GRAB A GLASS OF WINE FIRST! This place is perfect to enjoy a nice glass of wine or a cocktail before sitting down in a romantic/niche environment that is unique to your normal standards (unless you are a regular). If you are a regular, then you have fallen in love with this new inevitably original restaurant nested in the heart of Alamo Heights. The French cuisine is hosted by the nationally renowned chef Damien Watel along with his wife, Lisa Astorga (another chef who has worked for academy award winning chefs). He finally opened a new restaurant and it is exactly what we missed from the old restaurant. Zagat will be here shortly. read more

Our waiter was inexperienced but made a good effort. Escargot was dry. Mussels also, hardly any broth. Wine was delicious. Patio outside was lovely. Charcuterie was delicious. read more

My husband and my dining experience were disappointing. First, we could not get the hostess to understand what type of table we wanted. Second, the food was subpar. My husband's dish barely had any chicken. My meal was doused in sauce. We didn't complain to management but, we are not going back. We frequently dine out. However, this place is off our list. read more

We didn't have reservations and the place was full. They sat us in the bar, but it was a table and very nice. It was noisy and got worse as a large party in the back of the room became seriously drunker and louder. But it was laughing drunk rather than angry. So okay. What made me want to review was my meal. I had little interest in the food because I was there for an important one-on-one. I hardly glanced at the menu before ordering Steak Frites. The waiter said it was NY Strip, which can be tough. This steak was perfect. PERFECT. It was exactly medium-rare and it melted in my mouth like chocolate. The peppercorn sauce was amazingly good and they didn't make the mistake of drowning the meat in it. I will definitely go again. read more

Went here for the first time during SA culinary week/month. You were able to have a 3 course meal for $35. I ordered the escargot, lobster risotto, and the créme brûlée'. The escargot was flavorful and nice. I enjoyed dipping the complimentary bread in the sauce. The risotto was good but I wouldn't call it the best thing I've ever had. The créme brûlée' was delicious! I am a huge créme brûlée' fan. The service was good and it was nice being further than 6 feet from the other tables. I felt very safe here. I hope to go back and enjoy the happy our and sit out on the patio soon! read more

We came to Bistro09 for restaurant week. The service was definitely very good. My wife tried the steak, and I had the pork scappolini. Both dishes were good, but nothing extraordinary. It's a good place to try out, but not a must do in San Antonio. We're happy we tried it out though! read more

We loved Bistro Vatel before it went out of business. I gave them a lot of business because it was so good I brought many business-related guests there to dine. We were greatly looking forward to going to the new Bistro09. We were disappointed. The food was good, but not superb, as we had remembered it. One of the guests ordered the beef tenderloin and when we got our food, it was tepid and the potatoes au gratin were barely warm (she claimed they were cold). Speaking of timing -- the service was not good. We ordered a charcuterie plate and that came out quickly, but our meals took at least an hour to come out. Also, the bartender was also our server, so he was stretched thin. I had called and asked for a "quiet" table but we were sat in the bar, which was noisy. Nobody really asked us -- although the co-owner was mingling around in the bar nearly the whole time we were there -- what we thought of our experience. I won't be back and I won't endorse the new place. I think they got too "big" and can't deliver what used to be best service and food. Very sad. read more

Lamb roll, fried octopus appetizers were delicious and french fries were pretty good. The salmon entree was good too however the lobster entree had to returned. I should have heeded the first sign of a slightly bad smell but since I don't have a good nose I took a bite of the lobster meat which was the second sign as it was tasteless (and no I've not had COVID and lost that sense). Trusting where I was I marched on with another bite and was aghast at the awful presumably chemical laced flavor of the lobster. Another companion ordered the chicken lollypops but found them way too dry. We are not in the habit of returning dishes to the kitchen and instead chalk up a poor meal as the price of trying out a new restaurant to never return again. Having enjoyed prior meals at Bistro09 the meal on Sept. 9 was too shocking to ignore and not warn others that even at high end restaurants their kitchens can have very bad lapses in quality control :( read more

We came for the music, and so glad we stayed for the food... The service was gracious but not over done, the food was delicious. A great night out. read more

Nice ambiance both inside and outside. Went there to celebrate Mother's Day. Menu was fixed. The quality of the food was good except the potatoes au gratin had a clove type taste, not good. Three separate fumbles from waitstaff to include an additional item on the check that should not have been added. That being said the service was attentive and cordial. May return sometime for brunch but will perhaps consider other choices first. read more

Perfect environment for all occasions. Whether you want to celebrate a birthday or other event or just want to enjoy a lovely evening out in a cozy environment where you know the owners pay attention to all the details, including those we need to take into account during these times. They have a beautiful patio. And the food ,the food omg so perfectly crafted French classics! Gourmet yet so comforting. I always leave there feeling completely satisfied from warmth of the food and ambience, read more

We had dinner here last week and are going back again this weekend. Food is amazing and creative. Loved the Lamb Cigar and the Nicoise salad. .... Wine list is a little pricey but a great selection. Phillip did a great job serving us. See you again soon. read more

We have eaten here twice in the past two weeks and continue to be disappointed. The food is good (not as good as Bistro Vatel!) , interesting menu, but the service is very disappointing. The staff appears to not be trained in service, have little knowledge of the menu, and are very slow. I hope they work out the issues as we need a restaurant in the location again. We had reservations 4 days ahead for the first visit and 2 weeks ahead for last night. Both times we had tables in the door with cold air blowing in. Last night the table was on an incline and three chairs were very unstable. read more

Nice setting, very good service and pretty good food. I was hoping for great bouillabaisse and although there was plenty of good seafood in my bowl, the tiny bit of spicy broth was a bit of a let down. There was also no accompanying slices of crusty french bread and ruille. The fact that our table was squeezed into the middle of the room and our chairs kept getting bumped didn't help. If this restaurant focuses a bit more on trying to be a more "authentic" french bistro, I predict they will do well in this location. I may even try it again. read more

We ate at Bistro09 shortly after it reopened from the virus. At first, we were the only people on an early Monday night. Service was prompt and courteous. We were a little worried that the "B-Team" chef might be on with such a small Monday night crowd, but man, if this was the second string...! We ordered from the prix fixe menu. All three courses were very good, especially the flounder main course. All were perfectly prepared and served. The restaurant does the old Bistro Vatel and L'Etoile good. Thanks for a nice meal and evening. read more

The Prix Fixe Menu is a great bargain! I do not recommend the escargot because it was drowning in pesto sauce that was so thick and rough I could have been eating a lump of anything. However, that said, the steak frites were terrific. Tender juicy steak and perfectly crisped fries. The creme brulee was creamy deliciousness. read more

I've been following Bistr09 on social media since before we moved here 4 months ago. It totally lived up to the hype. We have been on a culinary adventure while getting to know SA and this was a true highlight! Ray was super pleasant, helpful (but not OVERLY helpful like some inexperienced servers can be!), and was very attentive. A true professional. The atmosphere was great, even on a Wednesday evening. Bar, dining, or patio are all options. We sat on the patio, amongst a few other guests around 7:30 PM and were promptly served with delicious bread and butter and water. I ordered French onion soup (incredible!), a pear and Gorgonzola salad, and my husband had the tuna salad Nicoise. His plate was BEAUTIFUL- a quadrant of tuna, a quad of salad and asparagus, another of potato wedge and boiled egg, and a quad of fresh tomato slices. They have wine and various French meal options, but also some options that are not OVERLY French for those a little bit skeptical to the faire. (I basically got soup and salad, y'all). I had a delicious margarita and hubs had a double shot of bourbon. Don't let "French" deter you if you aren't prone to dining on French food. We will definitely visit again! read more

The food is excellent. Not quite exceptional, but it really is worth a visit. The menu is diverse with multiple different options. Some of the dishes were outstanding and others were very good. The prices are eminently reasonable and the service was spot on. read more

Went twice- nice looking place, cool, contemporary vibe, service was slow, but that wasn't he biggest issue. The problem was both times the entre was too salty! I wasn't the only one who had this opinion. I mean it was hardly edible , and I like salt! So I won't be going back anytime soon. read more

So happy to have this jewel of a restaurant by the talented Damien Watel and Lisa Astorga Watel in San Antonio! The food is amazing and the staff so friendly and helpful! The desserts are not to be missed also! read more

Super cool bar and restaurant serving accessible French food and drinks created to your taste by the amazing bartenders. After a cooling cocktail, don't miss the steamed mussels paired with a lovely wine. The Steak Frites or Duck Confit entrees will delight your taste buds and comfort any stress you might be carrying. Save room for a floating island and a creamy cappuccino to end your evening on a top note. Can't get enough BISTR09! read more

June 9th was my wife's birthday and we had made reservations several days prior. Daughter and Son in law were with us and we were seated right away. In a few minutes the waiter showed up and did his best to inform us about the menu and specials. Can't fault the waiter for his part of this disaster. I ordered Onion soup as starter. It came to the table charred cheese not melted, and beef gravy consistency.......not soup! Too much Kitchen Helper. Returned to sender. Wife and daughter ordered the snails.. kinda like the kitchen. SLOW ! Daughter found that her snails were over loaded with Garlic and over cooked. My wife's snails were an unusual dish in that they were served with a crumb crust and also over cooked...they went back. I decided on the fixed price menu and the steak fritt was covered in gravy, and cold. The only item that was warm were the french fry's. My wife's main dish, steak tartar was (she said )OK, For dessert I selected the Chocolate Mouse. OH WELL JELLO pudding laced with chocolate chunks???? Son in law ordered the apple dessert which was served with a slender burning candle to celebrate my wife's birthday. We were told the dessert was for my son in law and the candle was for the "birthday girl" YIPPIE. As we were leaving I went looking for someone in charge. The bartender identified himself as the manager. He listened to my tail of woe, apologized and took my name and phone number so the owner could contact me. Still waiting for that phone call. read more

Hoped for so much more having enjoyed previous meals at Chez Vatel for many years. While the service was polite, it was unbearable slow. Our meal took well over 2 hours, and not because we were lingering over the greatness of our dinner. When we did receive the entrees they were a terrible disappointment. My bouillabaisse was bland, seemed to be seasoned primarily with salt. The shrimp was overcooked to an embarrassing level, leaving it completely rubbery. How does a chef of this caliber allow such an amateur mistake to happen? Fish was also overcooked. Bread on the table was flavorless (could have used some of the salt from the bouillabaisse...) Another member of our party ordered the "Tomato, Basil, Parmesan" pizza. It was delivered (burned on the bottom) with anchovies, black olives and capers. The waiter said it was the correct pizza, that the other pizza on the menu was "prosciutto and mushroom". Why would you describe an anchovy, black olive pizza as "tomato, basil, parmesan"? Another pizza was delivered, but by the time it arrived we had already paid the bill and were leaving. Won't be back anytime soon. read more

We realized it was opening week; however, they do have a few kinks to work out so we will go again in a few weeks. The food was delicious, especially the Pear and Gorgonzola Salad! Wonderful flavors. We had a reservation, but when we arrived the staff seemed confused as to where to seat us and tried to give us the table right at the front door, which we declined, since that's where people are standing as they wait for their tables. They next tried to seat us at a table where we were looking behind the bar at the sinks, and we asked if there was ANYWHERE ELSE we could sit. We then were seated in the corner where we watched several tables of people come in, be seated, and be served water and menus while the waiters glanced in our direction but never made a move to come over. Obviously, they finally did and we enjoyed the meal, but we felt as if we were the uninvited guests who were creating sort of a problem for the wait staff. BUT - delicious food! read more