The Lighthouse October 20, 2008

Did you know how windy it was in the East? What a breeze. The wind comes in off the shore and it is strong enough to keep you cool in the soaring temperatures we are used to here in the Cayman’s. The only issue with this is the condensation off your beer, but if that is our biggest fear – well – we will be just fine.

OK, so the service staff are a little cocky. Maybe they can be. The business is soaring here despite it’s location out in Breakers on the South East side of the island. It’s a pleasant drive out there. Great on a Sunday afternoon. Once you get through the empty restaurant the outside porch area is teeming in it’s basic Cayman glory. There are no frills here. White walls, iced water and menu offering fresh seafood fresh from the waters that are ‘breaking’ on the reef in the view. Calamari, Conch, Tuna. A seafood lovers delight.

The staff also know that this day they were going to be busy and the speed of the kitchen was noted. Not too fast that you worry that it was all too fast and pre-made, but just enough for them to turn the tables and seat that table again. The cocky little fella was doing well though. He had beer on ice for us. It is the small touches that make a dining experience memorable and you want to go back again.

The lunch menu is a delight as are the prices. CI$13.00 is very reasonable for various lunch items. They do hit you with the regular menu on a Sunday though. So, don’t expect the CI$13.00 items to be prevalent. CI$47.00 for surf and turf would make a tourist turn in their grave or at least try to get into one. To them that is a US$68.00 menu item with the gratuity. Wow! It is fresh, it is great, it is memorable, it is not New York. Having said that, the Rack of Lamb which is a restaurant staple here in the Cayman Islands is reasonable at CI$28.00. So, choose wisely I guess. As long as you are happy with your spend you will leave the lighthouse very content.

Bodden Town, Breakers
http://www.lighthouse.ky
947-2047

Senor Frog’s October 17, 2008

After you have climbed past the over sized frog at the front door you stumble upon a day glow warehouse looking space with picnic sized chairs we saw when we were in grade 9. Is this somewhere you want to go for dinner? Probably not. Is this somewhere you want to stop into when trawling through the few bars in the downtown area. Possibly.

Here is a fine example of the man seeing thousands of cruise passengers coming on to the island and wanting to tap into the market. Unfortunately, this is not Aruba; the keys; the Bahamas and so on and the cruise ship day/culture in the Cayman Islands is remarkably different. Basically this acute form of alcohol abuse is not as prevalent here in our islands. When they opened it was a great party place. For a week!

In hindsight, I can’t believe families went here with their kids. I am no food expert, I’ll admit to that, but if you see some of the food coming out of the kitchen in this place you bad cooks out there would be safer trying to cook at home blindfolded with one arm behind your back and 4 cans of lager in to your evening. For what it is, the prices are elevated for what you get. Whilst the portions are vast, the quality isn’t. I will not go on any further about it. Ok, I have to. $9 for a guacamole dip??? $30 for an appetizer platter??

When I was there, the staff were uninterested and probably upset that I didn’t have my Dale Jr. hat on and already wearing some purple bead from Bourbon Street. Look… this is not a forum to kill restaurant businesses across the island. I want to be truthful to what I see. Maybe others see it differently, maybe they see an attraction in what can be given here. The location is phenomenal in relation to the target market. When you see some lights out and unapologetic staff, you wonder why they aren’t making the most of it.

Unit # 2, Madison Place, Fort St Grand Cayman
547-5847
946-FROG