Sunset Grill
Continues to Impress

Upon entering Sunset Grill, it is obvious the restaurant located in the heart of Sonoma Ranch Golf Course definitely has the view going for it. And, what comes with the view is a unique menu and remarkable drinks.

Wine Spectator recognized Sunset Grill as a premier establishment two years in a row, awarding them the Award Of Excellence in 2009 and 2010. Peter Raitt, Director of Operations, knows the love of Sunset Grill’s food and wine menus are shared by those who return time and time again to enjoy the remarkable dining experience.

“We offer the highest quality of food available and our unbeatable views of the Sonoma Ranch Golf Course and the valley,” Peter says. “I believe we have the best food and wine list in the city.”

When Peter arrived at Sunset Grill three and a half years ago from New Jersey, he brought with him 20 years experience as a restaurateur. His desire was to provide Las Cruces with an evolving dining experience. Together with Executive Chef Felipe Chavez and Sous Chefs Jared Passler and Jaime Chavez, Peter is setting the trend for dining in Las Cruces.

“Most dishes are influenced by mainstream menu items that are given a Southwestern flair,” Peter says, commenting that the fish dishes are the freshest available, flown in from Hawaii.

Rob and Toni Wright try to dine at the restaurant every week, and are loyal customers because the restaurant always exceeds their expectations.

“They, by far, have the best customer service of any restaurant we have dined at in Las Cruces,” Toni says. “It is a great experience. We get to dine out on the balcony and watch a great sunset while eating fabulous food you can’t get anywhere else.”

Toni, who is a vegetarian, has never felt limited by the menu, but sometimes sticks to her two favorite dishes – lemon pepper pasta and a salad with cranberries, walnuts, feta and a maple cherry vinaigrette. For Rob, his favorites include the surf and turf and calamari.

“They always have seafood specials and it is always fresh,” Toni says. “Rob can get a great lobster dinner and the price is really reasonable.”

To highlight more views for diners, the front patio at Sunset Grill was enclosed in glass and 36 seats were added to help alleviate the wait. The restaurant, located within Sonoma Ranch Golf Course Community, is not a private club and is open to the public. A day of dining can bring in anyone from golfers right off the course, families out for a treat or couples having dinner before a show.

“The future looks as bright as it can be with the recent expansion of the main dining room to almost reach out and touch the golf course and the addition of our banquet facility,” Peter says. “We are looking to take advantage of all the amenities that we have here in Sonoma Ranch that nobody else in town does.”

Sunset Grill offers breakfast, lunch and dinner, with menu changes seasonally, and a wine list that offers more than 200 bottles of different wines. They offer banquet service, private rooms and catering.