It’s chic, fun, picturesque, surprisingly affordable and an experience everyone in Cayman should seize – dining at Periwinkle.
Not to mention that eating at the Ritz-Carlton’s alfresco Mediterranean themed restaurant is not also downright delicious!
Sitting at a beautiful but simply set table awaiting my company, as I gazed out over the Ritz-Carlton waterway and the breeze feathered my cheeks, I asked myself a question: ‘Why had I not dined here before?’
Alas, it was a question I could not answer, but having finished a lip-smacking lunch, hoisting myself and my full belly up from the table I didn’t need to tell myself that I would soon dine in the pleasurable restaurant again, very soon.
Once joined by my company, a sample of appetizers was chosen and enthusiastically tasted.
Crispy fried calamari was given a zesty twang through the pickled cucumber, green mango and caper sauce for dipping.
The Kebab of Caribbean Conch, consisting of meaty but tender conch fritters with a fruity mango dipping sauce was a delight to the senses.
Flat bread, with a dip of hummus, roasted eggplant, olive oil and Greek tzatziki was a real Mediterranean treat.
Each of these three plates, known as ‘small bites and shares’ hovers around the $10 mark and are a whole lot of flavour for the price.
The pizza selection at Periwinkle, which ranges from $10 to $15, is freshly wood-fired and oozes flavour.
The Pizza Bianca, a classic three cheese with basil, oregano and mint combines these delicate flavours wonderfully.
The Pizza Caprese, with buffalo mozzarella, ripe tomatoes and fresh oregano is traditional and hearty.
Another popular item on the menu is shrimp Bolognese. For $18 enjoy this delicious dish of rotelle pasta with ground shrimp, plum tomatoes and local scotch bonnet peppers.
Other main courses, from a good variety available, include yellowfin tuna ($26), mussels ($15), grilled marinated skirt steak ($18) and Cobb salad ($14).
However, due warning must be given to leave room for dessert, which ranges in price from $6 to $10. After all, you don’t want to be too full to enjoy the mouth watering pineapple white chocolate bread pudding with rum banana caramel and vanilla bean ice-cream.
Or, you don’t want to be sitting there twiddling your thumbs watching your friend chow down a Banana Tempura complete with chocolate, caramel and citrus dipping sauce.
Dipping doughnuts in white chocolate vanilla sauce is another indulgence you honestly don’t want to miss out on.
The wonderful cuisine is the result of a lot of hard work and talent from Chef Wanda Teraguchi, formerly of Passione, and the Chef de Cuisine Richard Brower, who also oversees Blue by Eric Ripert. Of course, Periwinkle is also a restaurant by Eric Ripert, of New York’s Le Bernardin fame.
The manager Karan Jain was friendly and only too eager to please, and as I, sated as could be, made my way into the conveniently adjacent car park, I couldn’t but start to plan when I would return again to the charming and altogether unique Periwinkle.
Periwinkle opens daily at 11.30 and is open until 10pm weekdays and 11pm on Friday and Saturday. For reservations call 943 9000.
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