Alyssa
Intricate details, furniture to dream about and one of the best margaritas we’ve ever had. Sustenio, a restaurant inside the Éilan Hotel Resort & Spa by chef Stephan Pyles, combines Mediterranean cuisine with classic, Southwestern flavors. Jacqueline and I took a seat at the bar to indulge in Sustenio’s daily happy hour from 3 to 7 p.m.
As soon as we walked into the Éilan Hotel, located at 18603 La Cantera Terrace, it felt as though we were transported to a getaway faraway from any stressors of reality. Chandeliers hung above our heads as time left us; we were in paradise now. The interior of Sustenio is very similar to that of Éilan. Modern and elegant. The square bar encompasses a pillar that changes colors throughout the day and natural lighting shines in from the windows overlooking the gorgeous buildings of the Éilan Hotel as well as the Éilan apartments. After gazing upon the open dining room, we finally opened the happy hour menu and began our hunt for the perfect drink.
The breeze, a specialty drink composed of mint, gin, canton, sprite, lemon juice and fresh berries, was on special for $5. Other happy hour items included select beer and wine for $5 as well. Jacqueline ordered the breeze while I opted for the passion chile margarita. Whenever I see the word chile in a drink, I’m automatically drawn to it’s presumed spiciness. Sustenio’s passion chile margarita was made up of Sauza Blue Repsoado Tequila, Patrón Citrónge , lemon, charred jalapeño simple syrup and passion fruit puree. Top it off with a rim of salt and a fresh jalapeño and we had a new favorite margarita in San Antonio. If you like a hint of sweetness followed by a hit of spice, we highly suggest trying the passion chile margarita.
After sipping on our drinks and enjoying the view, we decided it was time to open up the menu and order some food! All of the items featured on the menu were unique and sounded scrumptious. Instead of ordering one dish each, Jacqueline and I agreed on three dishes to split – pimento cheese with house-made chicharrones, salmon ceviche and the summer clayuda. The summer clayuda, a traditional Mexican dish consisting of a large, thin, toasted tortilla, was topped with salsa verde, oxaca, cotija, pickled onion and cilantro. All three plates were spotless after Jacqueline and I finished eating. The chicharrones with pimento cheese took me by surprise and ended up ranking number one in my mind. The crispiness of the chicharrones combined with the soft texture of the pimento cheese was divine.
Sustenio is open from 2 to 11:30 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 2 p.m. to 12 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. You do not have to be a guest to dine at Sustenio, but after walking through the halls of the Éilan Hotel and seeing the pool sparkling in the sun, Jacqueline and I will be booking a room soon!