Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink Grand Cayman, the
first island outpost of James Beard award-winning Miami chef Michael Schwartz,
has been an instant hit since opening for dinner this summer. Now locals and visitors can enjoy Schwartz’s
fresh, simple, pure, and sustainable cuisine for lunch overlooking the Town
Centre of Camana Bay’s picturesque Harbour.
An extension of what has made dinner at the restaurant
the most sought after table on the Island, the lunch menu showcases Schwartz’s
commitment to fresh, simple, pure, and sustainable cuisine accented with
Caymanian flavour. Selections change daily, based on what’s in season on local
farms.
With a variety of moderately priced appetizers,
sandwiches, salads, pizzas, and entrees, the restaurant seats 75 indoors and 75
outdoors on its spacious patio -- the perfect location for a business lunch or
a weekend break with family and friends over freshly-made sandwiches and cold
beers from the restaurant’s impressive selection of brews.
Starters ($4-$ $13) include Michael’s renowned thick cut
potato chips with pan fried onion dip; the addictive chile chicken wings with
creamy cucumbers and crispy sweet & spicy pork belly, among others.
First and foremost in the sandwich category (CI$10 to
CI$16) is the Golden Griddle Award–winning Harris Ranch Black Angus burger,
dubbed Best Burger at the 2010 Food Network South Beach Wine and Food Festival
Amstel Light Burger Bash, hosted by Rachael Ray. Featuring house ground beef, the burger can
be enhanced with Vermont white cheddar or Rogue Creamery smoky blue cheese and
house smoked bacon. Other sandwich standouts include a pulled pork sandwich
with pickled red onion, homemade pastrami sandwich on grilled ciabatta bread
with cave aged Gruyere, and a rich and tasty short rib and Fontina cheese panini
with caramelized onions and heirloom tomato chutney.
All sandwiches are served with a choice of
homemade French fries or greens. Salads
($9-$18) include a piquant spicy grilled beef salad with kimchi, beet and
heirloom tomato salad, and a perfect tuna nicoise – lightly seared fresh tuna,
crisp haricot verts and a saffron aioli.
A selection of pizzas ($14 to $16) are on offer and include the classic
San Marzano tomato, fresh mozzarella and basil as well as the wildly popular
slow roasted Berkshire pork with Mission figs, grilled onions, Fontina cheese
and fresh arugula.
A well-rounded selection of entrees ($9 to $29) are
available including wood roasted fish of the day, freshly caught and served
with sautéed escarole; grilled Fudge Farms pork chop with braised local
callaloo; and rigatoni with pesto, grilled shrimp and tomato salad. There are
plenty of temptations to end the meal on a sweet note with desserts ($8 to $9)
like the sweet basil panna cotta with strawberry consommé and berries – which
won best dish at the January 2010 Taste of Cayman – alongside chocolate cremoso
with sea salt, olive oil, sourdough crostini and espresso parfait.
Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink Camana Bay is at 47
Forum Lane, Suite 4103, Canella Court at Camana Bay. The restaurant is now open
for lunch Monday through Saturday from 11.30am until 3pm; dinner Sunday through
Thursday from 5.30pm until 10pm, and Friday and Saturday 5.30pm until 11pm; and
for Happy Hour featuring drink specials Monday through Friday from 4.30pm to 6.30pm.
Reservations are suggested at 345.640.6433 or online at
www.michaelsgenuine.com. Follow the
restaurant on Twitter @MGFD_GCM or via the Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink
blog, www.thegenuinekitchen.com