SurReal Grill sets the bar for great dining in Gray

Editor's note: SurReal Grill has changed its hours since this article was first published. The hours that appear below are the updated hours.

You would not expect to find a place like this in a strip mall in Gray, but you’re in for a surprise.

Entering SurReal Grill gave me flashbacks of Disney World, with its slick decor and uplit plants. It’s a large room, with a smaller private enclave to the side and interesting banquets in the middle. A bar near the back already had customers early on a Tuesday evening, so I imagine it gets really busy on the weekends.

The food and service match the bar set by the interior, with a sensibly diverse menu and knowledgeable waitresses who attend culinary school. We asked our waitress to recommend appetizers and she wisely selected the cheese and sausage dip with chips and the Sweet Kicker Shrimp. For $5.99, the chips were a bit over-fried, but the spicy cheese dip loaded with pork sausage was delicious. The shrimp was served on three leaves of spinach with a spicy sauce drizzled on top for $7.99.

For our entrees, we first chose a salad topped with grilled salmon for $11.99. Through a partnership with local caterer Delish, the popular salad tops spinach with dried cranberries, feta, bacon, glazed walnuts and pomegranate dressing. The optional salmon was about 3 ounces of bourbon-glazed fish; other meats are available for about $4.

We also tried the BBQ Bacon Chicken for $11.99 and the filet mignon for $18.99. The chicken and the filet also were satisfactory, but their sides were even better: grilled asparagus, garlic mashed potatoes and squash casserole. Other sides include Asian slaw, creamed corn and grits.

SurReal Grill is professional, and it’s good quality for a good price. Check its website for specials like all-you-can-eat wings nights and happy hour specials on appetizers and drinks.

Gray and the surrounding area is fortunate to have such an elegant restaurant so close to home.

Read more reviews of local restaurants

This story was originally published July 14, 2016 at 5:00 PM with the headline "SurReal Grill sets the bar for great dining in Gray."