Café Pacific owner Jack Knox hired Gang of Five chef and consultant Anne Greer McCann to rework the menu at the tony seafood restaurant in Highland Park Village. Ms. McCann worked with executive chef Bill Trevino to update the seafood-centric menu. (I’ve acquired a copy of the work in progress below. Sorry Jack, I have really good sources inside your operation. I dare you to fire him/her.)
You can see the Southern touches Ms. McCann added to the menu below. Don’t fret: the pecan ball is still on the dessert menu. The only changes: bananas Foster bread pudding was replaced with banana pudding.
After completing the new menu, execuchef Bill Trevino decided to move his young family south to Austin where he can be found at Abel’s. Trevino was at Café Pacific for ten years. (I smell a good opportunity for an unemployed chef, IJS.)
LUNCH CAFÉ PACIFIC
STARTERS
CALAMARI *Crisply fried CAESAR SALAD
CEVICHE (same) MIXED GREEN SALAD (same)
*SHRIMP SALAD ROLLS crisp vegetables MARYLAND CRABCAKE jumbo lump
and shrimp rolled in rice paper with peanut/ crab with Old Bay Buerre Blanc and fresh
chili dipping sauce 12 greens 15-16
NEW ENGLAND CLAM CHOWDER SOUP DE JOUR
ONE DOZEN OYSTERS ((when available)
ENTREES
*PECAN CRUSTED TROUT Southern corn spoonbread, green beans and a light lobster
Sauce
SOLE*AMANDINE (same)
ROASTED CORN SNAPPER (same)
SHORT SMOKED SALMON (same)
8 OUNCE BEEF TENDERLOIN FILET (same)
*CAVATAPPI PASTA curly pasta tubes tossed with fresh heirloom tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, olive oil and lemon 13.50 add chicken 5.00 shrimp ??
SEAFOOD CREPES (same)
THREE ONION CRUSTED SEA BASS
*FRIED SHRIMP PLATTER three Texas Jumbo Gulf Shrimp, flash fried in a light crust
with Southern Cole Slaw and French fries
FRUITS DE MER PLATTER Texas Jumbo Shrimp, Lump Crabmeat, Clams, Oysters
(when available) 28.00 per person
SALADS AND SANDWICHES
ORIENTAL CHICKEN SALAD (same)
*SOUTHWESTERN STEAK OR SHRIMP SALAD (same)
*COBB SALAD (same as BRUNCH)
*NICOISE SALAD (same as BRUNCH) 18.00
GRILLED HAMBURGER (same)
*SHORT RIB SLIDERS Three sliders with Southern Cole Slaw, pickled onions and
French fries 13.50
GRILLED CHICKEN SANDWICH (same)
SIMPLE GRILLS (Same, adding new sauces)
*Romesco (roasted pepper/tomato sauce..no cream)
*Make papaya salsa “Tropical Salsa” (gives more flexibility with ingredients)
DINNER CAFÉ PACIFIC
*Marks new items, spelling, grammar or description change
CAVIAR (same)
APPETIZERS
FRUITS DE MER PLATTER (same accompaniments)
Texas Gulf shrimp, Jumbo Lump Crabmeat, Clams, Lobster Tail, Oysters (when available) 32.00 per person
ONE DOZEN FRESH OYSTERS (when available)
CEVICHE CALAMARI *Crisply fried
*LOBSTER SALAD ROLLS crisp vegetables and lobster rolled in rice paper with
peanut dipping sauce 17.00
*MARYLAND CRABCAKE CHAMPAGNE STEAMED MUSSELS
Jumbo lump crabmeat with Old Bay * from Bar Harbor Maine with grilled
Buerre Blanc and fresh greens 15-16 Crostini
SMOKED SALMON (same)
STARTERS AND SALADS
SOUP DU JOUR
NEW ENGLAND CLAM CHOWDER
CASEAR SALAD * with Parmesan crisps
*WEDGE SALAD (new presentation)
(Seasonal salad always on seasonal menu)
DINNER SPECIALTIES
*SEA SCALLOPS with sautéed spinach and Fresh Corn Spoonbread 32.00
*FRIED SHRIMP PLATTER Five Texas Jumbo Gulf Shrimp, flash fried in a light crust
with Southern Cole Slaw and French Fries 35.00
THREE ONION CRUSTED SEA BASS (same)
LOBSTER TAIL TRIO (same)
CAFÉ PACIFIC SAMPLER (same)
ROASTED CORN SNAPPER (same)
SHORT SMOKED SALMON (same)
LEMON SOLE *AMANDINE (same)
*GRILLED CHICKEN PASTA imported hand crafted pasta with gorgonzola, heirloom tomatoes, arugula and crisp pancetta 19.00
*SLOW ROASTED BEEF SHORT RIBS (same)
PEPPER STEAK (same)
RACK OF LAMB (same)
*NICOISE SALAD seared tuna steak on fresh greens with Haricots Verte, Nicoise olives, Heirloom tomatoes and Mustard Vinaigrette 24.00-?????
SIMPLE GRILLS (same but add new sauce and sauce description..see Lunch)