Sun Ray Grill
Anecdotes & Analysis
Back when the West Bank had few white-tablecloth restaurants, the Sun Ray Grill opened a small cafe next to a hospital, and shortly had the whole area talking. The success of that restaurant led to the kind of expansion that's common in other cities, but not so much here. It's now a mini-chain, targeting customers on the younger side who are looking as much for a place to go as for something memorable to eat. Here and there on the menu are some pleasant surprises--notably the guacamole, which is made to order and very good.
Backstory
The Gretna location is the original, opened in 1996. Subsequent openings have been in a wide variety of premises, from the enormous Warehouse District place (in an even bigger warehouse) to the modest Old Metairie digs (in the former Delerno's). The concept was created by owner Dana Deutsch, who had a significant history as a chef, including stints in Europe and the Windsor Court Hotel.
Dining Room
No two of the restaurants look alike, but all have in common open spaces and colorful design. The Warehouse District location is especially expansive, and recently added a second concept: Aloha Sushi, a tweaked approach to the namesake cuisine. The newest location, in Kenner, has a full-fledged oyster bar.
Why It's Essential
The Sun Ray has a history of placing its moderate-price restaurants in neighborhoods where such restaurants are not to be found. So they become popular. The menus have a self-conscious international aspect--mostly quasi-Asian and semi-Mexican--with an underpinning of New Orleans flavor. They refer to it generically as "beach cuisine"--the kind of food you'd find in a place that has beaches. It sounds appealing, and often is.
Why It's Good
The Sun Ray's greatest hits are among the salads, sandwiches, grilled seafood, ribs, and finger food. They're less good at pasta, steaks, and poultry. The specials have always offered some interesting options, with more consistency in recent times. It's refreshing to find very little fried food here. Each restaurant's menu differs a bit from the others in the chain, but not enough to make one significantly better than another.
Most Interesting Dishes
Raw oysters (Kenner only)<br /> Grilled oysters (most locations)<br /> Sushi and sashimi (Warehouse District only)<br /> Black bean soup <br /> Guacamole<br /> Crawfish bruschetta<br /> Fried spring rolls<br /> Sailfish tostadas<br /> Chicken quesadilla<br /> Chicken or duck nachos<br /> Baja chicken or shrimp skillets (like fajitas)<br /> Grilled filet tip wrap<br /> Hamburgers (many varieties)<br /> Santa Fe burrito (steak or chicken)<br /> Jungle fish bahn mi (Vietnamese poor boy)<br /> West Indies salad (with jerk chicken or shrimp)<br /> Pecan crusted chicken salad<br /> Chinese chicken salad<br /> Italian lobster salad<br /> Beer battered fried shrimp<br /> Fish taco platter<br /> Cajun fish and chips<br /> Grilled fish, many styles and species<br /> Guava glazed duck<br /> Thai barbecue ribs<br /> Riviera filet mignon (lobster and brie sauce)
Deficiencies
The menu sounds better than it is. The kitchen could do with a more refinement; a lot of what it produces is reminiscent of chain restaurant food. Must every restaurant have spinach-artichoke dip?
For Best Results
This is one of the few restaurants whose websites are up to date. They even show the correct daily specials every day. Very useful.
Bonus Ratings
1
Attitude
1
Hipness
1
Local Color
1
Service
1
Value
1
Wine
Holiday Ratings
0
Thanksgiving
1
New Year's Eve