Fig Tree is a fancy little French place that is tucked inside a small artist community of the outskirts of the downtown area. It’s situated well enough away from the overly crowded Riverwalk tourist zone(that’s a good thing). A colleague and I showed up during a week night and were quickly seated although we were forewarned that it could take some time to receive our meal since they have a small kitchen. We decided to take our chances and were seated at a table near the front door. Despite the warning, we found the service to be prompt and the arrival of our food was within a normal timeframe. Now, on to the food. I love it when restaurants can execute on simple meals and Fig Tree delivered just that during my dinner there. Without any vegetarian entrees, I ordered their heirloom tomato salad and a side of their sautéed mushroom as my main meal. The tomatoes were bright, beautiful, firm, and topped with feta cheese and salt, pepper, and olive oil. Simple, yet delicious. Delicate and whole mushrooms were sautéed in a buttery seasoned sauce that was perfectly done and not too heavy. My colleague commented that they had a very high quality selection of wines and his entrée choice of Beef Wellington was perfectly prepared. The fancy restaurant comes with the fancy prices. The side mushrooms were $ 12 and the tomato salad was in the $ 15 range. The entrees, including my colleague’s Beef Wellington, were in the $ 30 – 55 range.
Nancy V.
Tu valoración: 5 Reno, NV
Pricy and worth it! We were vacationing in San Antonio and wanted to have dinner someplace special for our last night in town. We are so glad we ate here. Everything was perfectly executed here — the setting, the service, and the food. The Fig Tree is in an old house in the Villita Area just above the Riverwalk. The whole historic area is charming, and the Fig Tree fits right in. Upon entering, it is a bit like coming to Easter dinner at your Great-aunt’s house. The main dining room is in what probably was the living room of the original home complete with fireplace, tasteful artwork, and small tables set with white linen, silver, and aqua blue glasses. It is all very subdued and gentile. We were greeted cordially and seated near the large window that looks out over the patio dining area. Julio, our server, created us cordially and took drink orders. We were given time to relax, visit, enjoy our drinks, and discuss the menu offerings. Thought the meal, we were attended to, but never rushed. Service was beautifully choreographed and almost un-noticed. My meal was out standing. I had the Soup de Jour(excellent Gazpacho) and the Miso Glazed Sea Bass with Cauliflower Purée, and Baby Heirloom Tomato Salad. All was flavorful and cooked to perfection. The three parts of the meal were well balanced from the slightly sweet Miso glaze to the piquant tomato salad. My other dining companions were equally impressed with their meals. This would be on the top of my list for places to revisit next time we are in San Antonio.
Jessie P.
Tu valoración: 1 Orlando, FL
The fig tree was my favorite restaurant in San Antonio, I used to dine there every time I visited the Riverwalk. We went there for my husband’s birthday, I booked online well in advance and requested one of their best tables on the patio. In the comments box online, I mentioned it was a birthday dinner for my husband and that I wanted a special evening When we arrived, the restaurant was pretty empty. Despite only a handful of tables being occupied on the patio, they seated us at one of the worst tables(top tier, right outside the door). I told them I would like a different table, we choose one on the middle tier with a nice view of the Riverwalk and ordered a bottle of wine. About thirty minutes later, a large family were seated behind our table with 3 young kids, 2 of them were crying and were very noisy. I realize this is not the fault of the restaurant, but the noise was pretty loud. We asked our waiter if we could move to a different table on the other side. He told us that wasnt possible because all those tables were reserved. I told him that we also had a reservation(he didn’t know anything about this). He changed tactic and said we couldn’t have that table because it was a four top and there were only two of us. By now it was 8.30 and I was skeptical all those tables were yet to be seated. We sat at our table for a bit longer but the noise from the crying kids became unbearable and my husband was getting frustrated. I asked to speak to the manager to get another table. She clearly couldn’t care less either, she literally spent no more than a minute talking to us. Meantime, we watched a couple walk up from the street with no reservation being seated at the 4 top table we asked for earlier. We sat at the other table for another twenty minutes or so, but we were was disappointed by our treatment we decided to pay for our wine and go elsewhere. I will never dine there again.
Kay L.
Tu valoración: 4 San Antonio, TX
Some good friends of ours had been dying to try this place, so we surprised them on their anniversary. I requested a great table on the patio and they didn’t disappoint… we got the best table in the house. It was under a wrought iron gazebo-type structure with a gorgeous view of the river. Between the view, the twinkling lights, and the ivy-clad iron accents, it made for some of the prettiest photos I’ve ever taken at a restaurant. The inside is very old fashioned and stuffy so definitely skip that. The service was polite but very slow. Three hours for dinner. There was a long lull between courses. I guess that’s a French thing but we were starving. Hmmm… Maybe that’s why French women stay thin. An older couple, who I assume were the managers or owners, came by to chat which was very nice. Now for the food! They did an amuse bouche(apple and pâté crustini) that was tasty. The escargot was excellent, but the beef tartare was a little bland. The famous beef wellington was amazing, and a pretty good sized portion. Rack of lamb, duck, and sea bass were all very good. For dessert they wrote«happy 5th anniversary» on the plate with some chocolate espresso something. They also brought a few complimentary chocolates. The total with taxes and tip was about $ 100 per person(each couple shared an app and had a cocktail or two a person, plus entrée). For the overall experience it was definitely worth it for a special occassion. Definitely the best riverwalk patio dining if you’re willing to splurge.
Les L.
Tu valoración: 4 Corsicana, TX
We had dinner outside overlooking the river on a cool night-beautiful setting. Our young waitress was very charming and attentive. I had the beef Wellington; didn’t care for the pâté but the steak was perfectly cooked and tasty. I’m not a pâté person. My wife had the tornedos Rossini which was excellent. We ended the night with Baked Alaska which was fun. Reasonably priced wine list. A lot of empty inside tables, so was surprised it wasn’t busier on a Saturday night.
David A.
Tu valoración: 3 Brunswick, GA
I came here with my fiancé for an early Valentine’s Day dinner. Ambiance was very nice and scenic and the server was attentive as well. What was most disappointing was the food. I had their signature dish the Tournedos Rossini and my fiancé had the Beef Wellington. There was nothing special about my plate, in fact it was a bad cut of beef with gravy thrown on top. My fiances’s was worse. Beef Wellington is supose to be cooked and then baked with a bread caked around the meat. Their version is to cook the meat and place a pastry on top. It was very lackluster and unbecoming of a well known and fancy restaurant. We will not be coming back and hope reviewers will read this review solely.
Diana D.
Tu valoración: 5 Costa Mesa, CA
Went to Fig Tree over the Xmas Holidays. This place was impeccable form the service to the food. My Daughter and I really enjoyed it, Then took a stroll on the River walk. Will definitely come here again.
AZ G.
Tu valoración: 4 San Antonio, TX
We ate here on a work function with a small group of us. It was very nice. The food was excellent — I couldn’t get enough of this risotto they served. The only thing that was a disappointment was the dessert. I tried the banana crème brulee and it was ok. The chocolate cake was also meh. The baked Alaska had the most beautiful perfect and tasty meringue but the inside was just bad. I would eat here again, but I would skip dessert.
Angela F. W.
Tu valoración: 2 Riverside, CA
Disappointing visit. I had always wanted to try the fig tree as it was one of the better«fine» dining on the riverwalk. The restaurant looks so romantic with fig trees growing outside. That deff made me want to come in to see what it’s about. So before I left San Antonio, I made a reservation and came with a friend. Restaurant was super small and it was packed. Ppl were waiting at the door without a reservation. It felt stuffed with so many ppl in a confined space and I deff thought it needed some air freshener. Off to a great start! I ordered the lamb and my friend got a pasta. The lamb wasn’t bad but I didn’t think it was worth the price tag. I should have ordered a few appetizers instead. Heard the eggplant appetizer was great. Based on my one time visit, it was deff underwhelming and below my expectations. Maybe I’ll give it another shot if I visit San Antonio again. But for now, I’d advice go to Boudro’s instead if you are looking for a restaurant on the riverwalk.
Bill N.
Tu valoración: 1 North Richland Hills, TX
Management policy is that they will not serve you at all unless you are buying a full meal. We were going to stop in for bananas foster after wandering on the river walk for a while and this place being recommended for the bananas foster. We walked nearly the entire horseshoe to get here after checking out the website. Nothing there about not serving customers unless you want a full meal. Save your money and time! They are overpriced and slow! We recommend Subway over this place, customer service is better!
Shelly E.
Tu valoración: 5 Dallas, TX
Overpriced but who cares! Ambiance & service 5 star Food-3 star Love this gem of a restaurant! If you are in San Antonio you can find cheaper but never the river walk and food and service and quaintness anywhere else, so go and enjoy!
Paul G.
Tu valoración: 5 San Antonio, TX
Both my wife and I have been in San Antonio all our lives and celebrated our 25th anniversary here at the Fig Tree last night. The quail pâté was not to her liking but was OK for me. The salmon was to die for. The duck was exceptional as well. To top it off we had the Banana Crème brûlée. The service was spot on and we both left saying we would come back again.
Donny B.
Tu valoración: 4 Hickory, NC
Visiting from NC with my girlfriend, I made plans to propose and celebrate here for a nice romantic dinner(she said yes, in case you’re wondering). I requested a nice secluded, romantic table out on the patio overlooking the river. We were disappointed that the patio was closed because a monsoon had passed through earlier that evening. But the hostess was very accommodating by seating us at a window table upstairs where we had the entire dining room to ourselves. My fiancée ordered sea bass and I had the filet. They were both excellent. The filet was tender enough to cut with my fork. We normally skip dessert, but not this night! The chocolate lava cake was amazing. I recommend The Fig Tree, especially if you are looking for a quiet, romantic place to dine on the river, with great food and an outstanding staff.
Amber L.
Tu valoración: 2 San Antonio, TX
Came here for restaurant week and WAY under delivered. I had high hopes for this place and was looking forward to it. When we came we told our waiter how we had been looking forward to coming for weeks for restaurant week, he gave us a laugh of «oh well, you silly stupid people» kind of laugh, which put me off right away. We were the first people to enter, first seated and first to order. After we got our appetizer we waited 20 minutes for the main course. The main course was a chicken breast or fish. Neither which are served on their regular menu, and you can tell why. The chicken was almost over cooked and the fish with not much flavor. When I think of a French restaurant I don’t think either of these dishes. Certainly wasn’t worth the fixed price of $ 35 per dish. If I wanted over cooked and under flavored food I would have stayed home. They do have a nice view over looking the river, but it sure didn’t over weigh the crappy food for being such a nice place. First and last time visiting here.
Lin M.
Tu valoración: 5 Duluth, GA
Visiting from ATL. Came here for our wedding anniversary dinner. My husband chose the place, which I usually meet with a side eye. I was NOT disappointed! Atmosphere was wonderful, service was wonderful… food was AMAZING! We shared the quail appetizer, husband had the tuna special(cooked to perfection. not overdone), I had the Chilean sea bass. At the end of our meal Angel, our waiter even brought us out a plate w/Happy Anniversary written in chocolate w/a couple of truffles(that were to die for)…it was a SWEET unexpected surprise!
Vicky F.
Tu valoración: 4 Manhattan, NY
It’s not as crowded as the steak house next door, but the food is decent. They had a function when we walked in on the 2nd floor and there were only 3 tables. They have very nice outdoor seating by the river, the only problem is that the smoke smell from the kitchen next door is pretty strong when u go in a windy day. It’s kinda expensive comparing to other restaurants around but the food is good. I had an appetizer quail and that was enough for me(and you if you are not too hungry). The only thing is that the staff(besides the lady host) is kinda wondering off the entire time.
M C.
Tu valoración: 5 San Antonio, TX
We came here for Post-Valentine’s day celebration. The little lights, small cozy house converted into a restaurant, the warm customer service added into an elegant romantic evening to remember. If weather permits, eat outside when it gets a little dark so you can have the river and and the porch and lights that sparkle like fireflies as a backdrop. I had the lobster bisque, the duck breast, and the banana crème brûlée. Even the bread they served was tasty. All adding to a divine evening. Thank you for a wonderful evening . It’s French so don’t ask for low fat or skim milk in your cappuccino. Lactose-intolerant folks will have to pass.
Angel Of Agon Y.
Tu valoración: 4 New York, NY
Set in an historic building, the Fig Tree is an attractive space with two dining rooms and a patio overlooking the famed Riverwalk. Service is excellent as is the French-inspired food. I recommend the escargots and the beef wellington, two traditional dishes prepared in untraditional ways. The trout almandine comes with an exquisite brown butter sauce but was also lightly breaded which I didn’t especially care for. The rib eye steak was all it should be. Kudos to our waiter, Adam, whose service was efficient, courteous, and suave. Adam also showed his tact when my guests and I were saying grace as dinner was served. He was bringing two dishes to our table, saw what we were doing, paused, and waited politely until we were finished. Not every waiter would have had the perspicacity to do that.
Rod K.
Tu valoración: 1 Coto De Caza, CA
I rarely give a one-star review, but one thing that really makes me upset is when a restarurant blatantly, knowingly and INTENTIONALLY lies to me. But before I get to that part, I’ll give the surrounding details. My wife and I are here on business in San Antonio. We searched for some great restaurants, and we found The Fig Tree Restaurant has Baked Alaska flambéed tableside. I won’t go into the background, but my wife and I have some great memories of Baked Alaska flambéed tableside. Right on their website it says that it is flambéed tableside. Lots of photos on the internet of the flaming Baked Alaska at this restaurant. So THAT is why we decided to go to this restaurant. We liked the look and feel of the restaurant and everyone is very friendly. We had a couple appetizers(crab cake and roasted beets) that were excellent. My wife ordered the Beef Wellington(always one of her favorites). When discussing how she wanted her steak cooked, instead of saying medium or medium rare, she said, «I want it very, very pink, but not red». We do this because different restaurants have different ideas of what medium or medium rare is. Her steak came out nearly well done. Only just the slightest trace of pink if you used your imagination. They apologized and re-cooked another steak. The next steak came out bloody. But by then I’d already finished my entrée, so she just cut around and ate just the very outside that wasn’t bloody. I had the duck special, and it was good — not at all great… but good. My wife had a bottle of sparkling water that was in an ice bucket behind her. And we ordered a bottle of wine. Not once did anyone refill my wife’s water or our wine. She poured her own water and we poured our own wine. We really don’t mind doing that, but I thought I should mention it. So now to the reason I gave a one-star review. The Baked Alaska was dropped off at our table and the waiter started to walk away. So I said, «I thought this was presented flambéed tableside. He then said that they were no longer allowed to do flambé in the restaurant. My wife and I just looked at each other. The Baked Alaska was just OK. When it’s not flambéed, it just isn’t the same. I would think they could at least still flambé it in the kitchen. We each took one bite and didn’t care for more. When the waiter came back, I further questioned about not doing the flambé. He said that they haven’t been allowed to flambé for at least a couple years. So I showed him on my phone, on their own website, where it says it’s flambéed tableside. He said that A LOT of people complain about this, and he said that the owners are well aware of this problem, but they will not change what it says on their website. So what he fully admitted is that the owners, who are fully aware of the misleading statement on their website, intentionally mislead potential customers. Obviously, just to get them in the door. I didn’t want to put the waiter on the spot, but I assume that they have been instructed not to tell the customers when they order the Baked Alaska. I didn’t ask to speak to the manager, but she came over to apologize anyway. And she too admitted that the owners are fully aware of this situation. She said that she will again tell them, but that they’ve been told over and over already. She made it very clear to me that the owners don’t care that they are misleading people. So that’s it. That’s why they deserve a one-star review. Maybe it’s just me. But being lied to at a restaurant is my pet peeve.
Julie S.
Tu valoración: 3 San Diego, CA
I wish I could say I had an amazing dinner experience and was expecting to have awesome service when I was here last for the Elite event. But I am a bit disappointed with my experience here outside of Unilocal to enjoy a nice dinner. Asked to sit outside, so the hostess guided us out, wait pause, the table is not set up! So, where do we wait till it is done? Idk just stand around in the aisle and steps watching everybody? LOL we walked down to the bottom of the river and waited for over 5 minutes, maybe that is enough time for the table to be set. Walked back up and it is not done yet, stood around near the table for what seemed like another 5 minutes until the busboy finished setting up the table. They were probably waiting for the table cloth to finish drying in the dryer? Maybe there should be better communication with hostess and servers, or the hostess go over and check to see what tables are open to have it ready, that way we can just wait in the lobby, instead of standing around watching people eat and be in the way of everybody. Also we shouldn’t be the ones to ask for a menu. Doopty doo… still waiting for the menu. So, I called on someone overseeing the restaurant for a menu. She brought it to us. Later on the server came over to ask what we wanted to drink, prickly pear margarita… he comes back later we had some reviews saying it tastes better on the rocks do you want to try that instead? Oh god just give me a drink, yeah sure let’s do on the rocks. Finally, we got to order and server failed to tell us about any dinner specials until after we had finished with our meal, since I was curious to know if there was one. The food was good by the way I had the seared maple leaf Duck breast and brussel sprouts on the side The duck was tender and flavorful. The friend ordered the scallops and I thought it was cooked perfectly.