:: the dishes ::• Hokkaido Scallop Roll - Seared Scallop Sashimi wrapped with Panko Crisped Unagi, Snow Crab & Avocado
• Da Crunch - Shrimp Tempura, Snow Crab, Avocado, Toasted Macadamia Nuts, Malaysian Curry Aioli
• Sunrise at Haleakala - Tuna, Hamachi, Salmon, Avocado & Asparagus Tempura Roll, Togarashi Butter
• Confit of Asian Spiced Smoked Muscovy Duck Leg Appetizer - Sweet Soy Braised, Mission Fig, Acai Mignonette
• Japanese Pear, Baby Arugula & Chèvre - Salad With Candied Macadamia Nuts & Passion Fruit Vinaigrette
• Tender Braised Hawaii Kai Beef Short Ribs -
Served with a Natural Braising Sauce
• Roy’s Classic Roasted Macadamia Nut Crusted Mahi Mahi - Lobster Butter Sauce
• Roy’s Melting Hot Chocolate Soufflé Flourless Chocolate Cake - Molten Hot Center served à la Mode
:: the must haves ::
• molten lava chocolate cake (her pick)
• molten lava chocolate cake (his pick)
[ he says ] me and mrs. bunnie's first real fine dining meal back in the days. i still consider the roy's at newport beach the best in southern california. in my opinion, they have the best prixe fix menu for the buck. i still remember the first time we went. the atmosphere felt refined, the feeling of excitement and nervousness when i opened the door. everything was perfect. from the sweet, soft butter served with the warm bread, to the palate teasing ahi poketini, the sushi, and oh man, who can ever forget about the flourless molten lava cake that made roy's famous...but over the years me and mrs. bunnies appetite has changed. we ate better, we didn't mind paying more for better food, and we hungered more and more (ultimately leading, but not ending, at joel freakin' robuchons)...now, roys doesn't have the same magic as before...now, it's just a better than average restaurant with a good deal...*sigh* would i ever go back? *shrug* at least the dessert is good right?
[ she says ] roy's.... mmmm.... at least that is what used to come to mind. comparing my first experience and my last experience seem to be complete total opposites. engraved in my mind were the fresh buttery rolls served with sweet salted cream butter, the pungent wasabi aioli tobiko laced yellow fin poketini, and ever so rich lobster essence butter on their mac nut crusted fish. i say "fish" because of the few times i've been there, it has never been consistent — mahi mahi, red snapper, or "white fish" as the location in downtown la listed on their menu. my favorite would be when they create the dish with red snapper, so much flakier and sweeter.... oh so delicious.
the past two times we've gone to roy's, they have taken one of our favorite sushi rolls off the menu and it makes me sad just thinking about it. the roll was expensive but it was pure heaven in every bite and every chew. the new roll that we tried this time was the sunrise – good but not the same as the original roll. the fish was mahi mahi this time so mr. bunnie ended up getting it (its also not on their summer prie fix... BOOOOOOOOOOO...). needless to say none of the dishes were great enough to even list as a must have with the exception of the molten lava cake. but if that is the only thing that is worth going down there for, i'd rather just make it myself — it'll save me a whole lot of money, calories, and time.
