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La Dolce Vita

2 long-awaited Italian restaurants say buongiorno to San Antonio this month

Chantal Rice
Feb 10, 2022 | 11:50 am
Allora.
Allora.
Photo courtesy of Maverick Restaurant Group

Salute, San Antonio! After a substantial building and planning process that stretched across two years, two of the city’s most anticipated Italian restaurants are finally opening at the Pearl.

San Antonio-based Maverick Restaurant Group has announced that its Italian fast-casual café, Arrosta, opens next week on the ground floor of Pearl’s adjacent Oxbow building, and Allora, its full-service coastal Italian restaurant, will open at the beginning of March on the ground floor of the Pearl’s Credit Human Building.

Arrosta will open Monday, February 14 from 7:30 am-2:30 pm for breakfast and lunch service. Allora opens March 2 and will initially offer dinner service Sunday through Thursday 5-10 pm and Friday and Saturday 5-11 pm. Allora will add lunch and brunch service soon.

The restaurant group directs guests to the Allora and Arrosta websites and the Allora and Arrosta social media pages to get updates and more info on menus and reservations, and also encourages excited diners to “pop in on a whim.”

Aiming to redefine the Italian culinary experience in Alamo City with their upscale dining spaces, novel recipes, and unique wine offerings, the two sister concepts have been thoughtfully designed to virtually transport locals to the cobblestone streets of Italy and the splendor of the Amalfi Coast.

“Italian food is an emotional cuisine of the highest quality with the simplest expression, filling our eyes, heart, and hunger with happiness and beauty,” says Peter Selig, president of Maverick Restaurant Group. “Italians offer the very best hospitality, which we intend to recreate. Italian style produced by Texans it shall be.”

Allora, helmed by chef Robbie Nowlin and inspired by that most gorgeous coastal region of Italy, features a bountiful menu of small and large plates, cooked and raw seafood, house-made pasta, and savory Italian meats.

The eatery, which Maverick Restaurant Group says embodies New York culinary style and edginess, is embellished with “colorfully scenic spaces” and includes one of San Antonio’s largest al fresco dining loggias, further adding to the Italy-inspired ambience.

As Selig says of Allora, “Get ready to be transported to la dolce vita of Italy.”

Little sister Arrosta, led by chef Chris Carlson, offers a “bohemian café experience” and specializes in counter-service Italian street foods like rotisserie meats prepared “with the flair of Texas barbecue,” savory sides, and house-made breads, as well as Rome-style pizzas, paninis, fried foods, and decadent Italian pastries — all available for a casual dine-in experience among the cozy banquettes and patio garden, as well as for takeout.

Both restaurants will offer a selection of espresso beverages, spritzers, beer, and an impressive list of Italian wines that’s been curated by local award-winning sommelier Joshua Thomas and Allora and Arrosta’s in-house sommelier, Francisco Chagolla. Arrosta’s all-day bar will also transition daily from offering coffee drinks in the morning — a staple of Italian life — to Italian wines and beers in the evening.

“Everything will be done with sprezzatura — that wonderful Italian word meaning to make something very difficult seem effortless and stylish,” Selig says. “Our passion comes from our love of and respect for Italian food culture.”

Arrosta will initially open for breakfast and lunch service, with dinner and weekend service coming shortly thereafter. The café’s hours are Monday through Friday 7:30 am-2:30 pm.

Arrosta specializes in fresh, house-made breads.

Arrosta bread and frittata
Photo courtesy of Maverick Restaurant Group
Arrosta specializes in fresh, house-made breads.
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Red-hot housing

Texas remains a hot spot for international homebuyers, shows new report

Arden Ward
Oct 25, 2022 | 2:05 pm
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miroslav_1 Getty Images
Texas remains the third hottest U.S. destination for international homebuyers.

International homebuyers seeking an abode in the U.S. still have their sights set on Texas, according to a new report.

The Texas International Homebuyers Report, released this month by Texas Realtors, shows that Texas remains the third hottest U.S. destination for international homebuyers.

The Lone Star State comes in behind Florida and California, just like in years past.

From April 2021-March 2022, 7,888 Texas homes were purchased by buyers from outside the U.S., accounting for 8 percent of the country's international home purchases. No. 1 Florida, meanwhile, accounted for 24 percent of purchases, with No. 2 California at 11 percent.

In total, 98,600 U.S. homes were sold to international buyers during the time period, to the tune of $59 billion. This year's report does not include total sales dollars for the Texas purchases.

“Texas remains one of the most desirable destinations for people looking to purchase a home in the United States,” said Russell Berry, chairman of Texas Realtors, in a release.

“The region of origin for homebuyers choosing Texas had a noticeable swing this reporting period. Historically, the largest number of homebuyers purchasing in Texas from outside of the United States are from the Latin America and Caribbean region. While that is still true, European homebuyers nearly closed the gap this past year.”

Thirty-one percent of Texas' international buyers were from Latin America/Caribbean, with 27 percent from Europe, 21 percent from Asia/Oceana, and 11 percent from Africa.

Texas also holds onto its status as a hot market for international commercial real estate transactions. According to the 2022 Commercial Real Estate International Business Trends from the National Association of Realtors, Texas accounted for 14 percent of international commercial buyers in 2021, second only to Florida's 22 percent.

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go for launch

Texas Space Center blasts off with cutting-edge features for 30th anniversary

Steven Devadanam
Oct 25, 2022 | 11:59 am
Space Center Houston lunar facility
Renderings courtesy of Space Center Houston
“Imagine having a front row seat on the surface of the moon or Mars right here in Houston."

Texas' most stellar destination has introduced some game-changing developments for its 30th anniversary: Space Center Houston has revealed a new plan to address the ever-growing need for space exploration learning and training with two massive structures centering on our moon and Mars at its fan-favorite destination (1601 E. NASA Pkwy.).

The new Lunar Mars facility will gather guests, NASA, commercial space partners, colleges, universities, and global space agencies to collaborate on new technologies for present and future human spaceflight, per press materials.

Meanwhile, a new elevated exhibit hall over the two surfaces will offer the public immersive experiences to observe astronaut training first-hand while experiencing the future of space exploration as humans return to the moon and eventually on to Mars.

Specifically, the Lunar Mars facility will boast simulated surfaces of the moon and Mars, plus modular surface labs. According to Space Center Houston, these labs will design and test instruments and techniques for surface exploration, support testing lunar and Martian rovers on a one-mile indoor track, allow engineers and astronauts to practice working in reduced gravity, and conduct important emergency procedures.

Guests can look forward to an immersive experience that allows viewing of astronaut training in-person, while also offering education on missions, challenges and benefits of the space industry.

“Imagine having a front row seat on the surface of the moon or Mars right here in Houston,” noted William T. Harris, the center’s president and CEO, in a statement. “Space Center Houston is recognized for providing meaningful, moving experiences about people and the courage, innovation and teamwork they use to expand the boundaries of what’s possible. We inspire our guests to connect with the significance of space exploration, to pursue their own path in space, or simply follow along as incredible feats of human spaceflight continue to bring joy and wonder to the world.”

Space Center Houston also revealed a new logo/brand identity that the organization says in press materials represents the evolution of Space Center Houston and its future, and its mission to educate the public.

All this comes as part of a Facilities Master Plan and more plans to expand, which will be revealed in 2023.

Sound timing, as current estimates show that the global space industry is projected to grow nearly five times its current size by 2050. With 77 government space agencies currently operating around the globe, Texas boasts a key advantage as home to 17 of the world’s top 20 aerospace manufacturers, per the center.

Since its inception 30 years ago on October 16, 1992, the beloved Space Center Houston has seen more than 24 million starry-eyed guests enter its gates. Clearly, however, it’s time to rocket forward, as Houston and the nation, to quote President John F. Kennedy, choose to go to the moon, the Red Planet, and beyond.

“Space is expanding once again and a new space age is upon us,” Harris added. “With new ambitions, new players and new challenges, we will shift our focus from being a curator of past achievements to also facilitating new feats in space.”

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Norteño Night

San Antonio museum's popular Sips and Sounds series returns with night of Norteño music

Hannah J. Frías
Oct 25, 2022 | 10:12 am
Los Callejeros de San Anto
Photo by Dru Photography, courtesy of the Briscoe
Los Callejeros de San Anto will perform at the Briscoe's Sips and Sounds series on October 28.

One of San Antonio's favorite museum's is bringing back one of its best events: Sips and Sounds at the Briscoe Western Art Museum returns with Norteño Night and music from local group Los Callejeros de San Anto on October 28.

The fan-favorite series highlights the soundtrack of the West through live music, and this iteration will specifically highlight Hispanic influence on the American West.

The ticketed event begins at 6:30 pm in the museum's McNutt Sculpture Garden, a beautiful courtyard featuring bronze sculptures depicting iconic figures of the American West.

Los Callejeros De San Anto touts itself as an "abuela approved" Tex-Mex street band combining Conjunto and Norteño influences. Led by Pinata Protest frontman Alvaro Del Norte, the band will share their tunes for a memorable night of music under the stars.

When not dancing along, guests can enjoy food truck fare from Dona Kika’s Tacos & Gorditas and signature sips from the cash bar.

Sips and Sounds of the West tickets are $10 for museum members and $20 for non-members. Student tickets are also available for $10 each.

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