Love can be conveyed in so many ways, but if you’re a fan of all things beef, there’s little doubt that a good steak can speak to your heart.

If beef is indeed your love language, there’s nowhere better than Bohanan’s Prime Steaks and Seafood in San Antonio to spend your Valentine’s Day. Bohanan’s was the only Texas restaurant to be named to TripAdvisor’s first-ever listing of the 25 Most Romantic Restaurants in the U.S., claiming third place nationally.

So what helped Bohanan’s gain such national recognition? Established in 2002, Bohanan’s Prime Steaks and Seafood offers Japanese Akashi Steaks and mesquite-grilled prime cuts of Midwestern corn-fed beef, as well as an array of freshly prepared seafood classics, delicious appetizers, salads and soups, plentiful vegetable sides and an array of desserts, including unforgettable flaming desserts created tableside for the perfect end to any meal. An award-winning wine list, exquisite craft cocktails and a rich house-blended coffee round out an extraordinary dining experience.

But Bohanan’s is more than that. Nestled in the heart of downtown San Antonio, there’s something about Bohanan’s that is more than fabulous food. It’s an experience. Walking through its doors always makes me feel like something special is waiting, especially when you step in to hear live jazz playing at The Bar at Bohanan’s, which fills the first floor of the building. Far from your typical watering hole, the atmosphere is elegant, but sophisticated and cozy.

The Bar at Bohanan’s is a destination in its own right. The talented mixologists craft fantastic cocktails the way they were meant to be made, thanks to Bohanan’s dedication to getting everything just right. Its cocktail program is second to none in San Antonio: after all, it’s where the San Antonio Cocktail Conference was born. If you haven’t been to the annual event, put it on your bucket list and head to Bohanan’s where you can enjoy SACC’s 2019 signature cocktail, “Call me, Honey” and so many other perfectly crafted cocktails. Created by the team at Bohanan’s, “Call me, Honey” is how we started our evening, enjoying a cozy spot in the bar’s library before dinner.

Dinner at Bohanan’s is upstairs at the restaurant, where the jazz soundtrack follows you and you’re greeted with the utmost hospitality. Even if you’ve never been to Bohanan’s before, you’re treated like an old friend. The servers always seem to know you and set the pace for a relaxed evening of fine dining. From the perfect wine recommendations to details on every item on the menu, questions are encouraged. Before a guest orders, a server will approach the table with a platter of the restaurant’s premium cuts of beef from Allen Brothers in what I laughingly call the “Meat Show and Tell.” Without any sense of hurry, the server explains each cut, so guests can choose what they’d prefer for the evening. Every cut is fabulous, though I gravitate toward the melt-in-your-mouth filet and enjoy making my husband share his ribeye.

While the steaks are legendary, Bohanan’s seafood cannot be overlooked. Flown in fresh three times a week, the seafood options include Hawaiian Big Eye Ahi Tuna, 1+++ Sashimi Grade, which is the finest available, and the Wild Alaskan Salmon and Halibut are the best in the market.

As fabulous as the main courses are, be sure to leave room to enjoy the full menu. Start with the French-Grilled Oysters or Jumbo Lump Crab Cake, a perennial favorite, or the appetizer that will change your life—and make you fight your dinner partner for the last one—the Escargot. Served in Pernod and garlic cream sauce, then topped with brie and fresh herbs, they’re absolutely amazing.

Bohanan’s sides, salads and soups are stand-outs as well. The fabulous salads include a classic wedge with the most divine bacon you’ll ever enjoy, while there’s a variety of beloved sides such as Lobster Creamed Corn, Sautéed Portobello Mushrooms and Potatoes Au Gratin, which, steaks aside, have developed a cult following of their own. Don’t forget to consider the suggested additions: sautéed lump crab meat is a fabulous addition to any steak, as is the Béarnaise sauce. If the scallops are available, don’t even hesitate—they sell out for a reason.

So head to Bohanan’s for the steak, but don’t miss out on the entire experience. The service and hospitality will leave you smiling, whether you stop in for dinner, lunch or cocktails. Yes: the lunch and bar menus are top-notch, too, so make Bohanan’s a destination for Valentine’s or any time you want to make an occasion special.

Cover photo courtesy Jason Risner Photography

Dawn Robinette is an award-winning writer and communications expert based in San Antonio who enjoys finding new discoveries, revisiting old favorites and telling stories. Selected as a local expert by the San Antonio River Walk Association, she regularly writes for San Antonio Woman and Rio Magazine. You can also read more of her work at Alamo City Moms Blog.