Brian and Amanda Light are the husband-wife owners of Ronin, a delightful restaurant with ever-changing menus featuring what’s in season from the Light’s farm by the same name located south of Lake Bryan in Brazos County. Amanda, a 2018 graduate of Texas A&M, and Brian, a 2005 graduate of the Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel & Restaurant Management, say they started Ronin “on a wing and a prayer” after catering their midwife’s wedding in 2011. The couple converted a farm formally owned by a local legend named, Don Ganter, owner of the Dixie Chicken, into a commercial kitchen and event space. It is a working farm growing produce for the restaurant and raising pigs, guineas, turkeys and chickens. Ronin Farm’s full moon dinners held under the stars on communal tables are popular reservations.
Amanda and Bran Light, Ronin Farm and Restaurant
Ronin Restaurant located in downtown Bryan, open in 2015 in the location of an former Ice House dating to 1912. During our visit we caught the last of summer peaches and tomatoes and a spicy eggplant and carrot dish was offered as a vegetarian entrée. The current menu features roasted spiced sweet potato with red beet purée, cherry tomato, sautéed summer squash, roasted carrot, mixed pickles and local honey. Of course, being Texas, the steak and burgers are generous and cooked to perfection. Below is David’s New York strip steak with roasted vegetables. Another suggestion for a hearty appetite is the Texas Wagyu Chicken Fried Steak with Cream Gravy and Mashed Potatoes.
New York strip steak with roasted vegetables
The thoughtful cocktail and wine program is overseen by Amanda. Each dish recommends a beverage pairing. The wine list is extensive for such a small restaurant and is categorized by “old world” and “new world” as well as by region and style. We were impressed with the selections from Eastern, Central and Southern Europe and generous orange wine and vermouth lists. Symbols on the list identify wines as ☼ practicing organic ✌ hand harvested grapes ♀ female winemaker ✿ biodynamic/sustainable.
The Lights are parents of three children, all who were on-site the night we dined at Ronin. At one point in the open kitchen, we observed Brian holding a baby in one arm and overseeing a dish being prepared with impressive dexterity. Amanda and Brian consider themselves stewards of the land and Texas hospitality and generously took time join us at our table to share their story.
Grilled Elote with Miso Butter, Togarashi, Chives, Sesame Seeds, Lime.
Ronin Farm’s monthly Full Moon Dinners are very popular. Communal tables are set up outside under the stars, weather permitting, or inside a a large barn. Attendees enjoy heaping portions of fresh-from-the farm and flame dishes.
We sat down with Amanda and Brian Light at Ronin Restaurant to learn how they met and conceived their style of Texas hospitality. They joined us to share their stories on The Connected Table Live podcast. Here is the link:
The Connected Table Live!
Texas Hospitality: Amanda and Brian Light, Ronin Farm & Restaurant
A delightful dining experience can be found in Bryan, Texas (Brazos County) thanks to Amanda and Brian Light, the husband-wife owners of Ronin Farm & Restaurant. The restaurant’s seasonal menus feature what’s fresh from the couple’s nearby farm which hosts monthly full moon communal dinners. Of course, there’s always a juicy chicken-fried Texas steak and giant burger on the menu at Ronin. The top-notch