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| Eating out: Antigua |
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(Issue 3: April 2009) Antigua and Barbuda is perhaps best known for its 365 beaches, but it offers visitors a wide range of dining choices. These range from the fancy and expensive to the small and quaint. Here, Chris Lafaurie of the Antigua Restaurant Guide suggests a few of the locals’ regular favourites: Dennis Restaurant Located on the hillside overlooking Fryes beach, Dennis is fast becoming the locals favourite Sunday visit. With a casual atmosphere and open-air dining, Dennis offers superb island cuisine. Sunday is special as Dennis roasts a full suckling pig – the aroma alone is enough to entice all to enjoy this special treat. As Dennis is the only choice for spit-roasted suckling pork, word of mouth advertising is encouraging many to visit regularly. It also excels in offering light lunches for beach goers and romantic dinners six nights a week for those in the mood. The Commissioner Grill Located in the heart of St John’s, the restaurant is housed in an ancient waterfront building, with an atmosphere that mimics the past. The restaurant offers a variety of dining choices, fresh local seafood being the central dining theme. Frequented by the city’s businessmen and tourists alike during the day, at night local couples, travelling businessmen and families enjoy the relaxed old-world atmosphere that is the Commissioner Grill’s trademark. In fact, the flavoursome aromas wafting from the open-plan kitchen are sure to entice all to partake in a well-prepared meal. Russell’s Seafood Restaurant Housed at Fort James, in a partly restored 18th-century fortification building, offers a semi-alfresco dining experience. Although owner Russell offers a limited menu, each one is prepared with care and skill, ensuring a delightful taste experience. Jazz sounds dominate the laid-back atmosphere, enhanced by potted plants and genuine Hurricane lamps, which reminds one of the easy-going pace of the 1960s. Some of Russell’s favourite dishes are whelks in garlic butter and chunky conch fritters. Sunday evenings are special as many locals descend on Russell’s to enjoy live jazz performances. The Nest Nestled on Valley Church Beach, this hideaway is off the beaten path but worth the effort to find. The restaurant directly on the beach is a great place for a relaxing day by the sea. Offering drinks and simple local food, The Nest is for those who seek a quiet place to relax and enjoy the sun, sea and sand with dining only footsteps away from your beach towel. While visiting this restaurant one should strongly consider ordering the coconut shrimp, which is a joy to the palate. Mama Pasta Long Bay Beach, the best swimming beach on Antigua, is home to this simple value-packed quaint restaurant. Placed on a small rise overlooking the bay, with only outdoor dining, it excels at cheap and cheerful. An abundance of plants, home-made furniture and paper plates only add to the atmosphere of this special restaurant. A good assortment of cold drinks and friendly smiles are the norm from Cecil and Rosie, the owners, who are always on hand to chat to. This writer finds Mama Pasta’s Pizza to be ‘the best’ on the island. Home Located in a residential home in a suburb of St John’s, this restaurant, run by one of Antigua’s returning sons, has a reputation for serving the most imaginative local Caribbean cuisine. Chef Carl, with help from wife Rita, uses only the freshest ingredients to create authentic West Indian dishes. These include local fish, fresh fruits and local vegetables, plus herbs from their own garden. Carl’s dishes will please all palates, from the connoisseur to the average Joe. All are sure to be pleased and surprised by the flavours that are presented nightly at Home restaurant. • For more details visit www.antiguarestaurantguide.com |
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