Best for a Romantic Dinner: On a quiet stretch of the River Walk, Las Canarias, at La Mansión del Río, 112 College St. (tel. 210/518-1063), avoids the noise that plagues most waterview restaurants. You'll enjoy candlelight and superb, discreet service.
Best Movable Feast: It used to be that you could dine on the river only if you were with a group, but among the restaurants that now offer reservations on communal tables to individuals and couples, Boudro's, 421 E. Commerce St./River Walk (tel. 210/224-8484), tops the meals-on-river-barge-wheels list.
Best for Serious Foodies: After several years on the fine dining scene, Le Rêve, 152 E. Pecan St. (tel. 210/212-2221), has proved that it's got staying power -- there were rumbles about the chef moving to Dallas a while back -- and that San Antonio is ready for a place where men have to wear jackets and there is seating for dinner. The reward is stellar French food.
Best Seafood: You'd think that serving brain food on the river would have been a no-brainer, but it wasn't until the arrival of Pesca, 212 W. Crockett St. (tel. 210/396-5817), that there was a real contender. Shark alert: This place will take a bite out of your dining budget.
Best Italian Cuisine: The risotto, potato gnocchi, and saltimbocca are among the dishes perfected by a chef from Rome that make it worth the trip to Massimo, 1896 Nacogdoches Rd. (tel. 210/342-8556), in the Alamo Heights area.
Best Place to Listen to Music While You Eat: Enjoy creative South American, Mexican, and Caribbean fare at Southtown's , 713 S. Alamo St. (tel. 210/225-5550), while listening to salsa, merengue, and other Latin sounds.
Best Blast from the Past: Schilo's, 424 E. Commerce St. (tel. 210/223-6692), not only serves up German deli in portions that date back to pre-cholesterol-conscious days but also retains prices from that era.
Best New Restaurant: It's a tie this time: I love the innovative Tex-Mex food and the party atmosphere at Acenar, 146 E. Houston St. (tel. 210/222-CENA), a sizzling addition to the River Walk, but I'd drive much farther than Olmos Park, just a few minutes north of downtown, to take advantage of the great Italian food and great prices at Ciao Lavanderia, 226 E. Olmos Dr. tel. 210/822-3990).
Best Place to Encounter Artists: Terrific food, a nice selection of libations, good prices, and a fun, funky atmosphere draw creative types of all kinds to the Liberty Bar, 328 E. Josephine St. (tel. 210/227-1187).
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For a complete listing of Frommer's-reviewed restaurants, visit our online dining index.