OK, the great hotel search is over and we ended up staying downtown after all (7/20-24). I've searched all the previous posts about food and know Le Reve is wonderful (and probably more than we're looking for both pricewise and experience wise) and Boudro's might be worth a visit. Where else is good and decent for breakfast and lunch? We're staying near the Market. Any and all advice (about anything related to San Antonio) is very much appreciated!

Downtown and the Riverwalk are in the same area, so anything along the Riverwalk will also be convenient for you. Mi Tierra is open 24 hours and does very good Mexican-style breakfasts.

Yes, Boudro's is worth a visit. Everything there was deeeeeeeelish! (I'm Texan - can you tell by the accent?)

Rosario's is good for an informal meal. It was suggested in a post by Seamus.

For something different (and I HOPE it's still there...) we have fond memories of Shilo's German deli/restaurant just off the Riverwalk in downtown SA. Especially remember the split pea soup and sour-cream topped cheesecake...

~Liz

The River Walk and El Marcado have so many restaurants it blows you away. I suggest strolling along and finding one you like. They all post their menu and prices outside the entrance. If you like outdoor dining like I do you will love San Antonio.

Shilos is still there, still famous for that soup. Rosario's is excellent--put that high on your list. Unfortunately, parking is a bear. El Mirador (St Mary's)...lunch and breakfast worth a trip. Guenther House for the same, my absolute favorite downtown for lunch or breakfast.

Acenar..nuevo Tex/Mex or straight Mexican. Food can be good, service has been iffy...hot and cold, but I'd still go back.

Pesca...upscale on the river, seafood. I've had some great meals there, but the last, paella, was terrible. If you go...do not order that!

We love Le Reve, the best food we've had in San Antonio, but it is extremely expensive, over $125 pp for the tasting menu, and certainly not something one does often. It was a fabulous dining experience, however...and about a 3 hour affair.

Hear good things about Fig and Little Rhein, but haven't eaten there personally. Likewise Bigga on the Banks. Somewhat upscale.

For a treat out of town a bit, the Grey Moss Inn, in Helotes. It was my first and one of the few, truly romantic meals in San Antonio. Le Reve was the other.

Mi Tierra and La Margarita in El Mercado...the definition of tourist traps, IMHO, generally avoided by locals unless they happen to have friends in town they want to show that area too. Maybe it's one of those touristy things you have to do once.

I'm glad you are staying downtown Postal...Sam Houston is not that far from town, and you'll be where all the happening things are.

Postal, you'll be close to Mi Tierra Restaurant and Bakery...

http://www.mitierracafe.com

And El Mercado...

http://marketsquaresa.com

And along the River we enjoy Boudro's, Paesano's, Dick's Last Resort (it's a little crazy sometimes but the food has always been good!), Rio Rio, Biga on the Banks... there are so many good places to eat downtown you won't leave hungry!

okay, so disregard everything I wrote in favor of Malesherbes most informative and thoughtful post! ;-)

When I was in SAT in 1991 with my two kids (then 7 and 9), we went to Dick's Last Resort, which I had loved in Chicago, and they thought it was the coolest place they'd ever been.

My daughter called from SAT this morning to say last night they ate at "that really cool place you took us when we were little."

She's 24 now, but Dick's is not a place you forget easily!

I still highly recommend Rosario's - one of my favorite places. The old reliable SA Fodoritas have poined out prettymuch all the places I would also recommend. If you want an out of downtown experience without driving all the way out to the Grey Moss Inn (another of my favorites) try the Lodge in Castle Hills - young, innovative chef, great food.

Yes, add Rosarios to your list!

Seamus, we took my FIL to Grey Moss Saturday night for dinner--have you been recently? They hired two chefs from NYC and if I heard correctly each has "won" the James Beard Award. Anyway, the food there just gets better and better ...the tried and true menu is basically the same but each time we go the specials are unique and wonderful. Saturday night I had monkfish for the first time that was to die for and they also offered red deer from New Zealand.

AnnMarie

We've got some very persnickety friends coming into town and are talking about taking them to Grey Moss Inn. Now I'm even more anxious to try it again. I remember it being so beautiful, so romantic and thought they would enjoy it as well. We were taken when DH was working for the developer for Hyatt Hill Country and we all went for the special celebratory dinner after the groundbreaking, so it's been a while!! I hope the surrounding area is as dark and romantic as it was then, that development hasn't spread to that neighborhood as well.

PS...thanks to the fun I have watching the Bambi's frolic in our backyard, I can't even think about eating venison now!

Ann Marie - no, I have not been to the Grey Moss in a couple years, but it sounds like it has only improved. It is one of my favorite places in the US, actually. We have a family story associated with it - many years ago one of my brothers and his new fiancee visited and I took them there for dinner. Dear SIL ordered the sauteed oysters, and with her first mouthful she bit into a pearl!
Malesherebes - no disrespect to Gey Moss, but if you have not yet been, check out the Lodge - my ultrapersnickety friends loved it. Do reserve ahead.
BTW I see that the temps in SA have been getting to 100 or better while we are here in Paris - maybe we should just stay put until things cool off...

Seamus, you're in Paris?!? Lucky duck....be sure and bring back something real purdy for me and Miss Malsherbes! ;-) I hope you're enjoying a wonderful time!!! How could you not, I know!

Malesherbes, DH had a dinner meeting at The Lodge last week and said it was excellent--uh, food for thought. ;-)

The area around Grey Moss is slowly changing but not to the degree other areas have suffered. It's still woodsy in the immediate area and the Inn hasn't lost any of its charm. It was packed by 9:00P.

Forgot to mention the appetizer I had--duck confit with foie gras.

Would you prefer the rhinestone eiffel tower or the sequined "I heart Paris" clutch? ;-)

For an unforgettable breakfast or lunch, walk along the riverwalk to the Guenther House. Located in the King William Historic District at the very southern end of the riverwalk, you'll see historic mansions along the way.

We had breakfast here during our last trip to San Antonio in December--both the walk and the meal were memorable.

The website is www.guentherhouse.com

And oh yes, Rosarios is a must. In the past we've enjoyed Paesano's on the Riverwalk but it's been a few years since we were last there.

Malesherbes, I took my paraents to the Grey Moss Inn for a special dinner many years ago. The atmoshpere is fantastic but the menu was so limited. All two and a half dishes included the same vegetable. We walked out and went to a nearby hole in the wall road house and had the best time.

Seamus, Seamus, you are breaking my heart. You went to Paris and left us sitting here?? Laduree macaroons for me, s'il vous plait!!! I think you need to stay put until it cools down here. The change in temperature would just be too much for your body! Dr's orders.

I have heard good things about The Lodge too from my walking buddy, a native. We'll have to give it a try.

Jorr...we had a wonderful meal there...and I have their cookbook as a memento. Lots of veggies. Grey Moss Inn squash is now a family favorite. Ann Marie says it's gotten even better with two new big city chefs...but it was nice way back when we made our visit. I don't recall now what year...but eons ago before there was any development in Westover Hills. I think especially for people who have not been to Texas, it would be a nice area for them to see. Heck, we were just coming down from Dallas when we did it the first time and were mightily impressed. Restaurants go through ups and downs and I think we hit it on an "up", it's been through a "down" but is now headed up again. I hope!!! It's unusual in its longevity. Most are just a flash in the pan then no more sparkle. I hope I'm not misremembering!!

Malesherbes, now I remember. The only veggie on the menu was Ocra. This was in the late 80's and we still talk about the Grey Moss Inn as being the worst nicest restaurant we ever went to!
I'm sure the menu has changed.

lol, Seamus....surprise me! ;-)