Day 1 - Society of Petroleum Engineers

10
SPE TODAY
Dining Opportunities in San Antonio Overflow the Riverwalk
Adam Wilson, SPE Today Editor
San Antonio is known as the
birthplace of Tex-Mex food, and
the restaurant offerings in the city
show why.
But Tex-Mex isn’t the only cuisine
that’s done well here. San Antonio is
home to one of the campuses of the
Culinary Institute of America, and
diners benefit. Steakhouses, Italian
bistros, and barbecue joints—many
along the Riverwalk—all contribute
to the wide offering of great
food available.
Here is just a sample of some of the
delicious dining opportunities available.
This list is by no means exhaustive, so
look around; you’re bound to stumble
upon a treasure.
Biga on the Banks (American)
www.biga.com
203 S. Saint Mary’s St.
(210) 225-0722
The chef at Biga on the Banks works
up a fresh menu every day in addition
to the restaurant’s standard meals,
such as grilled Ahi tuna and artichoke
roasted pork tenderloin. The daily
menu is a three-course meal complete
with appetizer, entrée, and dessert and
includes seasonal specials created from
local growers. If you’re looking to try a
bit of it all, the Chef’s Table is a five- to
seven-course sampling menu offered
to parties of eight or more.
Bohanan’s (Steak, Seafood)
www.bohanans.com
219 E. Houston St., Second Floor
(210) 472-2600
Bohanan’s is consistently at the top of
the list when it comes to steakhouses
in San Antonio. Bohanan’s serves
Akaushi beef. Akaushi cattle originated
in Japan and are raised with an
emphasis on a healthful diet and
humane treatment, producing tender,
juicy, and healthful beef. The elegant
restaurant also offers live jazz to go
with its cocktails and steaks from 1900
to 2230 Tuesday through Thursday.
County Line (Barbecue)
www.countyline.com
111 W. Crockett St.
(210) 229-1941
Down the Riverwalk, next to the Hard
Rock Café, sits The County Line, a
funky roadhouse-style barbecue joint.
Traditional Hill Country barbecue—ribs,
brisket, chicken, and sausage—have
been transplanted by this chain from
Austin. In addition to the tasty Texas
barbecue, The County Line may be the
perfect place to stop for a refreshing
afternoon margarita.
Boudro’s (Texas, Southwestern)
www.boudros.com
421 E. Commerce St.
(210) 224-8484
Boudro’s is a staple restaurant in
San Antonio, known far and wide for
its intimate atmosphere and southwestern
flavor, including smoked
shrimp enchiladas, blackened prime
rib, and seafood from the Gulf
of Mexico. Boudro’s is set up to
accommodate large parties or intimate
meals, either inside or on one of its
special river barges on the San
Antonio River.
Several restaurants offer meals on river boats so diners can enjoy more of the Riverwalk while they eat. Credit: SACVB
photo/Berne Broudy.
San Antonio is home to one of the campuses of the Culinary Institute of America.
As such, it is also home to some of the best cuisine Texas has to offer. Credit:
SACVB photo/David Swanson.
Acenar (Tex-Mex)
acenar.com
146 E. Houston St.
(210) 222-2362
An innovative and contemporary
Mexican restaurant and bar on the
Riverwalk, Acenar presents meals
“inspired by the history and heritage
of Mexico and Texas.” The restaurant’s
innovative design, both inside and on
the patio, matches its cuisine. And its
innovation continues up to its streetlevel
bar, Átomar.
Zuni Grill (Southwestern)
www.zunigrill.com
223 Losoya St.
(210) 227-0864
Zuni Grill, like many restaurants on
the Riverwalk, sits at a picturesque
bend in the river. Zuni’s spicy and
colorful cuisine (the restaurant touts
its fire-roasted salsa and Blue Corn
Chicken Enchiladas) make for a bright
dining experience. Zuni Grill is open for
breakfast, too.
Mi Tierra (Tex-Mex)
www.mitierracafe.com
205 E. Guenther St.
(210) 227-1061
Mi Tierra in Market Square is open 24
hours and keeps its Christmas lights
up all year, too. The loud, colorful
atmosphere is accented with strolling
musicians and good classic Tex-Mex.
Casa Rio (Tex-Mex)
www.casa-rio.com
430 E. Commerce St.
(210) 225-6718
Casa Rio opened in 1946 as the
first restaurant on the Riverwalk. In
addition to restaurant and patio dining,
Casa Rio offers river boat dining. The
boats can hold 20 people for dining
or 30 people for a cocktail cruise.
Reservations are required.
La Gloria (Mexican)
www.lagloriaicehouse.com
100 East Grayson St.
(210) 267-9040
At the edge of the Pearl Brewery, La
Gloria offers authentic Mexican street
foods, the kind you normally only find
from the street vendors and taquerias
in Mexico. Here, you will find tacos al
pastor like you would find in Mexico
City and tlayudas like you would get
in Oaxaca.
Rosarios (Mexican)
www.rosariossa.com
910 S. Alamo St.
(210) 223-1806
Rosario’s Mexican Café y Cantina,
where a colorful and loud environment
and vibrant Latino art collection set the
tone, is spicy all around. The door to
the restaurant’s fresh Mexican food is
opened by a sample of the restaurant’s
award-winning salsa, and the heat
continues throughout the meal.
Bella On the River (Mediterranean)
www.bellaontheriver.com
106 E. River Walk St.
(210) 404-2355
Bella’s small and intimate wine bar and
dining room reflect a small Spanish
bistro or Italian grotto, with natural
limestone walls and candle-lit tables.
The menu includes delicacies and
staples such as Eggplant Josephine,
Calamari Fritto, grilled lamb chops,
and Veal Scaloppini. This year, Bella on
the River was named the San Antonio
Express-News Critics’ Choice for Best
Riverwalk Restaurant.
Paesanos (Italian, Mediterranean)
www.paesanosriverwalk.com
111 W. Crockett St. #101
(210) 227-2782
Paesanos sits nestled on one of the
bends in the river. It has made a name
for itself with its Shrimp Paesano and
an extensive wine list to ensure that
the right wine is paired with any meal
on the menu. If the weather’s nice, take
your dinner al fresco and watch the
river and the world roll by.