February 01st, 2018

Ahhhh…….. the feeling of hot, sun drenched air hitting your face as you disembark on the tarmac in beautiful Barbados!! If you are not from a cold country,as I am, then you will not understand this feeling we, as Northwestern Ontarians, long for at least 6 months out of the year!
Oops -  after we switched sides in the car that is driven on the “right” side, we are underway on our 2 week vacation of basking in the hot sun of the island known as “little England”. After getting used to going clockwise on a few crazy round-abouts and dodging pot holes, we make it to our condo in St James Parish, Holetown, Barbados. First on the list is a “10 Saints beer” a local beer brewed in rum casks! Then a 4 minute stroll to check out Alleynes Beach. Breathtaking, as expected! Now back in the car to get some groceries for the condo.
While staying in Barbados a condo or apartment is a nice option as you are not obligated to eat every meal in a restaurant, sometimes its nice to have fruit, cheese, bread and some wine or beer on the beach for lunch! Groceries are very similar to ours, although a lot more pricey!
That said, the choices of restaurants on the island are excellent from a “fast food” Chefette’s to beautifully located gourmet options. Being our second time to the island we wanted to check out some previously visited restaurants as well as some new ones. This is a review of some we had a chance to visit.

Lone Star Hotel – beautiful setting on the beach, delicious, inventive cocktails usch as the “Pornstar Martini” and delicious meals. From Wood fired pizzas, mussels in white wine sauce, nicoise salad, perfectly prepared, blackened catch of the day and a sinfully delicious sticky pudding with caramel sauce and marble ice cream. Keep your eyes open, you might be seated next to a celebrity!
Surfside Beach Bar- surprisingly fancy, delicious, well priced food! The setting is very casual as it is a beach bar, but the food they create not only looks great but scrumptious as well. Monday nights have a great reggae band.
Just Grillin’ – the BEST Caesar salad on the island! The even sell their dressing. Have the blackened chicken ceasar salad or wrap.
The Cliff – world renowned chef, Paul Owens from London, England has achieved a level of gastronomic delight that I didn’t know I was missing until now! From the moment you step into this magnificent restaurant and are seated in the lounge for your front row view of a Caribbean sunset, high on a cliff overlooking the ocean, you are experiencing nothing short of heaven. Start with a Pear and Vanilla cooler cocktail! The menu is prix-fixe with a large selection in each of the 3 courses. I had the Open Ravioli of Shrimp, then the seared tuna with Caribbean pineapple salsa and roasted cherry tomatoes, and for a happy ending I had the phylo pastry crème brulee with berries. WOW !! I have ate in many restaurants around the world and this is one of the most memorable and delicious.

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