Biga on the Banks

Food, service, drinks… all just ok. I went in expecting a wow experience and it fell short. Service wasn’t great. I had wanted to get dessert, but it was going to take a long time. the waitress said she’d go check in the kitchen to see if it could come any faster. never saw her again. lamb was ok. not the best i’ve ever had, but ok.

For the price, service and food could be better.
I had foie gras for Appetizer.
Venison and quail for the main course.
Foie gras was very good.
Venison — I asked for medium rare, it was more like medium. Side vegetable that came with the dish was cabbage…
They tried to take my plate away when I was still eating and had my knife and fork in open position indicating I was still eating.
Overall, it was pleasant but I will probably won’t return here again.

I came here for restaurant week with a group of foodie friends. I ordered: shrimp bisque, short ribs, and blood orange cheesecake. Shrimp bisque had no shrimp whatsoever. Also it wasn’t creamy like a bisque, it tasted as if they made the bisque, threw out the good ingredients and then added water to it. The short ribs were absolutely perfect, the star anise was a very prominent flavor but unexpected and lovely. The rice that went with it just didn’t work and wasn’t needed at all. Dessert had way too much unexpected ginger, and it didn’t mix well with the blood orange gelatin at the top of the cheesecake. There are definitely some execution flaws on the menu, it doesn’t seem to have focus or origin of inspiration, but overall it was pleasant. I don’t think I’d actually come here to eat for a date night, it’s crazy expensive and doesn’t seem to know what kind of food they should be making. Their cocktails were delicious, and their service was on the money. Although I was accompanied by a large group, we never needed anything or waited long for water, service, etc. I can’t say I had a terrible experience, but it certainly wasn’t memorable.

Average food and service. I got the Chicken fried oysters (Good), lamb (OK) for the entrée and sticky toffee cake (decent) for dessert. Most of the food was perfectly cooked although one of the lamb pieces felt like it was burnt. The taste was OK in general. Expected a little more based on the reviews here!

My first visit to this amazing restaurant. Reservations are required for this place. Very cozy and romantic place and the service was excellent. The attention received was constant (like where can I put you so the sun doesn’t hit you) that kind of treatment. Gabriel was an awesome waiter «Good job Gabriel» you made it special.
The food was amazing since it’s Culinaria/​Restaurant Week the menu was limited but great. To start i had shrimp bisque and it was just perfect not too heavy on the cream, then i had short ribs with risotto with some cucumber and fresh radish. The ribs were so tender and out of this world. Of course had my meal with a glass of moscato very good indeed.
For last it was dessert chocolate moose with cookies and some blackberries with some coffee with milk. Delicious!
Ill go back in a heartbeat! No doubt

Overall this was a great experience. Our server was very attentive, very honest, and helpful. We didn’t care for the chicken oysters. However my friend enjoyed her aged meat and I thought the warm spinach salad was good as well as salmon nachos. Oh and the mojitos soufflé was fantastic.

It appears that this review only got partially posted last year so I’m posting it again. By the way we did eat at Biga On The Banks again this December 31^st and the rack of lamb lollypops were perfect this year. Last year’s review: We started with the famous chicken fried oysters which are in Linda’s words «to die for» and then we had the lobster bisque and lobster timbale. The timbale was very good, but the bisque was the best we have ever had. It was creamy, light, flavorful but still very rich. Then we ordered the beef tenderloin, medium rare and the mustard crusted rack of lamb. Both fantastic, but I have to admit that Linda’s tenderloin was slightly more flavorful. Also the lamb lollipops were inconsistent going from medium rare to very rare. Our deserts were the yogurt soufflé and lemon curd cake. The cake was a little dry, but tasty. Maybe a shot of lemon liqueur or Citron would have it perfect.
As for drinks the bartender recommended the Kentucky Mule (a southern take on the Russian variety) and he was absolutely right. I’m sure I’ll be ordering this drink again. Linda mixed it up by trying first a Sazerac and then Pimm’s Cup #1. Shawn, our bartender/​server explained that the bar marinated their cherries from scratch, which by the way were delicious.
Shawn was a master in making sure we were served properly without any pressure or trying to rush us with our courses.
All in all an almost perfect evening. I recommend Biga on the Banks.

This place was average. Average drinks, average expensive wine, average soup, average ambiance and average location. The wait staff was friendly though so that’s why I’m giving it two stars. It was a very expensive average meal.

We went there for our anniversary and the staff was great. I’m sorry I wasn’t more impressed with the food. My husband had the quail and I had the lamb and we split the oyster app and apple trio dessert. It was just average.

Came here with my wife to scope out a restaurant for after Christmas with my family.
We started with the scallops, which had one perfectly seared, and another overcharred. Moved from there to the lamb for my wife and the game dinner for me. (Axis venison backstrap and quail).
Wife said the lamb was not as good as what we make at home, so that that with a grain of salt given that we’re both a little biased.
Axis is one of my favorite game meats to cook with and this one was underseasoned, but cooked pretty well. The quail on the other hand were overdone. For the price, I expected quite a bit more quality and execution. Very disappointing given that with a bottle of wine, it was almost $ 200/​person.
The one shining part was the soufflé for dessert. Very well done, eggy, creamy and light. Wonderful soufflé.
Service was also very good, it was the execution in areas I would expect to be automatic for such a restaurant (the only rule for quail is to not overcook it!), and the price. If I’m spending north of $ 100/​person, I expect more.

The lack of stars is almost all about the service. My husband called ahead to see if, like two years ago, they had a runner’s special for the Rock and Roll marathon. That time we had had a really lovely experience, amazing food and exceptional service. We even skipped eating dinner with our friends who were also in town for the race to be able to come here again. I was really excited when they sat us next to the window and we could see the river.
This excitement ended quickly because when we asked our server Danny about special menu, he was completely thrown. Any deviation from a set script seemed to create a «deer in the head-​lights» reaction and this continued the whole meal. No, we didn’t want wine we’d like a cocktail. (Giant pause– we stare at each other). Finally we ask, «Do you have a cocktail menu we could look at? » We didn’t see anything interesting on it, and my husband was getting so perturbed by the whole thing I just ordered a glass of wine and he stuck with water. What I got tasted good, but I’m not sure it was what I ordered as Danny didn’t say the name and only flashed the bottle at me.
Next, we he came back after an extended time we said, «We’d like the autumn tasting menu. We are going to share and try everything so we will get both items from each course .» «Oh, uh, okay. But I’ll still need each of you to order what you want so I know how to put it in.» I thought, okay he’s going to ask about how well I want my beef done. Nope! Nothing, no questions. Then, when the bus boy refilled our waters he reached over my right shoulder, across to the left side of the table to reach my husband’s glass.
We did hear excellent service at another table, a demanding eight top birthday party, which the server took in charming stride.
Usually, especially with a tasting menu, the server explains what the name and components of each dish are. Not this time. Every placed was faced properly, but except for the name of the dessert (which was mumbled) nothing was said when it was brought to the table. The food was good and the portions were generous. However, if the food is just good, but nothing special, then the service has to elevate the experience if you are going to be considered fine dining. To end on a positive note, the best part was the dessert, crème brûlée and toffee cake, which were excellent and delicious takes on classics.

I was meeting up with my Dad for dinner and some of his golfing friends in San Antonio. The request was that we go eat anywhere that had tuna on the menu. I originally planned on going somewhere closer to the touristy part of the Riverwalk, but they had what I would call an insane wait time for a Monday night. So they all turned to me and I got on my Unilocal app and searched tuna in nearby and Biga on the Banks was at the top of the list. Luckily I had already bookmarked it and looked into before my day trip started. It was less then a 10 minute walk away so that’s where we headed.
The restaurant on the Riverwalk but a bit further down at the bottom of a hotel. As soon as we walked in we were seated right away. It is a beautiful space, which was dimly lit and with nice big windows that overlook the river. We started out ordering a round of drinks for the table, a couple of appetizers and some salads. I tasted the warm spinach salad which was so delicious! For our main course I had the Kobe burger which was cooked to a perfect medium. It was so juicy! I also tasted the tuna, which was had just the right sear on it. Everything was plated beautifully. Some of the other dishes at the table were the Cioppino and roasted chicken and I heard both were awesome as well.
Whatever you do I would recommend not skipping dessert! I shared a dessert with my Dad and we had the sticky toffee cake … it was simply divine and the perfect way to end the meal with a bang! I could taste the toffee throughout the cake and the sauce so good I wanted to lick the plate!
If you are at the Riverwalk and looking for a nice place to dine that is sort of away from some of the hustle and bustle I would absolutely seek out Biga on the Banks!

Excellent service and food. I had the duck and leg confit, delish! For dessert I ordered the grand mariner soufflé. I was really excited to try it from the amazing pictures I saw on Unilocal.To my disappointment, it wasn’t up to par. Overall, I enjoyed this place. Such a lovely atmosphere.

My husband and I LOVE this place. The service to the food is as good as it gets. Last night at dinner we happened to mention we were out for our anniversary, our waiter Casey must be a good listener. When it was time for dessert he brought us complementary glasses of champagne and wrote «Happy Anniversary» on our dessert plate — complete with a candle!
It was a great ending to our delicious meal. I had the Close-​to-​Bouillabaise, the clams and mussels were the best I’ve ever had and the saffron added the perfect flavor balance. We will definitely be back.

Still 5 stars! I’ve come to learn that Biga is truly the best restaurant overall in San Antonio. The food, service and ambiance are always top notch. While other great options are nearby, Biga is the definitely the most consistent.
On this most recent visit, we sat at the bar for drinks and dessert. The bartenders were friendly, fast, and courteous with their recommendations and explanations of drinks. Last night, I had the best gin and tonic I’ve ever tasted. While I don’t remember the exact name, it was on the menu and had Waterloo Gin and fresh ginger in it.
You can do no wrong at Biga On The Banks. Well done Mr. Auden.

Uno de las mejores opciones en San Antonio. La comida es estilo americano/​texmex/​contemporaneo. El lugar es muy agradable y la comida de primera. Tiene una selección de vinos muy grande. No es barato pero de un gran nivel de calidad.

Biga on the Banks was such an amazing experience!
While visiting San Antonio from Dallas, the fiancé made a reservation Friday night for approximately 8pm. The interior of the restaurant was lovely, dim lights with several windows overlooking the river. We were promptly seated and despite being stuck in the middle of two tables, it didn’t feel as if our neighbors were on top of us. Our server was very professional, informative and despite not having the wine I originally wanted, he brought a couple of tasting and a new one was chosen. For the main course, I ordered the duck entrée and was absolutely blown away with the flavor; absolutely delicious.
Overall we had the most amazing, relaxed, enjoyable night at Biga on the Banks and if we lived in San Antonio we would definitely come back.

Situated on a quiet section of the San Antonio river walk, this romantic restaurant is headed by a 7 time James Beard nominee. We were excited to try out this restaurant.
We had a 8:30 reservation and were promptly seated. We were very disappointed that they had neither the pork or duck entrees available on the menu since they sold out earlier. However they did have the fried oysters on squid ink pasta as an appetizer topped with herbed mayonnaise that was delicious.
We ended up getting the blackened salmon and bbq ahi tuna. Both were ok.
But since the restaurant didn’t have our earlier entrée selection and since the waiter mistakenly gave my husband a half instead of a full dinner portion he requested, they gave us on the house their signature sticky toffee pudding which was delicious!

Best restaurant I’ve been to in a long time. Between business and personal interests I am blessed to get to eat at a lot of high-​end restaurants around the country. First time visitor at Biga and I had very high expectations before the meal.
There were 2 people in my party. Between the two of us we had entrees that included quail, venison and red snapper. We also has salads and dessert. I everything we had was outstanding. Preparation, presentation, taste, serving sizes — all outstanding. Easily the best venison I’ve had. My guest loved the red snapper.
A couple of nice touches during our meal. After our salad the waiter brought our a «palate» cleanser that the chef had prepared. I’ve been to other restaurants that do this, but still a nice gesture. I was only drinking wine, so I chose a by the glass wine. Even though it was a «by the glass» wine, the waiter still brough the bottle to the table and encouragred me to taste the wine before pouring a whole glass.
I will definitely eat at Biga during my upcoming trips to San Antonio.

Beautiful place for an intimate dinner with your significant other. The generous wine selection can be a but overwhelming however out waiter Warren was very knowledgeable and happy to explain anything on the menu.
I actually chose the Orange crème sickle which i seen on the Unilocal review for the restaurant I was told they no longer had that because there menu changes everyday… However the car tender was able to make it upon request, it was so good just like when I was a kid having an orange sherbet push up pop! lol
Choosing off. The appetizer menu we orderd salmon nachos abd the shrimp and sausage with hummus. The salmon nachos were insanely good… the shrimp and sausage was ok and sausage was a lil s spicy.

Not that Biga fan anymore.
I have been a number of times over the past several years and am not enthused with this place anymore.
Nothing seems to change. The limited menu has pretty much the same dishes and presentations as it always had.
It was actually a bit difficult making a decision because nothing inspired me.
Appetizers were quite basic with sub-​par crab cakes breaded on the inside and outside along with ok scallops and ok shrimp and sausage.
Romain salad was another pedestrian dish.
Went for seared ahi tuna entrée that not at all exciting along with a smallish portion. If the portion were bigger I would not have wanted to eat more though.
The service professionalism was not up to par especially at these prices.
This is not my place anymore. Looking for new places in San Antonio.
Suggestions?