Saipan is known for small restaurants that are not always in typical locations but offer truly amazing cuisine. If you know where to look, you too can enjoy a real taste-treat. The three girlfriends decided to try one that can now be called a “favorite.” Tucked away in a tree-lined building close to the heart of Garapan, The Garlic Restaurant Grotto, or the “Garlic Grotto” as the locals call it, is the epitome of superior dining that won’t break the bank and is family friendly.

The restaurant is small, cozy, but well-lighted and shows scenes of the beauty of Saipan in pictures of the ocean and sandy beaches.  Bamboo ring drapes adorn the windows giving an open feeling, but at the same time providing a bit of seclusion from the Beach Road traffic. It is a relaxed and friendly atmosphere in which to enjoy the wonderful tastes.

Instead of ordering separate dinners, we decided to try many of the delightful dishes on the menu and share in order to get a taste of several different items. The tapas style menu is perfect for family or girlfriend night. It was quite busy for a weeknight and several people waited at the small bar area for tables to open up. I was glad that I called ahead and recommend reservations because they do fill up quickly.

We started the evening with Caesar Salad, delicate crisp leaves of Romaine lettuce layered artistically with the most fabulous dressing and croutons we have ever tasted. Just the right amount of dressing with a light dusting of fresh black pepper brought out the flavor of the dressing. Next was the Tuna Poke’, a delightful serving of sashimi and avocado chunks in a blend of spices and wasabi sauce that tickled the tongue and made you want more! Our three sets of chopsticks went to work and the plate was empty.

A special treat was the Fried Garlic – not strong at all, as you might suspect – but with a delicate, almost sweet taste. Dipping it in the salt brings out a completely different flavor. It may be too much garlic for some, but is definitely worth a try since it is rare to see this on a menu.

The next dish was from the vegetable section of the menu. The Sautéed Deep Fried Eggplant was an excellent choice. Spears of Japanese eggplant are lightly breaded, fried and then sautéed in a slightly spicy honey-based sauce. The sauteed julianne slivers of carrots, red and green pepper are delicious and add color to the dish. Thankfully, the staff was removing the plates as we finished, or it might have been embarrassing! We were still on appetizers and veggies and we were getting full!

The Garlic Beef Steak had an excellent flavor, and is served on a sizzling platter. If you enjoy your steak rare you will need to take it off the platter. Since we wanted to try seafood, we decided to have the Scallop Sauté, which was a simple dish of scallops sautéed in light broth and crisp snow peas.

We also ordered two Italian dishes, Pizza and Spaghetti. We made a special request for a Pizza with no meat, which was not a problem at all. The Tomato Basil Pizza was just the right size to share. The crust was light and flaky, the sauce a light tomato-based touch of heaven. The fresh halved cherry tomatoes pop in your mouth and the fresh basil just the right amount of flavor. The Tomato and Garlic Spaghetti was perfectly prepared with a spicy tomato sauce topped with fresh parmesan cheese.

The piece de resistance was the dessert. Crème Caramel was first. It was a light (the lightest we’ve ever tasted), vanilla custard served on a bed of caramel sauce and topped with a touch of sweet cream. The Chocolate Cream Cake was a parfait that used dark chocolate, but was not as sweet as it looked. The desserts change everyday, but don’t forget to ask about the Sorbet. Pear, Mixed Berry or Lychee are similar to Casa Urashima and a regular feature.

Beer, wine and cocktails are available to add to your enjoyment. The always popular Japanese beers are cold and refreshing. There is also beer on draft.

Owner Sakurako Arai is delightful. Her warm smile was present all through the night. Anyone that has been to Casa Urashima behind Kristo Rai Church will recognize her. Her partner, Osamu Taniguchi, has owned Casa for almost 9 years and it is a well-known Saipan eatery. Sakurako purchased the Grotto a year ago and updated the menu with some favorite dishes—all with a garlic twist.

If you’re looking for an entertaining meal with family or friends in a relaxed atmosphere, try Garlic Restaurant Grotto – you won’t be disappointed.