If you haven’t tried it recently, make a New Year’s resolution to visit The Wave – the oceanfront restaurant at Vero’s Costa d’Este Beach Resort and Spa.
When Gloria and Emilio Estefan launched this hotel with considerable fanfare back in 2008, many local diners were a bit put off by their early experiences with the original restaurant, Oriente.
But since it was rebranded The Wave a few years back, and the Estefans brought in Peruvian chef Antonio Estremera, the restaurant has just been getting better and better.
A recent Wednesday night visit saw the restaurant in peak form.
Fortunately, we had a reservation (yes, The Wave can be quite busy some nights), and our party of four was quickly ushered to a nice table in the middle of the dining room.
For starters, we began – as we often do – with ceviche. While my husband in the past had particularly enjoyed the ahi tuna and avocado ceviches, we decided on this evening to share the Peruvian yellow pepper ceviche ($14) and the rocoto pepper ceviche ($14).
The ceviches were served with crispy dried plantains. Both of these ceviches owe their exciting tastes to Peru, which currently is having its moment in the gastronomic sun.
The rocoto pepper ceviche, a mix of calamari, shrimp, white fish, red onion and cilantro, was bright, flavorful, and surprisingly not too spicy despite the influence of the rocoto chile peppers, one of the staples used in Peruvian cuisines. In fact, we found the Peruvian yellow pepper ceviche, which had pretty much the same seafood but in this case marinated in a Peruvian yellow pepper Leche de Tigre, to have a bit more of a kick.
It should be noted, however, that if your cravings do not run to ceviches, The Wave has a variety of other excellent appetizers more oriented to traditional American tastes.
For entrées, our party took full advantage of the variety of choices.
One of our companions and I decided to share a paella ($30 for one, $50 for two), and Chef Estremera certainly has this dish perfected. The key to a great paella lies in the rice, and Chef Estremera’s rice once again (yes, I have this at The Wave fairly regularly) was very well seasoned. It could not have been tastier. The mix of seafood, chicken and chorizo also was excellent.
My husband went for one of his favorites, the blackened swordfish ($28). This turned out to be a gorgeous piece of swordfish, grilled perfectly, and set atop a very tasty mix of sautéed shitake mushrooms and green cabbage.
As for our other companion, she lucked out in our choice of a Wednesday — which is “steak night” at The Wave. On Wednesdays, you have a choice of cowboy steaks, filets, rib eye steaks and strip steaks, accompanied by a variety of steakhouse sides, all for a price in the low $30s.
Our companion opted for the bacon wrapped petit filet ($31), brought sizzling to the table perfectly cooked medium rare, accompanied by sides of mashed potatoes and broccoli with cheese.
The meal was capped with a chocolate bon bon dessert ($8) and espresso.
We would also be remiss in not mentioning that The Wave from time to time offers special wine dinners (watch for the dates in their ads), which have become quite popular. We attended a sold-ouyt five-course California wine dinner ($59 per person) back in the fall which featured a delicious pan-seared lamb chop.
Fresh seafood, the best paella in town, great steaks, and interesting Cuban and Peruvian dishes. Does it sound like something for pretty near everyone?
Make your New Year’s resolution to try The Wave now. It’s one resolution you won’t want to break.
I welcome your comments, and encourage you to send feedback to me at [email protected].
The reviewer is a beachside resident who dines anonymously at restaurants at the expense of Vero Beach 32963.
