San Antonio: May 4-9

[rp1760]

Good morning, Texas Chows!

I will be visiting Texas for the first time in May. I have a convention and will be holed up at the JW Mariott from Wednesday through Friday early afternoon. My sister will be joining me Friday, we'll be renting a car, and we're moving to the Menger Hotel for Friday through Monday. I have been reading this Board since Christmas, and have picked up quite a few ideas. I've drafted what I think might be good options, and would love to see your opinions and/or additional suggestions. Monday our flight out is at 6:30pm, so we have almost a full day - would love suggestions for Tex-Mex near the Square or the Missions. [Note: overall, cost is not an issue, and we both prefer 2 meals a day - early lunch, late dinner.]

Friday: McNay Art Museum; Riverwalk; Biga on the Banks
Saturday: Luling, for BBQ at the City Market (the "Real" one); Wimberly Monthly Market; Acenar
Sunday: Alamo; Arboretum (lunch at their cafe?); Boudros
Monday: Old Market Square; San Antonio Missions

Looking forward!
Mary

[Parrotgal]

I enjoyed sitting on the Riverwalk sipping my prickly pear margarita and eating guacamole made tableside at Boudro's, but have not eaten a full meal there.

Also for the Old Market Square area, I love Mi Tierra. Touristy, I know, but I liked the food and ambience. It's also really nice for breakfast--breakfast tacos and Mexican hot chocolate, yummy! It's 24 hours, so if one of those other nights you need a 3am snack...

Sounds like a fun time!

[saeyedoc]

Nicha's is good tex mex, right across from Mission San Jose.

[rp1760]

I'm a little worried about my selections, as there has only been one comment (thanks, saeyedoc). Am I way off on choices? I will say that we are considering Bohanan's instead of Biga on the Banks for Friday night. My sister said "one should have a true Texan steak" while there - I hope Bohanan's fits the bill. Also, am wondering if the Carriage House Bistro in the San Antonio Botanical Garden is a good place for brunch on Sunday?

Thanks!
Mary

[saeyedoc]

There's just not much traffic on this board and most locals don't go to the riverwalk area much.
Bohanan's is good, but very expensive, not worth it in my opinion.
The best restaurant in the Riverwalk area right now is Luke, John Besh's new place.
Not far from the botanical garden is Tre Trattoria, excellent Italian, right next to the Witte Museum. I don't know anything about the Carriage House Bistro.
Biga is good, one of the better choices right on the river.
There are several great restaurants at The Pearl Brewery, not far from downtown. Il Sogno for Italian, probably the best rest in town. They also own Sandbar, really fresh seafood. La Gloria there is upscale Mexican street food, fun atmosphere. The Culinary Institute just opened a cafe there, the stuff looked good but I haven't tried it.
Hope that helps, have a great time, the weather's been awesome.

-----
Tre Trattoria
4003 Broadway St, San Antonio, TX 78209

[rp1760]

Thanks for your help. I forgot all about Luke - I think we'll go there instead of Boudros. We want to stay in walking distance of Hotel, so The Pearl Brewery would seem to be out, but I appreciate your suggestions. Biga's menu just seems a little odd and disoriented. Bohanan's was attractive to us because of the owner/chef, and the Akaushi steak - you have to live once, right? Glad to hear you're enjoying your weather. We have a balmy 50 degrees in Minnesota - warm enough for a good BBQ before the next snowfall!

Thanks again,
Mary