Where to go for a romantic birthday dinner? (Alamo, South Alamo: appointed, high school)

[Chaka]

I need help deciding - we've got a babysitter for a change and the husband is taking me out!

Options include:

La Frite - we go fairly frequently and love it,but usually with the little one so would be nice to go on our own, however DH was just there last week with a friend.

Bohanan's - haven't been in a few years myself, but DH was there also last week for a work dinner and said he wasn't as excited about it as he used to be (said steaks were excellent but everything else so-so).

Silo - it's been 3 years since we've been there. Is it still great?

Frederick's on Broadway - we've never been, any thoughts?

Bistro Vatel - never been, though our French friends said they prefer La Frite

Ciao Lavenderia - been once, again years ago, still worth it?


Any other suggestions? I'm having a hard time deciding.

La Reve is out since that's more than we want to pay just now. Biga on the Banks is out because I'm not thrilled with the rushed atmosphere there anymore.

We don't get out to dinner often without the little one, so I want to make the most of this!

[AFWife1029]

Im not much help since Ive never eaten at most of the ones you listed for romantic dinners hubby and I tried Red Lobster a few times and enjoyed it but it depends on which one you go to as to the atmosphere. Sorry Im not more help.

[ShaneSA]

How about doing La Margarita in Market Square and then window shopping and people watching while walking the market. Then take a trolly over to the Alamo for a nice walk around and enjoy the city. Make it a date, like you were in high school.
OR...... Azuca on South Alamo between Durango and S. Presa and then a nice quiet walk in Hemisphere Park. (another cheap date). Azuca has wonderful South American and Caribbean type food and a really nice bar.

[wCat]

Silo is great, but I'm not a big fan of the atmosphere....so for a "romantic" dinner, that would not be on my list. But yes, it's still popular and still great.

Have you thought about E'Toile on Broadway for more French/continental cuisine? Or Paloma Blanca just off Broadway for a higher end Mexican dining experience. The atmosphere there is much more elegant and upscale....great chef from Monterrey!

or what about the Little Rhine Steakhouse on the river? Very romantic and an after dinner stroll on the river, or maybe even before dinner....stopping somewhere along the way for a cocktail or glass of wine before dining.

Lots of options for something moderately priced! Great time to dine on the river.

[Chaka]

Originally Posted by ShaneSA

How about doing La Margarita in Market Square and then window shopping and people watching while walking the market. Then take a trolly over to the Alamo for a nice walk around and enjoy the city. Make it a date, like you were in high school.
OR...... Azuca on South Alamo between Durango and S. Presa and then a nice quiet walk in Hemisphere Park. (another cheap date). Azuca has wonderful South American and Caribbean type food and a really nice bar.

heh, since we live downtown, we do that stuff all the time...... so it's not really 'special' - well it is, because we like it, but you know what I mean.

I like Azuca, but it's not really romantic.

[Chaka]

Originally Posted by wCat

Silo is great, but I'm not a big fan of the atmosphere....so for a "romantic" dinner, that would not be on my list. But yes, it's still popular and still great.

Have you thought about E'Toile on Broadway for more French/continental cuisine? Or Paloma Blanca just off Broadway for a higher end Mexican dining experience. The atmosphere there is much more elegant and upscale....great chef from Monterrey!

or what about the Little Rhine Steakhouse on the river? Very romantic and an after dinner stroll on the river, or maybe even before dinner....stopping somewhere along the way for a cocktail or glass of wine before dining.

Lots of options for something moderately priced! Great time to dine on the river.

hmmm - we've eaten at E'Toile on my husband's birthday and he was disappointed. Granted, he's a French Food snob, and agreed it wasn't bad, but wasn't all that.

Little Rhine may be interesting, we've never been there. And we could walk there from home, which is a bonus.

[wCat]

C....I meant to comment on Fredericks. The food is wonderful, but the restaurant is very small. It's hard to have an intimate conversation because you feel like everyone is sitting at your table. That would be my only negative comment re: Freds.

[thesleepyshape]

I had a similar decision to make last week for my boyfriend's birthday (He's a regular poster so I can't divulge the surprise location). I looked into the Grey Moss Inn and Las Canarias downtown, however chose another for it's vegetarian-friendly fare. Morton's for the steak-loving lovers is another good bet. Hope your romantic evening goes well!

[Lauren0319]

We love, love LOVE Fredricks. Call ahead and make reservations though. It is wonderful and the service is outstanding.
Tre (Jason Dady's new place) is also really good. but for romance, I would go to Fredricks.

What about The Lodge? gets nothing but raves!!!

Happy birthday! Enjoy your evening out!

[dvlpr]

Chaka -

If you haven't tried Tre Trattoria (Jason Dady's new Italian place) it's really wonderful (and not incredibly expensive). I took my wife there for her birthday last month. Of course, The Lodge is perfect for what you've described, but probably a bit more than you want to spend. Also, if you've not been to Cappy's for dinner lately, you should check it out. They're really doing fresh, inventive things with their menu.

Of the places you've not been:

Bistro Vatel: Quiet atmosphere, and I think the food is better than Frite, but not by much.
Ciao Lavandaria: Loud place, reliable food, though it's gotten much more expensive and is not the value it used to be.
Frederick's: I think this place is completely overrated. I'm not a fan.
Silo: I think the food is just "okay" - not what it used to be. Menu is pretty static, and not very interesting in my opinion.

In a sorta-unrelated matter, I think Little Rhein might be the crappiest steakhouse in SA. If they didn't have that location (and a steady supply of poor tourists who don't know any better) they'd be out of business in a second. I've been there twice and have had awful experiences each time.

Hope you have a great dinner!