The Palm San Antonio

I like to stop into the Palm around twice a year as a ""treat"" for myself, and I mean treat in the sense that getting there usually involves a day trip. With its downtown location, parking is at a premium. If you wish to entrust your car to a complete stranger, valet service is offered. I was with a couple of family members in the downtown area so I suggested we go for lunch. It was a weekday and well after the lunch hour. We used valet, only there was a bit of confusion as to which valet was going to take our car. It seems that the neighborhing Bohanan's also offers the service. Once inside we were glad to see the crowd had thinned out some, with some tables filled with executives having coffee and dessert at the end of a two-hour lunch. Ordering from the lunch menu is easy; they offer a mix and match special for a fixed price. One gets soup or salad, entree with choice of side, and a generous dessert. The food was delicious I have to say, but our dear server was not on her game that day. Unfortunately it was allergy season, and San Antonio's proximity to the Hill Country makes it one of the worst places for people with allergies. Our waitress was one of those people. Don't misunderstand, she was not sneezing all over the food or anything, it is only that cedar pollen also makes people feel lethargic. She was absent so much that we had to ask a busboy several times to get her for us. There weren't that many people in the restaurant, There is plenty to converse about in the restaurant since the walls are covered with cartoons of famous people both local and national celebrities. Some have visited this particular Palm, and others are faces that have visited other locations. Overall it was a good experience, the food saved the day I suppose. The filet and salmon we had was cooked to perfection, very tasty soups and salads, and huge pieces of New York style cheesecake and key lime pie. more

Located across from the Majestic Theatre in San Antonio, this seemed like an ideal place for my husband and I to share a post symphony dessert date. Before we entered the restaurant, we were warned by two guests sitting outside that it smelled bad inside. We ventured in to find out for ourselves that the restaurant does indeed smell weird, although I attribute that to the cigar room. The section of restaurant we were seated in was all high backed booths, providing for a fair amount of privacy, which was nice. Our server was friendly, if a little inattentive. The desserts were amazing. The restaurant doesn't love water drinkers, as the glasses we were given were tiny (less than 8 ounces) and were never refilled. The prices fit what I imagined them to be: the cheesecake was $10 and the chocolate cake was $15. Aside from the slow service, my only trouble with giving a higher rating is the club underneath the restaurant. The restaurant itself seems like the kind of place that would have soft jazz or piano playing in the background, and indeed it is so soft that you can't hear it over the talk of guests and servers. When the club beneath the restaurant started up, you could feel the base pulsing through everything in the restaurant. It definitely took away from what had been a nice, romantic evening. To avoid this, I recommend going earlier in the evening. more

The wait staff tends to you. Food is very good and a great wine list. Let them know when making a reservation if you are going to s a show. Great valet service! Pros: Valet is great and quick. more

I got engaged at the Palms Oct.20th The food,Manager and server was at thier best.The Setting was great.Want to thank the Manger for the Champayne.Great class will be back to celebrate my Wife to be Birthday November 17th.Thanks adain Palms.Mo-Kan Housing Pros: The Valet was on the ball more

Really bad service and food was not impressive, ask for medium rare on my filet, it came back burnt. I have never seen a filet minion cooked well done!! Waited 20 minutes for glass of wine, while our waiter (Alex) was goofing off with other wait staff. The Manager sat at the bar all night watching the football game, I think the steelers won! I have been to the Palm before it other cities but this is San Antonio location was really bad. more

I was surprised by the ratings-- until I noticed only two had entered. It also isn't surprising that this got ""best power lunch"", since there was a nationwide campaign by the chain to bring attention to this dying location. There are better steaks in S.A, and better Palm's throughout the company. more

Not at all pleased with the service or food. In short, extremely disappointing experience. more

Don't miss the BEST steak in Texas. The service is friendly, prompt and right the first time. I've eaten here several times and will stop by on every visit to San Antonio. more

Me and my Friend Robert eat there all the time the food is terrific the service is exceptional and the mangement is Outstanding if you want the time of your life in downtown i recommend The Palm Restraunt the steaks are great too!! more