Friday, January 18, 2013

Georgetown's El Monumento Now Open For Brunch, Serving Mexican Fare in a Majestic Setting



The restaurateurs behind the popular Monument Café in Georgetown are bringing the same generous hospitality to El Monumento, the home-style Mexican restaurant now serving weekend brunch. Inspired by the simple, farm-to-table food served by Mexican families on the grand haciendas of South Texas and Central Mexico, El Monumento’s brunch is offered Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and features a variety of hearty Mexican-style comfort foods and updated versions of classic brunch cocktails.

Highlights of the El Monumento brunch menu include the El Mon Breakfast Casserole ($10), a savory combination of eggs, chorizo, fresh cilantro, mixed cheeses, green onions, roasted poblano and corn tortillas served with roasted potatoes and fresh fruit; the Mexican Benedict ($11), a dish of perfectly poached eggs with fried avocado and a roasted red-tomato remoulade served with black beans and a tantalizing bacon flauta; and Huevos Revueltos ($9), eggs scrambled with bacon, black pepper and jalapeno, and served with fresh fruit and fried masa cake. Other brunch highlights include Flautas De Tocino ($7), bacon flautas with a roasted red-tomato remoulade; and decadent Crepas ($8), hand-made crepes served with cajeta caramel sauce, roasted pecans and whipped cream.    

El Monumento’s brunch cocktail menu, created by Beverage Director Jeremy Corn, includes the classic Bloody Mary ($8) served with Deep Eddy Vodka and spiced up with house-made sangrita, jalapenos and cilantro; the Bloody Maria ($8), with Espolon Silver Tequila, house-made sangrita, jalapenos and cilantro; the El Mon Mimosa ($8), a refreshing blend of Pares Balta Cava, fresh-squeezed orange and Texas ruby red grapefruit juices, orange flower water and a splash of tequila blanc; the Border Bellini ($8), with Ruffino Prosecco, Presidente brandy and prickly pear; and the perfect weekend pick-me-up, the Mexican Coffee ($8), Espolon Blanco Tequila, Patron XO Café liqueur, El Mon French-press coffee, cream and cinnamon.    
 
El Monumento’s extensive daily menu includes a variety of quintessential Mexican Aperitivos, such as the Campechana Cocktail ($10/$16), a combination of Texas gulf shrimp, crab meat, tomatoes, green olives and lime juice; and Queso Flameado ($7), a blend of melted quesadilla and Oaxacan cheese, poblano peppers and caramelized onions. An assortment of traditional-style soups ($8), salads ($8–$11) and Rotisserie Chicken ($10/$18) served with rice, beans, tortillas and escabeche, round out the appetizer menu.

The Platos Fuertes includes an extensive selection of dishes such as the Carne Tampiqueña with Chimichurri ($18), mesquite-grilled beef tenderloin with potato rajas, cheese enchilada and mole sauce; crispy Pork Cheeks ($10) served with fried parsley and corn tortillas; Shrimp Relleno ($12) with roasted poblano, crimini mushrooms, garlic, spinach and jitomate sauce; and Pescado Zarandeado ($22), mesquite-grilled Texas gulf redfish served with garlic aioli and roasted onions. The Almuerzo dishes ($8.95), served Monday through Friday, include choices such as the fresh special of the day; three Chicken or Beef Short Rib Flautas; two Beef, Chicken or Pork Cheek Tacos; a Quarter Roasted Chicken; and a half-portion of Carne Asada, all served with a choice of red or green rice and black or charro beans. In addition to El Monumento’s staple dishes, also offered are many vegetarian and gluten-free options. And the Postre menu includes traditional house-made favorites like Tres Leches Strawberry Shortcake ($6), Key Lime Pie ($4) and Seasonal Fruit Empanadas ($4).

El Monumento’s beverage selections include traditional Mexican favorites ($4), such as Horchata, the Coconut Cooler and the seasonally inspired Aguas de Fruitas, currently blood orange and hibiscus. Unlike any other offering in Georgetown, El Monumento’s craft cocktail program, led by Corn, highlights classic mixed drinks, including a variety of margaritas and what owner Rusty Winkstern calls “the best Manhattan I’ve ever had.” A particular favorite of many diners is the Eight-Hour Margarita ($16), a unique science-experiment of a cocktail Corn makes by dripping tequila through a reservoir of sugar, lime, grapefruit and orange rind for eight hours.  

Designed by project architect Overland Partners and landscaped by Mark Word Design, El Monumento’s grounds and architecture draw from Mexican traditions, and showcase classic forms and materials, and plants of rural South Texas and Mexico. The majestic 7,700-square-foot restaurant includes four separate dining areas: an open kitchen, an interior courtyard, a terrace overlooking Georgetown’s iconic Blue Hole on the south San Gabriel River, and a dining pavilion overlooking the courtyard.

El Monumento is located at 205 W. Second St., in Georgetown. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Daily lunch specials are offered Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and brunch is Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Weekday happy hour, featuring $6 cocktails and half-priced appetizers, is offered from 4 to 6 p.m. For more information about El Monumento and the new brunch service, call (512) 591-7866, or visit www.ElMonumentoGeorgetown.com.

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