| Subject: San Antonio |
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John Rule asked about dining (especially Mexican food),
botanical gardens, live music venues, and architectural highlights in San
Antonio. Being a major fan of classic jazz (I host a jazz show on a local
campus station), the main reason we go there is to hear the Jim Cullum band
play at the Landing in the Hyatt Regency. They are a world-class group
(unfortunately, I have not been able to make it down there to hear some
newcomers, but say hi for me, especially to pianist John Sheridan and
bassist Don Mopsick, as well as the leader. Go to their website,
http://www.landing.com (they are occasionally on tour and the substitute bands are
variable). There are other bands playing on the Riverwalk, but I really
only care for the Cullum band.
Turning to other items, although people find the Riverwalk touristy, I enjoy sitting with my wife and daughters people watching. The Zuni Grill is very good Southwestern, but some of the better Mexican restaurants are away from the Riverwalk. Our favorites are La Marguerita and Mi Tierra which are next to one another at the Mercado and owned by the same family. The menus are slightly different; I personally prefer La Marguerita. The Mercado (market) is about a 15 minute walk from the Riverwalk and available by trolley. We also enjoy Tomatillos which has a few locations (Rio Rita on the Riverwalk is at least good). The Prince William District, which is a short walk from downtown, will provide your architecture. A useful thing to keep in mind is that San Antonio is perhaps as German as it is Mexican. Ira H. Bernstein, Arlington |