Paradise Revisited: Tommy Bahama Tropical Cafe October 30, 2007

I went on my first and last blind date a few years ago, as a naive twenty-something. My friend thought it was a good idea to set me up with one of her single, guy friends. He was a nice guy and a fairly good-looking, courteous fella but the only thing we had in common was that we were single. He rambled on and on about himself the entire time and, although I prefer listening than talking most of the time, it got to a point I wanted him to just shut the hell up.
The worst part of it all was that he took me to Tommy Bahama’s Tropical Café in Newport Beach. The restaurant was superb as always – with wonderfully tropical and coconut-y décor, delicious Caribbean-inspired dishes and consistently amazing service. In fact, this place is one of my favorite places to dine. The worst part was that the place happened to be gazillion miles away from home and thus not giving me the chance for a getaway. It was the most excruciating evening of my dating life and I promised myself then that I would never go on a friggin blind date ever again. I know I sound so mean by saying this but if you were there with me that night, you will totally sympathize. Just for the record, he was not a bad guy at all. We just had no chemistry at all.
Last Saturday was the first time I visited Tommy Bahama’s since the incidence, and luckily I was with a darn good company this time. My best friend’s pals were visiting the area from San Francisco so she and her other friends, who lives in San Diego, decided to meet up in the middle for a mini reunion, and I was her plus-one for the afternoon.  I have met them all before and I absolutely adore them. 
With great wine, food and friends, I was able to wash away the bitterness of the yesteryears and begin a new memory with Tommy!

Tortola Tortilla Soup, a savory blend of ground corn tortillas and vegetables with grilled chicken seasoned with island spices and garnished with lime sour cream.
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Saba Steak Salad, marinated and char-grilled tenderloin medallions served over a bed of fresh mixed greens tossed with tamarind vinaigrette. Garnished with grilled potatoes, vine-ripened roma tomatoes, shiitake chips and garlic aioli.
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Tommy’s Great Big Crispy Fish Sandwich, crispy beer battered local island fish topped with honey-roasted onions. Served with french fries and island tartar sauce.
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St. Bart’s Shrimp BLT, grilled lemon shrimp, hickory smoked bacon, leaf lettuce and vine-ripened tomato with garlic aioli on toasted sourdough bread. Served with pennetti pasta salad.
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Tahitian Tuna Salad, blackened Ahi tuna seared rare atop a bed of fresh arugula, spinach and carrots, tossed in a lilikoi vinaigrette, ribboned with sweet soy glaze and wasabi aioli. Served with wasabi paste and soy sauce then garnished with crispy wonton strips and toasted sesame seeds.
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St., Croix Chopped Salad, diced marinated and grilled chicken breast, fresh mixed greens, vine-ripened roma tomatoes, Maytag bleu cheese, Granny Smith apples, macadamia nuts, hickory smoked bacon and sweet corn tossed with our honey-lime vinaigrette. Garnished with garlic croutons.
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Blackbeard’s Butterscotch, dark brown cane sugar, butter, cream, vanilla and scotch whiskey blended and served chilled.
Garnished with chocolate ganache, “from scratch” caramel sauce and fresh whipped cream.
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Wha’Jamaican Chocolate Cake, a flourless chocolate espresso cake served with white chocolate crème anglaise and
garnished with chocolate shavings.
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Pina Colada Cake, a moist vanilla layer cake with Myers Dark Rum and chopped pineapple, covered with
white chocolate mousse and toasted coconut.

Tommy Bahama Tropical Cafe:  854 Avocado Avenue, Newport Beach, CA 92660

★★★★★