Biga On The Banks

Would not honor purchased certificate. Several years ago, before the restaurant moved to the River Walk, my husband and I dined at Biga. The food and service was great. Last August Living Social offered a $60 certificate to Biga for $30. Thinking it was time we returned to Biga, I bought it. With all of the holiday hubbub, I didn't realize the certificate expired Dec. 2. I called Biga and was told by the Reservationist/Administrative Manager they would not honor the certificate, not even the $30 that I paid for it. Alas, we won't be dining at Biga, ever.…

FABULOUS!!! YOU MUST DINE HERE!!!. My husband and I met 8 years go when I was involved in a car accident and was running around the intersection in a skin-tight leopard leotard,., complete with ears, diamond collar and leash, tail, leopard high heels and claws... looking for a witness because I still swear that it wasn’t my fault! Anyway, I ran out over to a good-looking, well-dressed man who happened to have a yacht docked nearby and who was simply on his way to the grocery store when he noticed a crowd that had gathered at the intersection. I asked him if he had seen the accident, but he replied, “No, but I’ll be happy to stick around” – and he’s stuck around for 8 years now!

Halloween is always a special event for us, and although we’ve been married for 6 years (Yes, we married on Halloween!), we still do something extravagant every year to commemorate our good fortune. This year it was a long weekend at the San Antonio Riverwalk, complete with rose petals on our bed and champagne coming out of our ears. It was my turn to be the instigator this year, and had originally made reservations at the ‘Lover’s Table’ at The Fig Tree, which called to cancel on us at the last minute due to some kitchen problem… so I made reservations at Biga on the Banks because I’d never heard anything negative about it. It was impressive from the moment we walked in. We were escorted to a private table for two, complete with a sequestering curtain, a Riverwalk view and two glasses of complimentary champagne. We had the exquisitely light smoked-salmon nachos (And I HATE anything fishy.) to start and went straight to the dynamite. My husband had fork-cuttable venison and quail and I had the most memorable duck ever. The meal ended with a carmelized pudding that had “Happy 6th Anniversary written on the rim of the plate in semi-sweet chocolate.

At no time was the service NOT out of something written by Emily Post, Amy Vanderbuildt, Miss Manners, or whatever etiquette guru is currently out there raising cane with society and its graces. The service was PERFECT, as was the food and the atmosphere. We couldn’t possibly have had a better time, nor do we regret our sudden change of plans for an instant. I’m normally somewhat of a restaurant snob, but I can’t wait to go back to Biga!

I felt that the prices were totally in line with what we received. I was, in fact, prepared to pay more, and was pleasantly surprised. It was under $150 for the two of us, including a bottle of house champagne. I just need another excuse to revisit Biga… You’ll LOVE it!…

Amazing!. My boyfriend and I were celebrating our anniversary and were looking to a special place to do so. At first we had a little trouble finding the place so I made a call to the restaurant and they were more than happy to help me find my way. We quickly handed over our keys for the valet and found one of the managers waiting out in front for our arrival...To make sure we found the place! (If that is not great service I don’t know what is) Moving forward, my boyfriend let them know that we were celebrating a special day when he made the reservations... In the restaurant we were lead to a cozy little table tucked away in the back of the restaurant ... Candle light and warm with a simple curtain to close us off and way from the others in the restaurant. Our server was amazing... she was sooo friendly and started off the dinner by congratulations us on our anniversary. We had the salmon nachos as our starter and it was to die for. (Yes it was pricey…if you worried about price than go to get fast food). For our main dish I ordered the Steak (13 oz I believe) BUT the side items I wanted was on another dish....NO PROBLEM at all... our lovely waitress did a switch and kept on going... My boyfriend ordered the Duck (Asian inspired) and was over whelmed to how well the dish was brought together (he said he can never eat duck again because he is sure it will never be better prepared) For desert we had some sort of chocolate peanut butter thing...Can’t remember exactly what it was called but it too was amazing... To top our amazing dinner off she asked in honor of our celebration if she could bring is two glasses of champagne to toast! I don’t know how anyone could have a bad experience at Biga. Every aspect ...the decor the people the view...it’s all amazing! Some people you can given the world and they still wouldn’t be happy (I’m assuming the negative comments come from those who have negative cognition about everything) I will most defiantly come back, and am even thinking about planning my wedding reception at Biga! Loved it! Must go!…

Good but take your chances. We were celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary and spending the week-end in San Antonio. Our primary dinner reservations were at Morton's Steakhouse (see that review) and we were looking for a 2nd night of dining. We found an article that stated that Biga on the Banks was rated the #5 restaurant in TEXAS by Gourmet Magazine, so we thought WHY NOT? We had no reservations, so we took our chances. We were seated right away on a Friday night at 7pm...(I guess the economy at this time really was having an impact)...so anyway...we were greeted by friendly staff. The decor in the restaurant was wonderful, but the chairs were uncomfortable....90 minutes later & we couldn't wait to leave. So onto the dinner. Our waiter Arturo, was friendly & helpful, but had a very thick accent & spoke too quickly so was difficult to understand. His recommendations were: The sampler apetizer ($10.00 per person for 3 bite size treats)was a veritable delight for the palate. The best was the wild game lettuce wrap YMMM spicy/sweet oh sooo good. The salmon tortilla square was boring...the chicken fried oyster was ok......For dinner, Arturo recommended a rib eye, so my steak loving husband ordered that....this was a miss...it was cooked to perfection...(rare) ...but lacked any real flavor....13 oz boring steak....$44.00....the accomanying vegetables: garlic braised green beans (YUM) were amazing in flavor..the garlic mashed taters (MISS) were not real...so they were gummy YUCK. I ordered the duck which was wonderful (YUM - $39.00) cooked medium the breast was tender and flavorful, the leg was tender and fall off the bone - the whole dish was asian influenced and just thinking about it I want more. The total cost of dinner was $124.88. I would go back...to eat the YUM foods and maybe try dessert, other reviewers say dessert is great...so something to look forward to... So do I think this is the #5 restaurant in TEXAS? no Was it good? yes Was it expensive? YES, so choose wisely…