The Union Grill & Bar is Camana Bay’s newest ‘go to’ restaurant that is guaranteed to become a popular hot spot for locals and tourists alike!  On entering the restaurant you can’t help but admire the glamourous, industrial style décor that gives this trendy Cayman restaurant a big city vibe, offering a setting where guests can enjoy socialising and fine dining in a great atmosphere.

Owners, husband and wife team Paul and Tara Slijper have poured their wealth of experience and passion into ensuring the perfect “Union” of good food, wines and ambience, creating the perfect setting for laughter and enjoyment, a place where unforgettable memories are created.

Their focus for the success of the restaurant is commitment to excellence and dedication to quality of service, drawing on their eleven years’ experience opening and running an extremely successful, award winning hotel in Spain, prior to which Paul was the marketing Director of the World renowned Orient Express Hotels, known for their unparalleled customer service.

Management/team shots – Camana Bay Times/Bobby Hulse

Head Chef, Restaurant Manager and team – creating the perfect union in Cayman!

The hand-selected dedicated team include Head Chef Aldro Pedraza from Mexico, whose experience includes working for hotels Ritz Carlton, the Hilton and ‘Michelin Star’ Four Seasons Restaurant, Le Sirenuse both in Florida and Italy and, Restaurant Manager, Adriano Antonini from Italy who brings 13 years’ experience working in the hospitality industry, training to become a Sommelier while working for La Petit Maison in Dubai (one of the 100 best restaurants in the World) and then in London for the iconic Coya restaurant in Mayfair.  The rest of the team combine English, Canadian, Filipino, Kiwi, Kenyan, Indian, Caymanian, Jamaican, Honduran and Cuban nationals that bring a wide-ranging skill set to form the perfect Union!

With eight weeks dedicated training, the team are committed to ensuring each customer’s experience is memorable from the moment of arrival, with a personalized service that is consistent from every member of staff. 

Orange Wines, Feature Gin Bar & a Beef Tartare smoke experience are just some of the unique offerings available at the Union Restaurant in Camana Bay

The Union Grill & Bar’s menu offers a selection of shareable appetizers perfect for social gatherings.  Guests can enjoy a featured Beef Tartare smoke experience, where the dish is served covered with a glass bell filled with smoke which the server will lift for the smoke to escape, revealing the tartare beneath for added flavour and enjoyment.  Other featured dishes include a variety of succulent house burgers, slow braised lamb shank, Ranch & Reef, local snapper and mesquite smoked fish cake.  The restaurant offers a selection of both vegan and gluten free options.

Management/team shots – Camana Bay Times/Bobby Hulse

The wine list offers an extensive selection of organic, sustainable and biodynamic wines.  Restaurant manager and sommelier Adriano, spoke passionately about their wine selection, sharing with me that biodynamic wines are his favourite, as not only are they organic in nature but, they represent a method based on a set astronomic timetable with set days for harvesting, pruning, watering and even days where the harvest should not be touched.  Adriano described the wine as the perfect union between humans and nature.  He is excited to offer guests a selection of orange wines which get their color through fermentation of the grape with the skin and seeds still attached, offering a unique flavor profile that pairs well with a wide range of meat and fish dishes.

The Union also showcases a focused gin bar offering over 24 different brands from all over the world.  Guests will be invited to create their own G&T or let the mixologist create one for them! 

Gin & Jazz nights will be held every Thursday. 

Breakfast available Saturday mornings with a non-traditional Brunch on Sundays!

Union will be opening Friday 24th September

Opening hours: Monday to Friday 11.30 am to 11pm, Saturday 8am to 11pm and Sunday 11.30 to 6pm.

                                                   
T: (1) 345 328 2662

FB: @unioncayman

Instagram: @unioncaymanJuliette Heath is a Caymanian foodie, wedding and events planner, and author of childrens’ books.

Opening hours: Monday to Friday 11.30 am to 11pm, Saturday 8am to 11pm and Sunday 11.30 to 6pm.

                                                                    
T: (1) 345 328 2662

FB: @unioncayman

Instagram: @unioncayman

Article written by Juliette Heath.

Juliette Heath is a Caymanian foodie, weddings and events planner, and author of childrens’ books.