This article first appeared in the Hills and Heights magazine.
Since it’s February, the month of love, many of you might be looking for a spot to take out your Valentine. Whether it is for February 14th, or another special day in the year, there are some pretty good places in Alamo Heights to set the mood – not to mention you can get some excellent food. Nothing seems more romantic than an Italian meal with a bottle of wine, so here are some of my favorites for a special night out.
Sorrento Ristorante
Even though it’s in a strip mall off of Broadway, the inside has a feel of an old school Italian restaurant. Family owned and operated, the food at Sorrento’s tastes like it is made by your Italian grandmother (or one that you wish you had). The reason why this restaurant is more romantic than your average Italian joint is that it has a cozy feel; the tables are small and close together, it’s dimly lit and you can definitely tell that it is family owned with the children of the family helping out. Despite being in a strip mall, there is a nice outdoor seating area with wrought iron tables.
This happened to be the place that I took my girlfriend (now wife) out to celebrate dating for a year. That date was back in 2011 before we lived in the area, and this restaurant helped us discover that we wanted to live down here.
Sorrento’s has a small menu, focusing on the Italian staples and pizza, which means that the food can be hand made and spot on. One of my favorites is the Lasagna Della Casa. This lasagna is unique in that it is made with a pink sauce instead of the traditional red sauce. Never had pink sauce? Neither had I until this dish. The pasta is fresh and made from scratch, and if you trust me and order this dish you will have a new favorite in town.
Sorrento Ristorante (210) 824-0055
5146 Broadway Street, San Antonio, TX 78209
Tre Trattoria
Just above Brackenridge Park, on the Northern end of the Witte Museum is Chef Jason Dady’s Tre Trattoria. While you wait to be seated, you should check out the bar for a hand-crafted cocktail and a perfect place for conversation. The interior of the restaurant is very bright and has a modern feel. Similar to the popular Mexican restaurants in town, Tre Trattoria has an incredible wooden patio that looks out on the edge of the park.
To begin your meal, consider ordering a selection of cured meats as well as mozzarella that is crafted in house. Be sure to bring your appetite if you anticipate ordering both a primi and secondi; however, if you are not as hungry you can’t go wrong with the Pappardelle Bolognese. Thick noodles (think enlarged fettuccine noodles) are covered with a very rich meat-based sauce that will fill you up.
Tre Trattoria (210) 805-0333
4003 Broadway Street, San Antonio, TX 78209
Grimaldi’s Pizzeria
I can hear you right now; “There is no way I am going to take my date out for pizza for a romantic dinner.” This would be understandable if it was to Pizza Hut or Domino’s, but Grimaldi’s at the Quarry is one of the sleekest pizzeria’s out there. While the atmosphere is modern and chic, the pizzas are made in a coal-fired brick oven in a tradition dating over 100 years.
Instead of ordering a traditional pepperoni pizza, consider topping it with more exotic ingredients like oven roasted sweet red peppers or Kalamata olives. One of the secrets to making an authentic New York style pizza is the water: the folks at Grimaldi’s have hired a “chemist to analyze and recreate the mineral content and exact composition of the water” to ensure that it mimics the water in a Brooklyn pizzeria. This is the kind of pizza you eat with a glass of wine.
Grimaldi’s Pizzeria (210) 832-8288
330 East Basse Road #101, San Antonio, TX 78209
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