Jess T wrote:Brad-
How did it go?
Sunset Grill was fantastic. The restaurant is quite large inside. The front part is a little darker and more intimate, and the back, where we sat, was more bright and modern, but still comfortable. Service was attentive and good, my only gripe being that it took a little longer than it should to get a cocktail, but they were very busy.
Our table started with the polenta cheese fries (fried polenta with pecorino romano in sort of a french toast stick shape, served with a basil ketchup) and Blue Hill Bay mussels (swimming in a Yazoo Dos Perros amber beer broth). Both were amazing, and the presentation of the polenta fries was very cool. They were stacked and looked very much like a small Lincoln log house.
I had the Maple Leaf Farms duck breast (pan roasted with sorghum-mustard glaze, sweet potato-duck confit-apple hash, wilted spinach and a local farm egg on top, sunny side up (I'm a sucker for dishes served with eggs, hat tip to Seviche!)). The duck was cooked just right, and though there was a lot of sweet involved, in my opinion there was a nice balance of sweet with the savory duck, mustard, and egg. The egg yolk mixed well into the hash once it was pierced.
My friend had the Angus hanger steak, served with a turnip-potato-baby Swiss gratin, red wine poached mushrooms, onion confit, and green peppercorn demiglace. I didn't try it, but he really enjoyed it.
My wife and my friend's girlfriend both had the Fudge Farms pork roast (braised in milk, served with roasted potato-shallot raviolis and cider glazed parsnips, carrots, and onions, and topped with an herb jus). This was by far the standout. The roast fell apart, and the milk braising gave it a nice creamy texture. The raviolis were excellent as well. I don't think the jus was really necessary, and didn't add much, but it didn't take anything away either. Overall, this dish was beautiful.
The wine list was extensive and impressive, with a separate list of close to 40 bottles at half price. I think they do a normal once-a-week half-price wine night, but periodically offer an extensive half-price list until their stock is gone. Sort of a housecleaning, I suppose. We shared a nice Chilean pinot noir that was served a little too chilled for my taste (not exactly chilled, but cooler than room temp - I know some like their pinots that way, but I don't), but the wine was very good.
I give this place at least 4.5/5, and would highly recommend it. They focus very heavily on ingredients, produce, and meat from local farms, and the price point is similar to Varenese (entrees from $16.99 to $32.99, with the average being right around $20.00-$22.00).
Alas, also, no room for dessert (to be honest, I forgot about the bread pudding until the next day), so thanks to Justin for posting the recipe below. Marsha might have killed me otherwise!
