Agua’s menu sounds like the United Nations of the food
world: tons of Peruvian specialties, European influences, dishes incorporating
Asian ingredients and comforting Italian pastas. The all-encompassing commonality
between the selections is the predominantly seafood-based choices, which isn’t
surprising for a restaurant named as ‘water’.
Their ceviches (CI$13.50 each) are popular, it seemed every
table was graced with one. With five choices, the two we selected were pretty
similar: you would think a classic Peruvian (clasico Peruano) and Thai recipe would be different, yet both
incorporated the classic lime juice base, red onion and cilantro. The coconut milk
added to the Thai version did give that dish an edge, resulting in the ceviche
having a lovely creamy finish.
Both were good: tender large cubes of fish incorporating
enough flavour without being overpowering – you could taste the citrus without
a lingering burning sensation. The lackluster wonton chips could use some
improvement: not crispy enough to really withstand scooping and much too oily
leaving a sheen on your tongue that detracts from enjoying the ceviche’s
tastes.
I had my doubts when reading the description of the tuna
tartare (CI$14.50) … sweet and sour sauce AND truffle oil? Two very different
ingredients that in my mind had nothing to do with tuna. Admittedly, the
truffle oil was a tad overpowering, but overall everything worked. The tuna
itself was left in large enough pieces to not drown in sauce and the mixture
ended up being slightly sweet with a mild chili finish.
The tower was also pretty, the tartare perched perfectly on
a bed of diced creamy avocado. If only there was a taro chip for scooping; with
all the flavours something salty and crunchy to tie everything together would
have been nice.
We moved into warmer waters for the mains, my Peruvian mixed
grill (CI$28.50) consisting of a perfectly cooked fillet of mild white fish
topped with shrimp and calamari rings. Yet it was the buttery aji panca pepper sauce that made the
dish: the Peruvian pepper offering a mellow heat, smokiness not unlike chipotle
and a slightly sweet finish. If I weren’t feeling full from the rather large
appetizers, I would have eaten every drop of the sauce with the steamed rice.
I was glad to see that Agua’s lobster and shiitake ravioli
(CI$27.95) was more than a handful of pasta. There were about a dozen, each
filled with a mushroom mascarpone and also containing broth so the stuffed
pastas had an almost dumpling quality. On top was a healthy portion of cubed
lobster finished with a chive butter sauce.
The first meal of the Cayman Island’s trip was delicious and
the restaurant’s prime location along Seven Mile Beach a convenient draw. Thanks
to our host for introducing us to the place, Agua set the bar high for the
other meals to come…
How To Find Them
Location: Seven Mile Beach, Grand Cayman
Address: West Bay Road (in the Galleria Plaza)
Address: West Bay Road (in the Galleria Plaza)
Website: http://www.agua.ky/
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Gastro World's Grading System
- Anything under 5 - I really disliked and will never go back
- 6 - decent restaurant but I likely won't return
- 7 - decent restaurant and I will likely return
- 8 - great restaurant that I'd be happy to recommend
- 9 - fantastic restaurant that I would love to visit regularly and highly recommend
- 10 - absolute perfection!
Is That It? I Want More!
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