Sunset Grill at Avery Ranch

Sunset Grill at Avery Ranch

Written by Candace Birkelbach Friday, 15 August 2008

Diners can feast on the beautiful landscape and fine cuisine.

Diners at the Sunset Grill at Avery Ranch golf course peer out onto rolling hills of green trees, crepe myrtles and an infinity pool that pours into a shimmering lake. If you can take your attention away from the scenery long enough, the food will also leave a lasting impression.

Sunset Grill, which is not just for golfers, offers tasty appetizers, salads, burgers and sandwiches. To trump the typical golf course food expectations, the Sunset Grill adds unique ingredients to classic club fare.

Some signature dishes include the Sunset Grill Chicken Sandwich, fried chicken tenders, avocado, bacon, lettuce, tomato and onion ($8.95); The Rachael, a knock-off of the traditional Reuben sandwich made with turkey ($7.95); and the fish tacos, three tacos served with tortilla chips, salsa and pineapple pico de gallo ($9.95). The menu also includes breakfast items like omelets, tacos and pancakes.

“We’re not a golf course that just serves food — we’re a separate entity,” executive chef Brandon Belmarez said. “It’s all about service.”

Belmarez, trained at the Texas Culinary Academy in Austin, has been creating dishes for Sunset Grill for more than three years and has served as the executive chef for a year and a half. All other chefs at the restaurant are culinary students. Belmarez said the restaurant strives to give personal service and know its customers by name.

We decided on some devilishly tempting jalapeño cheese fries ($2.95). The sinful starter came out on a huge platter full of crispy shoestring fries, topped with cheddar and Monterey jack cheeses, sliced jalapeños and a side of sour cream. It was an excellent blend of crispy, cheesy and spicy.

The Strawberry Chicken Salad ($10.95) was a delicious concoction of sweet and savory, combining mixed field greens, chicken, sliced fresh strawberries, feta cheese, cucumber, tomatoes, olives and walnuts. The rib eye ($10.95), a specialty entrée, was beautifully presented with seasoned potatoes and grilled vegetables. Some other options were the Sam Adam’s Steak and Fries ($9.95) and Nutty Apple Chicken Salad Sandwich ($8.95). Chefs also prepare daily specials like the Grilled Ancho Pork Loin with Apricot Glaze ($10.95) that are a bit more upscale than the rest of the menu.

Belmarez said the daily specials are “out of this world, especially for the price.”

Sunset Grill keeps the price of its daily specials around $9.95 to $10.95 in order to give customers the best quality food for the most reasonable price, he said.

You can choose to sit indoors with the air conditioning and big screen TVs or outside on the terrace.

Sunset Grill is open to both club members and the public. Belmarez said that the restaurant encourages the community to come out and enjoy its special events, like the Friday night buffets and drink specials.

Sunset Grill is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner

• Most Friday nights a $9.95 buffet-style meal is served from 6 to 9 p.m. along with $2 margaritas.
• The theme of the buffet changes weekly, ranging from fajitas to homemade pizza.
• Sunset Grill can also cater corporate meetings, weddings and receptions for five to 220 guests.

Sunset Grill at Avery Ranch, 10500 Avery Club Drive, 248-2442, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.