Tradesinds Restaurant at Duran Golf Club - "Let the Tradewinds Take You Away"
We just returned from a wonderful lunch at the Tradewinds Restaurant which is opened to the public. We easily found a parking spot and entered the double doors of the lovely building. The nicely-sized lounge area just inside the entrance is comfortably appointed with a large glass pedestal table, a comfortable black leather couch & a flat screen TV. We proceeded into the nearly empty dining room - it was still early. It was a while ago that I dined here & I forgot how really charming & spacious it is. The soothing British West Indies style decor has large potted plants, big fans, high ceilings & pale yellow walls. Off on the side is the salad/soup bar. Tall windows bring the view inside. I took the time inspecting the contents of the massive, dark wall units. Since it was such a lovely day, though, we opted to dine al fresco on the expansive mostly covered veranda overlooking the panoramic view of the lakes & golf course. The tables along the railings have umbrellas to shield you from the sun.
After a thorough perusal of the menu., the four of us made our choices. The fairly extensive menu made the choosing a bit difficult. Prices are quite reasonable, $5-$10 considering the locale & beautiful surroundings. The waitress informed us of two specials - Beef Stroganoff & Chicken Philly Cheesesteak. She mentioned the Salad/Soup Bar option: order an entrée & the Salad/Soup Bar is only $1.99, regularly by itself, $6.99. We thought that it was worth a visit. Three of us ordered the Prime Rib Sandwich, $9.50. I ordered the Cheese Quesadilla $7.99 -with sour cream, salsa & with Shrimp (sm. extra charge.) We all ordered the Salad/Soup Bar. The Salad Bar was really nothing special, but it was very fresh- Lettuce Mix, Cherry Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Chopped Onions, Chopped Green Peppers, Shredded cheese, real Bacon Bits, Croutons & Dressing. The soups were good - homemade, tasty Cream of Mushroom & Shrimp & Corn Chowder. The small bowls allowed us to try both. My Quesadilla was delicious & arrived hot. I took half home. The open-faced Prime Rib Sandwiches were tasty, served hot with a generous amount of crispy chips & a pickle.
Service was attentive but not rushed. Water glasses were filled without having to ask. We were too full to try any desserts. If I had to make one suggestion to the restaurant it would be to remove the $.50 charge for extra dressing.
The Tradewinds has some interesting events. On the last Friday of each month, there is Sunset Celebration The four light Dinner Entrees cost $8-$11. Come also for dancing, live entertainment and Tropical Drinks. I did attend this once & it was fun. Or, try the Sunday Brunch (10AM - 2 PM) - a Bottomless Buffet & Complementary Mimosa, $14.99. We did this once also a few years ago . Dessert was the best part - Build your Own Parfait Station. They had live music back then but don't think they do anymore. I've never gone to the Easter Brunch, $29.95/ $10.95. Reservations are required . Visit within 7 days of your birthday, with 4 guests & lunch or brunch is complementary. Try to visit on a sunny mild day & dine al fresco. Lunch is served 11 AM - 3 PM. Not only will you enjoy the food but the view on the veranda is exceptional. Better yet, come for the sunset. It doesn't get much better than this. read more