Fort Bend’s Grilling Gurus

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Ron Brandani and Fernando Echeverria 

Fort Bend Focus | Photos By Alisa Murray Photography –

What better time than July 4th to celebrate summer’s favorite past times – fireworks, friends, and of course, food!  Now’s the time to get out the grill and brush up on your outdoor culinary skills with some help from two of Fort Bend’s best chefs.  We asked Missouri City’s Ron Brandani and Sugar Land’s Fernando Echeverria to share some of their favorite summer grilling fare to help you get ready to celebrate America’s birthday with the best menu in town!

Ron Brandani

Ron Brandani, owner of Brandani’s Restaurant & Bar in Missouri City, along with wife Claire, knows a thing or two about amazing food. With a career spanning 15 years in several top restaurants in Houston that concluded as Managing Partner for the Original Carrabba’s on Kirby, in March 2015, the Brandani’s decided to open a restaurant close to their Sienna Plantation home. And Fort Bend has embraced Brandani’s – both the family and the restaurant.

Family is a common theme at Brandani’s, as both Claire and Ron run the business with Ron serving as the executive chef, as well as host to their guests. Both Brandani’s are hands-on visiting with guests, making recommendations and most of all, making everyone who walks in the door feel like family. The menu features recipes passed down from Ron’s grandmother and father, and the walls are adorned with paintings by Ron’s mom.

When we discussed how the Brandani’s celebrate our nation’s birthday, once again, it was all about family.  “When I was a kid, we would go down to the valley where my grandparents lived, and my grandfather would smoke a brisket,” said Ron.  “My Grandmother made her delicious barbeque sauce that I still make to this day.  Now, we celebrate by gathering with friends for a pool party and lighting up the grill.  We end the night by watching the great firework display in our neighborhood.”

 

Fernando Echeverria

For over 11 years, Fernando’s Latin Cuisine, owned by Fernando Echeverria, has been a landmark in Sugar Land for classic continental fare with a Latin influence. After beginning his career in New York learning every aspect of the restaurant industry where he began in his childhood as a dishwasher, Fernando purchased the location along Highway 59 to work close to his Sugar Land home in 2005.  And the rest, as they say, is history.

Known for his community involvement as much as his talent for fusing old-fashioned Italian and South American cuisine, Fernando’s has become a staple in the Fort Bend community. His menu, inspired by his Ecuadorian roots, features menu items named for his regular clientele, and as executive chef, Fernando is constantly preparing off-the-menu creations to give his guests something new.  But executive chef is not the only hat Fernando wears.  Growing up in the industry, he works the restaurant as host, as well as floor and kitchen manager. “I make it a point to personally visit guests,” said Fernando. And it’s not uncommon to see him sipping a glass of chilled tequila or aged port with both old and new friends.

Originally from Ecuador, July 4th has a special meaning for Fernando.  “Growing up in New York, we didn’t always have time to celebrate the holidays because we were always working. In restaurants, you always work. But for July 4th, we would always try to see the fireworks over the river. It was important to take a moment to appreciate our freedom.”