The Sunset Grill is Like
a Home Away from Home
By CATHOLINE BUTLER
VANCOUVER - Fred Wilson and Gary Reilly have been partners at the famous Sunset Grill Neighbourhood Pub and Restaurant in Kitsilano for the past 17 years. Fred was born in Bangor, County Down, Ireland, before his family emigrated to Canada.
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MANAGING PARTNERS Gary Reilly and Fred Wilson at their neighbourhood establishment The Sunset Grill in Kitsilano.
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Fred and Gary attended the same high school in Vancouver and even though Fred knew that Gary's family were from somewhere in Ireland, they only recently learned how closely connected they were.
The two families were talking about their ancestry and, much to everyone's surprise, they discovered that the Wilson and Reilly clans had lived within miles of one another. I guess the lads were too busy talking about business matters at the Sunset Grill to check out their ancestry.
The Sunset Grill is a friendly neighbourhood sports bar-type of pub and restaurant. They show all the pay-per-view Canucks hockey games, and any other soccer or world cup events on their several strategically placed plasma televisions.
Gary said that a large majority of their customers are from the neighbourhood and they know most all of them. But, they also get many more people who just drop in and also people who once lived in the neighbourhood who still come back to visit.
Fred and Gary are both friendly and love to laugh so it's easy to see why their patrons love to drop in to the Sunset Grill. It's like a home away from home for many in the area.
Fred and Gary, know their patrons and are attuned to their comforts. Over the years, they've made considerable improvements to the inside of the Sunset Grill and added a nice new patio.
The absence of rain and the hot summer has contributed to people going out to eat more often this summer. Enjoying a favourite beverage on the patio at the Sunset Grill has been one of the favourite spots in the Kitsilano area.
I recently dropped into the Sunset Grill to speak with Fred and Gary and learn what's happening at the Grill and at their new Brewery Creek Cold Beer and Wine Store on Main Street in Vancouver. Needless to say there were lots of laughs and the craic was flying throughout my visit....it was great!
There are subtle little touches of Ireland in the Sunset Grill. There are two copies of famous paintings from the National Gallery of Ireland on the wall and some little Guinness glasses with shamrocks over the bar area. Commenting on this Fred said, "We have an Irish touch. We don't profess to be an Irish bar, but we do bring a little bit of Ireland to the neighbourhood."
Brewery Creek Cold Beer and Wine Store has just been open a year in August and Gary said, "Since we have opened, our business has been just excellent. We couldn't ask for better sales and it's getting progressively better and better each month.
"The clientele is very personable and happy that we're on Main Street. In fact, it's a positive experience to work there because everyone comes in and says how great it is that we've filled a niche in the neighbourhood. Another positive is the parking at the rear of the store."
The Sunset Grill offers a daily lunch special of homemade soup, sandwich and salad special for $6.99. Everything is fresh every day. Every night there is a dinner special along with their 10 card menu items.
There is also a special prime rib dinner with Yorkshire pudding on the weekends for $14.99 which is also good value. Entertainment at the Sunset Grill will start in the Fall again. They usually feature folk, blues or Celtic with some of the local artists.
"We're always tweaking things here at the Sunset Grill," said Fred, "you can't stand still in this business. You really need to try new things. We have a new chef and he's really excellent.
"He likes to try new recipes and last night he made a Thairish Stew and it was just awesome. It was green curry with lamb, potatoes and vegetables. We're considering it for our menu. We might call it Thairish Stew or Irish Fusion Stew. Watch for it on the Sunset Grill menu!"
The Sunset Grill is located at 2204 York Avenue at Kits Beach, for more information, call (604) 732-3733. The Brewery Creek Cold Beer and Wine Store is located at 3045 Main Street in Vancouver, for more information, call (604) 628-1938.
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