Le Vendome at Charela Inn
This was high on my list. Had dinner here twice. Anything you order with pasta is delicious and for dessert the pineapple boat with peanut ice cream is to die for....had that 3 or 4 times. We went just for dessert a few times with another couple who likened it to "crack". Bob had lamb first time and pork the second. He was not as thrilled as me. Stick to the pasta dishes but make sure you like garlic. Again thanks to Ras Walleye!
Bentley's Crab House- happened to meet Bentley on the street after going for a walk to the Lighthouse one morning. Stopped to say hello and he gave us his spiel. I saw by the look on Bob's face that he wanted to do this. Bentley insisted that we walk up the lane to his house and check it out. We gave him the down payment and said we would be back at 6:30. I mentioned Gerryg's name and we got 3 crabbacks. Total meal was US $50. Well worth it. Not being juice or rum drinkers we asked if we could bring our own wine. Of course the answer was yes. I was not sure I would like the magic sauce and I'm not a huge crab fan but it was delicious. The best part for me was the rice. I don't know how he made it, it looked plain but OMG! He sat with us while we had dinner, nobody there except his nephew, girlfriend & little girl. We shared our wine with them. Bentley didn't want any in case other customers came. This was a fun and very different night and will do it every time we come. Bentley's neighbor, Lenny, (red plate) took us back to HSH and we used him again the next morning to transport us to Coco La Palm.
Seastar Inn (Sat night buffet & show)
This was the second time doing this and will do it each any every time we come. We are not buffet fans but this is a great one with plenty of fresh food and lots to choose from. Of course you all know how good the show is. I love love love Stephen West and got his CD. I am playing it over and over and over every time I get in my car. The female singer was really good and the African Dance was also wonderful. We brought a first time couple to Negril with us and they were thrilled. A funny side story with that. When we first met them the gentleman couldn't under stand why we would return over and over again when there is a big wide world to see out there. We just kept quiet. At the end of their short 4 day trip they said "see you next Nov". Haha they got it! We were hoping to get back here for a regular dinner which was the best dinner on our last trip but it didn't happen.
Xtabi
Went here for lunch (conch burger) recommended by Guiriguy. It was really good. The caves are amazing. A must see! Also love the bar here. Some places are tough for us because they only serve beer and rum. We are vodka, gin and wine drinkers with an occasional beer thrown in.
Pushcart
We both like this place and go every time. Can't remember what we ate. Food is always good and of course we can get a martini and decent glass of wine here which makes it more attractive.
Kuyaba
Ate her on Thanksgiving because they were one of the few not featuring Traditional USA Thanksgiving. This is another place we come to every trip and it is consistently good. One blip this time is no martini's but we were happy with the wine.
Marley's By the Sea at Coco La Palm & Beach Grill
We ate at Marley's twice for dinner. This is our home base so sometimes you are just too lazy to go anywhere after a day of sun, sand, drinking, happy hour, etc etc. The food is good although I think it is time to change it up a bit. I am tired of the same things. Three stays here and the menu has not changed. The grill, on the other hand, is really good for lunch. They have jerk chicken that everybody was saying is better than Best in the West. I agree but it is the only two places I have eaten jerk so I'm not a good judge. They have a great pizza, the best seasoned fries and cobb salad all for a reasonable price. If they stayed open later than 6PM we would probably eat there for dinner too. 6 is just too early for dinner and besides it interferes with happy hour which is 5-7. Had lots of fun here every night. It is the place to meet the other guests.
Cosmo's
This place gets reviews that are all over the place. We only got there for lunch but loved their fish sandwich and great margarita's so much we went back a second time. I know we are not in Mexico but I love margarita's on the rocks if they are made right and they were. One couple we met tried to go for dinner and got there about 8 and they were closed. By now I'm sure they are open later as it gets busier.
Shareta's
we go here every time for the burger's and again the good margarita's. Burger's are not my favorite in Jamaica but here they put lots of "stuff" on them so it disguises the taste of the beef. Sorry I just don't like the taste of beef in Negril. Always mean to go for dinner but have yet to make it.
Alfred's
Love love love the fish and chips. This is a must for us at least once.
Ate at a few other places that are favorites of others but we didn't feel the love so I won't mention them. As you can tell our vacation is all about the drinking and eating and the only night we were out past ten was for the Seastar Show.
We stayed 3 nights on the cliffs (first time) and 11 on the beach. Although the views were amazing the cliffs is not for us and we probably won't stay up there again. I was ready to go to the beach after the first night. It was just way too quiet and I needed to have my feet in the sand. I do have to say that the cliffs has some great restaurants and we will be trying more of them the next trip. Although walking was treacherous we walked many times up and down the road from Canoe to the Lighthouse. We went all the way to the lighthouse one morning but were afraid to go in. The dog looked mean! We took a picture from the road and called it a day. Haha
Things I wish for in Negril-
Pinot Grigio wine which is all I drink at home. Chardonnay seems to be all that is offered. I drink it but am always longing for my Pinot. I brought some with me but it didn't last long. I tried to buy some in Negril but a $10 btl in US is a $20 in Negril so I settle. I guess that is why the restaurants only serve Chardonnay. Anybody know if any restaurants serve it?
Coffee-please don't make me wait a long time for my first cup of coffee. I can wait for the food but need that first cup right away. I loved Teddy's for breakfast because they have a coffee urn where you serve yourself. No waiting. Coco is pretty fast with the coffee too.
If I knew how to post pictures I would but I've tried and tried and can't seem to master it (technically challenged I guess).
See you in April!
