DOWNTOWN. Guests at the Marriott Plaza San Antonio are fortunate ­ they don't even have to leave the premises to sample Anaqua Room's Southwestern take on contemporary American fare. Stand-out dishes include crab meat pancakes with fava beans and blackened salmon with blue corn-fried oysters. Views of historic cottages and a garden make the dining room an enticing space. Anaqua also offers a decent wine list, and a slightly more hectic hotel bar is adjacent. Easy access to the courtyard demands a romantic after-dinner stroll.

NORTHWEST. Like many other upscale Hill Country restaurants, Bolo's attempts to balance a bit of European flair with a lot of straightforward Texas flavor. According to locals, the endeavor is a success. Take in sepia-toned cowboy photographs that line the walls as you sample Long Island duck with wild rice or bourbon-laced venison. A daily breakfast buffet and a made-to-order pasta bar at lunch are also available.

RIVER WALK. Across the hall from Hotel Valencia's trendy Vbar, quieter cousin Citrus delivers a varied menu that makes the most of local ingredients. Enjoy a great view of the River Walk as you wake up with spicy Yucatan-style eggs or end the day with pan-seared diver scallops. Other options include buffalo tenderloin, potato-wrapped shrimp, and ostrich. Fresh blooms on the table brighten the clean, minimalist space with splashes of color. An adjoining wine room is available for more private dining.

KING WILLIAM DISTRICT. Packed houses attest to El Mirador's popularity with locals, and its traditional cuisine ventures beyond the standards to include grilled goat, wild boar, and tongue. Its soups are especially lauded, particularly the much-requested sopa Azteca. Fruit tacos are similarly favored. Sunday brunch draws a crowd, and eager folks come early to stake out a table and leisurely enjoy the bounty. The menu features filling breakfast fare and a handful of even heartier main-course options.

SAN ANTONIO. Renowned celebrity chef and cookbook author Mark Miller brings his culinary influence to this restaurant in the Texas Hill Country. The contemporary Southwestern menu gains inspiration from Creole, Tex-Mex, and Nuevo Latino cuisines. Game dishes are prominent, and Southwestern spices, chiles, and sauces add a bit of punch to perfectly prepared fare. Great terrace, excellent wines, and homemade desserts, too.