9 festive San Antonio restaurants open for Christmas Day cheer

O' CHRISTMAS TREATS

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One of the best revelations of adulthood is figuring out that you steer the ship. That’s especially true during the holidays, when an onslaught of decorating, cooking, hosting, and gift-buying can turn the jolliest ho-ho-ho into a grumpy bah humbug. It’s easier to take on tradition when it’s á la carte instead of prix fixe.

This year, take the fuss out of the festive by entrusting the city’s culinary whizzes with the annual feast. Plenty of San Antonio restaurants are open on Christmas Day to make celebrating as delightful as ever. Skip the grocery shopping, clean-up, and prep work and eke out time for some new traditions. In the long run, being together is what counts.

Boudro’s Texas Bistro
Toast the upcoming year with a sparkling French 75 at one of Alamo City’s favorite yuletide destinations. Then, splurge on beef tenderloin with grilled jumbo shrimp or blackened prime rib. The entire Texas-tinged menu will be available for the big day — along with a few seasonal specials. 11 am-10:30 pm.

Dashi Sichuan Kitchen + Bar
Born out of the American immigrant experience, eating Chinese food on Christmas Day is now a tradition shared by millions. Instead of ordering takeout, get dressed up and sup at this chic local favorite. The Mala Spicy “Dry” Pot, spiced with xiao mi chilis and serranos, is sure to warm cockles on a nippy day. Noon-8 pm.

Kona Grill
This upscale chain is flexing its creativity on Christmas Day with dishes like macadamia-crusted turkey with miso mashed potatoes and a filet slathered in lobster cream. The regular menu is available too, so kick off dinner with calamari and the aptly named Helluvah Martini. 11 am-11 pm.

The Palm
Watch Bing Crosby croon in White Christmas, then keep the old Hollywood vibe going at this downtown staple. The $99 prix fixe is anchored by a luscious pastrami-crusted prime rib with side choices like grilled asparagus and creamed spinach. For dessert, opt for the zeppoles, but be careful not to drop powdered sugar on the tuxedo. 11:30 am-8 pm.

Pinstack
Stop by this family fun zone if the brood needs to work off some energy after opening Santa’s haul. Let them romp through bumper cars, a ropes course, and hundreds of video games, then refuel with kid-friendly fare like chicken tenders and pizza. Adults won’t mind the beeps and boops while sipping on 24 draft beers or an espresso martini. 2 pm-midnight.

Range
This modern steakhouse hasn’t yet posted the menu for its Christmas prix fixe, but whatever chef Jason Dady whips up will surely be a safe bet. Besides, the restaurant’s enviable downtown location is just steps from the River Walk. Work off the massive feast by strolling through the dazzling light display. Noon-8 pm.

Scuzzi’s Italian Restaurant
From the Feast of the Seven Fishes to limoncello, Italian-Americans know how to celebrate the season right. This Shavano Park spot shares the amore with dishes like veal Marsala, seabass piccata, and a mile-long list of carbs. 11 am-9 pm.

Sylver Spoon Dinner Theater on Dinner Theater
‘Tis the season for nostalgia, and this New Braunfels dinner theater has it by the spoonful. Still, its Christmas menu is decidedly modern-minded, with globally inspired dishes like king crab Rangoon and braised short rib risotto with wild mushrooms. The $60 prix fixe comes with a show, the suitably frothy confection Love Birds. Seatings between 5-8:30 pm.

Texas de Brazil
Say Feliz Natal by taking the family to this crowd-pleaser. This Brazilian steakhouse’s menu is always festive, with a butcher’s shop full of meat, plentiful sides, and a massive salad bar. Perfect for the sweetest season, the desserts are no afterthought with heavy hitters like crème brûlée, chocolate mousse cake, and Bananas Foster pie. 11 am-9 pm.

Photo courtesy of Lightscape

7 dazzling San Antonio light displays for a dose of Christmas cheer

It's Lit This Holiday Season

Now that Thanksgiving is behind us, Christmas lights are on our mind! If you're seeking a bit of illumination for the upcoming holiday season, check out these seven local spots for brilliant light displays around San Antonio.

Elf Acres
Santa came to San Antonio early at Elf Acres! The fun doesn't stop with the one-mile, drive-through Christmas lights experience. Elf Acres also features Santa's Village, a walkable area where you can view another light show, take a photo with Kris Kringle himself, and more. Purchase tickets at elfacres.com.

Lights Alive!
Take your drive-through experience to the next level with the one-mile Lights Alive! show. The family-friendly experience features dazzling light displays, Christmas music, and even a park N play wonderland at the end where guests can create their own light show, enjoy Christmas treats, and more. Purchase tickets at seelightsalive.com.

Lightscape
Enjoy an illuminated one mile path through the San Antonio Botanical Garden thanks to the 2nd annual Lightscape event. Featuring over one million lights and festive Texas-themed displays, Lightscape has plenty of photo-worthy moments, seasonal music, a chance to roast s'mores, and more. Open now through January 8. Purchase tickets at sabot.org

The River Walk
After the 41st annual Ford Holiday River Parade ,the River Walk is now illuminated with sparkling lights for the remainder of the year. It's definitely a picturesque way to get a nice Christmas photo especially if you have family visiting from out-of-town! (Did we mention checking out the Riverwalk lights is free?)

SeaWorld San Antonio
Everything's bigger in Texas, including holiday light displays, naturally. The lights at SeaWorld San Antonio are billed as the largest Christmas light displays in Texas — exactly 250 acres worth! Purchase tickets at seaworld.com.

Light the Way
It's practically mandatory to stop by the University of the Incarnate Word's annual Light the Way display, which is free and open to the public. The entire campus is lit up with sparkling holiday lights (the trees literally glisten for extra holiday authenticity) all the way till the New Year.

Zoo Lights
The San Antonio Zoo is back again with their annual festive holiday light display. Guests of all ages can enjoy acres of zoo lights as they walk across the grounds, festive photo ops, treats for adults and kids, and more. The Zoo Lights display will be up until January 1, 2023. Purchase tickets at sazoo.org

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San Antonio International Airport clears runway for 1st nonstop flight to Europe, plus more top stories

Hot Headlines

Editor's note: It’s that time again — time to check in with our top stories. From international flights to local delights, here are five articles that captured our collective attention over the past seven days.

1. San Antonio International Airport clears runway for 1st nonstop flight to Europe. Passengers can now book tickets for flights from San Antonio International Airport (SAT) to Germany's Frankfurt Airport (FRA).

2. Hot San Antonio hotel brings back popular live fire dinner series for fall. Executive chef Michael Collins will keep grilling on the patio at Ambler Texas Kitchen + Cocktails.

3. New honky-tonk surprisingly two-steps into St. Paul's Square. When Steve Mahoney first relaunched Francis Bogside and Anne’s, rumors circulated on how he would use the expansive upstairs space.

4. Nola breaks new ground and a Hill Country eatery heads to City Hall in San Antonio food news. This week's food news saw the expansion of a popular brunch spot, cookbook and website features, and more.

5. Here are the top 7 things to do in San Antonio this weekend. There's much to do this weekend, including beer festivals and a great standup set.

Hugely popular San Antonio restaurant Ladino celebrates first anniversary with Mediterranean party

Luck be Ladino

Although Ladino has only been a Pearl gem for one year, the mediterranean hotspot already feels like a San Antonio staple.

Helmed by executive chef Berty Richter and Emmer Hospitality, Ladino is slated to celebrate its first anniversary this Sunday with a festive party celebrating the restaurant's success as well as its future. Guests will enjoy a welcome beverage (and more cocktails for purchase), plus unlimited grilled meats, pita sandwiches, and other bites. DJ Zain will keep the energy up, while guests play yard games and kids get their faces painted.

Chef Richter tells CultureMap, '"In the world of restaurants and hospitality, we always strive to progress, keep learning, and improving."

When Ladino opened last September, it represented a promising branching out from its Austin-branched hospitality group parent, which had prior (and has since) earned acclaim from national publications for its cultural vibrancy — and deliciousness, of course.

In Ladino's case, the cultural touchstone is the Judeo-Spanish language of the same name that Chef Richter spoke growing up, which also included elements of Castellano, French, Italian, Greek, Turkish, and Hebrew. Richter's Turkish mother inspired many parts of the restaurant's popular Mediterranean menu.

Despite a strong point of view, the restaurant does have something for everyone, and is very accommodating to patrons with dietary restrictions. Signature staples include the sourdough-based pita bread (which comes unlimited with the hummus dip), kibbeh nayeh with Wagyu tartare, shishbarak (lamb and pork dumplings), and saffron chicken. The Wagyu Denver steak is a consistent standout, with a perfect crispy edge surrounding the medium rare middle.

Chef Richter plans to keep the menu generally the same for now, with the ongoing tradition of rotating some dishes out based on seasonal availability.

"We are excited to continue exploring the cuisines and cultures that Ladino represents, while strengthening our relationships with local farmers, growers, producers, and the communities of San Antonio," says Richter.

Now open seven days a week, Ladino offers a happy hour on weekdays from 5-6:30 pm. Deals include six dollars off of the hummus dip and pita, $5 off of Ladino's signature cocktails and wines by the glass, and deals on other plates like babaganoush, a spicy Feta plate, and more. The happy hour specials are only available at the upstairs bar, which is easily accessible catty-corner to the main Ladino entrance at the Pearl.

Tickets ($40, $15 for kids) to the anniversary celebration on October 1, from 4-8 pm, are still available via Eventbrite. Regular reservations and to-go orders may be made at ladinosatx.com.

Botanical Garden's Lightscape mesmerizes with new exhibits and discount tickets

THAT OL' RAZZLE-DAZZLE

Call it the grown-up version of posing with Santa Claus. Since its dazzling debut in 2021, the San Antonio Botanical Garden’s Lightscape has been the essential stop for holiday photoshoots. Planners are already working hard to ensure the annual tradition is more brilliant — and accessible — than ever.

Tickets are now on sale for the showstopping exhibition, running November 17 to January 1. The festivities will include familiar displays and brand-new illuminated works from global designers.

French creative studio Pitaya will return with a new installation, "Spark Ballet." The work features dozens of hanging lanterns glowing with firefly lights as a flickering guide around the lake. Visitors will also be treated to a pair of large-scale spectacles from UK outfit ArtAV, including an array of sparkling stars and a 40-foot-high LED tree.

Some of last year’s favorites will make an encore. The "Heart Arch Walk" allows guests to stroll under a tunnel of love while "Floraison" canopies explorers with brightly lit poppies. As always, the "Winter Cathedral" provides one last selfie spot.

The ever-popular "Bluebonnets" will also mesmerize sightseers, this time with an army of life-sized cowboy nutcrackers. The "Fire Garden" will have a new addition, too — the 25-foot dragon last seen in the blockbuster Imaginary Worlds: Once Upon a Time exhibition.

Peak date tickets cost $28 for adults and $18 for children, with VIP packages and member discounts available. For the first time ever, the garden also offers Value Nights on select dates in November and December. Revelers can score tickets as low as $18 for adults and $10 for kids online.

Photo courtesy of San Antonio Botanical Garden

The Pixel tree makes an ideal selfie stop.

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