Every generation has its favorite Christmas movie. For me, it really can’t be Christmas unless I’ve seen some or all of It’s a Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th Street, and White Christmas, all in glorious black and white. For folks who came of age in the Eighties, one of the seminal Christmas films has to be Bob Clark’s A Christmas Story, the story of bunny-pajama-wearing Ralphy, his family, and the BB gun he wants for Christmas. Alamo Drafthouse chef John Bullington has dreamed up a four-course Roast Duck Feast to accompany the film, complete with mashed potatoes that will arrive just as they hit the table for Ralphy on screen. The evening will also include the opportunity to demonstrate BB-shooting skills, with the winner taking home a life-sized “leg lamp” once they’ve shot out the giant eyeball target. If this is your Christmas movie, the party tonight (Thursday, Dec. 22) is for you. The film will be shown at the Alamo Drafthouse Downtown (409 Colorado), and tickets are $40. If you hurry, you can make reservations online at www.originalalamo.com. We double dog dare you!… Last-minute shopping? We’ve got a few tasty suggestions. One of our favorite barbecue documentaries, Barbecue: A Texas Love Story, is out on DVD just in time for gift-giving. This locally made film has been a big hit on the festival circuit and sold out a great barbecue evening to kick off the first annual Central Texas Barbecue Festival back in October. Go to www.bbqfilm.com to purchase online or drop by Waterloo Video (600 N. Lamar, 474-2500) or Zinger Hardware (Anderson Lane & Burnet Road, 533-9001) to pick them up here in town. It’s a barbecue stocking stuffer that won’t make a mess on your hands… So, you say someone on your list loves all things Italian? Then we suggest you stop by Teo’s (1206 W. 38th, 451-9555) and check out all the goodies Matt Lee has imported from the old country: everything from Maglio figs dipped in chocolate to bags of Caffe Piansi espresso beans to very chic personal latte and espresso makers… There’s still a little time to order great tamales from Santa Rita Tex Mex (1206 W. 38th, 419-RITA), where chef Julio Dominguez serves up his personal recipe for chicken tomatillo or pork adobo tamales by the dozen with delicious sauce on the side. By the way, after Christmas, be sure to drop into Santa Rita and toast the Longhorns’ potential National Championship with a Rose Bowl cocktail. It sounds like a winner!
Santa Rita’s Texas Rose
1 shot Tito’s Vodka
Half shot Paula’s Texas Orange liqueur
1 shot Rose’s Lime juice
Texas prickly pear juice
Shake well with ice and strain into a martini glass or serve on the rocks
This article appears in December 23 • 2005.