Dining&EntertainmentGuide25Anamusebouche"isthepreludetotherestofthemeal,"saysElijahBowe,oneofNassau'stopchefs.Forachef,"it'slikeputtingyourbestfootforward.youwanttointroducetheeveningwithabang."Amusebouche(pronouncedboosh)isafreelyofferedmorselthatnotonlyshowsoffthechef'sskillwithflavours,butcreatesanticipationforthemealtocome."It'smygifttothediners,"saysBowe,executivechefatGraycliffHotel,RestaurantandCigarCompanywhereheoverseesthedailyoperationsLightbitesAnamuse.what?

26Dining&EntertainmentGuideoftwoofthecity'shottestrestaurants,GraycliffandHumidorBrasilianSteakhouse."Restaurantsthatmeananythingprovideamusebouche,"saysBowe.Fromanescargotandmushroomcombotoarefreshingwatermelonwithbalsamicvinegar,theamusebouchedemandsskillandinspiration."It'sthefirstthingthatpeopleplaceintotheirmouth,"saysBowe,andithastobesmall."AstheysayinFrance:'Awomanshouldbeabletoeatanamuseboucheandnotruinherlipstick.'"Thesetastytidbits,likeappetizersareanimportantpartofthediningexperience,saygastronomes.Theyarevisuallyappealingaswellasflavourful.AppetizersAsBowesays,theamuseboucheisagift,soit'sfree.Appetizersarenotandsomeofthemaremealsinthemselves.DinersoftenorderappetizerstohaveFromCafeMartinique:above,tunaplate;left,scalloptiraditoCOURTESYATLANTISPARADISEISLANDCOURTESYATLANTISPARADISEISLAND