Flicks and Food

Biga on the Banks

Posted on 19. Jul, 2010 by Johnnie in Celebrations, Foods, Group Friendly, Non-Chain, Outdoor, Romantic

We decided Biga on the Banks would be a nice place to take a friend for her birthday the other night.  A nice quiet place with candles on the table, dining areas sectioned off with floor to ceiling curtains and nestled right up to the banks of the San Antonio River downtown made a perfect setting.  All this plus the kitchen being presided over by one of this city’s best chefs, Bruce Auden, who also owns Biga.

This turned out to be a magical dining experience just as I had hoped.  As soon as we were seated we were given a complimentary glass of Champaign as a welcome gift.  I had requested a table overlooking the river and was pleased that they were able to accommodate us.   We were actually able to enjoy the river while leisurely sipping our Champaign.  In fact, throughout the entire meal, our waiter was very attentive to us but never made us feel rushed.  We were able to eat at our own pace allowing us to visit while savoring each course of the meal.  The Birthday honoree started off with the warm spinach salad with apple-smoked bacon, hedgehogs mushrooms, cereta cheese and potato gaufrittes.  It was served with a garlic sherry mustard dressing.  She was very pleased with the choice and loved the potato gaufrittes.  My husband had the Romaine hearts salad, red pepper Caesar dressing, little croutons, and a Parmesan tuile (something like a Parmesan cracker).  He was impressed with the Parmesan tuile and loved the spiciness of the dressing.  I had the duck breast salad, which was outstanding.  The duck was perfectly cooked, tender and just the right amount to wet my appetite for the main course.

For the main course my husband had the pan-seared halibut with cream cheese scallion mashers and carrots.  The halibut was so fresh it tasted like it was caught just before it was served.  It was seared to perfection, firm yet flakey, and a flavor that lingered in your head.   The Birthday girl had the grilled beef tenderloin on boulangere potatoes.  It was served with jammy tomatoes, broccolini and a homemade steak sauce.  She said the tenderloin was tender, juicy and cooked to perfection.  It had her giving rave reviews the rest of the evening.

I along with our other guest both had the mustard-crusted Australian lamb rack served with Parmesan scallion polenta cake, Rebecca Creek goat feta cheese, asparagus, trumpet royal mushrooms, and rosemary veal jus.  I am here to tell you we both thought we died and went to heaven.  I can honestly say this lamb was by far the best I have had in years and maybe ever.  It was cooked to just pink inside which left it tender and juicy and the mustard crust added a little crunch and complimented the flavor of the lamb nicely.  I am already thinking about when I can get back for more.

At the end of the meal, our waiter brought out a small birthday serving of Crème Brule with fresh blueberries.  It was a nice touch after a lovely meal

An added bonus, Biga offers valet parking, which made it nice not to worry about parking downtown.

Biga offers private dining options and can accommodate large groups.

www.Biga.com