When she’s not devising harrowing reinterpretations of Disney’s saccharine America, artist Kelly O’Connor manages the extensive contemporary-art collection at the Linda Pace Foundatio and visits Harley the parrot at Pet Works. Artist in Residence apears the last Wednesday of every month. Click here to download Vol. I-III.
Twin Sisters
6322 N. New Braunfels
(210) 822-0761
twinsistersbakeryandcafe.com
Vaguely granola and very homey, Twin Sisters serves healthful ’70s-influenced breakfast and lunch.
Nosh
1133 Austin Hwy.
(210) 826-nosh
noshsa.com
Light informal meals and drinks, very reasonably priced. My favorite of the cocktails is the Basil Bliss: fresh basil and lime, Corzo silver tequila with Blue Agave Syrup. The Rhubarb Refresher is also amazing: fresh rhubarb, Hendrick’s Gin, grapefruit juice, simple syrup, and club soda. Favorite of the small plates: “noshos” 4 cheeses, black-bean refrito, escabeche chiles, cilantro, lime crema. Also excellent: seared and chilled rare ahi tuna chips with sesame, tobiko & avocado-wasabi green goddess dressing.
Tong’s Thai
1146 Austin Hwy.
(210) 829-7345
tongsthai.com
The sushi and curry dishes are so good that I’m willing to forgive the horrible customer service.
Island Liquors and Gifts
1638 NE Loop 410, exit at Harry Wurzbach.
(210) 829-0848
islandliquor.com
Family owned since 1990. Former gas station with a tropical décor. Wide selection of wine, beer, and liquor. Friendly environment. Tastings every Friday and Saturday.
Thousand Oaks Café
1271 Austin Hwy.
(210) 829-4800
Not much to look at on the outside; used to be a Jim’s in the ’70s. Very retro on the inside, and clean. Excellent Mexican food. Best time to go: breakfast. Known for their migas.
Eisenhower Road Flea Market
3930 Eisenhower Rd.
Lots of Korean vendors, selling many items typical of New York’s Chinatown: knock-off designer purses, sunglasses, jewelry, and scarves. One of the only places in San Antonio where you can get a custom gold-plated, diamond-encrusted “grill” for your teeth.
Pet Works
6446 N. New Braunfels
(210) 824-6634
petworkssanantonio.com
If you are feeling lonely or need something to make you laugh, this locally owned pet store is the best place to visit. There is a parrot named Harley who is always behind the counter. He usually greets the customers with a sexy whistle and asks, “How’s it going?” You can get your own locally bred and hand-raised baby parrots and other pet birds at the shop, and they also carry an excellent selection of super-premium dog food and cat food, including the Natural and Holistic brands.
McNay Art Museum
000 N. New Braunfels X (210) 824-5368
mcnayart.org
Mrs. McNay’s former party mansion houses a respectable collection of modern art, and the fancy new wing is intended to showcase a growing cache of post-Korean War art as well as traveling shows such as last year’s well-received George Rickey exhibit. The hidden gem: the theater-arts library.
Astro Bowl
3203 Harry Wurzbach
(210) 824-6348
astrobowlsportscenter.com
You’ll never get the old-smoke smell out of Astro Bowl, thank god, and that’s probably one reason those interminable kiddie parties mostly book other lanes. The bar is an oasis of the America that got left behind when the expressway came through.
Botanical Gardens
555 Funston
(210) 207-3250
sabot.org
Great place to volunteer or do community service. As a minor I got in trouble and had to do community service; the staff was really friendly in the process of completing my service hours. Farmers market 8 a.m. -1 p.m. Thursdays.
