Roy's Restaurant 20th Birthday...with Roy in Person!

Roy Yamaguchi visited Naples Roy’s on May 23, celebrating Roy’s 20th year of operation. From a single Honolulu Roy's in 1988, to 37 Roy’s world-wide branches in 2008, he’s set a high standard for all restaurants to follow. His Hawaiian Fusion Cuisine is a influenced by mix of Hawaiian, Japanese, and various Pacific Rim cuisines, combined with a French saucier’s magical talents. Featuring Hawaii’s unique fish and vegetables, combined with local sources, the mix is intoxicating!

Roy Cooking "On the Line" Whether you are at the “bar” directly in front of the chefs at the open kitchen, or at a booth, service is attentive and smooth.
I’ve eaten at the Kauai Poipu and the Bonita Springs’ and Naples’ Roy’s Restaurants, and the quality of wait staff and dining is consistently high. I’ve met my share of celebrity chefs, and Roy is a relief, devoid of tinny “super chef” braggadocio. There’s no inflated ego. He is warmly welcoming, yet quiet and reserved; very alert and calm. His staff clearly admires his overall presence and humbleness, “on and off stage”. As one waiter noted, “He cares, he really takes care of everyone else”.
This celebration, twenty years in the making, combined Roy’s recipes from 1988 and 1999, as well as current 2008 recipes. These were paired with, ta-da, a personal visit from Gary Branham, and his Branham Estate wines, for grand total of only $85! Top that! The 2008 Big Island Goat cheese, Baby Mache, Frisee and Arugula Salad was accented by crunchy Candied Macadamia Nuts, with Passion Fruit slices, and a Mango light Vinaigrette. The goat cheese slices were smooth, and moist.
This was accompanied by a Signature Hawaiian Martini. That’s 2 ounces pineapple infused SKYY vodka, 1 ounce Stoli Vanil vodka, and 1 ounce Malibu coconut rum. Island sweet, with a real kick!

Chefs at the Open Kitchen
The 1998 first course was a Kona Crab “Cake” of luscious fresh crab with scant filler, bound in a ring of thin, crisp round slices of Marinated Daikon (a Japanese radish), with a Pineapple-Vanilla Froth, and pink and green micro sprouts, AKA “Micro Amaranth Greens”. Paired with the wonderfully light, crisp 2006 Branham Chardonnay, the Crab “Cake” had an additional surprise, a light sprinkle of crunchy Hawaiian salt crystals on top, setting off the fresh crab’s natural sweetness.Micro Greens, Reds and Yellows on the Crab "Cake"

Tom, Natalie Kirstein; Beth, Terry Burkhardt, Beaming

The 1988 Shiso Seared Hawaiian Opakapaka is served over a Lobster and Shrimp Shu Mai, or Chinese dumpling, and a Vegetable Stir Fry, with a Branham Pinot Noir Coconut Curry Reduction. The fish, a Hawaiian pink snapper with more of a swordfish texture, was seared and tender, bordering on being firm, yet still succulent. I only wish Roy served the Opa, or Moon Fish, my absolute favorite of his fish, or his Butterfish! The 2005 Branham Pinot Noir was a perfect match, bringing out the seared goodness. I’ll pick up a bottle locally, it’s that good with fish, or lighter-spiced meat dishes.
The "Original” Dark Chocolate Soufflé Martini, below. The cocktail version of the rich, chocolaty dessert featuring Godiva Dark Liqueur, Chambord Black Raspberry Liqueur, Starbucks Cream Liqueur and a drizzle of Ghirardelli Chocolate Syrup. A Chocaholic's delight.
Our server, Michael, anticipated requests, and is a gentleman with a good sense of humor
The star for me was the 1988 Teppanyaki Seared Hudson Valley Duck Breast, with Whipped Okinawa Potatoes, and an earthy Black Bean Dragon Sauce. The filet, or half duck breast, (called magret if the bird has been fattened for foie gras as well) was rich, tender, and lean, with just enough of a rim of seared fat for taste. The full bodied 2005 Branham Jazz wine, a quartet of Zinfandel, Petit Syrah, Syrah and Cabernet, matched well, with good tannins, and dark berry and peppery notes.Roy came round to the packed tables, and graciously signed autographed menus and some copies of “Roy’s Fish and Seafood, Recipes from the Pacific Rim” Book, his beautifully illustrated third book. Well worth a look or purchase. One admirer, watching him interact with his guests requests, said “I thought he was cool before, and now I’m his greatest fan!” We met Executive Chef-Partner Javier Vasquez and Leighanne Vasquez. Bonita Spring’s Executive Chef-Partner Wade Lowe. Mark Anders, Joint Venture Partner, with Jeannie Lee, in the spirit of things! The Dessert Trio of Decadence features a rich Chocolate Torte, with a scoop of Pistachio Ice Cream with fresh nuts admixed, on the side. The very subtle Coconut Haupia, in a thin chocolate cup, got lost among its’ stronger flavored siblings. Coconut based Haupia is mild, thickened with arrowroot or cornstarch to be firmer or stiffer than a usual pudding. It is usually molded and then cut into blocks, with numerous variations, just in Hawaii alone. My favorite dessert of the trio (or quartet, but who’s counting?) was the sweet and gooey Miniature Pineapple Upside-Down Cake, topped with crunchy nuts. A delight-I could get a few of these as a main course next time!! As one patron said “It’s unique to Roy’s, you just don’t get it anywhere else”.

Pineapple Upside-Down, Pistachio Ice Cream, Haupia, Choc. Torte

Roy's is very family friendly. Roy’s Keiki, or Child's Meal. is really a two courser plus dessert, for only $12, that this kid (me) would be happy to have! Starts with Assorted Vegetable Crudité & Grilled Jack Cheese Quesadilla, then has a choice of one of the following four: Pasta of the day, Crispy Chicken Fingers 'n French Fries, Grilled Salmon with Steamed Rice and Vegetables, or Broiled Short Ribs with Mashed Potatoes and veggies. This is topped off with a Vanilla Ice Cream Sundae dessert. Bring it on!

Roy's Downtown Naples Restaurant - 475 Bayfront Place, Naples, Fl (239) 261-1416

.