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Sure, you could celebrate Fat Tuesday with a technicolor daiquiri. Plenty of revelers do just that, stumbling around Bourbon Street (or the River Walk) with a topsy-turvy whalebone filled with enough go-go juice to ensure Wednesday morning regret. The hangover will be bad enough without us tauntingly saying, “ya basic.”

Still, we beg you to reconsider: New Orleans cocktail culture is legendary and well-represented throughout the world, including San Antonio — the only other U.S. city to make it past 300 years old while partying so hard. Alamo City is awash in cocktails that the Big Easy made household names. By all means, imbibe (with a rideshare app at the ready); Mardis Gras is only one night. But remember, the most spectacular floats make the parade.

Corpse Reviver at Double Standard
This eye-opener became popular in New Orleans due to the city’s adoration for AM tipples, a propensity that San Antonio shares. Double Standard knows the score. The downtown bar opens at 11:30 am daily and is glad to soothe any throbbing headache with Corpse Reviver No. 2. Pairing London dry gin with absinthe and Cocchi Americano, it’s the only drink that matters after catching too many beads. The extra crispy fries help too.

French 75 at Near Dark
Southtown haunt Near Dark certainly regales in its goth charms — but there is a little bit of NOLA in its ramshackle collection of antique mirrors and checkerboard floors (at least the spookier parts). So it’s a surprise that one of its signature drinks is so effervescent. Invented in Paris and named for a powerful French field gun, the French 75 has long been a staple of New Orleans’ most soigné bars. Though Near Dark doesn’t include NOLA-standard cognac, it does give it the setting the drink deserves.

Hurricane at Southerleigh Haute South
We’ve all seen those lipstick-red concoctions served in a bulbous glass. Thanks to Pat O’Brien’s, the Hurricane is synonymous with the Paris of the South. His version added a little razzle-dazzle via passionfruit to go through less-than-popular rum. Sailors loved them as undoubtedly San Antonio’s service men and women do today when served on draft at one of The Rim’s busiest hot spots.

Mint Julep at Restaurant Claudine
Though this iconic Southern libation is more associated with Kentucky today, it has deep roots in Louisiana. A rum version was popular in the Big Easy in the late 1700s, long before haberdashers proved their mettle during a certain horse race. Restaurant Claudine’s version has the standard Bourbon — Buffalo Trace, to be exact — but it’s just the thing for a weekday bacchanal. Order charbroiled oysters and a mess of cornbread, then sit a spell.

New Orleans Buck at The Bar at Bohanan’s
One of the oldest cocktail categories, the Buck purportedly got its name when whiskey was added to the previously nonalcoholic Horse’s Neck, giving it a “kick.” The New Orleans variation substitutes rum and keeps ginger. Its lively profile makes it the ideal early evening libation, whether downed before a night at a Frenchmen Street jazz club or a show at the Majestic Theatre.

Sazerac at Amor Eterno
According to popular myth, this New Orleans icon was first served in an egg cup, or coquetier in French. The bungled American pronunciation led to the word “cocktail” being coined. That’s hogwash, of course, but it speaks to the drink’s importance in the barkeep’s canon. Amor Eterno features it currently on the classics menu and mixes it with the traditional build. Just the way it should.

Vieux Carre at The Esquire Tavern
This rye-based sipper was created in 1937 by Hotel Monteleone head bartender Walter Bergeron, which makes the Esquire older. Nonetheless, it makes perfect sense for the River Walk mainstay to serve a post-Prohibition classic. Its version nearly mimics the original, only omitting three drops of Peychauds. But let’s not get hung up on bitters when a cocktail has the necessary oomph.

Toro Kitchen + Bar/ Facebook

Bullish hospitality group charges ahead with 4 new San Antonio concepts

By the horns

One of San Antonio’s most successful hospitality groups is charging ahead with ambitious development plans. Gerardo de Anda of Gusto Group USA, the owners of Toro Kitchen + Bar, The Cellar Mixology, and Cuishe Cocina Méxicana, tells CultureMap that company has four new projects in the works and an expansion of one of its most popular concepts.

Toro Kitchen + Bar San Antonio

Gusto Group is expanding its Toro Kitchen + Bar concept.

The first to arrive will be The Bunker Mixology, a subterranean bar located at 229 E. Houston St. #10, the former downtown site of The Last Word and Jet Setter. Arriving in mid-March, the clubby, brick-clad space will greet guests with an imposing blast door before opening to a lounge dotted with contemporary furniture and art.

Though it shares some similarities with the underground Cellar Mixology in St. Paul’s Square, de Anda says it will have a more refined feel.

“Bunker will be more refined with a focus on art and storytelling,” he explains.

Once Bunker gets off the ground, the group will then focus on growing its Toro brand. In late April, the location in Stone Oak will relocate to a new space with private rooms and a more expansive interior and exterior, more details to be announced.

Then, it’s off to 15900 La Cantera Pkwy #22130 in mid-May for a brand-new outpost of the tapas concept. De Anda assures that the new Toro will have the same, seasonally rotating menu as the previous locations.

But it will also arrive with a feather in its cap. While waiting to feast on boquerones and patatas bravas, guests will be able to be able to grab a cocktail at Lounge 43, an intimate upstairs speakeasy.

Still following along? Gusto Group has even more tricks up its sleeves. The hospitality juggernaut is targeting mid-June for two more establishments — this time returning to St. Paul’s Square, the home of the original Cuishe and Toro. De Anda says the group continues to be inspired by the historic district.

“We fell in love with St. Paul Square the first time we toured it, especially the basement,” he says. “We understood it was going to be a challenge, but we ... we believed in its potential and we continue to strive to ensure St. Paul Square is rediscovered by locals and tourists.”

Gusto’s latest foray into the neighborhood comes with retro glamour. Stylus Mixology will be a tribute to the glittery nightlife of the ‘70s. It’s companion concept, Boombox Pizza & Bar, borrows one of the most oft-repeated phrases of the ‘80s — “carpe diem” — as a guiding principle behind its eclectic model.

Naturally, the business will serve pizza by the pie and by the slice. De Anda says the eatery will also incorporate a shop selling vintage clothes, nostalgic merchandise, and vinyl. Its proximity to Vice Coffee should make it an essential spot for local crate diggers.

Once those sibling hangouts opens, one would not fault Gusto Group for collapsing in a heap. But perhaps the company has the indefatigable energy of another late-‘80s icon — Jessie Spano. De Anda hinted that even more news is yet to come.

“We are working low-key — in its very preliminary stages — [to bring] the streets of Japan to San Antonio,” he says.

Voodoo Doughnut Facebook

6 things to know in San Antonio food right now: Voodoo Doughnut makes Alamo City debut

News You Can Eat

Editor's note: We get it. It can be difficult to keep up with the fast pace of San Antonio's restaurant and bar scene. We have you covered with our regular roundup of essential food news.

Openings and closings

A gaggle of locals braved chilly temps and long lines for the December 20 opening of hip Portland chain Voodoo Doughnut's first San Antonio location. Like the other locations, the new Alamo City outpost at 400 E. Houston St. now delivers sugar and caffeine to both morning crowds and late-night River Walk revelers.

Besamé, the latest project from the owners of popular nightlife spot El Camino, is now open at 511 E. Grayson St. Located at the former home of Alamo BBQ Co., the concept combines a full craft cocktail bar with food trucks such as Pete's Chicken Shack and 2M Smokehouse.

Salad and Go continues to make a dent in the fast-food market with a second location. A filing with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation reveals plans for a diminutive shop at Potranco Road and Reid Ranch. The Arizona-based chain employs a unique drive-thru model to deliver classic salads like cobbs and Caesars on the quick. Construction is set to wrap up at the end of October 2023.

Boerne mainstay Mi Casa Tamales is taking a breather after 15 years in business. In a Facebook post, the team announced it would shutter on December 31 after fulfilling holiday orders. It's not all bad news, though. The restaurant is remodeling under the original ownership to streamline production. The rebranded eatery will open at a still-unannounced date.

Other news and notes

Turns out the Gray Lady is a fan of a San Antonio institution. In a December 9 article detailing the 25 best dishes of the year, New York Times writer Priya Krishna waxed rhapsodic about the Minion taco from Maria's Café. Though "smoky shreds of brisket and creamy-crunchy migas" ultimately won the reporter's heart, she noted that any filling is superb in the restaurant's "buttery flour tortillas."

La Panadería, already used to getting shine from the James Beard Foundation and Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, has received an unexpected plaudit. Yelp gave it the top spot on its list of best hot chocolate stops in Texas. The bakery was joined by two other local faves in the top 5. I Love Churros and Tlahco Mexican Kitchen nabbed the No. 2 and No. 5 slots, respectively, with Coffee Crush and Laika Cheesecake & Espresso also making the list.

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CultureMap Emails are Awesome

San Antonio celebrates 27th annual César E. Chávez March for Justice this weekend

SÍ SE PUEDE

Every year, thousands of San Antonians come together to honor the legacy of civil rights leader Cesar E. Chavez with a two-mile walk through downtown on Saturday, March 25. Plans for the 27th annual César E. Chávez March for Justice have been released, including this year’s new theme.

The César E. Chávez Legacy and Educational Foundation (CECLEF) announced March 25 as the date for their next march, with the new theme titled “Finding True Life Through Service to Others.”

Interim District 7 Councilwoman Rosie Castro, U.S. Congressman Joaquin Castro, and former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Julián Castro (her sons) will be the march’s Grand Marshals.

CECLEF Chair Ernest J. Martinez said in a press release that it’s inspiring for him to see how the longstanding San Antonio tradition has been well-received by the local community and continues to be embraced by the younger generation.

“This year, we are strongly encouraging our K [through] 12 and college students to march alongside our friends, family, community, civic leaders, and elected officials,” he shared. “The March has always been a time to engage in civic participation and advocate for social and economic justice for our communities.”

Another priority with this year’s march is to give recognition to the many farm workers in San Antonio, while also bringing awareness to the food disparities in the community. CECLEF encourages participants to bring canned goods to the march for their “Yes We CAN” food drive, which will be donated to the San Antonio Food Bank.

District 5 Councilwoman Terri Castillo, who is the daughter of migrant farm workers, said the march serves as a prominent commemoration of the farm workers who advocated for better working conditions.

“This march serves as a reminder that we all have a role to play to carry on the legacy of labor leaders like Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta," she said. "When we march together, we say yes to organizing for safe working conditions, a living wage, and a better future for San Antonio. ¡Sí se puede!”

The 27th annual César E. Chávez March for Justice will begin at 10 am on March 25 at the corner of Brazos and Guadalupe Street.

More information about the March for Justice can be found on sanantonio.gov.

Here are the top 5 things to do in San Antonio this weekend

Weekend Event Guide

Ballet, comedy, and fighting competitions top our list of must-attend happenings in Alamo City. Witness the stories of Swan Lake and Cinderella come to life through dance, or laugh along with comedian Felipe Esparza. Check out the top five things to do in San Antonio this weekend. For a full list of events, visit our calendar.

Thursday, March 23

World Ballet Series: Cinderella
The beloved fairytale of Cinderella is brought to life on the Majestic Theatre stage for one magical evening. This production includes a cast of 40 ballet dancers, more than 150 hand-sewn costumes, and choreography by Marina Kessler. For tickets, click here. This event is suitable for audiences of all ages.

Friday, March 24

Briscoe Western Art Museum presents Night of Artists
Celebrate the artists that showcase Western art during this special philanthropic evening. This signature event will include the work of artists who helped establish the Briscoe Western Art Museum and serves as an evening to explore the museum and honor the works within. Splurge on your tickets to this fundraising event and get a full program schedule here.

Saturday, March 25

The Ballet Conservatory of South Texas presents Selections from Swan Lake
The classic tale of good versus evil unfolds at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts. Audiences can enjoy a Swan Lake production performed by the talented members of the Ballet Conservatory of South Texas Company. Tickets for both performances are still available.

UFC Fight Night San Antonio: Marlon Vera vs Cory Sandhagen
After four years, the UFC® is back in San Antonio with two matchups. Fans can experience No. 4-ranked bantamweight contender Marlon Vera against No. 5-ranked Cory Sandhagen and No. 3-ranked Holly Holm against No. 6 Yana Santos in the co-main event. For tickets, visit the event website.

Felipe Esparza: The BigFoo Tour
Comedian and actor Felipe Esparza comes to Majestic Theatre for two back-to-back live shows. He’s best known for his recurring appearances on Superstore and The Eric Andre Show and was the 2010 winner of Last Comic Standing. View seating options on the ticketing website.

The Ballet Conservatory of South Texas presents Selections from Swan Lake
Photo by Alexander Devora Photography

The Ballet Conservatory of South Texas presents Selections from Swan Lake.

Netflix series Waco: American Apocalypse debuts with newly unearthed footage

Documentary News

Netflix has a new series on the tragedy that took place in Waco three decades ago: Called Waco: American Apocalypse, it's a three-part series documenting the standoff between cult leader David Koresh and the federal government that ended in a fiery inferno, televised live, with 76 people dead.

The series debuted on March 22, coinciding with the 30-year anniversary of the event which took place from February 28 to April 19, 1993. There's a trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scZ2x7R_XXc.

It's an oft-told tale and not the only new release to try and exploit the 30-year anniversary: Jeff Guinn, former books editor at the Fort Worth Star Telegram, just came out with a book in January, also described as definitive, called Waco: David Korsh, the Branch Davidians, and a Legacy of Rage.

Waco: American Apocalypse is directed by another "local": Dallas native Tiller Russell (Night Stalker: The Hunt for a Serial Killer), who obtained never-before-seen videotapes of FBI negotiations, as well as raw news footage and interviews with insiders.

Those insiders include one of David Koresh’s spiritual wives; the last child released from the compound alive; a sniper from the FBI Hostage Rescue Team; the FBI Crisis Negotiation Unit Chief; journalists; and members of the ATF tactical team who watched colleagues die in the shootout against the heavily armed members of the religious sect.

The FBI videotaped inside the hostage negation room, thinking they'd be there maybe 24 hours, not 51 days.

"These are video cassettes that were sitting in somebody’s closet for 30 years, that show the mechanics of hostage negotiations in an intimate setting - not the hostage negotiation scenarios you see in films, but a team of people grinding, day in and day out, for 51 days," Russell says.

He also procured footage from Waco TV station KWTX, who had a reporter embedded in the initial gunfight.

While the standoff was broadcast live on TV at the time, much of it was out of camera range. The film uses 3D graphics to recreate the details of the compound.

Russell acknowledges that the tale of the cult leader who was also a pedophile, the debate over the right to bear arms, the constitutional limits of religious freedom, dredge up painful conversations that continue today.

"It cast a long shadow, pre-saging the Timothy McVeigh bombing in Oklahoma, the shooting at Colombine, and a growing distrust of government, but I think it's important to reckon with our past so we don't repeat mistakes," he says.

"So much of what’s roiling in culture today can be traced to Waco, a story about God and guns in America with all these children at the center whose lives were determined by the adults around them," he says. "There was no playbook for what happened, everyone was out on a limb, and people made mistakes. But almost everybody was trying to do their very best."

"I think this is a story that's often recalled in politicized terms, with finger-pointing on who screwed up and how did we get here, but there's a profound humanity to it all," he says.