Comments on: Jays Island Fresh Cuisine http://bigislandgrinds.com/2008/10/jays-island-fresh-cuisine/ A food blog from da Big Island of Hawaii Tue, 07 Feb 2012 05:15:36 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: Kitchen Foods Review http://bigislandgrinds.com/2008/10/jays-island-fresh-cuisine/comment-page-1/#comment-331499 Kitchen Foods Review Tue, 31 Jan 2012 09:09:11 +0000 http://bigislandgrinds.com/?p=322#comment-331499 <strong>Kitchen Foods Review...</strong> [...]Big Island Grinds » Jays Island Fresh Cuisine[...]... Kitchen Foods Review…

[...]Big Island Grinds » Jays Island Fresh Cuisine[...]…

]]> By: siatic nerves http://bigislandgrinds.com/2008/10/jays-island-fresh-cuisine/comment-page-1/#comment-320182 siatic nerves Fri, 30 Dec 2011 07:10:03 +0000 http://bigislandgrinds.com/?p=322#comment-320182 <strong>siatic nerves...</strong> [...]Big Island Grinds » Jays Island Fresh Cuisine[...]... siatic nerves…

[...]Big Island Grinds » Jays Island Fresh Cuisine[...]…

]]> By: crystal http://bigislandgrinds.com/2008/10/jays-island-fresh-cuisine/comment-page-1/#comment-205617 crystal Wed, 04 Aug 2010 22:18:03 +0000 http://bigislandgrinds.com/?p=322#comment-205617 I thought Jays Island Tapas was a spectacular place to eat. Lunch time was pretty reasonable 10 to 12 dollars and presentation and taste of food was fabulous. Jays sold his business to the Hilo Burger Joint, what a disappointment. I thought Jays Island Tapas was a spectacular place to eat. Lunch time was pretty reasonable 10 to 12 dollars and presentation and taste of food was fabulous. Jays sold his business to the Hilo Burger Joint, what a disappointment.

]]> By: Jack http://bigislandgrinds.com/2008/10/jays-island-fresh-cuisine/comment-page-1/#comment-204920 Jack Thu, 15 Jul 2010 15:35:55 +0000 http://bigislandgrinds.com/?p=322#comment-204920 Be sure to post your reviews at http://tinyurl.com/26okadh and tell us more! Be sure to post your reviews at http://tinyurl.com/26okadh and tell us more!

]]> By: pthep http://bigislandgrinds.com/2008/10/jays-island-fresh-cuisine/comment-page-1/#comment-69571 pthep Wed, 18 Mar 2009 16:51:11 +0000 http://bigislandgrinds.com/?p=322#comment-69571 after looking around Hilo and only being directed to two Italian places we were on our way and noticed Jay's sign. The outside was plain, the curtains drawn so it did not look "inviting". a young couple leaving recomended we try it. The interior is clean, well dressed, welcoming and feels upscale for a young resteraunt. the only major change I would make is to add a barrier wall to the kitchen / restroom entrances to seperate them from the dinning room, but it was not distracting. we were greated and seated promptly. there were enough people inside to suggest a good resteraunt. The bartender turned out to be the owner / chef filling in at the bar. Jay made the rounds to all the tables and it was clear most of the patrons were return customers. when it was our turn to visit with Jay we found him to be genuinly interested in making our dinning experience unforgettable without being overboard, we were not disapointed at all. We started with a Poke not on the menu, it was very different from others I have eaten, my wife reluctantly tried it,(not a fish person) then I thought I would not get another bite. Lulu had tempera shrimp off the menu. large, crispy all around, did not get soggy at all. the dipping sauce was very lively as well but I could not tell what was in it, Lulu could and loved it. I had Ahi, the fresh catch, the butter lemon sauce was the best I have ever had and wish I could duplicate it. The entire meal flavors were a great blend of influences with a wonderful balance of flavors. We finished with a passion fruit glazed cheescake, the glaze was very flavorful and jumped right off the subtle smooth rich cake. I will overlook any parking and the low key exterior and eat there often. The waitress was very friendly and knowlagable, she could use some formal training to polish up the skills of a formal server. I recomend Jay's Island Fresh to anyone. Pat & Lulu, Renton WA Mar 2009 after looking around Hilo and only being directed to two Italian places we were on our way and noticed Jay’s sign. The outside was plain, the curtains drawn so it did not look “inviting”. a young couple leaving recomended we try it.
The interior is clean, well dressed, welcoming and feels upscale for a young resteraunt. the only major change I would make is to add a barrier wall to the kitchen / restroom entrances to seperate them from the dinning room, but it was not distracting.
we were greated and seated promptly. there were enough people inside to suggest a good resteraunt.

The bartender turned out to be the owner / chef filling in at the bar. Jay made the rounds to all the tables and it was clear most of the patrons were return customers. when it was our turn to visit with Jay we found him to be genuinly interested in making our dinning experience unforgettable without being overboard, we were not disapointed at all.
We started with a Poke not on the menu, it was very different from others I have eaten, my wife reluctantly tried it,(not a fish person) then I thought I would not get another bite.
Lulu had tempera shrimp off the menu. large, crispy all around, did not get soggy at all. the dipping sauce was very lively as well but I could not tell what was in it, Lulu could and loved it.
I had Ahi, the fresh catch, the butter lemon sauce was the best I have ever had and wish I could duplicate it. The entire meal flavors were a great blend of influences with a wonderful balance of flavors.
We finished with a passion fruit glazed cheescake, the glaze was very flavorful and jumped right off the subtle smooth rich cake.
I will overlook any parking and the low key exterior and eat there often.
The waitress was very friendly and knowlagable, she could use some formal training to polish up the skills of a formal server.
I recomend Jay’s Island Fresh to anyone.
Pat & Lulu, Renton WA Mar 2009

]]> By: Sarah http://bigislandgrinds.com/2008/10/jays-island-fresh-cuisine/comment-page-1/#comment-66068 Sarah Tue, 17 Feb 2009 19:15:44 +0000 http://bigislandgrinds.com/?p=322#comment-66068 Wow! Was the write up written in the local food mag misguided!! This retaurant seems to have a great chef. Unfortunately the service was some of the worst in my 18 years on the big island. We couldn't believe how long it took for them to do anything. it seems that every one "shares" the tables @ Jay's( shares in the neglect). the waitstaff even made comments to how badly they were doing. Only a few of the menu items were off,I.E. out of 3 things when we first walked in the door & the french onion soup had obviously been sitting on too high of a flame getting more & more salty. We were being so ignored that we eventually had to ask if they had a corkscrew to open our 2nd bottle of wine & the waiter actually brought one & slapped it on the table & walked away, for us to open our own bottle! The tapas menu idea is a nice idea , but we were in the middle of ordering our second round of them & the waitress told us that she'd be right back and had to do something. she then proceeded to do about 3 more things while we watched here, mouth's agape. She eventually drifted back to take our order in about 5 minutes. Quite an adventure. Wow! Was the write up written in the local food mag misguided!!
This retaurant seems to have a great chef. Unfortunately the service was some of the worst in my 18 years on the big island. We couldn’t believe how long it took for them to do anything. it seems that every one “shares” the tables @ Jay’s( shares in the neglect). the waitstaff even made comments to how badly they were doing. Only a few of the menu items were off,I.E. out of 3 things when we first walked in the door & the french onion soup had obviously been sitting on too high of a flame getting more & more salty.
We were being so ignored that we eventually had to ask if they had a corkscrew to open our 2nd bottle of wine & the waiter actually brought one & slapped it on the table & walked away, for us to open our own bottle!
The tapas menu idea is a nice idea , but we were in the middle of ordering our second round of them & the waitress told us that she’d be right back and had to do something. she then proceeded to do about 3 more things while we watched here, mouth’s agape. She eventually drifted back to take our order in about 5 minutes.
Quite an adventure.

]]> By: erik the foodie from NY, NY http://bigislandgrinds.com/2008/10/jays-island-fresh-cuisine/comment-page-1/#comment-57534 erik the foodie from NY, NY Wed, 10 Dec 2008 16:36:29 +0000 http://bigislandgrinds.com/?p=322#comment-57534 I have been coming to Hilo on a monthly basis for the past several months and have found myself eating at Cafe Pesto often because I was not able to find any other decent place; Pesto is good, safe, and always busy. This will happen no more! Thanks to your website I tried Jay's on 12/9 and was very impressed. The location and decor are fine; hard to park if you are driving and interior decor is nothing exciting (except for some of the modern art on the wall) but well organized and very clean. The style of the menu does not, at all, reflect the exciting dishes that come out of the kitchen; wow! The menu was printed on someone's computer and does not do the dishes created justice; read, they need a graphic artist. Then there is the food that is really well executed, balanced, inventive, interesting to look at and most importantly, great to taste; every bite. I don t have much time to write a better review but can only say that the decor, menu, and other minor aspects of the experience do not properly reflect the quality of the food that comes out of the kitchen and hence, do not judge this book by the cover because you will be missing one of the best restauarnts in Hilo. I have been coming to Hilo on a monthly basis for the past several months and have found myself eating at Cafe Pesto often because I was not able to find any other decent place; Pesto is good, safe, and always busy. This will happen no more! Thanks to your website I tried Jay’s on 12/9 and was very impressed.

The location and decor are fine; hard to park if you are driving and interior decor is nothing exciting (except for some of the modern art on the wall) but well organized and very clean.

The style of the menu does not, at all, reflect the exciting dishes that come out of the kitchen; wow! The menu was printed on someone’s computer and does not do the dishes created justice; read, they need a graphic artist.

Then there is the food that is really well executed, balanced, inventive, interesting to look at and most importantly, great to taste; every bite.

I don t have much time to write a better review but can only say that the decor, menu, and other minor aspects of the experience do not properly reflect the quality of the food that comes out of the kitchen and hence, do not judge this book by the cover because you will be missing one of the best restauarnts in Hilo.

]]> By: damon http://bigislandgrinds.com/2008/10/jays-island-fresh-cuisine/comment-page-1/#comment-57364 damon Sun, 07 Dec 2008 22:04:56 +0000 http://bigislandgrinds.com/?p=322#comment-57364 Went here once... won't ever go again. Had the "prime rib" sandwich and It tasted like dried out roast beef that was just microwaved and then had some au jus added on top. Never again will I eat there. My wife was also VERY disappointed. Went here once… won’t ever go again.

Had the “prime rib” sandwich and It tasted like dried out roast beef that was just microwaved and then had some au jus added on top.

Never again will I eat there.

My wife was also VERY disappointed.

]]> By: Wicked http://bigislandgrinds.com/2008/10/jays-island-fresh-cuisine/comment-page-1/#comment-54723 Wicked Mon, 17 Nov 2008 07:49:25 +0000 http://bigislandgrinds.com/?p=322#comment-54723 Thanks! I went there with a girlfriend and we had the steamed clams and chicken satay (two appetizers) for lunch. Really delicious! The only down side is they only had fountain soda (coke, sierra mist)- nothing original like Cafe Pesto and their limeade, etc. True they don't have a liquor license, but having original non-alcoholic cocktails and juices would have been good. Anyway, the atmosphere was nice and food was good. We decided to go again to try out the rest of the appetizers! Thanks! I went there with a girlfriend and we had the steamed clams and chicken satay (two appetizers) for lunch. Really delicious! The only down side is they only had fountain soda (coke, sierra mist)- nothing original like Cafe Pesto and their limeade, etc. True they don’t have a liquor license, but having original non-alcoholic cocktails and juices would have been good. Anyway, the atmosphere was nice and food was good. We decided to go again to try out the rest of the appetizers!

]]> By: kelly http://bigislandgrinds.com/2008/10/jays-island-fresh-cuisine/comment-page-1/#comment-52765 kelly Tue, 04 Nov 2008 16:21:48 +0000 http://bigislandgrinds.com/?p=322#comment-52765 wow brah...da prices pretty manini eh? wow brah…da prices pretty manini eh?

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