Originally constructed in the late 1700′s, the  restored Warden’s Place, one of Anguilla’s oldest buildings is home to  Koal Keel Restaurant. The setting is full of period antiques and traditional furnishings. I happened to enjoy a lovely tea at Koal Keel one day. The setting is magical.

Koal Keel serves authentic local Anguillian cuisine featuring local fish such as Mahi Mahi. They also serve Indian inspired cuisine including Tadoori fish.  Lisa Gumbs the owner calls her cuisine Euro Caribbean.

The pastries at tea were outstanding. Desserts after dinner are a treat.  The Warm Chocolate Bread Pudding or the Dark Chocolate Pyrat Rum Tower are very popular.

Lisa can arrange a free shuttle to and from dinner for guests. Contact ann@antiguacaribbean.com to book your stay in Anguilla and ask about the free Concierge service where Ann will make dinner reservations.

You may also contact Lisa direct at:

KOALKEEL RESTAURANT
P.O.BOX 640
THE VALLEY, ANGUILLA
(264) 497-2930, (264) 497-5379 FAX

email: koalkeel@anguillanet.com

Fresh Fish

We love local food and asked around where the locals go for their dining delight. Everyone pointed in the direction of Lucy’s in Mead’s Bay. Lucy runs the kitchen with her grandson and family. It’s a colorful spot with comfortable furnishings and a chill kind of vibe. Come with the intention of having a slow laid back dining experience. Ask Lucy to whip up some fresh local eats and sit back and enjoy. We highly recommend at cold Ting while you wait.

Anguilla is well known for a wide variety of dining experiences. There are many local options. If you are in the Mead’s Bay area book at table with Lucy. She will greet you with a smile and serve up her local favorites.  Caribbean Wind & Sun Vacations offers free Concierge Services for their clients. Email ann@antiguacaribbean.com to book your trip to Anguilla.

SandBar Tapas

I love Sandbar. My first experience was meeting Lisanne on a wet rainy night in June. I was greeted by the bartender with a truly welcoming smile. I asked for a Ti Punch and was treated to perhaps the best blend ever. The Rhum Agricole concoction was amazing. For Tapas we chose eggplant crab beignets, chilled roasted vegetables, and panko crusted shrimp. I went back in August and sat at the bar sipping a refreshing rum punch. In 60 sleeps I am back and await another night of Sandbar Bliss.

Sandbar is located on Sandy Ground, a short walk from Elvis’s Beach Bar.

My favorite one stop spot for Ting,  beach, sun, food, music  and fun is Smokeys. Clyde runs a smooth restaurant. Upon arrival I was given my own beach chair and umbrella. The waitstaff pampered me on this quiet day serving me an icy cold Ting immediately. If you have not tasted Ting, you have not lived. This grapefruit soda is both delicious and refreshing. A sip reminds me I am home..somewhere amazing in the Caribbean.

I always seem to gravitate towards the chicken roti. The salad is great with an amazing dressing and the roti is delicious. It’s not your typical roti. The skin is more like a burrito wrap but it works. The curry is really tasty.

I could sit at Cove Bay all day. The water is pristine with gin clear water. The white powder sand is blinding. What an amazing setting.

I never miss a visit to Smokeys. Typically I come on Sat. to hear the Musical Brothers play for the lunch crowd or on Sunday for the Mussington’s but my recent visit on a  quiet August day was sublime. I am back in Nov. and am counting the days until my Smokey’s Bliss.

The first time I went to Picante I was wowed. They really know how to make a GOOD Margarite, not the Oasis crap. The food is sublime. Lisanne and I popped over before Mayoumba for drinks and snacks. I ordered a mega pot of homemade guacamole and fresh warm chips. Lisananne order chorizo con queso that looked yummy (I don’t eat meat so did not imbibe). I ordered a top shelf tequila Margarita. It was very potent and quite tasty. Lisanne had a icy cold fresh Mojito.

Caribbean Wind & Sun offers free Concierge to all of their special clients in Anguilla. Call 800-219-0118 or email ann@antiguacaribbean.com to book your holiday in Anguilla and your table at Picante.

Stephen and Thomas have created an oasis in out of the way, Island Harbour. Most folks don’t meader that far but only about 5 miles from the Valley it is hardly a tough commute.  Cote Mer is close to Shoal Bay East villas, hotels and condos. It was a 20 minute enjoyable  ride from Viceroy.  Having spent years in Russia with two sets of diverse and interesting life experiences the Caribbean beckoned them to come set up a dining spot in Anguilla.

Cote Mer

Lisanne and I went on Sunday night and were greeted by Stephen, a delightful sincere host who insured the evening was nothing short of perfect. We started the night off with Ti Punches. Lisanne recommended I try  the tempura mozzarella salad. She chose the lobster pie. My app was amazing. Large slices of fresh tomato with a drizzle of truffle oil and pine nuts served as the bed for the lovely tufty pillows of tempura mozzarella. I was heaven. Lisanna loved her lobster pie.  The homemade crusty rolls were lovely with unsalted butter. Oh oh, Stephen gave us a taste of smoked Mahi Mahi (ya a sustainable fish) on a toast crust and creme fraiche.  It was amazing. I chose fish soup as an entree  and Lisanne chose the tenderloin. My soup had pernod in it..it was like bisque and delightful. Lisanne pronounced her tenderloin perfect in fact the best she has had on island.

Apple Fantasia

We had little room but were tempted by the menu.  I asked Stephen to choose for me and he recommended the Apple Fantasia with Calvados. Lisanne had the Cuban Night Chocolate Biscuit. We died and went to heaven. Stephen gave us homemade vodka with lime and ginger to digest our meal. Our 3 hour experience was nothing short of fabulous. I will be back Aug. 6 and cannot wait.

Tenderloin

Fish Soup

Cote Mer features a Friday Fish Night with Happy Hour 6-8. This is not to miss for seafood lovers. Everything is caught locally by the fisherman in Island Harbour. To book a table contact your island concierge Ann at Caribbean Wind & Sun Vacations. She is an Anguilla specialist having  just returned from at stay at Viceroy. Contact Ann at 800-219-0118 or 011 599 786 3134.

Cuban Chocolate Biscuit

TT

I was seated closest to the sea. There were two parties dining so it was pretty quiet on this glorious June day.  I ordered a crisp cold Pinot Grigio to start. A basket of hot yeasty foccacia and assorted breads came as I perused the menu. I chose pasta with local crayfish. The portion was petite and perfectly al dente. A small crayfish split lay on top. It was a light tasty meal. I am was overcome by the views of Sint Maarten and the overall setting. Alan came to welcome me as he was leaving from his own family meal. I cannot wait to come back for dinner some time. It was really peaceful and a true delight.

Contact the Ann, an Anguilla specialist at 800-219-0118 or 011 599 786 3134 to book your escape to Anguilla.

Grilled Watermelon Salad

My friend Lisanne and I headed over to Mead’s Bay to dine at Jacala. What is bettter  than oceanfront dining with your feet in the sand? We arrived 11:30 but were asked to wait until 12 for the restaurant to open. We sat near the sand staring into ocean blue. The setting is simple and divine. The owner Jacques was having a pre lunch swim. It is always great to see the owner enjoying life..that good vibe gets passed on to his guests. At 12 he seated us and took our drink order. We shared two bottles of Pelegrino during the meal. Lisanne and I shared the grilled watermelon and goat cheese salad. WOW…who knew you could grill watermelon. It was sublime. I had the lobster club sans bacon and the tarter sauce on the side. Lisanne had a simple burger. Everything was amazing. My sandwich was simple and fresh. We shared a pot au chocolate for dessert, a small thimble size concoction. Pure ambrosia.

Lobster Club at Jacala

Caribbean Wind & Sun offers complimentary Concierge Service including reservations to Jacala. Please contact ann@antiguacaribbean.com to book your escape to Anguilla.

1 bedroom Suite

The unit features a massive covered patio and plunge pool with sweeping views of Mead’s Bay.

Bedroom Bliss

I love the artful designs, the colour scheme and most of all the oh so comfy bedding at Viceroy.

The bathrooms are spacious and is well attended by discreet staff I never seem to see…..

The living area is perfect for starting the day and preparing a light meal or coffee. More comfort in mind.

Specials prevail so contact me to book your Viceroy escape at 800-219-0118 or ann@antiguacaribbean.com

Fruit Bar

Continental Breakfast was included in my room rate. I have never seen  a Continental Breakfast of this magnitude.

Breads and Sweets

Hot Cereals and Dried Fruits