Day Trips
Shopping and eating in the Alamo City always seems like a good reason for a day trip to me
By Gerald E. McLeod, Fri., Dec. 16, 2005
San Antonio at Christmas sparkles like a new penny. Even the lights along the highway heading into the city seem to be brighter and more numerous at this time of the year. Shopping and eating in the Alamo City always seems like a good reason for a day trip to me.
If you're looking for authentic Mexican goods without crossing the Rio Grande, then El Mercado is the place. From Mexican candy to marble chess pieces, the rows of stalls and shops in the two crowded buildings on the west side of downtown between Commerce and Market streets offer a world of goods. The vendors are open daily 10am to 6pm from September to May, and 10am to 8pm from June to August.
The plaza down the middle of Market Square doubles as a village center for this city of 1.5 million and an entrance to the restaurants and shops. Always adorned with twinkling lights and bright colors, the walkway bustles with activity. It's not uncommon to see street magicians and musicians entertaining for tips along the plaza.
Anchoring the south side of the plaza is Mi Tierra Cafe and Bakery, a San Antonio institution since it opened in 1941. Waiting for your table in the bakery lobby or in the ornate bar is half the fun of sampling a unique taste of San Antonio cuisine. The customary tip for the mariachi bands that serenade at your table is at least $5. Mi Tierra never closes, so you won't have to rush to get there.
If your shopping tastes go for the more contemporary, head south down Alamo Street to the Blue Star Arts Complex. To get there from the east end of Market Square, go south on Santa Rosa Street, then left on Durango Street, right on South Alamo, and follow it until it ends at Probandt Street. The mixture of galleries, boutiques, and importers is an eclectic assortment of furniture, artwork, and curios. Most of the shops close by 6pm.
The Blue Star Brewing Company, 1414 S. Alamo, brews fresh, handmade beers in one of the warehouses in the complex. The menu is a mixture of hamburgers, steaks, and seafood served in a relaxed atmosphere. They have even added a bike shop with rentals, which is a nice way to explore the King William District north of the arts district that sponsors an open house along South Alamo on the first Friday of the month.
A new discovery for me on a recent trip to the area was the Church Bistro and Theater at King William. Built in 1912, the building was used as a house of worship until the congregation disbanded in 1968. Opened 1976 as the Alamo Street Restaurant and Theatre, the old Methodist Church has a new owner, updated menu, and polished look. The latest incarnation of the beautiful mission-style brick building expands on the dinner theatre concept with spectacular results.
What was once the Sunday school classroom in the basement has been turned into a large dining room with a small stage tucked in the corner. The churchyard in front of the building between the twin staircases leading up to the former sanctuary has been turned into a wonderful dining area with bright orange umbrellas shading many of the tables under the watchful eye of a colorful stained-glass window.
The evening menu offers such delectable items as Devilish Crab Stuffed Salmon, Garden of Eden Salad, and Holy Texas Pecan Cake. Other items take advantage of the religious theme with names like Paradise Stuffed Mushrooms, Blessed Quesadillas, and Miraculous Marinated Chicken Salad. The prices are very reasonable at $20 for a three-course meal or $35 for dinner and the show.
The Church Bistro and Theatre, 1150 S. Alamo St., opens for a lunch buffet Monday through Friday, 11am to 2pm. Dinner is served Friday, 5 to 11pm; Saturday, 11am to 11pm; and Sunday, 11am to 3pm. The restaurant can get very busy between 6 and 8pm on performance nights. The current show, through Dec. 31, is Santaland Diaries with Dylan Collins. For more information or reservations, call 210/271-7791.
757th in a series. Day Trips, Vol. 2, a book of Day Trips 101-200, is available for $8.95, plus $3.05 for shipping, handling, and tax. Mail to: Day Trips, PO Box 33284, South Austin, TX 78704.
