by Jennifer Thomas
Sundown at Granada, a lower Greenville Avenue neighborhood restaurant and beer garden has launched a new menu that is 70% organic and 99% non-GMO. Co-owner Michael Schoder says, “The entire reason we decided to launch a new menu was to move towards an organic and non-GMO menu and promote eating seasonally. We are finding ways to increase our organic options even more everyday.”
Executive chef Patrick Stark delivers an American menu with global flavors that is uniquely approachable using high quality local ingredients. He explains, “The Sundown menu is an equal opportunity one supporting vegan, vegetarian, omnivore, carnivore, gluten-free and paleo diets.” All of Sundown’s meat, dairy and eggs are organic. All the fish on the menu is wild-caught. The buns used are non-GMO (with gluten-free options) and gluten-free flatbread crust is also available. All fruits and vegetables are non-GMO. The menu also includes super foods like kale, quinoa, Swiss chard and more.
Highlights include starters like the Sundown Roll – a vegan sushi roll made with quinoa (no rice), cucumbers, carrots, red peppers, avocado, seaweed, ponzu sauce and pickled ginger; the Smoky Kobe Cupcakes – gouda whipped celery root puree and smoked tomato sauce, or the Fast Break Flatbread – over easy Vital Farms organic egg, smoked tomatoes, gouda, organic bacon and wasabi greens. Entrees include the likes of wild caught Pan Seared Scallops – gouda whipped celery root puree, rainbow baby carrots and Marc Cassel’s bacon marmalade, Texas Striped Bass – panko crusted wild bass, pea puree, sunchoke home fries, bok choy and the Quinoa Stir Fry – rainbow quinoa, seasonal raw vegetables, fried wontons and house greens. Try something sweet with raw, vegan and gluten-free Hail Merry’s Coconut Tartlet – spiced apple cider reduction and organic cream or raw, vegan and gluten-free Hail Merry’s Caramel Macaroons – cranberry port reduction and fresh mint.
Chef Stark explains, “ The foundation of our beliefs here at Sundown is to be transparent about what we feed our guests. We strive for the freshest, healthiest, non-GMO and organic ingredients while also delivering a stellar tasting dish.” Chef Stark and his team buy as much as possible from small producing American farmers and artisans who also carry the same belief system including, but not limited to purveyors such as Cold Springs CSA, Pure Land Organics, Amelia’s Farms, Growers Organic, Full Quiver Farms, Chisholm Trail Beef, Brazos Valley Cheese.
Sundown at Granada is the creation of Mike Schoder and Julia Garton, owners & operators of the historic Granada Theater, and is strategically located next door to the live music venue. The restaurant includes a double-decker patio and a selection of 60+ beers and specialty cocktails that compliment the chef-driven menu. Free live music is available every night from 11:00 p.m. – 2:00 a.m.
