The St. Regis is taking ocean-to-fork dining to another level its recently launched Catch & Cook program — that we were lucky to join one afternoon.
The day begins with J&G Grill Chef de Cuisine Dagan Stocks taking guests on a half-day fishing excursion into the Atlantic waters where they catch their own fish to prepare dinner that evening.
Once back at The St. Regis Bal Harbour, Dagan presented a cooking demonstration with the fresh fish that we caught earlier in the day. The fish caught obviously varies by each trip but we’re told the common fish caught on these trips include Marlin, Sailfish, Dolphin (Mahi-Mahi or Dorado), Tuna, Blackfin Tuna, Grouper, Tarpon, Wahoo, Barracuda, Cobia, Mackerel, Snapper, Bonita, Black Sea Bass, Triggerfish and Kingfish.
Depending on what is caught determines what the chef will makes for that meal. Stocks can make crudo ceviche, plus nut & seed crusted fish, and many other options. But the layout stays the same — the four-course tasting menu includes a hot appetizer, cold appetizer, entrée, and dessert with the first three courses consisting of fish caught on that morning’s trip, supplemented with locally sourced fresh fish where necessary. Four-course wine pairing is tailored by the sommelier to accentuate each fish course and dessert.
The excursion doesn’t come cheap however, ringing in at $4,800 that includes a roundtrip transportation from St. Regis Bal Harbour to the marina, four-hour private fishing excursion on a 58ft sportfisherman charter for up to five guests, lunch and beverages (wine, beer, champagne) on board and that four-course dinner with wine pairing at J&G Grill that evening.
If you don’t have that kind of money lying around, don’t despair you can still get your taste of the sea. Every Wednesday Stocks heads out into the Atlantic Ocean and to local fishmongers to bring back the freshest catch of the day, served that evening in classic J&G style, which is available to all guests either on a four-course Catch & Cook tasting menu or a la carte. Pricing depends on the fish of the day.
Until you can make it to J&G for yourself, check out our pictures from the excursion below.