I have been lax in filing my trip report from January but I felt I really needed to get at least a few postings out given how many BT people are heading to the island in the next few weeks.

The Tipsy Seagull took me completely by surprise. Dining by candle light and tiki torches with white table clothes and napkins. We were seated directly waterside and no more than two feet from the water on a beautiful stretch of sand. It was absolutely mesmerizing.

The food was yet another surprise. I expected that a "big resort's restaurant" food would be mostly pre-prepared and fairly monotonous in order to churn out tons of tables. I could not have been more WRONG.

The food choices were fresh, delicious, and inspired. A party of four of us had fresh raw fish with great sauces, delicious argentinian meats coupled with awesome veggies, a truly impressive off menu vegetarian request, and sumptuous deserts. The staff was prompt, and attentive but not in the way. We'll be going back.

What is surprising is that so few people who don't stay at the Plaza seem to mention this restaurant online. It is unique and stands out even among the very best of Bonaire's establishments.

We stay at the Plaza and have the tradition of eating at the Tipsy Seagull on our first night. It's nice to not drive anywhere after traveling all day and you can't get much closer to the water! It always puts us in "vacation mode" - yummy food too!

Carol, when were you last there? It's my understanding that the level and quality have significantly increased recently.

Bill, we were there last March. We ate there twice - on our first and last nights. The food the last night was better than the first night, which was a good thing, since we couldn't sit on the "beach" because of rain. We had the "Chef's Surprise" ( I think that's what they called it.) the first night. I am a mostly vegetarian - I do eat some fish occasionally. We explained that to our waiter and then the big "surprise" was the sweetbreads over greens for the first course. It got better after that, although I can't remember exactly what we had. If it has improved, then that is only for the good! I wonder if anything has changed at The Banana Tree. We first ate there about seven years ago and it was wonderful. I had this amazing salad that was topped with deep-fried brie. Alas, it has gone steadily down hill since then.

Thanks Carol! I've inquired regarding the changes in management at the Plaza and the Tipsy Seagull but our experience was definitely beyond yummmy (subjective opinion of course! LOL)

We did not eat at the Banana Tree and it is distinctly different dining experience from what I understand.

Hopefully the "down hill" trend will have been reversed! YAY!

The Tipsy Seagull (or as we call it the Drunken Parrot) :-) is a great choice for a first night meal, right on the water.
C.

We also found the food significantly better in Oct. Hope it still is in 3 weeks. As said above the perfect 1st night meal.

Thanks Bill, we'll have to give it another try, next week. We love the location. We've only gone for the BBQ in the past.

Hello BT'ers-
My wife and I always stay at the Plaza and have found The Tipsy Seagull's food and service outstanding. We try to make to their "lobster night" which is de-lish!

Hi, Tipsy Seagull sounds like a lovely special night meal. Being right on the beach, how are the mosquitos? Thanks.

Hi Jan! We sprayed, we always do. That being said it was quite breezy the night we were there and I doubt there would have been any but I don't count on wind to protect myself.

As mentioned, we hit TS on our first night, as is our tradition. Bad luck, the prices have skyrocketed over the last two years (minimum price for apps is $14.75), most entrees are $25 and up, over 3 hours for dinner and the food was just satisfactory. Yes, mosquitoes had us for dinner, although the spray was still packed away in the suitcases, so that was our fault.

Had some great meals over the years, and wanted to love ya this year, but we're not feeling the love anymore.

Sorry, Seagull, I'm pulling you from the lineup. :-) Time to give a new kid a chance.

C.