DOWNTOWN. Guests at the Marriott Plaza San Antonio are fortunate ­ they don't even have to leave the premises to sample Anaqua Room's Southwestern take on contemporary American fare. Stand-out dishes include crab meat pancakes with fava beans and blackened salmon with blue corn-fried oysters. Views of historic cottages and a garden make the dining room an enticing space. Anaqua also offers a decent wine list, and a slightly more hectic hotel bar is adjacent. Easy access to the courtyard demands a romantic after-dinner stroll.

RIVER WALK. Request table 31 when you make a reservation at Biga on the Banks, and you'll end up with the best view in the house. You won't be gazing at the river, but you will have an eye on chef Bruce Auden as he concocts lobster ravioli on arugula and guinea ham in guajillo sauce. Tasting menus are a draw, but the food is equally as interesting when ordered a la carte. The loft-inspired space is airy and light ­ you'll have plenty of elbow room when you dig in.

Ensconced in an industrial space with gleaming concrete floors, high ceilings criss-crossed with track lighting, and an abundance of warm, russet tones, Bistro Thyme is a convivial place, welcoming of conversation and animated meals. The creative menu starts with vanilla scallops and crab spring rolls before shifting to braised lamb shank, beef-and-veal meatloaf with a gorgonzola crust, seafood pasta, oak-grilled trout, and a grilled beef tenderloin with béarnaise sauce. Dishes are served with a touch of artistry, and the atmosphere promises a classy dining experience.

RIVER WALK. Culinary inventiveness and use of fresh, local ingredients help make this restaurant popular. Its delicious frozen margaritas are made with swirls of crimson prickly pear juice, and the menu revels in dishes like black lacquered duck leg, papaya-marinated flank steak, mesquite-grilled Texas quail, and shrimp and crab enchiladas. Book a table on the barge and enjoy a river tour and a prix fixe meal, or sit by the window and watch life float peacefully by while you indulge your appetite.

RIVER WALK. Across the hall from Hotel Valencia's trendy Vbar, quieter cousin Citrus delivers a varied menu that makes the most of local ingredients. Enjoy a great view of the River Walk as you wake up with spicy Yucatan-style eggs or end the day with pan-seared diver scallops. Other options include buffalo tenderloin, potato-wrapped shrimp, and ostrich. Fresh blooms on the table brighten the clean, minimalist space with splashes of color. An adjoining wine room is available for more private dining.