Literally and figuratively. I had a hard time coming up with the next post idea. I should be writing about our excellent meals at Blanchards or Straw Hat. But I want to write about a new discovery where we only had three dishes, and one was a Caesar salad! Hence, not a marathon post, but short, fresh and simple, like the Vincy menu. Well, except maybe the short part.
Chef Vincia “Vincy” Hughes moved her newish restaurant from Sandy Ground to a location towering right above Sandy Ground. Like a factory manager getting a promotion and a new office overlooking the factory. While some of the details of the view are not particularly pleasing, the view as a whole is mesmerizing. If you close one eye you are staring at the Croatian coastline. If you close both, you will eventually fall asleep. Not recommended during lunch at Vincy.
A pleasant roomy patio with a view, with exceptional food and smiles to match. In genuine Anguilla fashion, a staff that exhibits a level of hospitality that I dont even experience in NYC, not alone in other Caribbean islands. What is it about Anguilla? I dont usually pay much attention to service, but this was hard not to notice. People seem to love what they do and genuinely happy to meet you.
Like many chefs in Anguilla, Vincy’s resume includes some of the top high end resorts on the island. Unlike so many, Vincy opted to showcase her skills the best way she can, at her own pace and place. And unlike so many, she often comes out to say hello. Chefs have a tough job, but that connection makes a difference. And besides it gave me the opportunity to confirm that I ordered correctly despite the sweet aroma of a goat curry she’s been cooking the last hour. The plan of having it at E’s Oven down the road later that day gave me comfort.
That aforementioned Caesar was a solid as they come, and an indication of things to come. The older we get the more we appreciate a good Caesar, and we are getting very close to know how to spell it without looking. The blackened shrimp tacos were superb. Wonderful warm tortillas, slaw, tomato. Loaded, but nothing overpowering the perfectly cooked shrimp.
But the one dish that persuaded me to leave my lounge chair and drive the 15 minutes (the equivalent of 90 in NYC) was a grilled whole snapper with lemon butter. It did not disappoint. She keeps it fresh and simple, and if the ingredients are not top notch she aint serving it. Adding the dish and the place to our growing Anguilla rotation. Although the rest of the menu reads like the Anguilla food hall of fame, and I would like to try every single dish.
Did I mention the view? That’s why I recommend a nice longish lunch, over dinner. And if the furniture look familiar, some of it is from this place. This is the beginning of a beautiful, hopefully long relationship.
Eating With Ziggy 