Roy’s Aloha Hour And Fall Menu Impress

Peppercorn Tuna Wraps

If you haven’t been to Roy’s in Jax Beach lately, you might want to make a trip over there, stat. The team at Roy’s did some remodeling earlier this year due to the popularity of their Aloha Hour, and now the kitchen has cooked up some special dishes just for fall. It has been some time since my shadow darkened the doorway at Roy’s, unfortunately. So I was all too eager to see what Roy’s has been up to lately.

Roy’s Aloha Hour is 3-7pm everyday, with their late night Aloha Hour 9-10 on weeknights and 9-11 on weekends. In the spring, the team expanded the bar and bar seating at Roy’s because so many people come to the Aloha Hour for specially priced bar bites and drinks.

Roy’s Aloha Hour food transports one to the islands with unique items like Peppercorn Ahi Tuna Lettuce Wraps, featuring ahi tuna, lettuce leaves, kimchi, yuzu aioli, and crispy onions. For those who want to pair a refreshing cocktail with their Aloha Hour bar bites, the Cool Breeze is a perfect companion- Prairie organic cucumber vodka, coconut water, pineapple juice, fresh lemon, Monin agave.

Kung Pao Calamari

Here’s the rundown of the dishes we tried from Roy’s fall menu:

Appetizers

Rock Shrimp Tempura– These babies were delicious- sweet and meaty.
Peppercorn Tuna Wraps– The Tuna Wraps were a healthier option, each served on their own lettuce leaf, but had plenty of flavor.
Blistered Shishito Peppers– Shishito peppers are often referred to as Russian roulette peppers in culinary circles because while they are not spicy, every so often you get a spicy one. The peppers were fantastic. We didn’t get any hot ones.
Hawaiian Tuna & Salmon Poke– This poke was the showstopper of the appetizers. It had great flavor due to the Inamona Jus and it came with a few crispy taro chips for scooping the poke.
Aunty Lei’s Aloha Roll– Roy’s offers a handful of sushi rolls and Aunty Lei’s Aloha Roll had just the right amount of kick. Tuna and yellowtail with cucumber accompany spicy tuna, and it is finished with garlic ponzu sauce. I only eat mild spiced foods and this roll was a breeze. The spicy tuna was there, but not overpowering.
Kung Pao Calamari– Fresh calamari with a sweet heat to it.

Aunty Lei’s Aloha Roll

Entrees

Braised Short Ribs of Beef– Wowza. These short ribs were dynamite. Melt-in-your-mouth tender meat, full of flavor from the lengthy braising time, if you are only going to try one dish, it needs to be this one.
Butter Seared Georges Bank Sea Scallops– the scallops give an impressive visual, especially when served over black rice. The flavors of this dish- the fresh scallops, the lobster essence, the creamy coconut black rice- they danced beautifully together.
Andouille Crusted Whitefish– This was prepared so lovely, with hot sauce buerre blanc so that you experienced the flavor of the fish and the hot sauce without too much of the accompanying heat. This way your palate could take in all the goodness of the fish.

Butter Seared Georges Bank Sea Scallops

Sides

Lump Crab Fried Rice– If you love crab and fried rice, you will love this match made in heaven.
Truffle Bacon Mac & Cheese– Rich and savory and creamy, this mac and cheese was pure bliss. If you love mac and cheese, don’t pass this up.
Broccolini– Broccolini is a thinner broccoli hybrid and it is served perfectly crisp-tender at Roy’s. This is another excellent choice for enjoying a healthier meal out.
Sauteed Bok Choy– Along with the broccolini, the sauteed bok choy is a yummy way to get your greens. These hearty stalks are cooked exquisitely with ginger and garlic.

Andouille Crusted Whitefish

Desserts

Pineapple Upside Down Cake– caramelized pineapple and brown sugar pound cake come together in this delectable dessert, served a la mode with coconut ice cream. The coconut ice cream is a perfect partner to the pineapple cake.
Roy’s Melting Hot Chocolate Souffle– The flourless chocolate cake that gives way to hot, melted chocolate in the middle, served with raspberry coulis and vanilla bean ice cream, this is rich and decadent and impressive. If you are looking for an indulgence, look no further!

Dessert Assortment

What sets Roy’s apart is the way they take dishes and foods that people are familiar with and put their own Asian-Hawaiian spin on it to create an even more delicious dish. The first Roy’s opened in Honolulu, Hawaii in 1988 by namesake Roy Yamaguchi, a James Beard Award winner. Since those early days, the restaurant has proudly spread its passion around the world- there are 18 Roy’s restaurants in the continental United States, including our own Jax Beach location, as well as international locations. Blending classic techniques with the freshest ingredients and adventurous bold flavors, Roy created an entirely new approach to fine dining. Guests can indulge in one of the restaurant’s spectacular cocktails or choose a glass from the award-winning wine list while discovering the finest seafood, steaks, and sushi all made from the best local ingredients expertly prepared by local chefs.

Hawaiian Tuna and Salmon Poke

Note: From time to time we’re invited out to try a restaurant or to taste new menu items.  This meal is usually comped, as this one was.  We’re under no obligation to write a positive review or any review at all when we’re invited out to try a place.  Every review you see on our site will be an honest review of the place whether or not the restaurant provided us with the meal at their cost.