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International College of Dentists - Section I - USA
September 2008
USA Section President-Elect Leighton Wier's Insider's Guide to San Antonio
Many of you are coming to the ADA meeting in San Antonio, my hometown. The average weather for the dates of the ADA is a high of 82° and a low of 59°. The record temperatures for the dates are a high of 97° and a low of 38°! I hope we are closer to average. Below are some dining and entertainment suggestions to make your stay more enjoyable.
Restaurants
San Antonio has many great restaurants, and I am providing you with a list of a few of my favorites. You should make reservations for dinner except at Paesano's, which only takes them for large parties. The only restaurant that requires a jacket is La Reve. I hope that you will see something here that makes you hungry!
| Downtown |
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| Carriage House Bistro |
American |
Located at the San Antonio Botanical Garden. Breakfast served Saturdays and Sundays only. Combine with garden tour of one of San Antonio's top tourist attractions. www.sabot.org |
| El Mirador |
Mexican |
A popular authentic Mexican restaurant. Closed Sundays. www.elmiradorrestaurant.com |
| Guenther House |
American |
The elegant home of Pioneer Flour Mills' founding family, located in the historic King William district. Ladies love it! Also open for lunch. www.guentherhouse.com |
| Mi Tierra |
Mexican |
In the Mexican Market, a San Antonio tradition. Anyone from the Mayor to construction workers may be there. Open 24 hours. La Margarita next door is owned by the same family. www.mitierracafe.com |
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Lunch
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| Casa Rio |
Mexican |
Good Tex-Mex, on River Walk. www.casa-rio.com |
| Colonial Room, Menger Hotel |
American |
Built in 1859 next to Alamo, this historic hotel has a gracious dining room. Try the Mango ice cream for dessert. Be sure to see the Menger Bar, where Teddy Roosevelt recruited the Rough Riders. www.mengerhotel.com |
| Fuddruckers |
American |
The chain started here. Great burgers! www.fuddruckers.com |
| Schilo's Delicatessen |
European, German |
Good food, reasonable prices. Very popular. Try to get there before noon or after 1:00 p.m. or you will be in a line. |
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Dinner
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| Biga On the Banks |
Contemporary Southwestern |
Excellent food located on the River Walk. Chef Bruce Audin is four-time James Beard Award nominee. www.biga.com |
| Bohanan's |
Steak |
Upscale steak house. Japanese Akaushi beef available. www.bohanans.com |
| Boudro's |
Texas/Creole. |
A distinctive menu of Texas and Southwestern specialties on the River Walk. www.boudros.com |
| La Reve |
French |
Named the best restaurant in Texas. Very good food, very expensive, and a great place to spend the evening. www.restaurantlereve.com |
| Rosarios |
Mexican |
Popular with the locals, located in the historic King William District. Great margaritas and shrimp tacos. www.rosariossa.com |
| The County Line |
Barbecue |
Get great BBQ at this funky Texas roadhouse located on the River Walk. www.countyline.com |
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| Suburbs |
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Dinner
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Barn Door
8400 N. New Braunfels |
Steak |
Oldest steakhouse in San Antonio. Great Texas decor.
15-minute cab ride. http://www.sawhost.com/barndoor/ |
Cappy's
5011 Broadway |
American |
This Southern-centric bistro is quiet and homey and has one of the most sought-after patios in San Antonio.
10-minute cab ride. www.cappysrestaurant.com |
Francesca's at Sunset
In the Westin La Cantera resort |
Southwestern |
The only restaurant outside Loop 410 I am recommending (it is worth the drive). Southwestern menu created by Mark Miller of Coyote Cafe fame. Anniversary-type spot.
20-minute cab ride. www.westinlacantera.com |
L'Etoile
6106 Broadway |
French |
Has won numerous awards and is located in the Alamo Heights business district.
12-minute cab ride. www.letoilesa.com |
La Fogata
2427 Vance Jackson |
Mexican |
Recent awards include Best Salsa, Best Outdoor Dining, Best Place to Take Out of Town Guests, and of course, Best Margarita.
15-minute cab ride. www.lafogata.com |
Liberty Bar
328 E. Josephine |
American |
My son insists I add this one. Very casual. "Over 100 years old & looks every minute of it." Great food at a quirky landmark. The weekend menu is better than during the week.
8-minute cab ride. www.liberty-bar.com |
Paesano's
555 E. Basse Road |
Italian |
Also has location on River Walk, but I like this one. They are known for their Shrimp Paesano. Two great desserts to try: Grand Marnier Souffle and Apple Tart (you must order these when you order your entrees).
10-minute cab ride. www.paesanos.com |
Silo
1133 Austin Highway |
American |
Of the two locations, this is closest. Try the chicken fried oysters.
15-minute cab ride. www.siloelevatedcuisine.com |
San Antonio attractions
Everyone should see the Alamo (http://www.thealamo.org) and the River Walk (http://www.thesanantonioriverwalk.com).
Here are a few other attractions you might also enjoy:
| La Villita |
Remnants of the original "Little Village" built in the 1700s. Shops, artisans, and restaurants. Peaceful strolling.
http://www.lavillita.com |
| Market Square |
Want a taste of Mexico? The Mexican Market is here, along with restaurants, shops, and craft galleries.
http://www.marketsquaresa.com |
| Buckhorn Museum and Saloon |
Trust me! You and your family will have a good time here.
http://www.buckhornmuseum.com |
| Spanish Governor's Palace |
Once home of the officials who ruled New Spain, National Geographic called it the most beautiful building in San Antonio.
http://www.sanantonio.gov/dtops/SpanGovPal.asp |
| San Fernando Cathedral |
Founded in 1731, it was the first parish church in Texas. The original walls still stand. They are the oldest standing structure in Texas. The dome of the original church was the geographic center of San Antonio and is the point from which mileage to San Antonio is calculated. A very pretty church.
http://www.sfcathedral.org |
| Institute of Texas Culture |
Very nice museum featuring the different cultures that settled Texas.
http://www.texancultures.utsa.edu |
| Tower of the Americas |
If you like towers, it is as good as any. Food is better than average tower food. Great view in the revolving restaurant.
http://www.toweroftheamericas.com |
| San Antonio Botanical Gardens |
Highlighting Texas horticulture. Texas native trail features the plants of South Texas, the Hill Country, and the East Texas Pineywoods. A very peaceful place to spend a couple of hours. http://www.sabot.org |
| McNay Art Museum |
A first class art museum featuring works by Cezanne, van Gogh, Rodin, Matisse, Picasso, Hopper, and O'Keefe among others.
http://www.mcnayart.org |
| San Antonio Museum of Art |
Housed in an old brewery. Art from Egyptian, Greek, and Roman antiquities. Asian, European, and American paintings. Extensive Latin American collection.
http://www.samuseum.org |
| Witte Museum and San Antonio Zoo |
The Witte offers permanent exhibits that include dinosaur skeletons, cave drawings, wildlife dioramas, and even some live animals. Located in beautiful Brackenridge Park, a short train rides connects you to the Zoo.
http://www.wittemuseum.org
http://www.sazoo-aq.org |
Trolleys downtown run every 10 minutes connecting popular downtown attractions.
VIA Transit route #7 is the Sightseer Special connecting the Botanical Gardens, Witte Museum, Zoo, Museum of Art, and the Children's Museum. You can buy a one-day VIA pass for $3.75 at their office at the corner of Houston and Navarro.
Shopping
Linda recommends North Star Mall, The Shops at La Cantera, and the Quarry Market. If you ever want to get a great pair of handmade custom boots, take a cab to Little's Boots at 110 Division. Dave Little is the dad of ICD Fellow David Little.
http://www.davelittleboots.com
Day Trip
My top pick for a day trip would be to the Texas Hill Country about one hour north of San Antonio:
- Go out Highway 281 to Johnson City.
- Go West on Hwy 290 to the LBJ Ranch.
- Continue on 290 to Fredericksburg.
A few destinations:
To return to San Antonio, take Highway 87 to I-10.
Jazz
If anyone likes good jazz music, Jim Cullum's famous Happy Jazz Band plays at the Hyatt Regency Hotel at 8 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday.
http://www.landing.com
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