a photographic food journey into Sustenio

The sommelier, sommbaby, and I recently had the opportunity to be on the receiving end of a fantastic tasting menu by Chef David Gilbert of Sustenio.  A Dallas transplant, Chef Gilbert is making his name well-known in the San Antonio scene, gaining ground with such groups as the San Antonio Chef’s Coalition.  Every plate was a beautiful work of art, from the smoking bison to the towered escolar, even the dinnerware was unique.  Enjoy the view into our dining journey.

amuse bouche: scallop with chili and lime

first course: ceviche

second course: beet salad with goat cheese and cardamom coffee

(I have to admit this looked so delicious I ate most of it before capturing the plate)

third course: scallop with beef tongue

fourth course: escolar with banana and pomegranate garnish

(the escolar was served in a towering glass, and then fell into place)

fifth course: sous vide bison short rib

(the entire dish was served smothered in a mesquite smoke-filled glass container)

sixth course: Wyoming lamb with Greek yogurt and honeycomb

dessert: trio of sorbet

Hungry? Go there. The tasting menu is worth every penny.  Period.

the eclectic character of The Monterey

I can still hear the clanging pots and pans that came from my childhood kitchen on Sunday mornings. I remember the pouring of the batter, the melting of the butter, and viscosity of the syrup that accompanied the brewing coffee. Although I did not drink the bitter caffeine as a child, the smell of the brew would awaken me to morning cartoons. As I watched the latest Scooby Doo or Snorks, Dad would be pouring pancakes and scrambling eggs. Sundays soon became my favorite, something to look forward to week after week, throughout my childhood.

Now, Sundays are my favorite for different reasons all together. The sommelier and I can sleep in, take in our CBS Sunday Morning News, and gather little Rhea for our Sunday family outing. We try to provide a variety of food adventures for Rhea to look forward to, but one of our most favorite brunch spots has quickly become Southtown’s The Monterey.

The developers of The Monterey really did their research. San Antonio has been lacking where Austin has excelled: eclectic fare made with local ingredients, served in an alternative atmosphere, with a kicking patio, and staffed by genuinely cool people. The moment you walk into “El Monty” you find yourself transported. And for those of us who covet South Congress on a weekly basis, it’s been a long time coming. While recent guests include famous foodies such as Gail Simmons and Chef Tom Colicchio, the sommelier and I have noticed several local San Antonio bon vivants in attendance throughout the past year. The Monterey has quickly become a gathering place of industry workers, local chefs, and food enthusiasts alike. There is even a late night menu. And it doesn’t hurt that the El Monty brand is so well managed, as exhibited by relentless banter found on social media sites. Character: it’s what’s for dinner. Regardless, it’s all about the food, right?

The trick to dining for brunch is to arrive early. Because the indoor section of The Monterey is cozy, it can fill up fast, especially during this extensive summer heat. This weekend we grabbed a table outside in the shade, with plenty of room for good wine, shared food, and Rhea’s toys. One of the things I love about El Monty is the beverage menu: the wine list is lengthy, varietal, yet affordable, and the beer list is comprehensively spectacular. This weekend, the sommelier chose the 2010 mas de la dame Rose. The wine dazzled with a color of faint melon and salmon, with aromatics of orange zest, peaches and pears. In the mouth, the wine was light, slightly acidic, and gave pale reminders of rhubarb and strawberry. It was a perfect summer wine to complement our upcoming feast.

The first to arrive: biscuits and gravy. The biscuit had a touch of honey and was somewhat crispy. The gravy country white with bits of sausage, pepper, and topped with green onion. The sommelier and I both enjoyed the flavor of the dish, even though it may have benefited from a dash of kosher salt. All in all, a good addition to the brunch menu, and since The Monterey is known for its small plates, the portion of two biscuits is perfect for sharing. In addition, the use of local ingredients is standard for all of their dishes. From vegetables to beef to free range eggs, the quality of Texas farm fresh is evident throughout your experience. The next plate was no different.

The egg casserole was beautifully surrounded by fresh vegetables and topped with arugula salad and parmesan cheese. The soft quiche style casserole was full of flavor and cooked perfectly. The romesco served alongside provided a robust kick of zest, and had hints of tomato and peanut. The heirloom tomatoes served were slightly pickled and tasted like they were just taken from the ground. By far, this summery brunch item was my favorite, as it provided a light and fluffy fare for us to savor. Even the arugula salad seemed airy, yet furnished a textural contrast to the egg. My compliments to the Sunday morning Chef, this dish had me at “hello.”

Before I knew it the sommelier was pouring me another glass of wine, and I was feeling pretty full. However, you can’t leave El Monty without trying the best burger in San Antonio, so our final tasting consisted of a bacon cheeseburger served with fresh cut fries. The taste of the burger is by far one of the best I’ve had in a long while, which makes sense once you find out how it’s prepared. The burger itself is sous vide in brisket fat, which gives the meat a naturally smoky flavor. It’s then topped with a smoked gouda cheese, thick crispy bacon, and served with lettuce and crispy onion rings. It is a very popular dish on the late night menu, and often sells out on Sunday mornings. It is definitely a must have at The Monterey, so get out there and make sure it ends up on your table.

Even though we frequent El Monty for brunch, some of the best times had are on the patio in the evenings. The lighting, music, and atmosphere all make for an experience in itself, and paired with the amazing food, including beef heart tartare, pork belly, and fried barbecued chicken, The Monterey is a current hot spot on the Southtown scene. With the continued brand intelligence of management, ever-changing menus, and incredible staff, I won’t be surprised to see El Monty a mainstay in San Antonio trends. Top Notch. Two Thumbs Up. First Rate….you get the point, right?