Fralo's - The Art of Pizza

You say tomato, I say toMAHto.

You say potato, I say poTAHto.

You say Fralo, I say FrAHlo.

However you say it, I say, it's good pizza.

Fralo's has been creating pizza buzz in Leon Springs for a few years now, rivaling the buzz that Rudy's BBQ has long monopolized on that little stretch of low-lying road.

I went there yesterday for the first time, armed with a gift certificate, my four children, and my aunt.

The weather forecast predicted 97 degrees and humidity, but the Pizza gods must have been smiling on us. We quickly decided on an outdoor table, anxious to eke out any hours of bearable San Antonio heat.

The staff was minimal over the lunchhour, and we learned that it is at dinnertime that you can hardly find a table. In laid-back Hill Country style, they eventually took our order, but it was with a hearty friendliness that made me feel like I had been there a dozen times over.

We decided to try several items, although one pizza would have easily served two adults and four Munchkins. I ordered off of the Specialty menu - a barbeque chicken pizza. It wasn't an easy, choice, though, because there were some great, artistic choices. I was intrigued by the "Spanako" - a Greek-sounding pizza that included lamb, tomatoes, Kalamata olives, and Feta Cheese. Their "cheese" pizza was quite gourmet, too - it featured a blend of mozzarella, provolone, feta, parmasean, and gorgonzola.

My children, being normal kids, weren't so high-falutin'. And, being normal, they argued over what to order. Cheese or pepperoni. Thankfully, Fralo's averted World War III by letting me order a half cheese/half pepperoni pizza. We might want to ship them to the United Nations.

My aunt, always healthy, (save for the occasional relapse into a chocolate addiction that we share), chose the Margherita Pizza with cheese, spinach, and basil - on wheat crust. And, Texans, please understand that despite the homophonic relationship to our favorite tequila drink, a Margherita pizza gets its roots in Italy. It was named for Queen Margherita, and decorated in the colors of the flag of Italy - red, white, and green.

It took nearly half an hour for the pizzas to come out, but it was well-worth the wait. One bite, and I knew that I was in Pizza Heaven.

Halfway through our meal, a guy came out with a place of pizza rolls. We visited with him for awhile, and learned that he was from Austin. He was bringing his artsy Austin vibe with him and was trying to add his creations to the menu. He wanted our opinion on what he'd whipped up - pizza rolls with sausage, pepperoni, and cheese. I don't know what else he added to it, but it was very savory. When we hinted that we wouldn't be opposed to a second tasting, he happily brought us another batch. He told us about the variations that he was trying, and my aunt gave him advice on a vegetarian possibility.

We ordered plenty with the intention of leftovers. Three slices and two pizza rolls later, I still had a little bit left to take home. Hey, I'm a nursing mom, and I need my calories!

Fralo's isn't cheap - for that for to the Domino's that is just down the street. But, if you're looking for great atmosphere, live music in the evening, creative pizza, and a great time, stick with Fralo's. You'll be back, and you won't care how it's pronounced.

Note: If you sign up at www.woai.com, you will often get alerts for a gift certificate program. In this case, I was able to buy two $25 gift certificates for Fralo's for $25. They arrived within a few days. You cannot use the certificates for the same visit, but it's still a great deal. These go FAST - when you get the email alert, sign up right away. There are a limited number, and always for different restaurants.

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Fralo's - The Art of Pizza
23651 IH 10 West
San Antonio, TX 78257
210-698-6116

Visit Fralo's Website!

El Mercado/La Margarita

The circle of life is not more apparent than when you take your own child to somewhere that you went as a child.

This happened to me yesterday. I thought it would make me feel old, but instead, it gave me that warm/fuzzy feeling.

We went down to Milam Park for an event, and parked outside El Mercado. One of my daughters spotted a bright pink building caddy-corner to us. I explained that it was the Smithsonian Museum called Museo Alamdea. She didn't really care what it contained - she was just fascinated that there was such a thing as a bright pink building.

We went over, and found that admission was free, although they do ask for a small donation.

The museum is the ONLY one sponsored by the Smithsonian outside of Washington, DC, and I was proud that it was located in our own San Antonio.

Our stomachs were empty, so we made just a quick tour of the museum, and will have to come back with more time.

Just outside of Museo Alameda lies El Mercado.

When I was growing up, we came to San Antonio every year to visit family, and I ALWAYS asked to visit El Mercado, or "The Mexican Market". I loved the colors and the music. My husband and I realized that it had been FIVE years since we had been here - and the kids were all too young to remember it. It struck me that my two oldest ones were just the age that I was when I fell in love with the magic of the market.

The Mexican Market is the largest of its kind outside of Mexico. On one side, you will find a long, green building full of stalls with pottery, purses, clothing, and other items that compete with any rainbow for display of color.

To the other side, there are several restaurants, including La Margarita, and the famous Mi Tierra. In between is an outdoor walkway only for pedestrians. There are more vendors selling hats, blankets, and artwork here. Peruvian wind music plays in the background, and several fountains add a steady, calming untertone. It reminds me a bit of the French Quarter in New Orleans, but with a San Antonio flair.

There is a lot to take in, especially for a child.

We chose to eat at La Margarita. We arrived around 4, and were able to be seated right away. Although it had been a long time since we'd visited, my husband and I remembered that we loved their tomatillo chicken enchiladas.

As with any Mexican restaurant, we were first served chips and salsa. However, not all are created equal. Rob and I agreed that this salsa was FANTASTIC. We quickly ate through it all, and discovered that once you stop, the heat of the salsa settles in, and you no longer have taste buds. We quickly ran through our water and had to ask for more. But, we also asked for more salsa. (I think there is no better way to stay hydrated than to consume a bit of spicy salsa in San Antonio - you will be drinking hoards of water after that.)

We found the enchiladas to be every bit as good as we'd remembered, although our ability to taste them was somewhat hindered after the salsa. That's ok - the portions were HUGE, and we brought some home for lunch today.

We also love La Margarita for the mariachis. It adds to the ambiance. If they play at your table, tip them a few dollars. If they play across the room, you will still enjoy the music, but will also be able to hear your conversation.

When we left, having some homemade pecan pralines in our to-go bag, we discovered a huge line to get in. This is typical. We ran into a friend who had an out-of-town guest. Obviously, she was well-aware that this is one of the best places you can take company if you want to give them an authentic San Antonio meal.

Temporarily, our daughters felt like they were on vacation. Nostalgically, (my dictionary says that's not a word), I remembered the wonder I felt at El Mercado, and was happy to be sharing that.

Definitely, we will be back. And we won't wait another five years.

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La Margarita
120 Produce Row, 227-7140
Visit La Margarita's Website!

Smithsonian Museo Alameda
101 South Santa Rosa, 299-4300
Visit the Alameda's Website!

Market Square (El Mercado)
Visit the Market Square Website!

Mi Tierra Restaurant and Bakery - open 24 hours a day!
Visit the Mi Tierra Website!

Lackland Air Show

When we bought our home, I should have been impressed with the layout, the location, the condition, the details. After all, I am a Realtor - I know what to look for in a home and an investment.

But, no. When I found out that it had built-in surround sound speakers, I was ready to sign.

One of my favorite things about going to the movies - especially an IMAX - is the loud thumping that takes place in your heart during an action scene. To recreate this at home was something that I was looking forward to. The sub-woofer that I installed hasn't disappointed me.

However, the BEST place to experience that all-encompassing thunder in your body, the kind that makes your insides shake, is the Lackland Air Show.

Held once a year, usually around Veteran's Day, this festival is held in order to promote military pride and recruit new members. Or, to just delight my ears, but I don't think they're doing it for my benefit.

It's free and open to the public.

All around, you will see all kinds of helicoptors, jets, and cargo planes, from all eras of our military history in the air. You can go inside many of these. I am most blown away by the cargo planes - the cavernous inside is impressive. I strap myself to a seat on the side and take it all in.

There is lots of food and memorabilia to go around, but the real attraction is above you. This year, demonstrations were held by a an F-16 Falcon, a P-40 Warhawk, an F-22 Raptor, and other planes that I would not know the names of unless I looked them up.

Some of these fly solo, and some in formation.

There is also a program called "Tora, Tora, Tora", which is a recreation of the bombing at Pearl Harbor. My 9-year-old daughter, who is literally paralyzed with fear at July 4 fireworks, was mesmerized with this show, bombings and all. Vintage planes zoom, turn, roll, bomb, fight.

The final show, and the main reason for coming are the Blue Angels. Showing off the air power of the Navy, these are the jets that create the sonic music of my soul. They challenge everything we think of in an aircraft, flying upside-down and performing death-defying stunts. It is most magnificent when they fly together in formation, coming as close as 18 inches away from each other. At those kinds of speeds.

This is an event for all ages. We were there with my 2-year-old niece, up to my 90-year old retired Air Force grandfather. It was touching to see him there with all four of his great-grandchildren, passing along his love of flying to the little ones.

This is a new family tradition for us. Will it be yours?

Visit the Airshow Website!

(Note: Arrive early and bring folding chairs! You are in for an all-day show, and you will appreciate having something to sit on. There is plenty of parking, but it is quite a hike to the grounds. Shuttles are available for free.)

Central Market Cooking Class

Sometimes, it feels good to think that you're in on a little secret.

Like watching a little-known film, and feeling that it spoke just to you.

Or discovering a new artist before anyone else has.

For years, I have shopped at the remarkable Central Market on Broadway, totally unaware that there was a third floor.

Now I know, and I'm going to let you in on the secret.

Ok, it's not really a secret. But, I don't think it's widely known outside of the Alamo Heights set.

Near the registers, there is a plain stairway, leading to offices for Central Market Associates. It is obvious that the public doesn't generally go up there - it is more confined and more dingy than the spacious downstairs. An employee had to direct me to another stairway past that second level to reach my destination.

When I arrived on the third floor, I knew that I was somewhere special. The hallway was lined with bouquets and gift baskets, recently assembled, and waiting for their debut on the shopping floor. They were full of color and life and treats. But, that wasn't where I was ultimately heading.

I walked past the display to an area that had little lunch tables in a big, bright space. Nearby was a sign-in desk - just what I was looking for.

I had arrived for my first Central Market Cooking Class.

I didn't know what to expect. In fact, I've never taken any kind of cooking class. I just learned to cook at the side of my mother, and under the tutelage of my patient husband, who endured some not-so delicious meals as I experimented with this and that.

I think he was looking forward to me taking the class.

I signed up for this particular one, because they were focusing on Turkish cooking. A big fan of ancient history and Middle Eastern culture, Rob and I honeymooned nearly 12 years ago in Turkey, and have always wanted to return. Four kids later, that's a pricey aspiration, so I was happy to spend $55 and recreate the trip in 2 1/2 hours on Broadway, two stories above the best grocery store in town.

The cooking class room was like a dream. To my left was a giant wall of windows that overlooked the store's produce and wine sections. If that doesn't get you in the mood for cooking and creativity, I don't know what would.

In the middle were two long rows of tables - enough to seat about 20 people. Small enough to make it intimate. To my right is where the magic happened. A fully-stocked kitchen complete with a six burner gas stovetop, preparation tables, a wall full of accessories, and best of all - bowls full of prep work, already completed.

Above us was a large, angled mirror, so that from any seat, you could have a bird's eye view of what the chef was doing. To the either side of the kitchen, there were television sets that were focused, respectively, on the stovetop and the countertop.

I had what might have been considered the worst seat in the house, and yet my visibility was still excellent.

I felt like I was on the set of a Food Network show.

The class started on time, which was a good thing, because there was lots on our agenda - Turkish Rose Ravioli, Turkish delight, hummus, walnut-stuffed figs, and strong coffee.

You can't say that Central Market doesn't go for authenticity. The instructor was a charming woman named Ozlem, who was raised in Ankara and Istanbul. Her warmth and enthusiasm for sharing her culture immediately brought me back to the wonderful times we had visiting her country - the crossroads of East and West, situated on both Europe and Asia.

Ozlem passionately rolled out fillo dough, lovingly rolled lamb, parsley, and onion into cigar shapes, expertly frothed coffee, and enthusiastically prepared our dessert.

I think my favorite discovery is that I like figs. She taught us to make a syrup of water, sugar, and cloves, and soak walnut-stuffed dried figs in them. Then, she served them with a dollop of marscapone cheese, and garnished it with ground pistachios.

Ozlem also wove Turkish geography and history into her presentation, giving well-rounded instruction on the culture, beyond just the food.

I could go on and on about this particular class, but considering that she is moving to London in April, this one won't be available any longer.

So, let me tell you what you can expect from any Central Market cooking class.

You will have a qualified, authentic instructor. You will receive handouts with the recipes and a glossary of terms. You will be served by assistants as if you were at a restaurant, and given tea, water, and samples of everything that is cooked. You will forget about everything outside of that little room for hours, and be immersed in the art of cooking.

If you go often enough, you may find camaraderie with the other students, but this not really a social venue.

Upon paying for the class, you receive a punch card. After ten visits, you will receive $40 off of your next class. Alternatively, if you volunteer twice to be a server and assistant, you will receive a $40 credit off of a future class.

I left the class with a full stomach and a happy heart. I found that there was a shower in the restroom, and I thought that maybe, just maybe, I could talk them into letting me move in. It would certainly be a lovely home for a foodie.

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Central Market
4821 Broadway
San Antonio, TX 78209
210-368-8600
Visit the Central Market Website!

(Note: If you are on the Central Market mailing list, you will receive great coupons in the mail and information about upcoming classes. Not all of the classes are mailed out - for a complete list, visit the website.)

Magnolia Pancake Haus

Some years ago, Rob and I were in New York City, and in the mood for an authentic deli experience.

We were walking near Radio City Music Hall at the time. We came upon two delis next to each other. One had a very long line, and one had no line at all.

Ravishingly hungry, I headed toward the one that would have a table right away.

Rob wisely steered me away, though.

"Look at all the locals at this one. It must be good if everyone is lining up to go here."

I saw his point, and we joined the throngs of New Yorkers waiting to eat at the Blue Flowers Deli.

Rob's point was further proven when we got a table more quickly than we expected, and we were treated to a mile-high, mouthwatering pastrami sandwich, a fruit bar with blueberries the size of baseballs (slight exaggeration!), and a front-row seat of daily New York life.

This was early in our marriage, and since then, I have been a subscriber to Rob's belief that for good food, go where it's busy.

Nowhere in my travels have I seen this proven to the same degree as our Big Apple experience, than in our own San Antonio.

Magnolia Pancake Haus - darling with its black and white awning reminicient of a European restaurant - is seemingly out of place in a so-so strip mall next to a Laser Quest. But the telltale sign that there is something special there are all of the people waiting on the front porch to get in.

On the weekend, getting a seat may easily take you an hour. Weekdays in the late morning are a more ideal time to come. However, even on the weekend, you will wait as your appetite grows, and you won't mind, knowing that you are making room for just one more pancake....

When you finally get in, the inside is as charming as the outside. The waitstaff hustles and the patrons are buzzing with light conversation.

At last, you are seated, and settle in to reading the menu the way you might dive into a much-loved novel.

Do I order a big stack of their famous buttermilk pancakes? Or, do I choose a gourmet omlette, knowing that I can order a side of pancakes instead of toast? Do I wait an extra fifteen minutes for them to make the German Munchener Apfel Pfannekuchen, an apple pancake delight that is like having dessert for breakfast?

Personally, my eyes usually wander to the omlette page - eggs AND pancakes, the best of both worlds. I fall into my old bad habit - going with my favorite stand-by, rather than try something else. At Magnolia Haus, my favorite is the Bodega Bay Omlette - it has applewood smoked bacon, arugula, goat cheese, and is drizzled with creme fraiche. One bite makes me think that I am back in San Francisco, and that stepping outside would lead me to a view of the foggy Golden Gate Bridge.

But, back to reality. Even the freshly squeezed orange juice added to my bill will remind me that I am in San Antonio, where the prices are more friendly to families than in the Bay Area, the reason that we moved here in the first place.

I am not alone in my praise for this Alamo City favorite. Texas Highways Magazine rated it "the best breakfast in Texas", and added, "Retire the trophy, these guys are the champs." They've also won nearly every "Best Breakfast" award possible locally.

My opinion of the breakfast here can be summed up by saying this: when I go somewhere, I am often inspired to write about it. I soak in the ambiance, collect details in my mind, and bring it home to my readers. I've been visiting the Magnolia Haus frequently, and have been intending to write about it. However, when I go there, I am so wrapped up in the deliciousness of the meal, that I am blinded to the details going on around me. This is why I haven't updated my blog in months, and thank you to the many people that have been asking for more!

All I can answer is that I have known that Magnolia Haus deserved to be the next place written about, but it's taken me this long to force myself to focus my attention away from my plate.

I hope that endorsement, along with the masses of people waiting on the porch on weekend mornings, will entice you to try it, and make it your own new favorite.

Magnolia Pancake Haus
606 Embassy Oak, San Antonio
210-496-0828
Visit the Magnolia Pancake Haus Website!   (Log on just to enjoy reading the online menu!)

Forbidden Gardens - Katy, TX

The misty air gave us a solemn feeling as we walked over the Bridge of Turtles towards the majestic red gates. We were about to enter a secret world - the Forbidden Gardens.

It's too bad that my blog doesn't have sound effects. This is where you would play the sound of a screeching vinyl record bringing you back to reality.

Our day driving towards Houston was very Texan, not very majestic. We passed a buffalo ranch outside of Seguin, Frank's truck restaurant in Schulenberg, and miles and miles of farms and ranches. The approach to Katy was a bit more cosmopolitan as we drove past the Katy Mills shopping center.

The Mapquest directions told us to turn on Grand Ave., one of the last exits before entering the Houston suburbs. We passed some road construction and some cookie-cutter neighborhoods, barely missing the quick driveway for our destination.

I don't remember where I first heard of the Forbidden Gardens, but being the field-trip hunter that I am, it was always on my list. I won't be in China any time soon that I know of, so this is the closest we could get.

The timing worked very well. My 9-year-old was just studying ancient China in her history lessons, and the Beijing Olympics are nipping at our heels. I always try to make current events and school studies relevant and tangible for my children, so this accomplished both.

The sky threatened a deluge, and my guidebook warned us that the Forbidden Gardens would close at the first sign of rain. We hurried past that bridge of turtles, much to the disappointment of my kids, but I was determined at 1:10 to talk my way into the 1pm tour and do what we could to miss the rain.

Whew! They let us in, but reiterated that if it rained, the tour would end, and we would not be refunded.

We rushed past two bald lion-like sculptures and entered the area that I was most excited to see - the terracotta soldiers.

Discovered in 1974, the real terracotta soldiers in China are loosely called the "Eighth Wonder of the World", and the title would not be far off. 6000 life-sized soldiers, each different from one another, were sculpted to protect the emperor in the 3rd Century BC.

Here in Katy, all 6000 soldiers were recreated at a 1/3 scale. It seemed that as far as the eye could see, these soldiers graced and protected the Texas fields. It was a spectacular sight, and would have been worth the admission and the drive all by themselves.

But our guide had more in store for us. We left the soldiers and visited a room full of ancient Chineses weaponry, learning that it was considered cowardly to wear a helmet in battle.

Our walk took us next to yet another wonder - a complete recreation of the Forbidden City in Beijing.

In real life, the Forbidden City is a gated sanctuary that is over 17 miles long, and would take seven hours to walk end-to-end. This must be the most elaborate palace grounds ever built. We towered over the city, seeing it from our bird's-eye view and watched as soldiers guarded, unichs served, concubines groomed, and children studied.

The skies broke just as we entered the shelter of this covered replica, and the blowing rain all around us added to the serious ambiance of the place. Trapped by the storm, we spent more time than usual with these miniature residents. We got to hear in more depth the tales of the beautifully-named highlights in the city - the Gate of Supreme Harmony, the Hall of Preserving Harmony, the Palace of Heavenly Purity, the Palace of Earthly Tranquility, and on and on. Wow! The ancient Chinese could be modern-day spindoctors.

The rain subsided just long enough for us to run across the courtyard into the room of Chinese architecture. We saw exhibits modeling the brilliance of the structures, but were most impressed with their version of a security system. They would put cages of crickets outside all four corners of their homes. The crickets would perpetually chirp. However, if someone approached, the crickets would get quiet, and the family would know that there was someone outside that part of the house. Fascinating!

Our final walk took us by a wedding carriage and to a table laid out with an emperor's feast. We discovered that it was an honor to eat the emperor's half-eaten leftoveres, and the men would eat just bear's feet for weeks hoping that it would make them more likely to produce sons.

The rain pounded us again, and the kindly staff pulled out their umbrellas and walked us back to the safety of our cars. We were again in modern Texas, a bit culture-shocked, a bit more educated, and a bit more grateful for living in 2008.

When we watch the summer Olympics, they will surely feature the Forbidden City in their festivities. We can't say we've been there, but we've been to the next best thing.
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Forbidden Gardens
23500 Franz Road, Katy, TX 77493
281-347-8000
Visit the Forbidden Gardens Website!

San Antonio Zoo

"Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!"

Dorothy unknowingly started a litany of the menegarie of wildlife found at our beloved San Antonio Zoo.

I fell in love with the zoo when I was a child. I have pictures of me with my Aunt Missy sitting under orange umbrellas near the hippo habitat when I was not much bigger than the Madagascan lemurs across the way. My children think those pictures are sooooo old. However, the zoo pre-dates my birth by 62 years.

Stared in 1914, the zoo grew from just a few animals donated by Colonel George Brackenridge, to the habitats and educational centers that encompass it today. Over 3500 animals, representing 750 species, call it home.

Enthusiasm for the zoo is wild, no pun intended. Every time I go, there is something new to discover. Last year, my daughters were enthralled with the free-flying butterflies, and a few days ago, they discovered that amphibians are "Toadally" terrific. This new exhibit made them realize that there is a spectrum of the croaking creatures beyond the ones that visit our backyard pond in the spring.

Enough with the alliteration.

The newest feature of the zoo is the "Africa" exhibit, which is near completion. It expands the previous habitats for the elephants, zebras, giraffes, and ostrich.

Besides all of the special displays, the kids delight in all the old favorites - the fish, the monkeys, the jaguar, the komodo dragon, etc.

There's so much to learn from taking the time to read the signs. We've studied the continents through going to the zoo and finding on a map where each animal came from. We've learned that flamingos get their pink color from the shrimp that they eat, and that bats are nocturnal creatures. We came face-to-face with a giant anaconda on our last visit. My nine-year-old daughter read that it was a carnivore. "Although today, it's an herbivore", she said, "because it's a Friday in Lent." Ha, ha, I suppose you can even create Catholic humor at the zoo!

I love that they have made an air-conditioned spot for the little ones, called the Tiny Tot Nature Spot. You can find it about halfway through the zoo, and it is such a respite on our hot Texas days. The first steps to the spot are over a lily pad, which leads to an aquarium tunnel where some of the fish are as big as the children! Later, you encounter a turtle pond, and then go inside where even more fun awaits the kids. The first room features animal toys, a puppet theater, and a ticket stand. The second room has a "fishing" hole. Then, you move on to what appears to be underground earthworm tunnels. The kids are one with the bugs as they crawl through and come face to face with tarantulas and other critters. At the end, they can tunnel up and mingle with a field of groundhogs.

The indoor part also features clean bathrooms, and even has a room with rocking chairs for nursing moms!

Back outside, a mini-petting zoo features roosters and goats, and hand sanitizer. A tot-sized water park is another great hot-weather spot.

My favorite thing about the zoo, though, it its size. I have seen a lot of zoos in a lot of cities, and have visited the remarkable San Diego Zoo several times. As fantasic as the S.D. Zoo is, it is too large to take in in one day, is quite expensive, and is a stroller nightmare as you have to navigate many hills.

The San Antonio Zoo, in comparison, can be completed in about four hours. A perfect day there features going through half of it, stopping in the Tiny Tot are for some down time, walking through some more of the zoo, and finishing it off with an ice cream.

A great value for families is their season pass. At only $60 per family, you will discover over and over the treasure that has been in San Antonio for 94 years.
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San Antonio Zoo
3903 N. St. Mary's St.
San Antonio, TX 78212
210-734-7184
Visit the San Antonio Zoo Website!
Please visit the website for an online coupon, and more information about classes for children - EdZoocation.