event of arts, music and food – King William Fair has evolved into a giant all-day street party. Many people bring their dogs and dress them up in outfits. Dog-lovers will also enjoy the Pooch Parade, which takes place on the same day in Alamo Heights.

Fiesta Flambeau Parade – Saturday, April 25th

Just like most of the other parades, but with lights!

One of the other fun things about Fiesta is many of the local businesses have special medals made that they sell or give away. You’ll also notice San Antonians decorate their houses with flower wreaths and bright colors. You can find all sorts of fun decorations and party favors at the Fiesta store at 2611 Broadway or other vendors, including Fiesta on Main or Amols, which is downtown.

For more info on fiesta events or to inquire about tickets, go to fiesta-sa.org. We hope to see you there!