After turning 21 a week and a half ago, this past weekend my girlfriend, Caroline, and I finally found the opportunity to celebrate it. As she never chooses restaurants, part of the treat for me was her finally choosing where we were going to celebrate. She chose Roy's, a place described as Hawaiian Fusion... something I was maybe a little leery of, but once I looked at the menu, I was convinced. Upon once glance, I already had my choices laid out.
Both of us decided to go with the Winter Fusion Prix Fixe Menu. We usually go for appetizer and dessert as well, so this looked like a sensible decision for us. I would have to say it worked out pretty well, and we left without want.
My choices were as follows: Poached Pear and Pecan Salad, Citurs Tarragon Grilled Salmon, and the Ginger Baked Apple
Caroline's Choices: Poached Pear and Pecan Salad, Seafood Cioppino, and the Roy's Melting Hot Chocolate Soufflé.
First, I would like to comment on the service. It was an upward trending night in terms of our pleasure with the service. From the start we sat at the table far too long (around 10 minutes) before we were approached by anyone at all, this is a bit unacceptable. Once engaged, the busboys and server were very attentive, but again we sat between ordering and the first course for around 25 minutes. However as the meal wore on the server was great in terms of ensuring we were enjoying the food, and even had a digital camera on hand and was happy to offer us not one but multiple pictures in celebration of the birthday.
For the Pear and Pecan Salad, it was simple. Simple is a big plus for me when it comes to salads. For me simple good tastes are what make a salad. It is something to tie me over to the meal, and I dont like sitting in a restaurant with no food in front of me outside of enjoying after dinner drinks. The simple flavors of the pear, candied pecans and the bleu cheese were great. However, the dressing left me wanting more. Lemongrass Port Vinaigrette seemed promising, but it did not seem to give any added flavor. It was a good salad, but I felt as though the dressing could have made it a great salad.
Now for the entrées:
I will start with the lady and her cioppino. It was a mix of shrimp, mussels, and scallops with a basil tomato broth. As a native of Seattle, she was raised on seafood and that is usually all she can be convinced to order. Knowing her seafood, she loved it. Mussels are a particular favorite, and she thought they were great, even in the unusual tomato broth. She also found the scallops and shrimp to be cooked exactly to her liking, perfectly tender.
For me, I came in licking my chops for salmon and as tempting as the steak is on the menu, I was unwavering. The citrus element of Citrus Tarragon Grilled Salmon really peaked my attention. At many other establishments, citrus cured or infused salmon has lead to great flavor. This was no different. The salmon was cooked to be perfectly tender, with the exact amount of citrus flavor desired. The sweet potato and miso broth were even desirable, as sweet potato is a favorite vegetable of mine, and this was no different. Roy's succeeded in feeding my need for a great piece of salmon.
For the desserts, I realized I made the wrong choice. Caroline quickly dug into her soufflé, and it was immediately oozing. With fresh berries on the side, perfect for her taste as a chocolate lover. My ginger baked apple was a tad disappointing. I was experimenting a bit but I am usually a huge fan of apple desserts, this I was not. The apple was either lightly baked or baked to where the apple did not soften at all, not what I am used to in an apple dessert. So I finished off her lovely soufflé. Also, the birthday dessert of white chocolate chip brownie was really wonderful, and that served as a perfect substitute for my dessert that I felt was lacking.
Overall, it was a good meal. Not great, but I came in looking for Salmon, and they gave me great Salmon, satisfaction enough for me.
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