Now approaching their 14-year anniversary, Agua certainly has earned its reputation as one of Cayman’s very best restaurants.
Italian owners Cristiano Vicentini and Walter Fajette became great friends while working together at Calypso Grill, and then achieved their dream of creating a 
successful restaurant. And as you’ll soon see, much, much more. As this month’s Passenger Pick of the Month, we wanted to learn more about the story behind Agua, and some of their recent culinary innovations, so recently we caught up with owners Walter and Cristiano.
PP: Agua doesn’t feel like a typical Italian restaurant. Tell us about it.
WF: Back when were planning Agua, we saw that there are so many Italian restaurants on the island, and many of the menu 
items are the same. But we wanted to do something different. So, even though we are both Italian, we decided to call our restaurant a very “un” Italian name and broaden the cuisine, so it extends out much further than Italy.
PP: Absolutely, this truly has a much more international feel. You have many authentic dishes which are a celebration of Italian tradition infused with inspiration from Peru. What was your inspiration to combine the two?
WF: Because we wanted to create something different than the regular Italian Restaurant, few years ago we saw Peruvian cuisine 
could have been very popular as it is now. Also, the fact that my wife is Peruvian helped! We like to say we are “rooted in Italian tradition and inspired by Peruvian cuisine”.
PP: Many passengers have shared that you have a unique menu with lots of delicious variety.
CV: We have a pretty wide menu that we think can please a good range of people, Meat lovers, Pescatarian, 
Vegetarian, Vegan etc. A place for everyone. Our menu is crafted with the utmost care and attention, featuring delectable dishes that are sure to satisfy every palate. And with so many delicious options to choose from, you’re guaranteed to find something that exceeds your expectations.
PP: We certainly have found that to be true! You mentioned Vegetarian and Vegan, and we’re hearing great reviews on those options.
CV: Some of our most popular Vegan selections are Vegan Ceviche, Vegan Burger, Ceci Fried Cauliflower and Vegan Ravioli with Pappa al Pomodoro, Potato Sauce and Sundried tomato are amazing!
PP: You have been long known for your outstanding, fresh seafood for a while now. How did that develop?
CV: We always believed quality is the key of any restaurant’s success. We always buy the freshest local catch or the top quality from the market.
PP: Many island guests rave about your grilled Octopus and how you prepare your signature Tuna. Please tell us 
some background on those entrees.
CV: Both our Octopus and Tuna are the best you can buy, top quality products. The key of a good Octopus is the way you boil it first. Our Tuna is always amazing because when I can’t find the local one, as sometimes happens due to the weather, we buy Sushi Grade from the Miami market.
PP: Through the years you have always had an amazing mixologists team, with some members even competing internationally! What thought goes into the perfect cocktail?
WF: A beautifully crafted cocktail is just enough to elevate your dining experience at Agua. Our talented mixologists have meticulously curated a cocktail menu that harmoniously complements our Peruvian and Italian-inspired cuisine, offering the perfect balance of flavors and aromas.
PP: Your team always seems to be winning awards. What awards have you won recently?
WF: At Next Door, our boutique bar literally “next door” to Agua, we were recently recognized by Tales of the Cocktail spirited awards for top 10 best new international cocktail bar in LATAM & The Caribbean. Tales is one of the most highly regarded cocktail awards worldwide. Last year we were also added to the 50 best discovery list, which showcases some of the best venues around the world.
Since then our team has been invited to do Bar “Pop ups” in other bars around the world as apart of collaborations with other teams, such as Wall Street Hotel in New York City.
We are waiting to hear from the votes of “Best of Cayman Islands” for this year. We have been picked in a few categories.
PP: Always impressive. Tell us about your new sister Restaurant Aria, and Allora, the Italian bakery? What was your inspiration behind these two?
WF: The island is growing a lot and the area of Grand Harbour has seen a dramatic increase in population. We thought there was room to put a restaurant in that area as there are not many around there. Same for the bakery, people around there are very excited to have something like that so close to their homes.
PP: Yes, we ate at Aria last month and it was outstanding! Very Mediterranean. Quite delicious. Congratulations on your new venture!
WF: If your passengers love Agua, they should also consider trying Aria or Allora, our bakery. We always try our best in terms of quality and attention to detail. You won’t be disappointed. It is only a quick 10 minutes’ drive from all the major hotels.
PP: Cris and Walter, as you know we are some of your most loyal fans. You really do a great job, not just with your food but also with your customer service.
CV: To assure that top level of customer service, one of the two of us is always here. People know they can talk directly to 
us. When we opened in 2009, people thought we were crazy, but we’re happy to keep doing what we’re doing. We want Agua and Aria to be the kind of place you come to sit, stay a while and have a great time. The goal is to create great food, and for people to leave happy.
PP: And from what our passenger’s continue to tell us, they certainly are!
Agua Restaurant & Lounge
47 Forum Lane, Camana Bay
(345) 949-2482
Aria Restaurant
Harbour Walk, Grand Harbour
(345) 936-4795