Off the well-beaten River Walk path of elbow-to-elbow sightseers and noisy gauntlet of tightly packed restaurants, Pardo's Restaurant & Bar appears as a refreshing oasis on a serene stretch of the San Antonio River. And that's exactly what restaurateur Paul Pardo had in mind when he opened his new restaurant in 1997 in what had formerly been a rather garishly appointed club/dining establishment. Now the tone is understated elegance, with rich wood tones, interior limestone walls and deep green carpeting that mirrors the sloping riverbank just outside.

Floor to ceiling windows encircle the dining area, affording diners at linen-clad tables a scenic view of lush landscape stretching down to a quiet section of river shaded by towering bald cypress and live oak. A picturesque stone stairway curves down from the fretted railing on the bridge over North St. Mary's, just outside the green-canopied entrance, while squirrels and passing birds provide relaxing entertainment. On a sunny day, it's not unusual to see one of the building's third-generation cats enjoying a siesta on the manicured lawn.

Eclectic Cuisine

The dining fare at Pardo's is just as pleasing as the view. Paul Pardo is a 20-year veteran in the dining business and this is apparent in the eclectic and taste-pleasing menu offerings. Specialties include: Pecan Crusted Chicken (pecan-breaded chicken breast, pan-sautéed and topped with tomato rosemary cream sauce); Tequila Shrimp (four sautéed shrimp tossed with roasted corn in a tequila-infused cream sauce with fettuccine and roasted peppers), and Veal Marsala (two pan-seared medallions served with hearty mushroom marsala sauce, fettuccine alfredo and grilled vegetables).

Grilled portabella mushrooms (marinated in red wine and grilled with red onions, garlic and mushroom orzo) and fried calamari (served with spicy pomodora) are only two of the enticing appetizers, complemented with a selection of fresh salads and savory soups. The dessert menu tempts with the irresistible Beni's Chocolate Mousse Pie (Oreo® cookie crust, hand-whipped chocolate mouse topped with whipped cream) and Tiramisu (sponge cake roll soaked in espresso, Myers Dark Rum® and Kahlua®, layered with sweetened mascarpone cheese and topped with shaved chocolate). The lunch-time menu adds sandwiches and burgers (ground fresh daily) to the mix.

Romantic Setting

With fare like this and an ever-attentive waitstaff, it's easy to see why the restaurant recently garnered its second Golden Fork Award, an honor based on professionalism, quality of food, customer service and hospitality. The bar area has its own ambience, with the ceiling-mirrored, freestanding bar surrounded by several intimate areas and offering live jazz Thursday through Saturday nights. To ease your parking worries, Pardo's offers complimentary valet parking in the evenings.

Romance is definitely in the air here, and more than one proposal has taken place at the lamp-lit tables, with the corner point table (dubbed the "Mafia Table") being an especial favorite. Marriages have taken place on the verdant lawn, and the restaurant is a highly popular site for wedding receptions. Engagements and weddings are not the only affairs of the heart here, though. "Near and dear to our hearts," says Pardo, is Miracle House, a charity that works with mentally disabled children and which he and the restaurant actively support. Pardo is definitely big-hearted, with nothing but praise for everyone from the building manager and operations director to the supportive San Antonio community for the restaurants' success.

Excellent food, serene setting and the price is right: What else could you ask for? Park your camel at the oasis -- and enjoy!

Pardo's Restaurant & Bar
700 N. St. Mary's Street
210-228-9999
Mon.-Thurs., 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Fri. & Sat. , 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Free valet parking, evenings.
(Because of temporary River Walk renovations, currently accessible only from St. Mary's Street.)