Sunday, January 31, 2010

Sunshine Sunset Grill



Sunshine Sunset Grill
1185 W. Granada Blvd.
Ormond Beach, FL 32174
(386)672-6465

I have eaten and reported on the Sunshine Sunset Grill before, but my buddy Paul asked me if I had ever had the biscuits and gravy there. I told him I had not and he said I definitely needed to go back and try it. At the time of our conversation, my answer to him was that I would go that following weekend. Well, life takes over and sometimes things don't work out the way that you plan, but today, nearly five weeks after our discussion, I finally made it back.

My daughter, Kennedy had a friend sleepover last night, so we had a party of four with us today. I was a little worried as we didn't get there until 11:00 on a Sunday morning and I thought we were going to be faced with a long wait. We got lucky and got there right when a booth had become available. I immediately felt like good things were going to happen for me on this trip.

We get seated and order our drinks as I notice the owner working with his staff and just handling his business. All of a sudden, he turns around and looks at me and approaches the table. He extends his hand for a handshake and says, "Hey, I know you." Truth is, we have never met, but he recognized me from my picture on the blog. The owner's name is Don Burke and he seems to be a very pleasant man with a mission to serve good food, while delivering good service. I say this as his staff is amazing and so is the food.

We chatted briefly about our mutual friendship with Paul and his wife Paige and I told him I was there to sample his biscuits and gravy. He told me about the special sausage he uses that he gets from North Carolina. I won't tell you the name of the sausage as I don't want to totally give away his secrets.

After ordering our drinks, I placed the order for the table. My daughter Kennedy wanted the pancake with bacon, her friend Skylar ordered the French toast with bacon, Julynn got the Garden Patch eggs Benedict and I order traditional eggs Benedict with biscuits and gravy for Julynn and I to start.

When I asked Julynn if she would eat some of the biscuits and gravy with me, she stated, "Yes, I'll eat a little bit." That quickly changed after she had her first bite. The biscuits and gravy showed up rather quickly and we started to dig in. The gravy was nice and flavorful without being too heavy, but the sausage was just incredible. It had a nice spice with a hint of pepper that snuck up on you after your first bite. These biscuits can only be described as buttery clouds of fluffiness that just melted in your mouth. I would give anything for the recipe. Julynn and I truly enjoyed the biscuits and gravy and I have my friend Paul to thank. If you have never had biscuits and gravy before, don't have them here for the first time. If you do, you'll think that all biscuits and gravy taste this good and will be ruined for the rest of your life.

We finished our biscuits and gravy and then the girl's breakfasts showed up next. Skylar's French toast had the wonderful smell of cinnamon and Kennedy's pancake looked as fluffy as the biscuits we had just ate. Both of the girls started right in and they said it was good. Our food hadn't come out yet, but Don told us he had the kid's food come out first as he knows how kids can be when waiting too long for their food. I thought that was a nice touch.

Julynn and I got out eggs Benedict shortly after and again, it was phenomenal. The last time I was there, my eggs were a little over poached, but today they were perfect. Julynn ordered grits as her side and I ordered home fries. As soon as she tasted the grits, she said I had to try them. They were so creamy and delicious. I have to assume there was some cheese in those grits, but I am not sure. Upon first inspection, the home fries look as if they are overcooked because they are so dark, but nothing could be further from the truth. These home fries are dark and delicious. They have a crispy outside and the inside has the consistency of smooth mashed potatoes. These were perhaps the best home fries I have ever eaten. Both Julynn and I enjoyed our eggs Benedict. As I have stated before, eggs Benedict is one of the items I have been on the search for perfection and I think I have found it. The hollandaise sauce is light, creamy and has just a hint of lemon. It was truly amazing. The other thing I like is that they don't drown the dish with the hollandaise sauce as some places do.

We had a fabulous breakfast and I cannot wait to get there again. I really want to try their Surfside Croissant Benedict. I would have done it today, but I could not decide in my mind between the shrimp or crab meat version. I am stating here now that I will do this soon and have the crab meat version.

This restaurant is truly a great dining spot. It is full of families enjoying good food and has great people working there. Everybody we interacted with was friendly and helpful from the hostess to the owner. I urge you to go there soon and find out for yourself. The Sunshine Sunset Grill is open for breakfast and lunch, but also open for special events for dinners. They can do buffet style or sit down. If you are planning a special dinner, I would strongly urge you to take a look at this location. I cannot tell you enough how bad I feel about not getting there before they had stopped serving dinner. Hopefully, the economy will turn around soon and dinner will once again be offered at the Sunshine Sunset Grill.

For our visit today to the Sunshine Sunset Grill, I have to give them the unprecedented five Stiffy's!

Eat, drink and be merry!

Harry

1 comment:

Begs said...

Recognized from the blog? You're officially big time.