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San Antonio Dining
Self-described as a "Texas bistro," Boudro's on the Riverwalk is, well, exotically Texan. Order the fresh Gulf lump blue crab cakes dressed with flavorful roasted corn sauce, crunchy jicama slaw and a smooth tomatillo cream, or try the duck and andouille sausage gumbo with three peppers. Other dishes include smoked shrimp enchiladas dressed with chile con queso sauce, black beans and tomato pancakes, and a black Angus loin-end cut rib eye with Boudreaux butter and red wine demiglace, grilled vegetables and rosemary potatoes.
A great place to make that last stand, Bohanan's Prime Steak and Seafood leaves nothing to chance. It's downtown and across from the Majestic Theatre; thankfully, a valet parks your car. Upstairs the elegant dining room is bright with crisp white linens, sparkling glass and shiny silverware. The staff will help you plan an extraordinary culinary experience. Begin with Hudson Valley foie gras, duck confit eggrolls, seared ahi tuna or gazpacho blanco. Continue with USDA Prime aged "center cuts," Alaskan halibut or Chilean sea bass dressed in a variety of burgundy, choron, béarnaise or brandied signature sauces. Among the sweet surrender desserts are flaming specialties, Belgian chocolate ice cream and Crepe Napoleon topped with raspberry curds, raspberry compote and mango sorbet.
At the historic Schilo's Delicatessen (pronounced "shee-lows"), you'll experience deep German roots in the heart of ol' San Antone. The deli case features loads of cheeses, meats, pastries and marinating vegetables. Order at the handy to-go window with its view of the River Walk, then find a seat among the tables, where friendly volk are likely to be feasting on thick pastrami sandwiches, marinated artichokes or enormous Reubens with tangy kraut and warm potato salad.
On the second level of the Hotel Valencia Riverwalk overlooking the water, Citrus has a lively atmosphere. The decor is artsy but discreet, and the food is top-of-the-range. Refreshments include aguas frescas, fresh drinks made with Jamaica flowers or exotic fruits. Main course creations include pan-seared diver scallops and honey black-pepper duck breast and quail served with sweet potato apple pancakes. If you're feeling more exotic, try pan-seared buffalo tenderloin dusted with pink peppercorn and gorgonzola walnut stromboli or south Texas ostrich with broccoli rabe, smoked heirloom tomato garnish and a rich meat gravy.
The Liberty Bar slants more than the Leaning Tower of Pisa and is probably just as famous. Have no fear--this sturdy old building won't collapse. Enjoy a fat chop shimmering in sweet demiglace or a grilled portabella sandwich served with smoked gouda, saffron aioli and grilled potatoes. This place is a "must-eat," and it gets packed. Count on excellent food, outstanding wines and superb service in this historic city hot-spot.
The Spanish colonial Las Canarias Restaurant, which overlooks the River Walk, offers excellent cuisine from both the New and Old Worlds. Atlantic salmon comes with vine-ripened tomatoes, pearly couscous ragout and a purple basil vinaigrette. Chili mashed potatoes and baby watercress accompany swordfish stuffed with Texas blue crab; the dish is finished off with a wasabi-tobiko caviar sauce. The five-spice barbecued duck breast shares a plate with braised red cabbage, Brussels sprouts and chocolate kumquat sauce.
Aldo's Ristorante Italiano has become a city landmark by virtue of constancy. The staff is so attentive at this columned country inn that you'll feel like you're visiting the old country. Begin with antipasto layered with vinegary peppers, meaty prociutto, dark olives, plump shrimp, Italian cheeses and tender hearts of palm. Main courses of eggplant parmesan or trout flavored lightly with capers, lemon butter and artichoke hearts lead to tiramisu and a "cap" for after-dinner coffee. An outstanding wine list supports the classic menu.
Dry Dock Seafood Oyster Bar gets packed to her gunnels with seafood-loving visitors. Sit at the oyster bar (a must if dining solo), inside the air-conditioned dining room or outside on the pleasant terrace before casting off with a cool longneck and a dozen cold naked ones on the shell. Dress those glistening mollusks with a dash of Tabasco and a bit of horseradish and slide 'em down the hatch. Then set a course for the Shrimp Doty, a house specialty served sizzling in a pan. Secure the main smartly with a south Texas key-lime pie.
Northwest San Antonio's India Palace is small and simple, but be forewarned: It is addictive. Savor the tandoori or yogurt salad, and in a couple of days, you have to come back. Blame it on the variety of food, dancing with scents and seasonings--not to mention the light tomato-basil sauce the chicken wears like a shimmering cape. Don't be surprised to see a line out the door during the lunch buffet.
With as many barbecue places as Mexican restaurants, San Antonians have been coming to Grady's Bar-b-que smokehouse in Balcones Heights for almost 40 years. Tender, moist, meat is piled high and served with all the fixins. Try one of the combo plates, two or three meats with pintos, slaw, potato salad and plenty of jalapeños and salsa.
If you like your dinner from the sea, don't miss El 7 Mares Seafood Restaurant (translation: "The Seven Seas"). This rambling, converted home on the city's near-west side offers Mexican-style seafood and fish prepared al gusto. The freshest oysters, red snapper, octopus, crab, scallops, flounder and shrimp are prepared every way imaginable. Try your choice "al moho," grilled and then smothered with olive oil and lightly toasted garlic.
Catering to nearby Kelly & Lackland air bases, the diminutive Mina & Dimi's Greek House Restaurant is a westside eatery renowned for great food, fast service and Zorba-like charm. Dimi creates his own yogurt dressings for salads, a lemon-olive oil marinade for the lamb skewers, tangy vegetables and sweet baklavas. Lunch and dinner on Fridays includes Greek belly dancers.
Northwest of downtown at The Westin La Cantera Resort is Francesca's at Sunset, with a name that suggests a larger-than-life Texas beauty beckoning elegantly westward from atop the resort's Citadel. A timbale of ahi tuna scantily clad with mizuna greens, sesame-pepita crackers and Panca-soy vinaigrette is indicative of this restaurant's exotic and complex delights. Strip the banana leaf wrappings off the Yucatán chicken tamale, or delight in guajillo chile duck confit enchiladas. Lobster with Serrano ham, adobo-rubbed New Zealand lamb chops, ancho-simmered venison and Española buffalo rib-eye are some of the other choices. And what about the tantalizing desserts? Not to be coy, but you'll have to go to Francesca's to find out.
One of the city's best-kept secrets, Silo Elevated Cuisine is located in a nondescript, two-story structure that looks more like a large telephone utility building than a restaurant. And the main entrance is in the back. But don't let any of the outward appearance fool you--the exterior belies the interior. The city's glitterati are usually hanging out in the ground floor's high-energy lounge. Take the elevator upstairs to a hip, artsy and relaxed dining room that features classic American fine dining. Big favorites include the moist, tender, beautifully charred double pork chops and the golden pan-fried flounder. Don't forget to toast: Silo boasts one of the city's best wine lists, with pairing recommendations offered by the staff.
You can find classic French dining at Bistro Vatel in the ritzy Olmos Heights section of San Antonio. Bistro tables are set with starched white linens and gleaming tableware. The menu is le rêve--a real dream. Appetizers include French onion soup, caramelized onions and brie tart, mussels, escargots with garlic butter or seared foie gras served with brioche. For a main course, choose from salt-crusted broiled salmon, duck breast with black currant sauce, confit de canard or bouillabaisse. The daily three-course prix fixe menu might feature duck cassoulet, lobster thermidor, rabbit rillettes or frog legs Provençale.
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