Patrick Kennedy’s Watermark Grill was ready for its close-up as concierges, party-planners, food bloggers and, yes, even magazine types converged to sip and sample house specialties. Fans and frequenters of Reggiano’s will barely recognize their former stomping ground, as the space at the intersection of Loop 1604 and Stone Oak Parkway got a makeover that is casually chic with subtly sea-inspired decor.

Waiters pointed out the large glass dispensers behind the bar, holding vodka being infused with the likes of fresh dill or vanilla, and the signature martinis and cocktails which feature them are not to be missed. Standouts were the Lemon Swell, with citrus infused vodka, fresh lemon juice and sugar that reminded several in our party of a Lemonhead candy, and the Red Tide, a refreshing blend of lemonade, hibiscus and maraschino cherry infused vodka. The Sandia Caipirinha looked more like a float than a beverage, gliding through the crowd on a server’s tray, garnished with enormous wedges of watermelon and a sugarcane skewer.

The cocktails are worth a trip all by themselves, but it’s Executive Chef Scott Cohen—the man who made Brasserie Pavil so finger-lickin’ bon—and his way with fresh-from-the-sea food that will keep this place swimming in repeat business. In fact, Cohen let us in on a little secret. “Some of my friends from New York come here and they can’t believe how fresh the fish is. It’s sometimes even fresher than what they can get right in New York, because ours is flown in, rather than trucked to where it needs to go.” If the raw bar doesn’t make you weep with joy, there may be something wrong with you, but the wood burning grill and rotisserie turn out tender quail and prime steaks for landlubbers. Watermark Grill is dark on Mondays, but you can enjoy lunch or dinner any other day of the week. Check out www.watermarkgrill.net for a full menu and reservations

We get a hankering for eggnog this time of year, but there’s a limit to how many of the milky mugs we care to down. So it’s good to hear that Wildfish Seafood Grille is stirring up two new cocktails just for the holidays. The Holiday Passion martini features Skyy Infusions Passion Fruit vodka, Chambord and ruby red grapefruit juice, while the Holly Berry Crush mixes Grey Goose vodka, Cointreau, simple syrup and lime. And if a shaken-not-stirred cocktail doesn’t make a weeklong visit with your in-laws cheerier, we don’t know what will.

Wildfish’s sister-restaurant, Roaring Fork, is getting in on the holiday act with a tradition of its own—latkes. Beginning with the lighting of the first Hanukkah candle on December 11 and continuing through December 19, the Fork will be serving the creamy-on-the-inside, crunchy-on-the-outside classic with a side of applesauce. Interesting factoid: Executive Chef Harold Marmulstein recommends soaking potatoes in club soda to keep them white and crisp.

The third time apparently wasn’t a charm for Bistro Thyme II, which has closed...again. Originally located on Fredericksburg Road and called Bistro Time, it made the move to its 1321 N. Loop 1604 digs under Sander Edmundson’s skilled watch, and was rechristened Bistro Thyme. The restaurant got solid, if not stellar, reviews, but just couldn’t attract a dinner crowd. New chef Jose Benitez took over, added the II to the name, but little else. The space is for lease, and we’re hoping someone takes a note from ever-busy Costco, its next-door neighbor, and recognizes that a family-friendly, right-priced eatery might be a better fit.

The Carriage House at the San Antonio Botanical Gardens has a new management team, and a new name, sort of. Anne Marie’s Catering is now operating the spot, so owners Ruben Luna and David Gates decided a little branding was in order. Now called Anne Marie’s Carriage House Bistro, this best kept secret in San Antonio is open for lunch Tues. – Fri., 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and brunch Sat. – Sun. from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

We were sad to hear that San Antonio lost a great philanthropists and culinary giant last month. Don Strange, founder of the world-renowned catering company Don Strange of Texas, Inc, passed away after a heart attack. Famous for serving up Texas barbecue and Mexican buffets at his Hill Country ranch, Strange set the table for a veritable “who’s who” list of corporations and service organizations. In 1990, Strange even catered the Congressional Barbecue on the south lawn of the White House at the request of President George H.W. and Barbara Bush. A humble man, Strange didn’t like to take credit for much of the important work he did for Roy Maas Youth Alternatives, including founding Breakfast of Champions, which brings corporate executives and community leaders together with at-risk youth to impart life lessons and stress the importance of good nutrition. But perhaps Strange’s most enduring legacy will be his close-knit family, which includes his wife of 48 years, Frances, his brother, John, mother-in-law Mary Singleton, and his three sons, Brian, Matt and Jason and their families.