New Restaurant Review--Sunset Bar and Grill--Great Sunsets, Great Food
As reported earlier, the Sunset Bar and Grill opened last night to the public. Owner/chef Kirk Gosden started things off with a bang by offering a special Happy Hour for friends, customers, and business acquaintances, before opening for the first night’s dinner crowd.
After Happy Hour, I counted myself lucky to get a table for dinner along with two of my dining companions, as it was obvious all tables would be quickly filled (and they were!). We had an oceanside table with a fabulous view of the sun as it set into the sea next to Klein Bonaire, so the atmosphere couldn’t have been nicer.
The wait staff was attentive, cheerful and smiling, and did their best to anticipate any need. Some new wait staff were in training. It was wonderful to see some familiar faces from Chef Kirk’s other restaurant, The Lions Den, just a short way up the coastline.
And now for the food--Oh, the food! As anyone who has sampled Chef Kirk’s creations at Lions Den knows, he’s a master at blending textures and unusual ingredients that simply explode upon one’s taste buds. Last night was no different. I began with the red snapper chowder, a creamy soup filled with fish and potatoes, which, on its own, filled me up. But I had ordered the shrimp duo for my entree so had to keep eating.
The shrimp duo came with seven large shrimp, simmering in a tropical fruit curry, which was just fabulous. The taste of the various fruits came alive at different times, so that each bite developed layer after layer of flavor sensations. It was served with roasted potatoes on the side, and, although I kidded Chef Kirk that he needed to double his already generous portions (only because I didn’t want the meal to end), I was so happy after my meal that I couldn’t contemplate dessert.
In fact, my two dining companions couldn’t think about dessert either, as they had shared a fried calamari starter, served with a spicy chili sauce, and then savored the fish special, a perfectly prepared, moist red snapper, as well as a seafood brochette, both served with rice. My dinner companions declared their meals as excellent as mine. Things ran so smoothly that, had I not known this was opening night, there would have been no way to tell!
The restaurant, formerly the Reef Restaurant, has been painted in new tropical colors and the decor is relaxing and cheerful. Coupled with the great wait staff and a chef with exquisite abilities, the new Sunset Bar & Grill will surely become a favorite for many Bonaire residents and visitors seeking a great culinary experience. Personally, I can’t wait to get back to try the soft shell crab!
Sunset Bar & Grill is located in the Den Laman Condominiums and is open Tuesdays through Sundays for dinner 5:00 to 10:00 PM. Reservations can be made by calling 788-2698. (Source: Bonaire Insider Reporter)
