Cayman Restaurant, Bar and Events News from Cayman Good Taste

After a much anticipated wait Black Trumpet in Camana Bay has finally opened to the delight of foodies. Offering gourmet foods from around the world this delicatessen is rapidly gaining the attention of residents and visitors. You can eat-in, eat-out (overlooking the harbour in Camana Bay) or enjoy their food and fine wines later. Click here for more information on Black Trumpet in Cayman.  

Chang's in Cayman has just opened and is ideal for lovers of Chinese food in a elegant setting. Opened on 7th June 2010, in the old location of Home in Treasure Island, Chang's is the fourth restaurant to be opened in Cayman by the highly successful duo Markus Mueri and Neil Bryington of Abacus, Deckers and Prime fame. To make reservations at Chang's call 946 4663 and watch this space for more details.

Michael's Genuine in Cayman is opening for dinner from 16th June 2000 and then for lunch on 28th June 2010. As the second major restaurant to open in Camana Bay, Michael's Genuine aims to serve "fresh, simple, pure and sustainable cuisine in a bistro atmosphere". The menu will have a Caymanian influence and fresh ingredients will be sourced from local Cayman farmers and the Chef's Garden in Camana Bay. To make reservations at Michael's Genuine in Grand Cayman call 640 6433. Watch this space for more updates, menus etc. 

One of the latest restaurants to open in Cayman is Agua. The owners have completely renovated the old Cafe Med location on Seven Mile Beach and introduced a refreshingly new restaurant onto the Cayman restaurant scene. The owners of Agua, Walter and Christiano (both originally from Calypso Grill) have devised a Peruvian influenced seafood menu which features lots of delicious appetizers and slightly more contemporary tapas style 'spoons' so you can experience lots of different flavours.

Connoisseurs of sushi will be pleased to hear that the Ritz-Carlton in Grand Cayman opened a gourmet sushi lounge in October 2009. They offer possibly the most authentic sushi in Cayman and probably anywhere in the Caribbean. Not only do they use the finest ingredients but they grate real wasabi at your table. For more information including opening hours and a sample menu click here: Taikun.

The Honourable Julianna O’Connor-Connolly was delighted to have received the first 2010 Good Taste magazine and said, "It is such an excellent resource for both residents and visitors to choose from the diverse culinary options available in Cayman.” Click here for more details.

People who are familiar with the crisp white tablecloths, fresh seafood and attentive service of South Beach restaurants in Florida, will welcome OsetraBay in Cayman which opened in October 2009 in the old location of Fisherman's Reef in West Bay. With its champagne bar and lounge, oysters, crab claws and other seafood delicacies OsetraBay is aimed at the discerning and more wealthy crowd in Cayman. To make dining at OsetraBay even more fulfilling you should arrive by boat! Click here for opening hours, menus and more: OsetraBay.

The word on the street was that the Post restaurant in the West Shore Centre would not last a second season. The pundits were right, and now in its place has opened Dolce Vita. With new investors, a new interior decor and an appealing courtyard entrance this time the restaurant should be a success. Chef Ercole is now just focusing on cooking his delicious Italian dishes and letting others worry about the business and the results are showing. Click here for opening hours, directions, menus and more: Dolce Vita.

Being a vegan in Cayman, or even just a straight forward vegetarian, is not easy as there are not many dining choices available. However, if you have not already found Miss Janel at Roots Delight you need to visit her small take out restaurant in the Cayman Center. Her whole focus is centred around healthy living and eating and her Veggie wraps and smoothies are delicious. If you are a vegan, you won't be disappointed.

Many of the local restaurants in Cayman serve a mix of local dishes and West Indian or Jamaican dishes. However two restaurants that stand out are Driftwood and Everglo. Driftwood, just two miles from Rum Point, claims to be the only 'local' restaurant in Cayman offering real Caymanian cooking. Everglo, just after Bodden Town, offers a wider selection of Caribbean cooking but Buddy grows many of his ingredients locally. You will often be able to sample fresh juices or even purchase his own jams and jellies which makes a great alternative to more commercially available products.

Nectar opened in Grand Cayman in the Summer of 2009 in the old location of Sapphire in the Seven Mile Beach shopping plaza. Boasting the largest martini list in the Cayman Islands, Nectar is a sushi and martini bar with a classy and stylish ambience which is popular with the 20's to 30's crowd. For more information, opening hours etc., click the following link, Nectar in Cayman.

Lovers of Indian food will have noticed that Bayside restaurant has closed. Angelo, the owner, just couldn't cope with the overheads of the restaurant and has downsized. He is now running the Old Gaol Cafe behind the National Museum in downtown George Town. The good news is that as well as his regular cafe fare, he is continuing to cook delicious Indian food which is also available as a takeout.

Vivendi is Cayman's first cabaret show offering stunning performances with different dining options. Click here Vivendi in Cayman for reservations and more information. Those familiar with the Moulin Rouge will love this line-up. Vivendi arrived in Grand Cayman in January 2009 with over 20 talented artists performing fabulous musical pieces together with daring feats of human abilities.

Bed restaurant in Cayman sadly closed in November 2008 under the pretence of being refurbished. But here we are in March 2009 and the doors still remain firmly shut. The word on the street is that the owners are looking for new tenants to take on the lease. We will let you know as soon as we know anything!

The 2009 edtion of the Good Taste magazine arrived on the Island today (1st December 2008) and is the most comprehensive and up-to-date guide Cayman has ever seen. The restaurant, bar, café and events sections have all expanded and 14 brand new establishments, that have opened in the last six months, have been added. The magazine is the most widely disributed magazine on the Island and can be pick up for free from over 350 different locations. Click here for more information.

Curry lovers will be pleased to hear that the Indian restaurant Bayside (in George Town) has just reopened on 12th January 2009, after undergoing refurbishments for the last three months. Angelo, the owner, cooks delicious authentic Indian dishes and as developed a very loyal customer base over the last five years. The popular lunch buffet will be available again from Monday to Friday. Click here for more information about Bayside in Cayman.

The Rum Point Restaurant in Cayman Kai has finally reopened (5th December 2008) in one of the most idyllic settings in Cayman. The restaurant is open for dinner and is bright, colourful and Caribbean both in its decor and its menu. For a real treat take the Red Sail catamaran from Savehaven Dock at 5:30pm. For reservations call (345) 947 9412 or click Rum Point Restaurant Cayman for more details.

If you are looking for a late night snack on Seven Mile Beach and 'jerk' is what you are craving for, then the recently opened Ray Ray's is worth a visit. Located just at the front of Aqua Beach it serves food from 9pm to 3am and used to be called Lyrics. Click Ray Ray's for more information.

Cblu is the latest, and one of the trendiest, outdoor bars in Cayman. Recently opened in the Fall of 2008 it has fabulous views across George Town harbour and serves "locally influenced" tapas and sushi dishes. They also offer a range of delicious iced martinis. Click Cblu for more information and to find out where they are located!

The ever popular Al La Kebab has expanded its healthy fast-food empire by opening its second location - this time in downtown George Town. The only difference to the Seven Mile Beach location is that they are open for breakfast from 6.30am and now that Fort Street Market has closed they are quickly becoming the new fast-food dining place in town. For more details click Al La Kebab.

Harry's Caribbean Bar and Grill used to have a reputation as a great local restaurant and bar, but sadly, for personal reasons, the restaurant had to be shutdown. Luckily however the Rockfish Lounge has taken its place and continues to offer a fun and lively local bar and restaurant with an updated and affordable menu. Click Rockfish for more information.

Durty Reid's has been an institution for Caymanians since 1989, but its forced relocation, due to infrastructure improvements (namely the extension of the road to Savannah and the bulldozing of the Red Bay Plaza (July 07)) has not gone well. After one year at Pedro St. James, (Durty) Reid Dennis threw in the towel (Nov 08) as his clientele significantly dropped off during the week. Watch this space and we will inform you as soon as we know if Durty Reid's will be revived to live another day.

After months of anticipation Abacus in Grand Cayman opened its doors on the 21st May 2008. The brain-child of Markus Mueri and Neil Bryington, Abacus is the first restaurant to open in the new prestigious Camana Bay development. Now open for lunch and dinner (except Sundays) their menus are fresh and contemporary. Call them on (345) 623 8282 for reservations. Click Abacus in Cayman for more information.

The Post restaurant in Cayman recently opened in the West Shore Centre. Chef and owner Ercole Musso's vision is to re-create an authentic Italian dining experience with everything being freshly prepared. Chef Ercole was taught to cook at the tender age of six by his Italian grandmother and owned his own restaurant in Italy before moving to Cayman in 2005. For reservations call the Post on (345) 946 7678.

Co-Founders Michael Kennedy, Nelson Dilbert and Walker Romanica launched a new Cayman Islands Rum on 1st May 2008, called Seven Fathoms. Uniquely the rum is matured underwater and will be marketed in the super premium category. Walker Romanica said, "we are able to take advantage of the kinetic properties of the ocean tides and currents to create a very unique flavour profile and a remarkably smooth rum". Refined locally in Cayman, Seven Fathoms has taken several years to come to the market and initially will only be available in small quantities.

The Good Taste website reached a new milestone of a million hits per month in January 2008. Charles Grover, Publishing Director at Acorn Publishing attributed the huge increase in visitors to the partnership with the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism and the fact that the website has become recognised as the most comprehensive source of dining information in the Cayman Islands. Click here for more information.

Pillar Bush, the Cayman Islands Director of Tourism, received the first copy of the 2008 Good Taste magazine, Cayman's most comprehensive dining and entertainment guide, and said that it was encouraging to see local enterprise help promote Cayman as the culinary capital of the Caribbean. The magazine has been completely updated and provides information on restaurants, bars and coffee shops in Grand Cayman. The magazine also includes a new section on Event Planning. Look out for complementary copies in shopping plazas, hotels, condos, car rental agencies, supermarkets, at the airport and other distribution points around the Island. Click here for more information.

From Friday 8th February 2008 Davie Jones Locker will be renamed the Dog House. This continues the theme of two other restaurants in Grand Harbour called the Brick House and the Brew House and is now the third restaurant in the area owned by Harry Lalli. The menu will be changed but otherwise it will continue to be a sports bar. Watch this space for more information.

Prime, Cayman's latest restaurant on Grand Cayman, opened its doors on Monday 12th November 2007. Located in Governor's Square, Prime is no ordinary steakhouse - it is a new type of dining experience based on a Brazilian Churrascaria Steakhouse. For more information and reservations click on the following link: Prime in Grand Cayman.

Fans of gelato (Italian icecream) will be pleased to hear that Antica Gelateria has reopened its doors after being closed for just over two months. Antica will be kept in the family and run by Robert Escalante's parents. The original owners, Robert and Jessica Escalante, will start delighting new customers in Italy when they open a new shop there rather than Orlando, which was the original plan!

Sean Collins, from Mise en Place, won the Top Chef-style competition at the recent Caribbean Rundown culinary extravaganza held at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, on 5-7 October 2007. The final three contestants, Sean Collins, Glenovan Balfore and Paul Furze were given a mystery basket filled with local produce, including fish, and one hour to produce three courses. Mr. Collins has won a week being trained in the kitchen at Le Bernardin, a Michelin three star restaurant, in New York. The panel of judges included Eric Ripert from The Ritz-Carlton, Michael Laiskonis from Le Bernardin and the winner of the James Beard Outstanding Pastry Chef award for 2007.

Cheers Lounge and Restaurant must take the record for the shortest time a restaurant has ever been open for on Grand Cayman! The restaurant was open for less than three months before a disagreement between its new owners, Gary Bodden and Victor Johnson, forced the restaurant to close. Cheers occupied the old Ernestos restaurant location in the Strand Shopping Centre.

The new, and much anticipated Italian restaurant Luca on Grand Cayman opened on Thursday 18th July 2007, following a huge opening party the night before when almost 600 people enjoyed cocktails, wine and canapés. The restaurant is owned by Andi Marcher and Paolo Polloni and is situated on the ground floor of the Caribbean Club on Seven Mile Beach. The owners have gone to considerable lengths to create a fabulous dining experience. Click here for details and full menu for Luca in Cayman.

The Cayman Islands Department of Tourism and Good Taste have gone into partnership to promote Cayman as the best culinary destination in the Caribbean. The partnership involves using the Good Taste website as the official partner website for bar, coffee shop and restaurant information for the Cayman Islands and so anyone seeking this type of information on the DOT website will be directed to the Good Taste website. Click here for full story.