Will be in SAT for 5 nights next week at a meeting. Staying at the Mokara. Can anyone suggest interesting, good food places within ~1 mi walk of the Riverwalk? I will try Rosarios unless anyone has a better idea for Mex. Grendolyn's looks interesting. Not fussy about food and price not really a factor thought would like to avoid the stratosphere - my per diem is quiet modest . But that said, it seems silly to eat Thai or Italian in Texas although I don't want to ask the usual "tex-mex near the Riverwalk" kind of question.

You've got a terrific hotel. We stayed on our anniversary last year...sort of a busman's holiday for DH, who was GM of the Hyatt there at the time. . Pescas at river level in your hotel was outstanding when the hotel was under the Watermark name. I think it's slipped some over time, but still good.

Boudreaux is my favorite by far on the river. Often end up with coconut shrimp there, not the healthiest dining choice--but once in a while we all can justify a treat. Table-side guacamole is a must!

I love Rosario's. That is our favorite Tex-Mex in San Antonio. It's one of a handful of restaurants downtown where you'll also find plenty of locals.

Another local San Antonian (?) and real foodie has just recently recommended La Frite, also on S Alamo. I have yet to eat there but it has consistently gotten good reviews under their previous ownership and evidently has gotten even better under the new.

The Gunther House is only open for breakfast and lunch, but is terrific and reasonable. It can get crowded, especially if the weather is nice and people clamor to eat on the back patio. They do not take reservations, so if your time is tight, it might not be right for you.

Citrus, Bigga and Fig Tree are all good, but well out of the normal per diem range!

I had to google Gwendolyns!! Had no idea what it was. They took over the lease on the former Le Reve, my favorite restaurant in all San Antonio...and beyond, but seem to have retained many of the concepts. It is dressier, local fresh foods etc. it will be pricey! Andrew Weismann closed Le Reve to open a new restaurant in the Pearl Brewery. Il Sogno. I've only been for lunch, but it was excellent! It's on the northern reaches of the Riverwalk, the "new" extension section, which is quite pretty. You could walk it, but a cab would not be expensive. The Brewery is somewhat touristy, but NOTHING like the main section of the Riverwalk!

Those are my favorites for downtown. Hope you enjoy your San Antonio stay--am sure you'll love your hotel.

Thanks OO. The Mokara is not covered by my per diem either but seemed worth a splurge. Will check into the eat rec's.

PS Sadly Gwendolyn is on vacation until the day after I leave!

They certainly are following in Le Reve's footsteps! They too took off January. Our anniversary is the 18th and I believe one year that is the day they reopened after their holiday break, and we were able to eat there. That meal was the best I've had anywhere! Interesting that Gwendolyn is doing exactly the same.

January is a slow month for tourism normally in SA. The River is normally drained for a week or two (not this year, the first year in ages they have not), everyone is recovering from the Nov-Dec stretch of celebrating, and things are quite slow in the city from the Alamo Bowl forward for several weeks.

Our daughter lived in SAT and when the Panthers went to the Super Bowl in Houston, son and DH flew to sAT first. DD called at the last minute to get reservations at La Reve. Miracle of miracles, they had a table. We had tried to go for years!! DS and DH had to go to the thrift store to buy coat and tie since that was not in their Super Bowl wardrobe!! All said it was the single best meal they have ever eaten.

Great mexican north of downtown- very pretty place (inside), too.

http://www.palomablanca.net/main/index.asp

If you enjoy walking, you can walk along Riverwalk to the south, outside of downtown, all the way to Gunther House. It's about a mile, and a very nice walk.

Any good places for pizza in the area? One of the nights I will probably want a lower key dinner like that and even though not especially Texas, I love pizza!

My kids have always loved Michelino's on the riverwalk for pizza.

http://www.michelinos.us/

We had family front out of town and ate at Rosario's today. We consider it the best Tex-mex in town too. It's rather loud. You are welcome to eat at the bar if you prefer that to a table. Paloma Blanca is a nicer dining experience but we don't like the food as much.

Because I was the passenger, not the driver, I don't know if this location suits you, but we enjoyed a tasty and very inexpensive vegetarian meal at Green.