(This is part of a full trip report posted under TRIP REPORTS. Mods, delete if I shouldnt post this here)

DINING

Never had a even remotely bad meal. GREAT EATING. We did all our shopping at Cultimara, which had everything you could need. Prices were only high on the US Name brand stuff... We bought all the local brands, and they all tasted good, and were no more pricey than what you buy here at home. I always like to sample the brands/types of groceries we have never heard of, and usually like what I get. Had some real good chocolate bars. They also have a pharmacy for anything you may need. We did go to the convenience store up from Lions Dive/Buddy Dive and it was very expensive. Did have an ice cream shop next door, which was pretty good, if your not too picky.

It Rains Fishes (downtown, right on the marina) was the best meal of the week. From the service, to the atmosphere, to the very neat decorations... Was wonderful. VERY good eating too. Was $75 for the 2 of us, with drinks, apps, and tip.

Donna and Georgias (main strip, before town) was ok, but we went on Monday, when most of the other places were closed, and it was packed, slow, and annoying . Food was just ok, nothing special, but certainly not bad. Pizza was bland.

Casablanca (just past town) was a VERY close second to best meal of the week. 4 of us went, and we both ordered the Mixed Grill (it is a meal for 2), and the water laughed and said he would just bring us 1.5, and an extra plate (for about $5 I believe). The plates came, and they were the size of serving platters, with a large portion of salad, french fries, mixed veggies, and rice. THEN comes the biggy, they set up a tray beside the table, and set down a iron hibachi grill, about the size of the top TV tray (for visuals), filled a foot high with grilled/smoked meats. We had 1.5 cut up chickens, 2 large sirloin steaks, 4 short rib ends, 6 slabs of babybacks, 4 pork chops, and 2 different types of sausage (4 links each). With 4 people, 2 of us being big boys, we couldnt come near finishing it, and took 2lbs of meat home. (nice that lion dive has a full refrigerator) WONDERFUL MEAL. Again, aps and drinks, and tip --> $70

Croccantino (just before town) BEAUTIFUL home converted into restaraunt, with dining inside, and outside in the front, side, and back courtyards. This is a Tuscany style restaraunt, and the food was tied for 1st. WONDERFUL. Salmon pasta, and the wife had Fish Au Gratin. 2 of the best dishes I have ever tasted, regardless of locale. (Yes, I know, I loved all 3 of these places) $72

Pasa Bon Pizza (just before town, closest to traffic circle) Picked up a pizza after our Town Pier night dive. One of the best pizzas I have had in a long time, and since I have never been to NY (this is authentic NY pizza), I must say I am jealous. Huge, and delicious. Was about $26 for a large with 3 toppings, but it fed me (big eater) and wife for dinner, and lunch the next day.

Lions Dive Restaraunt. Our first meal of the week, and it was very good, and very fairly priced. We just like to get out and about, that is the only reason we didnt eat here more. They actually hosted a party for us down on the "beach" the last night, since their were 40 of us, and had a BBQ, and a steel drum band. Was fun.

We had lunches at the Lost Penguin (right at the detour of downtown - good, but slow, burgers were very good), City Cafe (middle of downtown on harbour - VERY GOOD, and nice looking place - fajitas were amazing), ZZizch (not sure I am spelling that right, atmosphere was nice, had A/C - food was ok, burgers were good). other 3-4 lunches we made sandwichs in the room, or had leftovers. We only ate breakfast out of our room twice, both at Lions Dive. Good breakfasts, and $10 gets your choice of meal, with juice, water and coffee. Honestly, didnt eat one bad thing the entire trip.

We have a credit card, MBNA, that only charges the 1% conversion (the 1% that visa charges, not the extra 2% that most(all?) other cards charge, so we just used that.) Exchange rate was about 1.78, but ALL retailers give you 1.75, so you do better with the Guilders