Rhum Shack at Hopkins Bay Resort: A Culinary Adventure With a Few Bumps Along the Way
Let’s start with the big picture: the Rhum Shack at Hopkins Bay Resort is an experience, one that serves up a modern twist in a tropical setting. The atmosphere is laid-back yet contemporary—a comfortable and inviting space that makes you feel like you're about to enjoy something both exciting and relaxed. The staff here? They’re doing their best, no doubt. There’s a grace in the way the chef delivers the dishes, and they certainly make every effort to accommodate requests. But while service is warm and the intentions are good, the food itself... well, it’s a bit of a mixed bag.
Mushroom Salad
The mushrooms were crisp, fried to perfection—no complaints there. But honestly, we’ve got no idea what kind of mushrooms they were. Could’ve been your average button mushrooms, could’ve been something more exotic. They were good, but not exactly memorable. The vinaigrette, though—way too light. It felt like it needed some backbone, something like mustard and shallots to give it some bite. But the textures were nice, so there’s that.
Fish Cake
Now, this one’s an enigma. Dense. It’s as if you’ve been handed a brick, but hey, you get your money’s worth. For those with hearty appetites, it’s a solid offering, but the density? It could use a little break. Maybe a light panko breadcrumb to keep it from feeling like you’re chewing on a rubber boot. The potential’s there, but the execution isn’t quite where it needs to be.
Ribeye (or, NY Strip Steak)
We were supposed to have a ribeye, but alas—today's cut was a NY strip steak. Not quite the same, and not exactly the steak you’d want when you’re looking for that juicy, marbled indulgence. The real kicker? Mom asked for medium well, but what we got was a well-done, dry disappointment. It’s a steak that had all the charm of a forgotten shoe sole. And the chimichurri sauce—what was that? Chunky, not very flavorful, and certainly not saucy enough to rescue the poor steak. Sometimes a dish needs a little more heart. This one left us wanting.
Pineapple Cheesecake
Dessert should be a grand finale, a way to end the meal with a flourish. But this pineapple cheesecake? It’s more like a jarring offbeat note in a symphony. It wasn’t fully set—more like it had been pulled out of the fridge too soon, a bit of a jelly texture that’s just... wrong. And don’t get too excited about the pineapple flavor—it was just a topping, a compote. What you were really tasting was a standard cheesecake that had been let down by its own expectations. And the chocolate drizzle? More like Hershey’s syrup—no personality, no depth. A coconut cream drizzle with a hint of lime, though... now that would’ve been something. If they were thinking about a tropical touch, they missed the mark.
But listen, the Dark 'n Stormy cocktails? Those will keep you from caring too much about the small things. Two solid pours, and suddenly the lack of paper towels in the bathroom doesn’t seem so important. And you know what? You’ll probably just wipe your hands on your clothes. That’s how things go in the end.
Final Thoughts
The Rhum Shack is trying—no doubt about it. The service is gracious, the setting is lovely, and there are some solid efforts on the menu. But the food needs more than just trying. It needs refinement. It needs seasoning that speaks louder than a whisper. And until it finds that, the place will remain a nice spot with a few too many missteps to make it a destination worth seeking out for the food alone. Still, in a pinch, grab a drink and let the breeze lull you into the charm of the place. Maybe next time they’ll get...
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