By Raymond Bill
It is no secret that most of my favorite dining venues are in La Quinta. Whether fine dining or casual, from pizza and burgers to filet and lobster, Old Town La Quinta has something for every palate. For a quiet night on the town, my date and I chose to have dinner at The Grill on Main. It was the perfect setting for a romantic dinner on the patio, and after hearing about their somewhat recent addition of Chef Brett Maddock, formerly from Arnold Palmer’s, I knew we were in great culinary hands.
We would begin with a cocktail from a large list of specialty cocktails. The Peach Drop and the Crisp Pear Martini were great ice breakers as we took our time reviewing the menu. Our server, Lana, was quick with suggestions and never without a genuine smile. We would share a couple appetizers to begin. The seared, sesame crusted Ahi Tuna was incredible, a perfect balance of savory and spicy complimenting the fresh natural sweetness of the tuna. Our Beet Salad was also a perfect starter, with ruby beets and crisp greens. I was impressed with not only the great flavors but the beautiful plating and presentation that showcased the chef’s attention to detail.
Entrées arrived in perfect timing as we slowly savored our starters. Lana was attentive without being overbearing, a rare find in local service. The fresh pan seared Sole was placed in front of me accompanied by fresh green beans and oven roasted potatoes, finished with a lemon caper sauce. The fish was mild and delicate, pairing well with my chardonnay. Upon Lana’s suggestion, my date would enjoy the roasted chicken and risotto. It was not only flavorful with a crisp skin, but very tender. Our meals were generous in portion and I felt no regret on passing up the nightly specials.
The restaurant was not packed but still quite busy for a Monday night. It is nice to dine at a restaurant in which everyone wants to dine; if the other servers are as pleasant as ours, I could see how this is a favorite for many! We could not end our date without sharing some dessert so we ordered the butterscotch pudding with caramel sauce and a touch of sea salt. It was rich and creamy and there was no hope for any leftovers. We also shared the pumpkin cheesecake which was also light and creamy, unlike other dense cheesecakes I have tried. It was the perfect end to our night on the town.
The Grill on Main has long been known for their happy hour, offering favorites like fish tacos, burgers and sliders. The bartenders clearly know their craft and if you don’t believe me, go have yourself a martini! Happy Hour is offered Monday through Sunday from 2pm to 6pm and also Friday and Saturday from 9pm to 11pm. But I recommend you consider this restaurant for any special occasion as their quality of food is superb without being pretentious. The Grill on Main is located at 78065 Main Street in La Quinta. Call them at 760-777-7773 or visit www.thegrillonmainlq.com
