259 Brantley’s Bistro

We are the first patrons to arrive as we make our way at precisely 5 p.m. through the doors of tiny 259 Brantley’s Bistro in Boerne, Texas.  Given the task of choosing where we would have dinner with our friends this evening before heading to our concert entertainment 20 minutes north of town, I threw a dart at the 79 choices available in Boerne, and Brantley’s Bistro was in the bulls-eye.

Casually cute, 259 Brantley’s Bistro interior is light and homey and welcoming. Warmed by the burnished wood of an expansive serving bar, the space is filled with local memorabilia that emphasizes the fact we are in a charming small town at the edge of the Texas Hills.

Seated in a cozy booth, we are still stuffed from this afternoon’s wine tasting luncheon, but perusing the menu specials, I come up with options that should not be too, too filling. Soup and salad seem like such a mundane thing to have for dinner out, especially with all of the offerings available, but I steel myself and avoid temptation.

The Menu

And the temptation is great. Along with an assortment of appetizers and salads, there is lamb and cabrito, wild boar, steaks, shrimp, chicken, fish and a mixed grill of Texas quail, cabrito and antelope.  Everything sounds delicious, and I make a mental note to come back soon to expand my epicurean horizons.  According to the menu, it looks like the majority of the ingredients used are Texas grown and Texas sourced, even the wine. There are familiar names, like Marfa, and Austin, and Bandera and the Gulf Coast.  Rebecca Creek. Harper. Amarillo. Gonzalez.

The restaurant begins to fill up, and by the time the server sets our dinner before us, it is full. I mentally underscore my intentions of returning, and if the chicken gumbo is an indication of how good the rest of the menu is, I can’t wait.  The gumbo is stove hot, spicy, flavorful, and full of good things to eat. And each component of the beet, goat cheese and spinach salad is delicious. I feel like I am being such a good girl eating this, but I want so much to be bad.

There is always tomorrow.

Chef Joseph Brantley

Born and raised in the Texas Hills, Chef Joseph Brantley has been cooking since he was eight years old, cutting his culinary teeth at such notable Hill Country institutions as The Cypress Grill, Cartewheels Catering, and the Welfare Cafe. For the last seven years, he was the Executive Chef of The Terrace Grill at Riven Rock Ranch.

Brantley’s Bistro Details

259 Brantley’s Bistro is open for lunch Tuesday – Saturday from 11:00 – 3 p.m.

Dinner is served Friday and Saturday only from 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. and reservations are highly recommended.

Sunday Brunch is served from 10 am to 3 pm.