For full information about Restaurant week see the official website at http://www.vermontrestaurantweek.com/!

Check out our OFFICIAL MENU:

Restaurant Week at El Gato

Brunch at El Gato Cantina!

Call now to make reservations! 802.540.3095

Valentine’s Day at el Gato

…aperitivos…

Tiered Mexican Salad

Layers of cabbage, tomato, avocado, black beans, corn tortillas, and Monterey jack cheese.

Spinach & Jicama Citrus Salad

A refreshing blend of chopped jicama and baby spinach with a bright citrus dressing.

Mexican Shrimp Cocktail

A spicy rendition of the traditional classic.

…platos especiales…

Prime Rib with Peach-Chipotle Glaze

Succulent Prime Rib seasoned with a Mexican rub and topped with our Peach-Chipotle Glaze. Served with sautéed green beans with pepitas and savory Papas Fritas.

Red Snapper Papillotes in Green Mole Sauce

Fresh Red Snapper baked to perfection in parchment paper with a fresh, savory house Mole Sauce. Served with our signature black beans and Mexican rice.

Local Roasted Chicken with a White Almond Cream Sauce

Locally raised Misty Knoll Chicken roasted and topped with a smooth and creamy white almond sauce. Served with sautéed green beans with pepitas and Mexican rice.

Spicy Black Bean Cakes

Spicy black bean cakes topped with an avocado crema, served with Mexican Rice and a fresh tomato, sweet corn salad.

…postres…

Churros

A classic, sweet Mexican street food.  Lightly fried Mexican churros, sprinkled with cinnamon-sugar and served with a chocolate chili sauce.

Tres Leches

Moist, delectable Mexican vanilla cake topped with chocolate syrup.

Flan

Sweet and traditional Mexican custard.

~Please see our suggested wine pairings on separate menu~

As with any new restaurant, the first few weeks can be filled with unexpected snafus – plates going out missing an item, menu items being sold out, and other unexpected mishaps. But rest assured, we’re taking note and are constantly improving our process to offer you the best dining experience possible with the most delicious Mexican food.

We send out a huge thank you to all who wrote a review, comment card or even just let the waitstaff know how your experience was. We appreciate your feedback as it helps us to better serve you.

As summer begins to wind down and fall starts to creep in we hope you will join us again for an authentic Mexican meal, a delicious margarita or just stop in to say hello. We hope to see you soon.

-Tree Bertram, Proprietor

Tree Bertram, Owner

People often ask me, “why El Gato Cantina and what’s with the cat”?

When it came time to name my new authentic Mexican restaurant, I wanted a unique name. I didn’t want a name that everyone uses such as El Azteca, or Pancho’s, etc. I kept looking at names of cities or famous people in Mexico. I thought about my family names (Sanchez, Urioste, Cortesol), food related names, names of other restaurants all over, but wanted something with some meaning.

I asked myself what the connection is this between Vermont and me. Was it maple syrup? Cheese? Lake Champlain? UVM? The Catamounts? hmmm the Catamounts, it’s a cat. El Gato. I liked that as a name. I was attracted to it. It fits. People can pronounce el gato. Kids know what el gato means. And, hey, I’m a Leo. I’m definitely a big cat! And I have two cats.

I then thought about Mexico and my travels. I thought about the stray cats and dogs I saw there. I thought about how those cats sat outside of homes, restaurants, and work places. They were a little skinny, cool, self sufficient, sly, confident, at least they looked like this to me. They were survivors. I could relate to that.

I had it tough when I was young and could relate to the struggle of making it when times were tough. I thought that this is it! El Gato, my name, my connection to the cat, my connection to Mexican food and my connection to Vermont. I felt good about this.

Then I thought about what the restaurant should feel like. I wanted it to be comfortable, fun, happening, a place to meet up with your friends and family, and buzzing with energy. I wanted it to be a place to chat, drink, and eat traditional Mexican food…a Cantina. And thus, El Gato Cantina was born.

–Tree Bertram, Proprietor