st croix

Here's a typical posting from my friends on Facebook:

So... I was in a chinese restaurant waiting
Country western music is playing
Waitress brings out a tray with vita malt and fried chicken
Gotta love it!!!

Basically, you never know what to expect when dining on St. Croix. It's sometimes an adventure!

debrolex in South & Central America & the Caribbean

Visiting St. Croix

Here's a Chowhound thread on where to eat on STX... http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/784609

For the suggestion over in the BVI's, head over to Uncommon Caribbean and ask them. They have a facebook page where you can ask them questions directly.

debrolex in South & Central America & the Caribbean

Any recommends for food,restaurants, or food shops, in St Croix?

Here's a Chowhound thread on where to eat on STX... http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/784609

debrolex in South & Central America & the Caribbean

St. Croix USVI where to eat like a local

Here's a Chowhound thread on where to eat on STX... http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/78460

On North shore: Off the Wall, Eat @ Cane Bay and Rowdy Joe's.
There are nine restaurants along the north shore. Here's a website specifically covering the North Shore of St. Croix...what to do and where to go: http://www.northshorestcroix.com/

debrolex in South & Central America & the Caribbean

Giong to St. Croix, any fun recomendations?

Here's a Chowhound thread on where to eat on STX... http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/784609

To answer your question directly, I prefer the North Shore for best beaches, snorkeling and SCUBA diving. Eat@Cane Bay and Off the Wall are out that way. Carambola for more upscale dining.

Other beach/dining options are:
Hotel on the Cay (island off the wharf in C'sted) where you can take a ferry over, enjoy a day lounging on the beach, enjoying delicious cocktails at the bar and grab a bite to eat at the restaurant. On Tuesdays you can stay later and enjoy the weekly buffet which includes Moko Jumbies (stilt dancers), live steel drum music & broken glass dancing. If you don't feel like the buffet, you can end your beach day at several restaurants right there in C'sted.

Out east end, there is Cheeseburgers (can't miss it - right on the corner as you head out to east end road) where you can bet on the hermit crab races (check locally for dates/times for races they're a big fave for families with kids) and for a nice lobster dinner/beach combo, I'd go to Duggan's Reef. You can enjoy the beach all day, then toss on a pretty sundress / khakis & shirt and enjoy a delicious lobster dinner.

Hope those suggestions help someone!

debrolex in South & Central America & the Caribbean

St. Croix Where to eat local style

Here's a Chowhound thread to dining on STX: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/784609

You've most likely already taken your trip - sorry I didn't see this sooner - but if anyone else is reading this preparing to travel to STX soon, I'd check out http://www.uncommoncaribbean.com/. The owners of this web site grew up on STX and know all the best places to go throughout the Caribbean. If you're on Facebook, "like" their page over there and feel free to contact them for specific or unusual adventures. Have a great time!

debrolex in South & Central America & the Caribbean

St Croix Eats

Here's a Chowhound thread to dining on STX: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/784609

debrolex in South & Central America & the Caribbean

First time to St. Croix! <yet another post requesting good island food>

Here's a Chowhound thread to dining on STX: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/784609

debrolex in South & Central America & the Caribbean

St. Croix

Here's a Chowhound thread on where to eat on STX... http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/784609

debrolex in South & Central America & the Caribbean

st croix

I noticed a lot of STX posts went un-answered. Trip Advisor has a fairly decent rating of each of the island's restaurants.

If you REALLY want this trip to be a gastronomic adventure, then I advise getting tickets in advance for the St. Croix Food & Wine Experience http://www.stcroixfoodandwine.com/ and go all-out. A Taste of St. Croix shows the past years results and this year's chef lineup. http://tasteofstcroix.com/ It's in April for planning purposes...and fills up quickly! Here's an excellent cookbook my friends produced: http://www.watkinspr.com/Cookbook/ which covers winning recipes, info on chefs, drink pairings and history/cultural aspects of the island.

Here is a list of the most commonly posted-about restaurants among my local friends:
Eat@Cane Bay (North Shore http://www.eatatcanebay.com/)
Polly's at the Pier (F'sted https://www.facebook.com/pages/Pollys-at-the-Pier/66247532232)
Salud Bistro (has won many awards - great place for wine! http://www.saludbistro.com/)
Galangal (Thai http://www.galangalstx.com/)
Bacchus (http://www.restaurantbacchus.com/#!__bacchushome)
Pickled Greek (Award-winner http://www.pickledgreek.com/)
Off The Wall (Cane Bay - North Shore - open air beach casual - great for SCUBA divers!)
La Reine Chicken Shack (MUST for local food! I eat here at least once every time I'm home.)
Angry Nates (Good for a Sunday brunch - wharf in C'sted https://www.facebook.com/pages/Angry-Nates/116534838290)
Reminisce (Brand new - island center - good reviews so far. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Reminisce-Restaurant/119598464792418)

Places I've been going to for ages:
Duggan's Reef (East End - LOBSTER http://duggansreef.com/)
Cheeseburgers (East End - VERY casual - bring the kids for the hermit crab races! https://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=64983761418&v=wall)
Luncheria (This has been one of my faves in C'sted since I was a teenager. Mexican, fresh, courtyard setting.)

When I bring friends down, I like to take them to a buffet at Hotel on the Cay - a little island off the waterfront of C'sted. "Harbor Master Beach Club (340-719-5438) located on the beach. Every Tuesday night enjoy a special Beach Bar-B-Que and Floor Show starting at 7 PM with Steel Pan Music by Zodiac, Mocko Jumbi, limbo and broken bottle dancing and fire eating demonstrations." It's not fine dining - it's a buffet on the beach - but the entertainment is great - especially if you've never see stilt-dancers, heard steel drum music or watched broken bottle dancing. Add some culture to your dining experience!

Please remember to leave your watch at home. We move to a slower pace on St. Croix. Take your time to enjoy, relax and drink in your beautiful surroundings. There is a dining experience for everyone - it's simply a matter of choosing the right restaurant for your mood. Feel free to ask a local for what kind of dining experience you are looking for...they can usually point you in the right direction.

In the days leading up to your trip, I highly advise this website: http://www.uncommoncaribbean.com/ They cover more than just St. Croix - but the site owners grew up on St Croix, so feel free to "like" the UC page on FB and ask them any questions you may have regarding food, entertainment, "must do / must see" adventures. Most importantly, HAVE A GREAT TIME!

debrolex in South & Central America & the Caribbean

Calling All Hampton Roads Chowhounds!

Hey are you guys still doing this monthly dining out thing? My sister and I would love to join you!

debrolex in Mid-Atlantic

Calling All Hampton Roads Chowhounds!

Oh yeah! Razzo is on Ocean View - look for the pink building on the corner. http://www.razzo-norfolk.com/

-----
Razzo
3248 E Ocean View Ave, Norfolk, VA 23518

debrolex in Mid-Atlantic

Calling All Hampton Roads Chowhounds!

We've been to Captain Groovys and have been happy each time. Lively atmosphere. She Crab soup is pretty delish as is the crabcake appetizer (they serve it with this honey-mustard-tartar dipping sauce that was so addictive we were dipping the lettuce garnish in it and snacking on that before she cleared the dish to make room for our entrees). I had the Voodoo wings last time and they were pretty good. Next time I will ask for them 'naked' since I don't prefer a breaded wing...but the sauce was sufficiently spicy. They were NOT a buffalo wing spicy, so don't go into it expecting that...it was more sweet habanero spicy. Very different and decent. I've also had the Captain's Burrito (with tuna) and it was really good. Took leftovers home it was so large. Nachos were typical, but HUGE...great item to share if you're just going there to enjoy a game and drink some brews. My sister had the Seafood Rincon which I tasted and thought was really good.

I highly recommend you check out their "Nightly Specials" online to decide when you'd like to go as they have some pretty good deals and items that are not on their regular menu...the specials change seasonally. http://www.captaingroovys.com/index.php

debrolex in Mid-Atlantic

Calling All Hampton Roads Chowhounds!

Do you know of a place that makes a VI style pate? (The non-turmeric kind made with a sweeter dough similar to the Jamaican festival dough - filled with salt-fish, conch, goat, etc. instead of beef)? I've been looking, but have constantly run into the dry, baked yellow dough Jamaican Beef Patty - which is completely different to a Caribbean Pate or a Puerto Rican empanada. If you know of a place, please let me know! Thanks!

debrolex in Mid-Atlantic

Calling All Hampton Roads Chowhounds!

That's too bad about your experience at Razzo's. We've eaten there twice now and had excellent experiences. I highly recommend their roasted garlic platter. It was so good, I've attempted a duplication at home - which comes close, but not *quite* as good as theirs. I've also had the salmon (a special - not on the regular menu) which was melt-in-your-mouth delicious. My dining buddies had the lasagna and Veal saltimboca. I didn't personally try the lasagna, but the veal was incredible. Hope you give them another try. My neighbors have also gone several times (it's right up the road) and everyone has been very pleased, so your experience sounds like a rare instance. I *do* advise going early and taking advantage of their wine specials during happy hour - plus you get seated quickly since their dining room is a bit cozy. http://www.razzo-norfolk.com/

-----
Razzo
3248 E Ocean View Ave, Norfolk, VA 23518

debrolex in Mid-Atlantic

First time to St. Croix! <yet another post requesting good island food>

I am so sorry I didn't see this before. I grew up on St. Croix in the 80's and 90's. There is a very vibrant culinary vibe going on there! You just have to know where to go! St. Croix is host to professional chef competitions (Iron Chef v/s Island Chef) and the Taste of St. Croix to name a few. Here is a link to the _St. Croix Food & Wine Experience_ cookbook that has excellent ideas/suggestions about places to go, things to do, and is rich in island history. http://www.watkinspr.com/styled-3/

I also highly recommend ANY traveler to the Caribbean to check out the Uncommon Caribbean website (or 'friend' them on Facebook). http://www.uncommoncaribbean.com/ They discuss everything from restaurants to hidden beaches off the beaten path. The owners of this site are born and bred in the Caribbean and take you to places you would've missed without first reading about it on UC. It's like having an insider look before you ever board the plane. Enjoy!

debrolex in South & Central America & the Caribbean

How much is your Thanksgiving Dinner?

Keyword: Leftovers.

Food fanatics such as ourselves take Thanksgiving as an opportunity to share our talents with friends and family, so we make way more variety than an everyday meal and we plan leftovers into the equation ('cause who wants to cook the next day?!?!?!).

I make cranberry pecan jam in the weeks before Thanksgiving SPECIFICALLY to create my rustic bread/turkey/cream cheese/cranberry jam sandwiches the next day...my family expects it as part of our tradition! Then I give away little jars of it to our guests along with leftover carved turkey slices so they can make their own sandwiches the next day and not feel left out of the joy of leftovers.

If I skipped the 'extra dishes' and only made 'reasonable' serving amounts, then yeah, I could probably stay under $50 if I shopped the sales ahead of time. Thanksgiving meal pricing comes down to quantity, quality and sale prices.

debrolex in General Chowhounding Topics

Microplane: how do you use yours?

I've only used mine for grating fresh nutmeg. Maybe I should branch out!

debrolex in Cookware

Goat cheese-- what would you make?

Ooooo..."Roasted Garlic Plate" is the BEST way to use up goat cheese! I recently discovered this at an award-winning restaurant just down the street. After eating this, I can see why they win awards!

On the plate were the following: 2 large roasted garlic heads, pile of warm melty goat cheese, warmed black and green olives, roasted tomatoes, roasted red and green sweet peppers and plenty of sliced toasted bread.

I roasted the garlic covered for 20 min first (slice the tops, drizzle with EVOO, sprinkle with s&p and roast at 350°), then add the goat cheese in the corner of the roasting pan (uncovered) as well as adding in the olives, tomatoes and peppers. Roast for ~45 min.

(I also roasted sliced zucchini slices and thinly sliced red potatoes - both drizzled with evoo and s&p, but this wasn't on their plate.)

We found by changing up the combos on the toast, you got a completely different flavour. My fave was spreading roasted garlic on the toast, then piling on zucchini, goat cheese, tomatoes and black olives. Incredible!

debrolex in Home Cooking

Easter Menus, y'all!

With that menu, I'd lean towards a green bean dish. I don't know why, but that just goes well with ham and potatoes...'cept I prefer ham and sweet potatoes over regular potatoes..... Good luck with the not-so-great items you have no control over. Just to save yourself, you could always bring some deviled eggs to get you thru. ;*)

debrolex in Home Cooking

Spaghetti Squash as a low carb alternative

I did low carb for years and LOVED Spaghetti squash nights! The best part is it can morph into two completely different dinners.

For night 1, split in half, remove seeds, sprinkle with salt & pepper and a pat of butter on the insides of each half. Place in baking pan (I use stoneware – not sure if it matters tho) and roast at 350° until insides can be easily flaked away from the skin. (The time it takes will depend on the size of your squash.) This is excellent paired with a lean meat…I usually do boneless skinless chicken pieces cooked on the stove top with a tiny bit of olive oil. I’ve also served these two with a side of ‘Tasty Tomatoes’, but that’s another low-carb recipe…..

For night 2, take the other half, shred the insides IN THE SHELL, add low fat cheese (I usually like a mix of cheddar and mozzarella) and tiny cubes of cooked ham. Pop in micro to heat up (about two minutes) and then top with a little extra of the cheeses and pop in toaster oven to brown the cheese. DELISH!

debrolex in Home Cooking

Best sandwich I ever invented

Day-after Thanksgiving turkey sandwiches are the BEST! Artisan bread (some thing lightly crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside). Chunks of turkey, cranberry sauce and cream cheese. Great...now my mouth is watering and Thanksgiving is a loooong way away.

debrolex in Home Cooking

Best sandwich I ever invented

Diet Sandwich! ...well, very close to it.

In college, a guy friend of mine wanted to lose some weight. One VERY late night, he created this sandwich - whole wheat bread, spread lite mayo on each slice...but on one, swirl in a few drops of Miss Anna's Hot sauce (it's a yellow habanero pepper sauce we grew up with on St. Croix, but you can now find similar habanero sauces in the states....or order Miss. Anna's online). Fill sandwich with thick slices of vine ripened tomatoes (I worked at a nursery at the time, so I was always bringing home Big Boys and Beef Steak tomatoes)...and a thick slice or two of very sharp cheddar cheese.

The reason we called this a "Diet" sandwich is because it burns your mouth which makes you want to drink a LOT of water. I never had the heart to tell him to drink milk to stop the burn...the water did the trick though...he lost 5 pounds the first week! I still like these sandwiches...might have to make one this week.....

debrolex in Home Cooking

Worst kitchen screwup.

I was 11. Made 'donuts' many times before - 1 container of pop-open biscuits...punch hole in middle, fry in hot oil and dust with powdered sugar (yes, I am ashamed to admit I still crave these almost begniet like donuts). All was proceeding as planned....until I realized why the oil wasn't getting hot. I had turned on the wrong burner on the glass-top stove. Unfortunately a white corelle plate was sitting on that particular burner - it had now turned yellow it was so hot. I panicked, picked up the plate with a pot holder and set it on the formica countertop...instantly hearing a sizzle sound, I picked it up again and put it on the sink...where water dripped from the faucet on it and it exploded.

The worst part was my parents had just listed the house for sale...and now had a semi-circle of burned countertop right next to the stove. Making lemonade out of lemons, they cut out that part of the countertop and inset a cutting board (one of those made to go in a countertop - which my Mom has now done in every house we've lived in). So, all-in-all, nobody was hurt, we sold the house and figured out a new kitchen accessory....but I haven't made those donuts many times since then since I still feel traumatized I'll screw it up. LOL

debrolex in Home Cooking

Recipes for starving college students?

I totally forgot to mention breakfast for dinner! That was always an inexpensive meal to make. Eggs, bacon, pop-open biscuits, grits (we were in the south), fresh fruit...yum.

debrolex in Home Cooking

Recipes for starving college students?

This isn't so much a recipe as a college survival suggestion. One thing I couldn't afford was spoiled food. My budget was VERY tight.

Tip: wrap celery sticks (sliced and cleaned) in aluminum foil. It keeps for weeks this way...crisp and fresh...I have no idea why.

Tip: Splurge a bit more to buy the Ziplock Fresh Protect bags for all fresh veggies...especially romaine lettuce. It keeps veggies at the perfect moisture content to prevent rotting for a few weeks.

Tip: Buy a big block of cheddar cheese (like from Sam's club) shred it (or buy pre-shredded) and freeze in small ziplock baggies. Then we'd take out right before using (like on top of chili or for grilled cheese sandwiches) and use a baggie at a time.

If he has access & ability to use a grill (my roomie & I lived off-campus eventually) this opens up a nightly 'social hour'. Our neighbors (and about 1/2 the apartment complex) were invited to throw on their own meat and share a side. Some days it'd be a hot dog and others a steak...but there was always a fresh garden salad, someone would always bring mashed potatoes (from the box of course) and usually there was a rice or pasta...maybe a steamed veggie...whatever people had available. We never starved, always had good variety, explored different cultural dishes and most importantly we all made a lot of friends. It was a nice way to replace the 'family dinner'. We'd talk about our day, make plans for the weekend, laugh and let off steam. It took some of the stress off in a good way.

debrolex in Home Cooking

Recipes for starving college students?

I know this isn't cooking really...but in the frozen section, I saw Marie Callendar & Banquet are now selling 'crock pot' ingredients all in a bag. I haven't tried it myself, but if he'll have a crock pot anyway, this may be a good 'no cook' meal to do in it. The directions basically say "dump in crcok pot, turn on and leave for 8 hours". This sounds great for exam time!

debrolex in Home Cooking

Recipes for starving college students?

To dress up left-over mac-n-cheese or to stretch that one last box of Mac-n-cheese between you and the roomies until the next grocery run, try adding in 1/2 jar of salsa (probably left over from the last football game party). Heat on stove till warm and bubbly. It makes left-overs more moist and edible...and for a full box, it adds a nice kick. (Note: if your mac-n-cheese left overs are REALLY dry from over-cooking the original recipe, try adding a bit of milk or even a slice of American or velveeta to 'cream it up'.) Enjoy!

debrolex in Home Cooking

Recipes for starving college students?

Yum! We'd serve this straight-up for the first 'round'... BUT the next day, after the flavours have ben able to meld was REALLY great. We'd make Frito Pie with what was left.

Sprinkle frito corn chips in bottom of cereal bowl. Heat up left over chili in pot on stove until bubbly. Pour over Fritos and top with chredded cheddar cheese. YUM! Great for cold days!

debrolex in Home Cooking