Too quiet in Monte Vista... Where is everyone?? (Houston, San Antonio: houses, neighborhoods)

[tsquargirl]

My husband & I moved to SA about a year ago from Austin. We settled in Monte Vista. We love the neighborhood and the lovely historic homes... but noticed pretty quickly on that sometimes the area feels like a ghost town. Where is everyone??? We eat out a lot in the local restaurants (3 to 4 times a week) - Valentinos, Cioa Lavenderia, Caparellis, the Bharmacy, Olmos Perks, & find that much of the time these eateries are less than 25% filled?

I'm bewildered b/c the neighborhood is quite nice and neighbors are well-off - but it seems as is most of the residents from Monte Vista & Olmos Park stay in. Friends visiting us from out of town are astounded that we can easily go dinner at 7p on a Friday night w/out reservations. We like it - but sometimes it is a little lonely.

So here's my question? Everyone in you beautiful houses, are you all cooking breakfast, lunch, & dinner at home? Or patronizing restaurants in other parts of the city? Just curious...

[Eleanor Rigby]

My parents have lived in Olmos Park for something like thirty five years at this point. They do go out to Bistro Vatel or to Ciao at least twice a month, but mostly they like to go to the country club or to the Argyle. That's where their friends go, so that's where they go. They also like to go eat Mexican at Pico De Gallo or the Jacala, which aren't in Olmos Park or Monte Vista. Also, they're big fans of Taco Taco for weekend "brunch".

Also, they do a lot of entertaining at home, and their neighbors drop in all the time for drinks.

I can't speak for anyone else, but that's where my parents are.

ETA: My parents also have an extreme fondness for La Tuna, which is their idea of slumming. I think it's hilarious. They also go to Cappycino's in Alamo Heights, and once, to my complete amazement, I ran into them at the old Casbeers location. I was there to see my friend's band, they were there for enchiladas and beer.

[dvlpr]

Interesting question. My wife & I live in MV (we're both in our early 30's), and though we frequent some of the same places you mention (with the addition of Liberty Bar, La Fonda, Sam's, LaTuna, etc.), we probably spend as much time at our house or other friend's houses.

SA (for a large city) is a pretty small place, and as such, we've made lots of great friends. That fact, coupled with the relative lack of good restaurants/cafes/bars probably results in us hanging "in" more often than going out. I would probably say that's why the place can be so sleepy.

That said, as more local places open in the neighborhoods near downtown (I'm thinking specifically about Pearl), and as more people like us move into town (and there are lots of people doing that) I'm hopeful that more people will come out.

In any event - glad you're in SA (and in the best hood!).

[mamatotex97]

Lack of good restaurants???

[dvlpr]

Originally Posted by mamatotex97

Lack of good restaurants???

"Relative lack of good restaurants"; yes.

[majormadmax]

Originally Posted by dvlpr

"Relative lack of good restaurants"; yes.

You are kidding, right?

[dweej]

Originally Posted by dvlpr

"Relative lack of good restaurants"; yes.

Relative to where? And what do you consider "good"?

[SilverCreek78250]

Originally Posted by tsquargirl

So here's my question? Everyone in you beautiful houses, are you all cooking breakfast, lunch, & dinner at home? Or patronizing restaurants in other parts of the city? Just curious...

Apparently, they are all over on the NW Side of SA eating at the places around Alamo Ranch and Bandera Pointe. At least it looks that way from the traffic.

[neddy]

Some in the area are more than likely eating at the San Antonio Country Club. Its right in the area and charges you a min. if you are eating there or not (or at least it used to).

[Eleanor Rigby]

Originally Posted by dweej

Relative to where? And what do you consider "good"?

I think dvlpr means that compared to Houston, there's not the just overwhelming cascade of fabulous places to eat, with new ones opening every weekend. I mean, in Houston, you can eat out every meal of every day, limiting yourself just to the River Oaks/Memorial/Rice Village area, and never repeat yourself for a month.

Houston is a much bigger city, and has a larger core of just ridiculously rich people, so of course it has a larger, more varied dining scene.

Some in the area are more than likely eating at the San Antonio Country Club. Its right in the area and charges you a min. if you are eating there or not (or at least it used to).

This is still true. It's why I often get phone calls towards the end of the month from my father telling me I should go to lunch at the club with my grandmother, hint hint.