Las Canarias

Seated by a window overlooking the San Antonio River, I am so happy to be here in this place of many memories. This hotel, La Mansion del Rio — this restaurant, Las Canarias, holds our history. And to top it off, everything I see on the menu looks absolutely amazing.

I overhear a couple from New York at a nearby table remark on how much they love the menu at this restaurant.  They are impressed.  So am I. I could close my eyes and throw a dart and I most likely would be extremely pleased with whatever is set before me. But I have a choice, and I choose scallops and a flute of bubbly. Michael opts for chicken fried oysters. We are both quite happy with our selections.

Beginnings

The scallops are beautifully seared with a deep golden brown crust while the sweet caper and bacon relish is a perfect foil for the tender seafood. This first course, although very elegant and refined, wakes up my taste buds with a bang! And — I never realized cauliflower could taste this decadently rich.  I’m going to have to try this at home.   Michael offers me an oyster and I can’t refuse. The homespun crispy treatment of the oyster and the kiss of an elegant cognac sauce on each one is phenomenal.

Michael orders a salad. I follow suit.  I choose an updated spin on the steakhouse classic wedge. It is filled with the familiar tastes I love.  The delicate leaves are coated with a buttermilk dressing and drizzle of balsamic syrup. A mound of bleu cheese, crispy fried sweet onions, and bacon crumbles form the center of this garden flower.  Michael’s selection of heirloom tomatoes with fresh mozzarella and basil semifreddo is an inventive and elegant alternative to the traditional interpretation and the chef guilds the lily by placing a slender piece of crisp salty bacon on top.

The Entree

It is hard for me to believe that we are going to eat more, but soon our twin orders of Duo of Angus Beef arrives. It is a symphony of protein with a petite filet mignon cooked medium rare and a slowly cooked, meltingly tender wine braised short rib. A sweet potato purée and oven-roasted cipollini onions offer an enjoyable diversion from the savory beef. Sipping a rich California zinfandel as I alternate between the fillet and the short rib, I am having a hard time deciding which I like best. The only thing I am certain of is that there is no way I am going to be able to plow through all of this food. Maybe Michael is still hungry.

Endings and Beginnings

Before I have a chance to ask him, my attention is diverted by a charming young lady who is part of the management staff. Originally from Providence, Rhode Island we strike up a conversation and exchange information. I have to let her know why we are here and how much we love it. i.e., There was never any question of where to celebrate our anniversary—San Antonio. The city where Michael and I met and fell in love.  The city where we married. The city we left.  The city we return to again and again. And there was only one restaurant—Las Canarias in La Mansion del Rio. La Mansion. The hotel where we stayed when Michael came home from overseas duty. La Mansion reminiscent of a hacienda in old Mexico. La Mansion holding so many memories.

Later when the last drop of wine is consumed we decide to forgo dessert once again. But our server appears with a chocolate dessert to share, and across the plate, written in chocolate, are the words, Happy Anniversary!

Las Canarias Restaurant

112 College Street, San Antonio, Texas 78205, (210) 518-1063

Monday – Saturday