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Best Dining Bets
Le Rêve (152 E. Pecan St.; tel. 210/212-2221): Generally acknowledged as preparing the best French food in Texas and being one of the top restaurants in the country, this small restaurant on the river offers the ultimate dining experience, where every detail has been thought through. Choose between a three-, four-, or five-course menu or, better still, opt for the tasting menu and have a sampling of several different sensations.
Las Canarias (112 College St.; tel. 210/518-1063): For a romantic dinner for two, dine either along the River Walk or inside one of the cozy, softly lit dining rooms, accompanied by the soft music of a guitar or piano. Start off with some delicious and original tapas -- favorite creations of the chef. Move on to any of the various main courses, but save room for one of the rich desserts.
Silo (1133 Austin Hwy.; tel. 210/824-8686): This place serves new American cooking exactly the way it should be done -- with much art and little fuss. The surroundings are spacious, low-key, and comfortable. And the service is attentive and knowledgeable, but without attitude.
Liberty Bar (328 E. Josephine St.; tel. 210/227-1187): This is the place for letting your hair down and enjoying a little local society. There are few other places in San Antonio that so effortlessly reflect the culture of their town, especially in matters of eating and drinking. Periodically, the managements tries to fancy things up, but it meets more than a little resistance from the regulars.
Best for a Romantic Dinner: On a quiet stretch of the River Walk, Las Canarias, at La Mansión del Río, 112 College St. (tel. 210/518-1063), avoids the noise that plagues most water-view restaurants. You'll enjoy candlelight and superb, discreet service.
Best Movable Feast: It used to be that you could dine on the river only if you were with a group, but among the restaurants that now offer reservations on communal tables to individuals and couples, Boudro's, 421 E. Commerce St./River Walk (tel. 210/224-8484), tops the meals-on-river-barge-wheels list.
Best for Serious Foodies: After several years on the fine dining scene, Le Rêve, 152 E. Pecan St. (tel. 210/212-2221), has proved that it's got staying power -- there were rumbles about the chef moving to Dallas a while back -- and that San Antonio is ready for a place where men have to wear jackets and there is seating for dinner. The reward is stellar French food.
Best Seafood: You'd think that serving brain food on the river would have been a no-brainer, but it wasn't until the arrival of Pesca, 212 W. Crockett St. (tel. 210/396-5817), that there was a real contender. This place will take a bite out of your dining budget.
Best Place to Listen to Music While You Eat: Enjoy creative South American, Mexican, and Caribbean fare at Southtown's Azuca, 713 S. Alamo St. (tel. 210/225-5550), while listening to salsa, merengue, and other Latin sounds.
Best Blast from the Past: Schilo's, 424 E. Commerce St. (tel. 210/223-6692), not only serves up German deli in portions that date back to pre-cholesterol-conscious days but also retains prices from that era.
Best Fine Dining Kept Simple: It's a tie: Not only do I like the food at both of these places, but I appreciate the lack of ostentation and the effort to keep things simple. Silo, 1133 Austin Hwy. (tel. 210/824-8686), offers enough variety to please just about anyone, while steering clear of strangely worded descriptions and playing at one-upmanship. At Ciao Lavanderia, 226 E. Olmos Dr. (tel. 210/822-3990), you have simplicity itself in the menus. Everything is in one of three price categories, and there's no mistake about the offerings.
Best Place to Rub Elbows with the Locals: Terrific food, a nice selection of libations, good prices, and a fun, funky atmosphere draw local characters of all kinds to the Liberty Bar, 328 E. Josephine St. (tel. 210/227-1187).
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without
notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before
planning your trip.
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