The Pecan Grill and Brewery — Restaurant in Las Cruces

Pecan Grill is a Las Cruces brewpub which in my 10 years living in Las Cruces has aspired to offer to offering a fine dining experience in fine dining desert, which is Las Cruces. To wit, special dinners to which I faithfully attended to unfortunately not always excellent results. In fact, the last one was cancelled due to no attendees.

Well, with pandemic restrictions for sit-down dining in New Mexico non-existent, we have sought fine dining in El Paso with its 50% sit-down dining to very good results, i.e., Entrecote (French bistro) and Garufa (Argentinian steakhouse).

This is preface to a review of our Valentine's Day dinner with its special menu for this occasion. Looking at Pecan Grill website they have employed a new Executive Chef, Ryan Lowell whose specialty is Italian cookery. Their special Valentine's Day menu ran from from February 12-14. so we came to try the Osso Buco (lambshanks stew), but it was not available. The fact that a chef in Las Cruces would attempt this dish which in my dining experience is not that frequently found on menus. We started with a spicy bloody Mary and specialty cocktail not on their regular menu and while both were very tasty, we noted the absence of any alcohol taste and this experience reminded us why we never buy cocktails at chain casual restaurant, like Olive Garden, for instance, i.e., whatever their drink formulae, overpours of alcohol is verboten. We'll be choosing wine or beer in the future. Absent Osso Buco, we tried, their prickly pear salad, greens with raisins, sugared walnuts with prickly pear vinegrette dressing on the side, chicken cacciatore with olives and mushrooms in a very tasty sauce and bacon-wrapped filet mignon which had a Brussels sprouts and garlic mashed potatoes sides.

All were well prepared, particularly the salad where all ingredients made for a very tasty salad. Had they tossed the dressing, it would have been perfect, but hey, this is a brewpub. The chicken cacciatore, showed a chef's talent in Italian cookery.

That said, this review is meant to tout the brewpub's special occasions menus where their chef can show off his culinary skills. Whether these infrequent events can keep this talented chef at Pecan Grill seems problematic given the Las Crusan's profound lack of support for any restauranteur's attempt to provide a fine dining experience, i.e., A Bite of Belgium. So, we'll be looking forward to future special occasion events, while keeping a eye on whether Ryan Lowell is still doing the cooking.

Note: You should be aware that portions are huge, so coming to a special event dinner and dining on a 4-course dinner will guarantee you taking some home in a clamshell container. My salad and entrée was very filling and my partner took home most of her sides. We had no dessert because we were full. This is after all, a brewpub where you are going to for the beers not the food.

St.Patrick's Day experience One way to LOSE your customers is to promote corned beef dishes, i.e., corn beef with cabbage and potatoes and Reubens for March 17, and then run out of corned beef before dinner service.

That said, my partner had a wonderful panko/pecan crusted salmon fillet in bed of risotto, plum tomato and chopped asparagus sides, and tasty Poblano sauce. My Lava burger, no it was not a "juicy Lucy", although its description alludes to a patty being stuffed with cheese, ordinary at best, but French fries were tasty.. Had delightful peanut butter Porter and my partner had rum and Curacao liquoir cocktail with pineapple wedge, which tasted like a soft drink, i.e. where's the rum We will continue to patronize this establishment, because the chef executes some dishes very well, but pandemic or no, running out of items touted in your advertisements will not engender the good will of...

We ate here for a Saturday lunch and it was not busy at all. The atmosphere is nice, new, open, and would be a good place for a date. We tried the outdoor patio first but way too much road noise for me so we moved inside. Our family went and they had a standard kids menu. We had the cheese fondu and artichoke dip to start, both are good with the steak on the fondu being the star for me as very tasty and speaks well for their steak entree. They need to improve the serving utensils on the Fondu vs the flimsey wood spears that did not work well for me as I ended up with as much on my shirt as my mouth. The extra cheese sauce was great with the fries which were nice and crispy. The artichoke dip was good but not great and decent chips but nothing special. I had the green Chile stew as an entree which was OK with tender chunks of pork and potato but is very lacking in the full umami flavor, any hInt of spice, and is more soup than hearty stew. If you like the thought of green Chile with no heat or you are from the north and want to brag about having NM chile with no issues than this may be for you. The stew was also lacking any flour tortillas with it and were not available which was a first for me as I am used to eating it with tortillas vs a spoon. My wife had the Lava burger which was large and stuffed with cheese. It was a good large burger but once again lacking any heat and low on spice. The Monte Cristo was large and very cheesy and your standard artery clogging fare of fried cheese, meat, and sugar on top. The kids ate their pasta with no complaints and they had the standard crayons and paper menus so tablet to the rescue of having an adults conversation. Service was good and we enjoyed our waiter who checked on us several times though the restaurant was not busy. The October fest beer was good and the pecan Amber ale was too much on the sweet side for me but my wife, who is not a beer drinker, enjoyed it. They had several selections of martinis and other drinks which we did not try this time but would seem enjoyable for a dinner date. All in all it a nice new restaurant feel with a more upscale atmosphere and would be great for a date or group of friends and has a decent variety on the menu but is lacking any real flavor/spice other than the steak bites. I rated this five stars as was good for the area and atmosphere and giving them the benefit of the doubt as it is a 1st time lunch experience for me. They do need to work on the food flavor and pickup some spice options vs a standard upscale American pub brewery that threw some green Chile on dishes because, hey, we are in New Mexico. If they can get that down this place may be the hit of Las Cruces. If I was to go for dinner I would definitely go for the steak based on the steak bites on the fondu...

Absolutely delighted by my experiences at The Pecan Grill and Brewery in Las Cruces, NM, I'm compelled to share the wonder this place has to offer. Nestled at 500 S Telshor Blvd, this establishment is not just a restaurant; it's a beacon of local culture and a testament to the art of brewing. TO GO options as well.

From the moment you step in, the ambiance transports you - high vaulted ceilings adorned with petroglyph lights casting a warm, inviting glow, while the soothing sounds of country music fill the air. It's an atmosphere that perfectly complements the culinary journey you're about to embark on.

The menu is a dazzling array of choices, each dish more tempting than the last. A personal favorite of mine has been the Hatch Green Chili Stew - a dish that perfectly encapsulates the essence of New Mexico with its rich flavors and hearty warmth. Pairing this with a beer flight is a must, as it allows you to savor the craft and care put into each brew. From light beers to dark, each sip is a revelation, showcasing the brewery's prowess and passion for their craft.

Speaking of the beer, let's not forget the remarkable selection of brews made on-site. The Pecan Beer, a best seller and a must-try, stands out with its unique flavor profile, a testament to the brewery's innovative spirit and commitment to excellence. Their award-winning beers, from the Imperial Smoked Lager to the Gratitude Porter, are not just beverages but a journey through tastes and aromas that leave a lasting impression.

But The Pecan Grill and Brewery isn't just about great food and beer. It's about people - a place where the staff, from the owner Alyssa J. Salcido, a Las Cruces native who joined the team in 2019, to the general manager Daniel Neal, a lifer at the establishment, make you feel right at home. Their dedication to creating a welcoming, enjoyable dining experience is evident in every detail, from the diverse dining environments to the thoughtful service.

In conclusion, whether you're a local or just passing through, The Pecan Grill and Brewery is a destination that promises not just a meal, but an experience. It's a place where the love for good food, great beer, and genuine hospitality merges to create something truly special. Highly recommended for anyone seeking to taste the heart and soul...