Dinner/lunch recommendations on the river

Hi;

We are 3 girlfriends travelling from Canada to San Antonio next weekend to celebrate our 25th year of friendship. We would like to have several lunch/dinners on the Riverwalk (we are hoping the weather will be nice enough for this). We would welcome recommendations regarding which restaurants have the nicest outdoor patio beside the river, good food/drinks, and do they require reservations on the weekends.

Also, where would we find the closest malls for some great shopping? We are not renting a car so will travel by taxi and foot throughout the weekend.

We are trying to plan packing and are wondering what is the temperature in S.A. right now and is dressy/casual okay for most restaurants?

Finally, with respect to night life, is the anything that is ';truly Texan'; that these Canadians should experience?

Thanks to all who respond!!!

From ';Still cold up in Canada';

Dinner/lunch recommendations on the river

I really do not care for the riverwalk restaurants. But here goes. Casa Rio first on the river and super prime location. Its tourtist food. More quiter location figtree/little rheine steakhouse - more expensive location not so prime for people watching.

I am sure that you will get the regular list soon.

The closest shopping will be rivercenter mall. Not the best mall in town. La Contera - you would need a car, but you could take the bus. Northstar nice too.

Temps are 21c to 32c, casual for the vast majority of restaurants.

Nightlife truly Texan, Again need car - Floores Country Store or Gruene Hall

Dinner/lunch recommendations on the river

Went swimming Saturday, Mid to high 80%26#39;s.

Azuca - Great happy hour and modern mexican food

Boudro%26#39;s - best food on the Riverwalk, get the guacamole made at your table

Rosarios - Mexican close to the Riverwalk, a SA institution.

Casbeers - Hamburgers, Enchiladas, Live music, Great funky vibe - music on the weekends is in an old church sanctuary

Schilos - German Deli just off the Riverwalk, Daily plate specials, homemade root beer.

Guenther House - great breakfasts featuring Pioneer Mill products

Mad Hatters - In King William area - sandwiches, flavored teas, great spot for Sunday morning

Blue Star - brew pub and grub. Interesting galleries in the same complex.

La Frite Belgian Bistro - Great mussels and fries in the Southtown area

There is a mall on the Riverwalk.

Dressy/casual is fine for restaurants.

For the Texan experience I suggest on of the dance halls, unfortunately they%26#39;re not downtown. About 20 miles north towards Bandera gets you to John T Floore Country Store http://www.liveatfloores.com/ an authentic Texas dance hall. The sign outside says, ';Willie Nelson Live Every Saturday Nite.'; While those days are from a bygone era, you can still see him a few times a year along with the likes of Charlie Robison, Lyle Lovett, Jack Ingram. About a 30 minute drive up I-35 just past New Braunfels is Gruene Hall http:// www.gruenehall.com/ It%26#39;s Texas%26#39; oldest dance hall and a destination unto itself. Along with legendary music there%26#39;s great shopping, restaurants, the Guadalupe River , and a cool music store, Lone Star Music http://www.lonestarmusic.com/index.asp

What great fun...some of my friends from the same era are talking about doing a similar trip to Boston where one of us lives.

Patio dining...Boudros comes to mind first, in the middle of everything, tables right along the river. Good for lunch or dinner.

Pesca likewise, a bit dressier and a bit more expensive. Those are my two favorites on the river.

San Antonio mag was just recommending Achiote at the Grand Hyatt. Not sure I have the spelling correct, and I personally have not eaten at that restaurant, but have had a private dinner in the hotel, excellent. Their patio area on the river (breakfast, lunch or dinner) is very nice. Disclaimer...my husband is a Hyatt employee, different Hyatt, and we stand nothing to gain by this recommendation. Cost will probably be on a par with Pesca, also a hotel restaurant (Watermark Hotel).

Acenar has a patio over the river. OK to good Mexican fare.

Dressy casual will be fine for all the above. San Antonio is a very casual town.

Lunch, or breakfast, not on the river, but Guenther House is wonderful!! It%26#39;s in the King William district, in itself well worth a visit.

Currently it%26#39;s really pleasant here still. Low 80%26#39;s, and humidity not bad yet. I love this time of year.

I can think of nothing more Texan than Gruene Hall on a Sunday afternoon. Old old dance hall, free live music most weekend afternoons. It%26#39;s over 20 miles from downtown in the cute town of Gruene, northeast of downtown. www.gruenehall.com. If you go, dine that evening at the Grist Mill, al fresca overlooking the Guadaloupe River...or is it the Comal River at that point. No matter...a river, but not the Riverwalk. Well worth the trip IMHO. It%26#39;s one of the places we go and I always think while I%26#39;m there, ';I%26#39;m really glad I live in Texas';. Fun spot and oh so Texan.

Go (walk) to Market Square to have margaritas....eat Tex Mex at La Margarita, or Mi Tierra- MTs is 24/7 w/ a Mexican Bakery.

..

downtown is SWIG Martina Bar, Howl at the Moon Dueling Pianos, Pat O%26#39;Brian%26#39;s-cousin to the orignal in New Orleans, Dirty Nelly%26#39;s Irish sing a long (on RW bottom of Hilton)

..

You can take a bus to North Star Mall..two direct routes...McCullough and San Pedro..nice shopping..Saks Fifth Ave., Macy%26#39;s, Dillard%26#39;s.

I think it would be worth taking a taxi to Quarry Market...it is only 5-8 mins from downtwon and in between the aiport and downtown...nice shopping, cinema, restaurants....PF Chang, Chili%26#39;s, Whole Foods Market, Gap, Old Navy. Restoration Hardware,Ann Taylor, Bananna Republic etc. **Amy%26#39;s Ice Cream** ..adjacent to there are some nice pubs/

Stoneworks etc.

www.quarrymarket.com/directory_category.html

www.jamesavery.com Texas designed/made jewelry

enjoy

It%26#39;s not cold here so need to worry. Bring your summer clothes %26amp; a swimsuit!!!! You can even get a tan while you are here!!!!!!! Hopefully not a sunburn!!!!!

You have gotten so many great advice.

I totally agree with Boudro%26#39;s www.boudros.com %26amp; I would also recommend Biga on the Banks www.biga.com

Casbeers is a unique place to go but don%26#39;t judge the enchiladas as a SA food, it%26#39;s nothing like good Mexican food you can find in SA. www.casbeers.com The Guenther House would be a good place to grab breakfast 1 morning. www.guentherhouse.com

If you would like to have a spectacular meal then go up the Tower of the Americas. www.toweroftheamericas.com the food is excellent, service is superior %26amp; the view of SA is spectacular especially at dusk %26amp; the Tower rotates around the city.

In the Market Square go to La Margarita for a true Texas feel. www.lamargarita.com for lunch try Mi Tierra www.mitierracafe.com or take a taxi to Piedras Negras del Noche it%26#39;s about 2 miles from the downtown area at 1312 S. Laredo also El Mirador www.elmiradorrestaurant.com for good %26amp; reasonable steak try Saltgrass or Texas Land %26amp; Cattle at the Drury%26#39;s. Also you may want to have lunch at Lone Star Café. For a nice Sunday Champagne Brunch at Las Canarias at the Las Mansion. For good %26amp; simple Italian www.michelinos.us

For Fun Places to go in the evening for drinks %26amp; good music.

Howl at the Moon dueling pianos www.howlatthemoon.com

Historic Sunset Station www.sunset-station.com

Rita%26#39;s on the River

Swig Martini Bar www.swigmartini.com

Jim Cullum%26#39;s Landing for good Jazz at the Hyatt Regency

Republic of TX Restaurant

Durty Nelly%26#39;s at the Hilton del Rio an Irish fun place www.durty-nellys.com

Drink www.drinktexas.com

Make sure you visit the Alamo you may want to go to the IMAX to watch the movie before you visit it to understand the history. www.imax-sa.com www.thealamo.org or go to Buckhorn Saloon %26amp; Museum www.buckhornmuseum.com

Make sure you take a 35 min narrated River Cruise for some history. www.riosanantonio.com

a good website to check out what SA has to offer.

www.visitSanAntonio.com also for info, discounts, coupons %26amp; ideas.

We also have a trolley/streetcar for a $1.10 to get around in the downtown area. www.viainfo.net/Busservice/Streetcar.aspx

Rivercenter Mall www.shoprivercenter.com

If you want to go to a unique outside mall that has water fountains %26amp; greenery %26amp; very relaxing it%26#39;s circular %26amp; easy to get around is Shops at La Cantera www.theshopsatlacantera.com/html

Their are tours you can take from the downtown area that away from the downtown area that may be of some interest like Natural Bridge Cavern or Enchanted Spring Ranch, Hill Country Tour or the Missions.

www.SanAntonioTours.net

www.sanantonio.com/attractions/tours.html

http://www.viator.com/search/San%20Antonio

Hope you girls have a great 25th friendship celebration in SA!!!

Please write a TR when you get back %26amp; let us know how it went, your likes %26amp; dislikes, what you did %26amp; if everything was what you expected.!!!!!