The season of affection approaches, and whether or not you rejoice Valentine’s Day with all you’ve bought or assume it’s a sorry excuse for an over-commercialized February vacation, you’ll discover that the Alamo Metropolis all the time delivers on romance.
Valentine’s Day could also be only a single day, however making area in your busy calendar for wining and eating each other is endlessly. Fortunately, San Antonio’s foodie love language is wealthy and diverse: whether or not your concept of a romantic date is tacos and margaritas, an intimate steakhouse dinner, or cocktails and a late evening chunk, you’ll discover the right backdrop to your subsequent night out.
With a lot love within the air, I’ve put collectively an inventory of essentially the most romantic eating places (and a few bars) in San Antonio. Whether or not you discover a new spot to take your Valentine, or shelve it for a later date, this checklist could have you able to e book a sitter and make reservations!
American
Signature would be the fantastic eating restaurant on the La Cantera Resort, however you definitely don’t must be staying there to take pleasure in it. The seasonally impressed menu is a “what’s what” of fantastic produce impressed by the Hill Nation and past. From fried oysters with caviar to foie gras and rabbit-stuffed vol-au-vents, the appetizers give a touch of the hearty, wealthy however refined meals served at Signature. The restaurant itself is cozy and stylish, with picket ceiling beams, darkish leather-based furnishings, tender lighting, and the sounds of the bustling kitchen at work. Get pleasure from drinks on the bar forward of (and/or after) your meal, earlier than exiting by way of the heady scents of the restaurant’s personal herb backyard.
Strolling into the Maverick Texas Brasserie—positioned within the shadow of the Tower of the Americas—positively units the date evening temper, with its darkish stained wooden, low lighting, plush velvet, and well-stocked bar. Come for the atmosphere however keep for the meals: a mixture of French brasserie classics like Croque Madame, roasted Cornish hen and steak frites, and Texas-accented double minimize pork chops, impeccably grilled tenderloin, and basic trout almondine. That is severely scrumptious meals, ready with nice care and introduced fantastically—the form of place the place you don’t have to fret whether or not you and your beau will take pleasure in your meal equally. As a result of you’ll, and also you’ll be planning your subsequent meal earlier than you even depart!
San Antonio boasts loads of prime steakhouses, however there is just one Bohanan’s. Positioned downtown close to the Majestic Theatre, the bustling bar downstairs is the right spot to take pleasure in a basic cocktail earlier than dinner. Head upstairs to the restaurant and also you’ll discover the inside of your steakhouse goals—darkish wooden, elegant white tablecloths, and tender lighting. The menu is an ode to basic eating, with grilled oysters, jumbo lump crab muffins, French onion soup, and Texas heirloom tomato salad with truffle oil and Spanish Manchego. For the final word date evening expertise, go for the chateaubriand for 2: beef tenderloin grilled to perfection and served alongside duchesse potatoes, asparagus with hollandaise, and sauce béarnaise. That is the right spot to rejoice essentially the most romantic of events.
Clementine is a family-owned restaurant within the Fort Hills space, however don’t let its “down house” vibes idiot you—within the kitchen, Chef Russ is a James Beard Basis Award semi-finalist for 2022. His spouse Elise is the restaurant’s pastry chef, and along with their crew, they create seasonally impressed, scrumptious, refined but comforting meals. For those who love attempting one thing new—or simply wish to add a bit of pleasure to your date evening—go for the “feed me” menu possibility. Chef Russ will create a menu only for you, highlighting the tastes of the season, and serve the dishes to share. Among the many highlights of their à la carte menu are hush puppies with labneh and wildflower honey, nation fried quail, swordfish with citrus, and chamomile brined spatchcock hen. That is mild, shiny, ingenious cooking, introduced completely and served in a contemporary however comfy area. Evidently, you need to save room for Elise’s desserts.
Mexican
There’s nothing extra Puro San Antonio than a date evening at a Mexican restaurant, and you might be spoiled for selection! Relating to making it particular, selecting your (Or ought to I say, their?) favourite place is all the time a assured win. However if you happen to’re seeking to unfold your wings and pair nice meals with a very romantic atmosphere, maintain studying this part.
Mixtli has been on my restaurant to-do checklist for a very long time, with its clear, minimalist vibes and regularly evolving menu. That is fashionable, progressive Mexican cooking for individuals who love meals and aren’t afraid to attempt one thing new. Make a reservation for a seat at their desk (usually obtainable a month prematurely) and luxuriate in a seven-course tasting menu impressed by the wealthy historical past, produce, and tradition of a particular area, space, or custom in Mexico (presently, till March 2023, it’s El Norte). Pair it with in any other case unseen and unheard-of pours, from wine to tequila, mezcal, and extra. Can’t get a reservation proper now? The Mixtli bar is separate from the eating room and doesn’t require reservations, so you possibly can deal with your beau to one of the vital distinctive cocktail experiences in SA—and a promise to return for dinner!
Paloma Blanca celebrated 25 years final 12 months (2022) and stays a much-loved native spot for margaritas, pollo con mole, and flautas. Whether or not you sit inside among the many stained wooden and chocolate leather-based couches or out on the patio, that is a sublime and comfy spot for an informal date.
Los Azulejos opened in 2019, and after combating to outlive the pandemic, has lastly hit its stride. The environment is relaxed and welcoming, with lovely tilework and pleasant, educated employees. Los Azulejos has a diverse menu of conventional and extra upscale dishes excellent for sharing: attempt Baja tacos with tempura mahi mahi, a standout hen mole, and scrumptious tres leches for dessert; in addition to a big selection of top-shelf and flavored margaritas from the bar.
Continental
Nowhere does romance like Paris, the Metropolis of Love, and also you’ll discover a bit of piece of Paris at The Pearl—particularly, at Brasserie Mon Chou Chou. With its chandeliers, tender lighting, marble-topped tables, and darkish wooden accenting, this French bistro is a fully lovely backdrop for a date evening. Pair its atmosphere with informal however refined meals and a very good wine checklist, and also you’ve bought a recipe for love. Begin by sharing their platter of pâté and charcuterie with house-made baguette, earlier than devouring basic mussels with fries, and a dessert of profiteroles. Easy, basic, elegant cooking—made for lovers (of meals and each other).
For those who’re within the temper for Italian meals, there are a few great choices within the downtown space: first up, Nonna, on the primary flooring of the Fairmount Resort, is all the time a fantastic spot for a lunch or dinner date. Notch up the romance a bit of larger and share their signature pasta tossed tableside in a wheel of Parmesan cheese. It’s wealthy and decadent; excellent for 2 to share. Slightly additional down the road is Battalion, an upscale Italian eatery in a restored hearth station. By evening it’s a bit of darkish and a bit of loud (Is my age displaying?!), however its dramatic lighting and scrumptious meals (and cocktails) make it the right spot for making eyes at each other over dinner and drinks. Its menu is crying out to be shared, so you possibly can share a standard Italian meal of antipasti, primi, salad, pasta, and a hearty plate of meat or fish with veggies. Oh, and dessert. Is it even a romantic night if there isn’t a dessert?
Talking of sharing, my private date-night tender spot is tapas. My husband and I’ve shared many tapas meals in Spain, the U.Ok., and the U.S. since we first started relationship, and small plates (with quantity of Rioja or Sangria) are my love language. The perfect tapas in San Antonio might be discovered at Toro, whether or not on the Stone Oak location or downtown in St. Paul’s Sq.. The vibe is genuine, bustling, and romantic: plates come out when they’re prepared, with platters of Jamón Serrano and cheese chased down by hearty dishes of patatas bravas, grilled cheese with Licor 43 honey, crispy croquetas, and stuffed dates. The bar is well-stocked and the servers are educated about Spanish wines and ideal pairings. That is the alternative of Battalion—you aren’t going right here to impress your date (although, make no mistake, they are going to be impressed), you’re going to eat and drink with the one you like most and bear in mind why you’re a match made in heaven.
Seafood
Given the relative proximity of San Antonio to the coast, it’s unsurprising that contemporary seafood is so properly represented right here. Whereas many eating places provide implausible seafood choices, it’s price pushing the boat out (sorry for the pun) and attempting one in all these seafood-specific eateries if you wish to rejoice one thing particular.
A pure aphrodisiac, the connection between oysters and romance is lengthy established. If that seems like your concept of heaven, look no additional than Little Em’s. Their mild and shiny aesthetic may not be the very first thing that springs to thoughts for date evening, however the meals is to die for. Fantastically dressed oysters are joined by elegantly ready and introduced chilly classics like shrimp cocktail, ceviche, and tartare; adopted up by cold and hot lobster rolls, prime beef, and crab muffins. Trying to actually push the boat out? Little Em’s is likely one of the solely locations to supply a wide range of caviars, served with the standard accompaniments. For those who’ve by no means tried it however have all the time needed to, make an evening of this culinary journey! Pair impeccably introduced Russian Ossetra, Siberian Sturgeon, or Royal White Sturgeon caviar with champagne for a meal to recollect. Open 11:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m., Tuesday by way of Saturday, with brunch service on Sunday, that is the right spot for a day date or perhaps a Galentine reward change.
On the different finish of the sunshine spectrum, the darkish atmosphere of Eddie V’s Prime Seafood makes for the right date evening spot. You’ll discover a wide range of oysters, loaded seafood towers, lobsters with drawn butter, sashimi, and tableside tartare. With a full bar and an intensive wine checklist, this can be a good spot for making an evening of it—be sure you ask for a sales space when making a reservation.
Considered one of my private favourite spots for dinner, the Silo Terrace Oyster Bar (positioned throughout I-10 from the Dominion) is a pescatarian‘s paradise. Begin with the fried oysters, calamari, or shrimp spring rolls earlier than having fun with an entree of a number of the finest and freshest fish from the Gulf. I extremely suggest attempting the day by day fish characteristic or seeing how their lobsters—sourced from Tristan Island—are being served that evening.
Final within the seafood part, Rebelle is the revamped fine-dining restaurant at The St. Anthony Resort. This can be a darkish, horny, and welcoming area, with a sweeping staircase, plush chairs, and backlit bar. Get pleasure from drinks earlier than diving into one in all their spectacular, chilled seafood towers, adopted by charbroiled king crab legs with garlic confit butter or Rockefeller-inspired shrimp bucatini with cream sauce, bacon, and caviar. For those who’re searching for someplace celebratory, and love seafood, then Rebelle matches the invoice.
Gentle Bites
Final, however on no account least, these romantic hotspots are the right place to seize cocktails and graze on tasty mild bites—excellent while you don’t have time for a full meal.
The inside of Liberty Bar couldn’t be an additional departure from its exterior—depart behind the almost-Cuban vibes of the frothy pink paint and enter a darkish, intimate bar lit by neon and candles. The drinks are shiny and ingenious, backed by a strong and diverse checklist of bourbons, whiskies, gins, tequilas, and liqueurs. It’s a uncommon form of place the place I wouldn’t have to fret that my husband gained’t benefit from the Previous Common, martini, or Negroni he orders initially of the evening, however that is it. Graze on calamari, fried chickpeas, meatballs, and queso that’s positively not your common selection.
I needed to discover a option to sneak Finest High quality Daughter onto this checklist as a result of it’s simply theperfect backdrop for a romantic evening together with your major squeeze. Positive, you possibly can eat from the dinner menu, however I feel you’ll have extra enjoyable sampling their hilariously named cocktails and devouring the small plates within the consolation of a pink and turquoise sales space. Pair bougie egg rolls and mochi cheddar hush puppies with an Over My Dad Physique or Nightshades cocktail. That is enjoyable, spontaneous eating, and that’s what romance needs to be all about.
I’d say San Antonio positively is aware of tips on how to woo its women—so no matter you’re within the temper for, I hope you’ve discovered a romantic new spot to attempt! Whether or not it’s on Valentine’s Day or any date evening, it’s fully as much as you.
xoxo
