Dana and Julie Deutsch say “culinary expression is an art rather than a mere business,” but they’ve managed to convert that art into four Sun Ray Grill restaurants strategically located in the Greater New Orleans area. Each of the restaurants has its own cuisine theme, focusing on some aspect of the Deutsch’s extensive travel.
The four restaurants in the group are:
- Sun Ray Grill, Gretna (2600 Belle Chase Highway). This was the first of the four, opened in 1996. It’s located in Dana’s old neighborhood.
- Sun Ray Grill, Old Metairie (619 Pink Street). Opened in 1999 in what used to be Delerno’s restaurant.
- Sun Ray Grill, Pacific, located at 1051 Annunciation in New Orleans’ old Warehouse District. In addition to ribs and steaks, it features fish flown in from Hawaii and Japan for grilling and sushi. Located fairly close to the CBD and French Quarter, it is the one most likely to attract tourists.
- Sun Ray Grill, Gulf Coast, located at 2424 Williams in Kenner. Opened in 2010. Features “unique Southern dishes and Gulf Coast-inspired cuisine.”
Thai BBQ Chicken
Unlike many of their colleagues in the area, the Deutsch's have succeeded with menus that hardly mention Cajun, Creole or fried food.. They’ve offered, instead, a selection that varies from Thai barbecue chicken to pan roasted Fish Orleans and smoked duck and tasso quesadilla.
The dishes, they say, reflect their worldwide travels as avid divers. ”We have spent time over the years wandering sea coasts across the globe in search of underwater wonders and great food.”
As the song says, “it’s a nice life if you can get it.” At least they share their culinary findings at moderate prices. Samples from their Kenner menu:
- Cracklin pork shank, $17
- BBQ shrimp, $15
- Baja Quesadilas (Chicken $9.75, shrimp $10.50)
- Jumbo lump crab, $15.
- Louisiana crawfish bruschetta , $10.25
Jumbo Crab Cake
For diners who want it all, the restaurant offers a Coast Sampler consisting of jumbo lump crab cake with green onion aioli, BBQ shrimp and grits, Louisiana Creole tomato and crawfish remoulade salad for $23.
The huge diversified menu is divided into soups, dips and spreads, social dishes (such as goat cheese fritters), burgers, salads, sandwiches (such as chicken Philly), quesadillas and nachos, chicken ribs and chops, fins and shells, Sunday brunch and desserts.
Pecan Crusted Chicken
One strong recommendation: The pecan crusted chicken salad featuring Romaine lettuce, tomato, onion and cheddar cheese with Creole honey mustard topped with a sliced pecan crusted chicken breast.
Watch also for the daily specials, such as the chicken and white beans. New Orleans is known for its red beans and rice, but white beans are preferred in some south Louisiana towns and these at Sun Ray are tough to top
Following the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, the Sun Ray Grills closed their oyster bars.