Changes at Legends Restaurant

19 March 2018, 12:00AM

Changes are on the horizon for Legends Restaurant at Taumeasina as it looks to the future.

The restaurant is opening for dinners and creating a menu based on Smoked meats. “We have imported an offset Lang Smoker from Georgia in the USA and changed the focus of Legends to incorporate delicious smoked slow cooked meats,” a statement from Legends says. 

 “Legends, is Samoa’s first restaurant to offer smoked meats for lunch and dinner on a daily basis. On Tuesdays, we offer lunch, and from Wednesday to Saturdays we are open for lunch and dinner. 

“If the demand grows we will stay open Tuesdays for dinner as well. We also have a range of house made frappes and slushies, wine, and beer.” 

American BBQ and Smoke Houses Increasing in Global Popularity

Pit Master and Head Chef, Fa’aleo Setu Taule’alo has been working at an upmarket Smoke house in Melbourne for over four years. 

The growing popularity of the smoked food in Australia made him interested to try it in Samoa. 

“We are looking at cooking trends as Samoa’s food industry expands, and becomes more sophisticated. We need to provide a genre of food making that is not well developed in Samoa, as there is much similarity in the menus offered in many places here,” he said.  

With Smoke Houses being popular in Scandinavia, the Pacific Northwest, Europe, the U.S.A., Australia, Legends owners feel there is room in Samoa for the development of a smoke house and the offering of Samoan style smoked meats, using a fusion of traditional methods with new ideas and tropical accents. 

A mini history of smoked meats

Smoking food has been used for flavouring, and preserving food since ancient times. Smoking improves the flavour of meat by exposing it to smoke of fragrant burning woods. 

The process and the compounds in the wood help to preserve the protein-rich foods such as fish and meat. The low heat and slow cooking processes means that the maximum moisture and taste remains in the meat. No matter what cut of meat they used, the final result was tender. 

American barbeque has its origins in the Caribbean, and it moved throughout the Southern states, with each region bringing something different to the table. 

Legends new menu incorporates aspects from the different regions, focusing on food from North Carolina, Alabama, Kansas City, and Texas. American barbeque has become increasingly popular worldwide, because it offers a casual and delicious dining experience. 

 

Legends develops its own style of smoked meats 

American BBQ has a unique appearance and taste. It is cooked for up to to 12 hours at 108 degrees C (225°F). We have devoted a lot of time and trials to developing the dry rubs that coat the meats during the smoking process. 

There is a science behind the rubs based on how the spices and herbs interact with the meat and fat to create a perfect smoked meat experience. Cooking meat this way is referred to as the “low and slow” method. By cooking our meat this way we can maximise tenderness, juiciness and infuse a sweet smoky flavour.

Legends Pit Master Setu has adopted the American style of BBQ, where meat is cooked in an offset smoker where the charcoal fire is in a separate chamber where the meat has no direct contact with flames. The meats are cooked over a long period of time at a low heat. 

This is especially suitable for local organically raised beef and pork that is less fatty and tender than imported meats. Our meats are cooked with chunk charcoal we make ourselves, and we use Tava, a native Samoan hardwood, to add aromatics during the cooking process. 

 

New Hours opening for lunch and Dinner 

In recent weeks, Legends Taumeasina has been preparing for the a re-branding of the cafe to a restaurant; opening Tuesday for lunch 11:30am–3:30pm and Wednesday to Saturday for lunch and dinner, 11:30 am – 3:30pm and 5:30pm –9:30pm. 

The presentation of our foods will be typical Americana using trays and baskets, and offering single serves or trays suitable for a family or group of friends.

 

Legends Food 

Many of our customers who have enjoyed lunch looking over the lagoon can now relax in the evenings with a cold beer or a chilled wine, or non alcoholic drinks while enjoying brisket, pulled pork, smoked chicken or hot spicy chicken wings, BBQ chicken wings, and classic sides, and delicious house made sauces, pickles and chutneys. 

We have created tropically inspired pickles and chutneys that use seasonal fruits and vegetables. Chutneys and pickles are made from cucumbers, papaya, pineapples, mangoes, Vi, Basil, Cuban Oregano, ginger, turmeric, galangal etc. These sauces compliment the local meats sourced through Samoa Meat Supplies. The sauces are excusive to Legends, and the brisket gravy is the crowning glory of sauces. 

In Samoa, we are fortunate in that our beef and pork is raised humanely on grass, and in free ranging paddocks. Our meats are as organic as our fruits, herbs and spices. Legends, provides herbs and vegetables obtained locally grown, and that are organically grown, the majority are grown on site in our Legend’s garden. 

 

The Menu

If you look at the menu you will see that we do things a little differently at Legends. The first section of the menu is Legends smoked meat. This is served this by the gram, and served with your selection ‘sides’. 

Our fries and salads come in two sizes, side and bowl, depending on how hungry you are. We also have an ‘extras’ section where you will find our BBQ and hot chicken wings, and brisket gravy.

On the menu there is a great range of sandwiches and in keeping with Southern style BBQ are served in hamburger buns. Each sandwich has its distinct house-made toppings and dressings. 

Our deluxe meal is the Point Brisket, smoked for 12 hours in our offset smoker. With this you select your choice of classic potato salad/coleslaw and fries or taro wedges. Whether you like pulled pork, smoked chicken, smoked sausages, BBQ and spicy chicken wings, a range of classic smoked meat sandwiches, or are looking for those classic Legends Fish meals we have something for everybody. 

A new feature of our offerings is the Takeaway menu. You can pick up a copy at Legends or see their Face Book page ‘Legends Taumeasina’. 

Opening for lunch 11:30-3:30 Tuesday and Wednesday - Saturday lunch and dinner 11:30am -3:30pm and 5:30pm -9:30 pm. Legends Taumeasina 20011/Mobile 76184965

19 March 2018, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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