We were looking for a nice dinner spot and came across this place on OpenTable with great reviews,…read moreso we decided to give it a try. Honestly, such a good choice. The setting alone is beautiful, and as boats would pass by along the river, people were out celebrating and it made the whole experience feel really lively and fun. Service was great from the start, very welcoming and attentive without being over the top. The food did not disappoint either. We shared the red snapper and a steak cooked medium, and both were done perfectly. Everything came out fresh, flavorful, and exactly how we ordered it. Overall, just a really nice dinner experience. Good food, great atmosphere, and definitely a spot I would come back to when visiting San Antonio again.

Had dinner reservations on a Sunday night. Service was phenomenal. Food was good. Wine was tasty…read more Various, Large sections for dining here. Also, there was a live performer. She was pretty new and AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!! doing a lot of covers from the 90s to today. Acoustic guitar. I really liked the brussel sprouts and au gratin

Joe R was our server and did a grand job. He is a perfect combination of attentiveness, personality…read moreand efficiency. Two ribeyes perfectly cooked to order (and presented) for our guests, the Black Drum for Deb and the Shrimp and Crab Enchiladas for me. Followed by Bread Puddings and Fruit Creme Brulee....all very good. All in all a very enjoyable dining experience, despite our very noisy neighbors.

Definitely make a reservation and specify in comments that you'd like to be on the river walk. We…read moredid and got a wonderful seat right on the river walk albeit at the end of the row of tables almost where the next restaurant begins, which is The Original Mexican Restaurant. The only problem with sitting on the river is the male Hispanic Rio tour boats drivers all make the same comment when they drive by. They must have it in their gag book or learned from each other. When they drive by they always talk about all the restaurants in this particular area touting how they got everything here, Mexican and then as they drive by "and over there is Chinese Mexican". I mean, by the 6th time it was just kinda annoying. Anyway, the food here was really good. Their prime rib is not like your standard thick cut medium rare prime rib. It's a regular steak. The blackened version is their premiere steak. But we passed. Their shrimp and grits is their most famous dish. I tried it and it was fantastic (and I don't even care for grits) The ribeye was also good. Slightly overdone for medium rare unfortunately m. But good albeit tough to cut as a result. Our waiter never stopped by for a water refill or to ask how the meal was so we had to flag down someone for the water and a steak knife which came when we were almost done eating unfortunately. A bit sad when you're tipping $20 for never coming by. He didn't even bring out the food. But he did do the guac. About the guac. Tableside guacamole is pretty good. But it'll fill you up fast. So pace yourself. It come with chips which we occasionally gave a few to the hungry ducks who were all waiting for hand outs. Definitely make reservations! It was packed in the evening.

Wow, what an amazing experience. If you are looking for an elevated night out in town this is the…read moreplace. I must start off mentioning the amazing service. These people are on point! Everyone was kind and friendly (except for the hostess downstairs who was rather dismissive). Sat upstairs for dinner on a Sunday in the beautiful front sunroom. The entire second floor is gorgeous and feels elevated compared to the first floor. To start off they serve you bread with a pickled jalapeno cream cheese dip which was the chef (owner?) mother's recipe. So good. I had the lamb chops which were devine. The scalloped potatoes, mashed potatoes, macaroni & cheese, and creamed spinach are all musts. Cocktails and wine all top notch! GO!

It was our 28th wedding anniversary and I wanted to treat my wife to a nice dinner. We normally go…read moreto Ruth Chris, but I wanted to try a different steakhouse this year. Once we arrive at the restaurant we were greeted like VIPs. We were asked a few times if we were there for a special occasion and I mentioned we were there for our anniversary. We were congratulated and that was it. No other "special" treatment or offers because it was our anniversary. The service, the food, and the overall atmosphere were great. No complaints at all. My only issue was this, as we were preparing to pay the bill, a couple (white couple) was seated next to us and they were asked if they were there to celebrate a special occasion, and she said, "it's our anniversary" and the waiter then offered them a complimentary bottle (or glasses) of champagne! Wait, what??? I thought to myself, nobody offered us (a black couple) any complimentary champagne. A different person came to the table to take my credit card and I asked him about it. He did apologize and offered to bring us a couple of glasses of champagne but it was too late. We were done eating/celebrating and it was time to go home. I was 3 weeks from recovering from heart surgery and this was my first time out in the public to eat since my surgery and I didn't want to let not getting a bottle or glass of champagne ruin my evening with my Queen. This incident it want led me to giving 4 stars instead of 5. How can one couple be offered complimentary champagne and another couple not offered any at all???

Ladino is probably one of my favorite restaurants in the city by far!…read more I've had the privilege to visit Ladino maybe four or five times, and every time I come back, they keep getting better. They recently received a Bib Gourmand from Michelin for good quality and value. Frankly I think they deserve a star, but that's just me. Ladino is located at The Pearl and making a reservation through Open Table is a must! They book up days in advance, so I encourage you to reserve a table ahead of time. They specialize in small tapas style plates, so if you are coming with a group you can order a couple of items to share. They also have a few excellent main dishes, but my favorite is the steak. From the smaller plates I think I've tried almost everything and there hasn't been one I didn't love. However the hummus is a must and the feta cheese is always a winner when I bring new people to Ladino. The staff here is outstanding! The level of service they offer is unbelievable. They truly make sure you have an outstanding experience during your visit, and that level of service is hard to find. Whether you are looking to try a new place or celebrate an anniversary, do yourself a favor and make a reservation at Ladino.

10/10 !!!! What a…read moregreat experience! Me and my girls decided to try this place, we have heard good things and honestly, it was a hit! From beautiful decor with Mediterranean vibes to the warm of the staff and the quality of the good, our experience was incredible ! We all did the "Table of Joy" option of the menu, which basically is a 3-4 course meal with dessert, all chosen by the chef. You can express if you want something specific from the menu and they will make sure to bring it to you. On Sunday they have a wonderful wine special, all wine bottles are 50% off Everything we got served was outstanding, but my personal favorite were the fire roasted corn, the grilled cabbage and the lamb ribs. Outstanding service by our server, she knew the menu very well and guided us through it like a pro. Definitely a place to return! Check the food we got and get ready to drool over your screen!

"An absolute must-visit every time I'm in San Antonio! The drinks are top-tier (even the mocktails)…read moreand the food is consistently superb. The staff is incredibly friendly, attentive, and highly knowledgeable about the menu. Do yourself a favor and order the special Mezcal Negroni--it's incredible! The atmosphere is always buzzing with great live energy, whether it's packed or quiet. With fantastic indoor/outdoor seating, stellar decor, and great tunes, I can't recommend this place enough!"

Stopped in for a weekday dinner on a reservation. It was crowded so I recommend making one. Had…read moreappetizers, dinner, and drinks. I didn't get a photo of the Brussels sprouts but worth getting. The food was phenomenal but the drinks were just ok. The vibe was casual but elevated with nice mood lighting. I would def recommend stopping in.

Step into Ambler and Texas hits you like a proper cowboy: leather chairs, wood‑grained walls, and a…read moreriver view that whispers, you belong here. This isn't flashy it's honest, bold, and unapologetically Texan. The food lands like a punch: brisket smoked to perfection, chili‑glazed short ribs that demand attention, and Gulf red snapper with chorizo crust that makes your mouth sit up. Sides and sauces? No filler, just full‑flavored allies. The drinks are sharp, strong, and right. Mezcal Old Fashioneds, tequila‑bright margaritas, and cocktails that feel like they've seen the world but still know how to have fun. Service doesn't hover it knows the rhythm. The River Walk hums outside, music drifts in, and every bite and sip feels like it belongs to this place. Five stars. Bold, beautiful, and unmistakably Texas.

A bit disappointing. Came here based on the online menu. We chose this place based on their online…read moremenus. We entered the large open space which can be accessed from the hotel's main entrance or off of the river wall entrance. Service was good, but we were disappointed of having to choose from one menu rather than the other menus we saw online. When we asked, we were told the other menus started at different times, which want noted online. We ordered the shrimp and frittata, which were decent. Sadly, not sure I would try again based on this food experience.

Another great meal! Our server Brahim provided the perfect service: attentive, thoughtful, kind…read more Really enhanced our meal. For a starter we shared the cornbread with another couple and it was plenty for 4 people. If you are from out of town and looking for some Texas-shaped vittles or just want something substantial to stretch your meal I recommend it! Very tasty and filling. For my main I had the scallops with creamed corn risotto. It was a dainty portion but the flavors were nice. My husband had the short rib tagliatelle which he loved. It was very rich and filling. We had the buttermilk pie again for dessert and this time it tasted sweeter than I remembered. It was good but we couldn't finish it. Idk if it was my tastebuds or if it was different. Anyways still a great meal overall and we will be back!

Great atmosphere, Great service. The price versus quality doesn't meet! My date had the lamb chops…read more The lamb chops were full of fat and untrimmed, this fat didn't add any flavor. They were cooked medium rare. I don't recommend the lamb. I had the red snapper filet. I was basically. The best thing about the entire meal was dessert! We shared a large slice of butter pie and ice cream. Other than that, the food was average to, not good I made the mistake of going to this tourist spot, inside of the la mansion hotel, $168 later, I can truly say that I would never recommend this restaurant!

Dark cozy environment Teams of waiters provide attentive…read moreservice Food high quality and absolutely tasty Pricey but appropriate for that level of dining Want to go back but need to save money to go again

On the advice of a good friend the suggestion was to try J-Prime Steakhouse's"Social Hour." I have…read moreheard about many times but I never found the perfect occasion to try it. But at my age anytime you are over ground is the best occasion. I have heard it is real fancy. And it is. Do not come in Crocs and sweatpants. This is not that restaurant. It is that restaurant where you should make reservations. It is also a place that emphasizes presentation and service. We came right when it opened and we informed the hostess of our reservations. We were seated in the bar area. Once inside I was struck by its ambience. It is sleek, dark and dare say "sexy." Our server, who was extremely attentive came to our table and took our drink orders. My partner ordered an Old Fashioned and me, a Lagunitas IPA. Whilst waiting for our drinks I looked over the room. One thing I noticed was a barrier that separated the bar area and the dining room. The Social Hour is meant, to socialize. I saw couples leaning into each other. Another group were drinking martinis with a seafood tower, almost touching the ceiling. Conversations were had. Romantic glances were exchanged. It isn't a casual place like Bubba's 33 nor Texas Roadhouse. It feels like a place best suited for a date night or an anniversary. I'm wondering how the dining room area is? The Social Hour does offer some drink and small bites specials. We ordered the kabob with pineapple, brussel sprouts, and sliders. They were all pretty great. It reminded me of the same experience as in partaking in tapas. I would remiss if I didn't relay our service here, it was excellent. Our server, Holiday(I hope I spelled it right.) treated us like we were the only patrons there. I've gone to upscale restaurants where staff looks at you up and down. Or they try to size you up. This is not that place. Which was so refreshing. If this place went above and beyond my expectations why didn't I give it four stars? In my opinion I think that a place that creates an upscale experience needs to have a few beers on tap. Even places like Wing Daddy's or Chili's offers a few beers on tap. Secondly, the bar area seating feels a bit tight. I wonder when the dinner crowd arrives would you be in the lap, of someone else's conversation? I still highly recommend this place. The Social Hour area is perfect for a date or an anniversary. The service and food were both excellent. And I've never been to a place where you are given warm hand towels. It reminded me of that scene with Adam Sandler in "The Wedding Singer" minus Billy Idol.

As I reminisce on my final (?) meal at The Barn Door earlier today, I have difficulty expressing…read morehow sad I feel to lose a landmark that has served as a second home for generations of San Antonians. For 73 years, The Barn Door has been more than a great restaurant; it has been an inexorable piece of San Antonio history. Last week, The Barn Door announced on Facebook that its final day of service will be Sunday, May 11th (Mother's Day). The Barn Door has been an outstanding steakhouse in the truest sense. They've never relied on gimmicks or culinary trends--they've relied on the tried-and-true flavors that have maintained a loyal clientele for decades. I'm taking about hand-cut, primal cuts of beef grilled over real mesquite, delivering that unmistakable South Texas char. I'm referring to plump, wild-caught shrimp from the Gulf Coast, the famous yeast rolls, and tubs of homemade salad dressings. If you've been there, you know how special the overall experience has been. I've read many heartfelt comments on social media asking why such a successful institution would cease operations. Well, dear reader, I have a unique insight into why. Randy Stokes has poured his heart into the restaurant, but he merely leases the building--not the land--from the Straus family. Approximately seven months ago, Mr. Straus decided to sell the dirt beneath the "Barn" to a real estate developer. The plan? To raze this historic site and erect modern condos. It's a familiar story of urban expansion, but it doesn't make the loss any easier to swallow. But before we close the door on "The Barn" forever, a glimmer of hope looms on the horizon. Randy Stokes and his team aren't necessarily hanging up their aprons for good. According to a reliable anonymous source, the team has expressed a desire to reopen The Barn Door at a new location, with eyes set currently on the city's North Side. I hope the promise of a new location comes to fruition, but even if The Barn Door closes forever, I will cherish all the wonderful memories of dining there with my parents and grandparents over the years. I will remember the ingratiating staff, the unique ambience, and the hundreds of delicious meals I've crammed down my gullet.

This restaurant has been here for about 50 years now and it's definitely showing it's age…read more Half the sign wasn't working. It's a sketchy area to walk behind the restaurant to the Speakeasy. Anyhow, I ordered the chicken fried ribeye, jalapeño twice baked potato. Now, the potato was great. I didn't care for the ribeye and didn't eat it. The salad was right out of the bag. Iceberg, shredded carrots and cabbage with 5 bagged croutons. What happened? It wasn't like that before. My cream spinach came out late, and we weren't charged for it, which was nice. My brother in laws filet was too done. He asked for medium, and it was medium well. He ate it anyway. They used to have a 6oz ladies filet, but they don't. The server wasn't perfect, but we lived. IF I return, I'll skip the salad, get the filet and potato.

Back in San Antonio and first stop, Tokyo Cowboy and dinner was served!…read moreAfter settling into our Airbnb, Tokyo Cowboy came up highly recommend. I'm glad they had room for us but, it's still safe to make reservations. We did not know they are a tapas style restaurant, but that didn't deter us. And we were pleasantly surprised at the size of their "tapas". What we ordered was enough for two people to share. Dumplings - 9/10 Gulf Shrimp & Noodles - 10/10 Blistered Green Beans - 10/10 Ramen - 9/10 Service was great. It's a casual atmosphere, but perfect for an intimate date night.

Stopped in for a quick snack and drink. Had the Cobra Kai drink with Japanese whiskey and ube and…read morethe Fist of Fury with Lychee and Rum. Food: Krab roll and Brisket roll. The brisket roll was good and not greasy with a well spiced wasabi ranch. Krab roll is popular but wasn't as good as I expected. It's similar to a California roll without cucumber and the chili oil dip lacked flavor. Ambience was nice, drinks are strong. Good place for cocktails.