Roy’s is a Hawaiian fusion restaurant. Pretty nice inside, low-lit and intimate, a little noisy so as not to be stuffy, you know – one of the hundreds of “good for celebration dinners” options in San Francisco that offers a good meal. But I chose Roy’s specifically because they had an extensive and tasty drinks menu, and because it is indeed a little noisy inside. My dad isn’t the most “frou-frou” of guys and mostly just enjoys filling, delicious food. And drinks of course. He’s big on decent alcohol. Roy’s seemed to fit the bill exactly.

The fact they have an ooey gooey dark chocolate souffle dessert that I’ve had several times in the past didn’t sway me in the least to pick Roy’s. Tonight was my dad’s night. You don’t turn 56 every day.

We talked about my brother Chip, who’s in his fifth year at UC San Diego plugging away at dual computer science and business management degrees. We talked about 2011 and what it has in store for me – answer: quite a freaking lot. We talked about Mumsies who is still vacationing in Taiwan and having a grand ol’ time.

And in between chatting and living it up, we ate. We had a sampling of apps before our entrees. I got the macademia crusted mahi mahi, Dad had the surf and turf, and M had hibachi grilled salmon. M and Daddy-o also had a few drinks – Basil Cucumber Collins, 1988 (grapefruit vodka martini), Roy’s original martini (pineapply martini), Pineapple ginger mojito). I only had a tasting sip of all the drinks they got because I was the designated driver, but they were all pretty refreshing and slurpable. I would’ve probably ordered the Cucumber Collins myself. The others were a bit too sweet.

Dessert was the aforementioned chocolate souffle, liquidy chocolatey gold, and M ordered a nut tart of some sort, also pretty sumptuous. The food didn’t disappoint, that’s for sure.

Roy’s turns out delectably simple seafood. Rich, buttery and fresh cuisine that isn’t too crazy or fancied up. However, it does this at quite the price. I didn’t realize that entrees were basically $35 -$40 a pop, which is fine when you’re getting the sort of food and service you would expect at that price point, but I don’t feel that Roy’s is that type of place. Both M and I agreed that the food wasn’t worth it. Don’t get me wrong, my fish was terrific and the sauce uber-smooth and savory. It just didn’t feel worth the $40.

However, having said that, I will also say that I do not regret a single cent. Not a penny. This is why:1) I specified on my online reservation that it was my dad’s birthday and when we opened the menu, they had inserted a customized welcome note wishing dad  a happy birthday. Very unexpected and won them huge points in my book.2) They came out with the obligatory complimentary dessert with a little candle which was kind of expected, but still obviously a nice gesture.

3) This one sealed the deal. Toward the end, when we were on the last crumbs of dessert and licking our spoons clean, someone who I believe is the manager came over and handed my dad a scroll. Inside was a poem again celebrating his birthday. Wow. I was impressed and touched. And so was dad. That was all that I wanted.

It really makes me feel great to be able to take my dad out somewhere nice to commemorate his birthday. Both he and Mumsies have done so much for me and my brother. Nothing was too dear for us and we were really spoiled rotten. Roy’s made my dad happy and that alone, makes the restaurant a win and tonight a resounding success.Happy 56th Dad, I love you.

xoxo,

Jenn