ENTERTAINMENT

‘Watt’s for Dinner’: Casual beachside dinner and a show

Will Watts
Correspondent

What if someone took your love of the friendly neighborhood sports bar and your affinity for beachside dining, and combined them into one place? They have. It’s called Sunset Grille and it’s our latest stop on this dining excursion.

The chicken Caesar wrap and mixed veggies from Sunset Grille, Marco Island.

We arrived about an hour before sunset and secured a primo spot on the patio – several clouds above told us the sunset would be spectacular or spoiled; depending on just how things panned out.

I like a challenge, so amid the burgers, fries and deep-fried ocean dwellers, I found a small island of healthy dining to satisfy my appetite. I order the chicken Caesar wrap – grilled chicken breast, romaine lettuce and Caesar dressing, wrapped in a low-carb flour tortilla. It came with your choice of sides; and even though my heart said sweet potato fries, my mouth decided to order the mixed veggies.

The wrap was huge, and the chicken was cooked to perfect; overall the dish had the right amount of everything; with only one exception. It could have used some more salt.

The view from our table at Sunset Grille, Marco Island.

My partner in dine went a more tradition route, ordering the roast pork sandwich ($15.99) – slow roasted pork served with sharp provolone cheese and garlicky broccoli rabe on an Amoroso roll. He also selected the sweet potato fries. And yes, I stole a couple. I’m not made of stone.

The question I get asked most often about pork, is, how fatty was it? And I’m never sure what people want to hear. There’s three camps; those who want lean selections only (that’s me); those who want a little fatty meat; and then there are the few who want more fat than meat.

So, at Sunset Grille, those in the middle camp will be most delighted.

The roast pork sandwich and sweet potato fries from Sunset Grille, Marco Island.

As the sun began to dip, the clouds arranged themselves thusly, to make for another picture-perfect Marco Island sunset. It was a delight to listen to the chatter in anticipation; along with those claiming to see the elusive green flash (I didn’t). It’s always fun to watch the awe in the newcomer’s eyes, seeing that beachside sunset for the very first time.

This newspaper pays for all meals related to dining reviews. We do not solicit or accept free food.

If you go

Sunset Grille

  • 900 South Collier Blvd Suite 500
  • Marco Island 
  • 239-389-0509
  • Sunsetgrilleonmarcoisland.com