Elevate Your Dining Experience

By, Fernanda Maldonado
 
 
Elevate bar + table opened its doors for the first time last weekend, and San Marcos has become a much better place because of it. From the same family who brought us Cody’s Bistro & Lounge and Two P’s & Calli’s Boutique, we know we can only expect absolute perfection when it comes to the execution of a new business by the Couch family.
 
 
In an area of San Marcos that has experienced a substantial amount of growth, Elevate is in good company located amongst a budding business center. It manages to harmoniously fit into its surroundings; it’s a breath of fresh air from the abundance of bars specifically catering to the college demographic. Not to say the atmosphere isn’t welcoming to a variety of groups of people. While location does play a vital role in its inevitable success, their ability to provide a combination of a high-end menu in a low-key setting is what will ultimately drive Elevate to the list of top places one must frequent.
 
 
Upon walking into Elevate, one is greeted by the friendly hostess and chatter of satisfied customers; the room is illuminated by the natural light provided by the series of windows, which compose the wall facing their chic outdoor patio. Their staff, attentive and knowledgeable of the menu, make various rounds keeping the clients satisfied. After careful deliberation through their cocktail menu, I finally opted for the Purple Rain, composed of vodka, lavender syrup, orange cognac, and crème de violette, as I am a sucker for lavender and was most certainly not disappointed. Purple Rain is an explosion of citrus, a blend of fresh flavors that are a perfect companion to our infamous Texas heat.
 
 
In fact, their cocktail menu offers a wink and nod to our blistering summer days through the incorporation of refreshing ingredients and a perfect balance of booze without being overwhelming. The entire drink menu features a thoughtful selection of wines, craft beers and hand-crafted cocktails, a crafty concoction of flavors all accentuated by the fact that their syrups are made by Cody Couch himself, no artificial flavoring, from his personal herb garden.

 
 While the cocktails themselves are enough of a reason to make Elevate your next venture, if you prefer a night you can remember, their food will definitely keep you coming back.
 
 
With a farm-to-table approach in regards to freshness, their five-star quality bites are superb. I personally have not stopped thinking about the perfectly cooked beef tenderloin in chimichurri, but the smoked salmon, finely shaved atop a crostini, with a savory dill mustard cream and pickled shallots (and this coming from someone who cannot stand pickled anything) was what dreams are made of. And since we’re being so honest about the food, I guess it’s time I confess I helped myself to at least five of their exquisite mozzarella meatballs.
 
 
Plush bright chairs gathered around ample-sized tables offer an intimate experience, perfect for a girl’s night out, date night or simply to unwind after a long day at work. The ambiance gives an air sophistication without being pretentious, suitable for dressing up or down. Their eye-catching chandeliers were the inspiration behind their industrial inspired decor, as Pam Couch revealed to us, the look completed with metal light fixtures and exposed ducts all, which display a certain understated elegance.
 
 
Stepping outside into the patio, we can see exactly why the location was key when we overlook the stellar scene; the moon provided the perfect backdrop to the alfresco furniture and dimly lit setting. The lounge outside almost gives one an impression of being in a Miami rooftop bar, minus the overpowering house music blasting, which is a welcome change.
 
 
As if that wasn’t enough, we are also offered a list of exciting weekly specials, including Tuesday $10 “TNT,” which features 2 tacos and a choice of margarita; however, you will certainly catch me here every Sunday enjoying their $3 mimosas along with the brunch buffet. So, if you’re looking for outstanding views and high-quality cocktails in a relaxed atmosphere that doesn’t pretend to be something it’s not, look no further than Elevate bar + table.
 
 
Visit Elevate Bar and Table for yourself! You can find it on  Wonder World and Stagecoach Trail at 407 South Stagecoach Trail Suite 201 | San Marcos, TX 78666