Every few months, Webb and his team prepare a fi ne dining experience for residents to enjoy. The most recent of these, a five-course feast, started with a wild mushroom empanadas appetizer followed by grilled jumbo sea scallops with a vermouth-leek sauce and a white zinfandel raspberry granita. Panseared duck breast topped with caramelized orange sauce was the entrée, accompanied by steamed baby vegetables and wild rice. Red wine-poached pears with mascarpone chocolate chip fi lling fi nished off the evening.
Good food, great company
“Good food is meant to be savored and always tastes better when shared with friends,” says Webb. Residents agree, citing the social benefits of dining at Eagle’s Trace.
“You meet a lot of people at dinner,” says Frankhouser. “It’s fun to share your stories and experiences over a meal.”
In fact, it’s not unusual to fi nd residents socializing in the Audubon Clubhouse beforehand. “Meeting up before dinner is a great way to catch up with friends,” says Donald Smith. “The bar in the clubhouse sells premium drinks at a very reasonable price and provides a great atmosphere to relax.” Smith is also complimentary of the dining services staff . “They’re accommodating, attentive, and polite,” he says.
Davison agrees, noting that the student waitstaff is outstanding. “The kids are great,” she says. “They receive exceptional training and are very motivated to provide the best service.”
Choices and clubs cater to every liking
In addition to the full-service Garden Room Restaurant, residents can enjoy meals in the Eagle’s Roost Café, a casual eatery on campus. Or for a quick snack, they can pop in to the Audubon Market, a convenience store located on the main floor of the Audubon Clubhouse.
For those who like to entertain, a private dining room adjacent to the Garden Room Restaurant can accommodate up to 40 guests.
“I enjoy hosting parties,” says Frankhouser. “It’s so easy to do that here. I meet with Jeff [Johnston, catering coordinator] to pick the menu, and he takes care of the rest.”
Soaring spirits
The Soaring Eagles Wine Club takes taste even further. The club has grown to include more than 80 members who meet monthly to sample new wines. Frankhouser, a member of the wine club, recently joined fellow Eagle’s Trace residents on a day trip to the Messina Hof Winery in central Texas. “Eagle’s Trace provides opportunities for such interesting excursions,” she says. The Transportation Department organized the trip, which included a stop at the George Bush Library on the Texas A&M University campus. The group enjoyed wine-tasting and lunch at the 25-year-old winery before heading back to Houston.
At the end of the day, residents are glad to call Eagle’s Trace home, especially given the dining experiences on campus. “We’re spoiled,” says Smith. “I can’t think of another place with better food or service.”