It’s a crashing disappointment to find that most online restaurant reviews for San Antonio are from aggrieved diners who want only to share their revenge with the wider public. For chemicals folk heading down the I10 next week for the NPRA conference, here are some not-so-nasty reviews of places to dine and be seen around the Riverwalk.
Luckily I’d booked way in advance because the small dining area was heaving with men in suits packed around solid oak tables and a queue had formed across the front of the low stone-built restaurant. The air was slightly steaming because it was raining outside, as so often during NPRA, but the service was swift and friendly, and the steaks are always perfection. The menu is very limited but this is a great business lunch place.
The best place to be is at the bar watching the bar staff slashing grapefruits with hatchets to serve with the jumbo shrimp. Unlike most San Antonio shrimp, these actually have some flavour, and the bar staff claim to have won this year’s San Antonio “Best Margarita” competition – or was it last year’s? There’s a nice Med feeling to the place, with its light sea-blue décor, but the chairs are too low to get comfortable. The food is light and trendy, and the clientele is split between conference delegates and tourists.
Nice terrace, but inside it’s like a girl’s bedroom, and way too romantic for a business meal. After a wince-making meal where one industry player poured out details of his divorce, the Blog won’t be going back there in a hurry.
La Mansion del Rio (Las Canarias)
Stylish, expensive, mostly couples. Small bar, but lacking in atmosphere. The terraced seating makes it easy to check out who’s dining with whom. Outside is pretty, but recent NPRAs have been too wet.
Best Mexican food, street theatre and fun Tex Mex souvenirs. It’s a short drive there, but almost impossible to get a cab back to the conference hotels. The Atlas Maritime party on a balcony overlooking the street is hard to beat.
Having a business and living in san antonio i can honestly say it's by far the best place ever.