The Cove hosted a viewing of a local independent film called
Poison Oaks, a true fictional story. It’s a satirical and San Antonio version of
Grey Gardens, a 1975 documentary following real-life Edie and Little Edie Bouvier Beale. Think an episode of
Hoarders on crack. They were an eccentric mother and daughter pair groomed in New York high society, who let their East Hampton mansion fall into disarray around them, ultimately living with raccoons and countless cats. The home was only saved when niece and cousin, Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis, came to the rescue following a media spectacle.
Poison Oaks is set in non-other than Alamo Heights, and instead of Edie and Little Edie, there’s “Debbie” and “Little Debbie,” both played by men. If you haven’t seen the documentary, or HBO movie version, you’d be lost. But, being an aficionado of randomness that I am, I am well versed in the kooky pair, and enjoyed the funny, 24 minute-long, local film. The creators kept classic Little Edie/Debbie lines like “Mother’s a lot of fun, I hope she doesn’t die,” and added a San Antonio twist. Example: instead of Jackie O reminiscing about her childhood in the Hamptons, a “movie star” cousin looked back to the good ol' days of having her quinceanera at the once glorious Alamo Heights home.
Movie viewings are not typical at The Cove, but it goes to show the kind of out of the box or what I like to call “Off the Chain” events it has to offer. The entertainment calendar is booked with live music, the bar has a collection of over 100 beers and variety of wines, and The Cove is also a family place. Tables are outside so parents can socialize while watching their kids play on a playground so cool that it kind of makes me wish I was a little bit smaller, wish I was a baller, I wish I was…Skee-Lo anyone? Then there’s the food, which is more than a menu, it’s a mission.
The Cove serves what they call SOL food, which stands for Sustainable, Organic and Local. According to the website, owner Lisa Asvestas studies holistic medicine from India called Ayurveda. She’s learned that food can be healing or poisonous. Because of that, the menu is clean and organic. No processed meat here, only grass-fed Texas animals with no hormones or antibiotics. The produce is also locally grown sans pesticides con SOL. All the items are $10 or under, and feature vegan and gluten-free options. The fish tacos and lamb burger are recommended.
For specials, driving directions and more information on The Cove,
click here. And, if you’d like more information on the independent film
Poison Oaks, check out the
Facebook page.
“Off the Chain,” is a weekly social education blog that introduces unique things to do in San Antonio, and aims to dilute the salty attitudes of SALTS, an acronym for San Antonio Less than Thrilled. You might know one. They whine about how there’s nothing to do in the city, unlike Austin or Dallas. Au contraire! I just took a ballet class at a bar. Interested? Check in with me next week. I’ll tell you all about it and share how you can take exercise classes for free through July. Swimsuit season! Until then, easy on the SALT.
