Can anyone tell me what Richards is like now it used to be really good but went down hill over the last few years. Love the table at the end of the dock but did not go last year as the last twice we went the service and food was bad, the girl could barely speak english and she constantly forgot about us. Or if anyone has any suggestions for another romantic setting for dinner like Richards

We had a special dinner there on 4/22/2010. Food, Service and the Pier Table were all amazing.Cannot support the negative comments. Would go again for sure.

I agree with Chris. We sat at the pier table when we were there in May & it was fabulous! Excellent food, service, and....of course...host.

Our last visit was May 7th, for our 26th wedding anniversary.
We too had the pier table.
Both the service and the meal were excellent.
The server was great and had been there for several years.
Richard then came out to congratulate us on our amazing feat!!
I like both the food and Richard.
While any restaurant can have an off night,
you may want to check for more current reviews.

Many thanks everyone for the feedback this is great to hear that it appears to be back to how it used to be. We will certainly give it another go this time.

(Message edited by Vicky on July 10, 2010)

Our last visit to Richard's was our last, we booked the Pier Table for a special anniversary meal and they did not have enough staff for us to use it. So we had a nice table but spoilt as were sat next two very loud American gents nearly shouting to each other one of which was Richard.

Sorry to hear that Brian. We had a very average meal there twice, years ago, and it looks like he is still the same. Plenty of other restaurants with great views to patronize.

C

Ate there three times my last visit. Once at the bar, once at a table and once at the pier table. Food and service was excellent each time. Although the base menu does not change, the specials have never disappointed and his fish is always fresh. I noticed a new staff person besides Deedee who has been there several years, Lela I believe was her name and and she was quite good and attentive. Plenty of places to eat on Bonaire, but I find Richards to be one of the best so I continue to return.

Good eating to all. Patrick

I have had nothing but excellent food and wonderful service.

Eat there at least once every trip..... or at least every trip since Blaze introduced us to the place.

Thanks, Red!

Off topic, but hey Dave, hows the book coming along...... Patrick

Pat,

Thanks for asking!!

Actually, the book is "finished." I've completed the rough draft.

However, I have a gazillion edits to make -- things I thought of as I was writing, but didn't want to go back and correct at that time; things I know I have to change; areas where I can bring out some element of characterization a little better; conflicts in plot; incomplete sections that I couldn't get a handle on at the time; etc.

I beat myself up a lot because I feel it's taking too long to do. But then I think, "Hey, I'm enjoying this, so what's the hurry?"

And besides, by thinking about it for as long as I have, I've come up with some items to add that will give it more realism and a better twist at the end..... something a mystery novel should strive for!

We're headed for Bonaire Aug 6 for two weeks. It'll allow me some time to do some "much needed research."

And while I'm there, I plan to practice a little writing with my daily trip reports.....

I'm hoping the book will be ready for Beta readers by the end of the year.

Then, who knows.......

P.S. I'm getting ahead of myself a little here, but I've already got a basic plot for the second book. How's this for an opening line (or something like this): "Nothing draws a crowd on a beach like a human hand washing ashore."

Cool to hear you are that far along and very much look forward to reading the beta version if you would be so kind. I believe you have my private email. Please do post the normal trips reports that many including myself enjoy so much. Do hope we can meet at Richards for a beer if our Bonaire paths ever cross one day.

Have a great trip, Patrick

back on topic please

Sorry, Freddie......

I've stayed at the place next door to Richard's for the last five years, so I am in and out for at least three weeks a year.
He used to get fish from the dealer next door, but that business no longer exists.
Local fishermen call him when they have a catch because he is a reliable and repeat customer.
Ergo, really fresh fish.
Ask Richard in person about the beef on menu and which cut is recommended.
I cannot imagine trying to run a restaurant on Bonaire, but Richard seems (to me) to do a great job.

My husband and I ate at Richards on three occasions. We have been to Bonaire 10 times over the years for vacations. The food was very average. The service was barely acceptable.
We kept trying Richards because we heard it was so exceptional. We have not gone back.

We too had a so-so meal there with very slow service. We were almost done with our meal before they brought our bottle of wine that we had ordered as soon as we were seated and before we ordered the meal. There were only 3-4 tables on the night we were there. We also heard people at two of the tables express frustration on both the service and having to ask for the bill several times.

I have a rule of always giving a place two chances before I say "Never again". So we'll see.........

Ate there once and found the food average at best. There are too many good places on the island to eat so I won't be back.

[ We were almost done with our meal before they brought our bottle of wine that we had ordered as soon as we were seated and before we ordered the meal.]

Well Nancy that would have been one bottle of wine that I personally would have sent back if that happened to me at ANY restaurant. Hopefully you didn't pay for it.

Okay food, worse service.

If you like TV diners, Craft Mac and cheese, then Richards will be a treat.

Same menu for 20 years. Please tell me he is still not serving shrimp in the conch shell.

I'm sorry, but can you say tourist trap?

Interesting thought Jerry, 20 years....and this on an island that seems to have restaurants come and go with the wind reversals....yup, 20 years...wonder how he stays in business based on some of these reviews? How long you been in business if I might ask, 13 years in private practice for me.

Your post is whats so wrong with BT these days, adds NOTHING to the common good IMHO, but what do I know, I like Richards and just lurk around BT most days.

Patrick

Patrick, what was the question again?

Jerry nailed it right there. The cooking has no imagination at all. Retro 1970s stuff coming out of the kitchen.

I ate at Richard's last October. My fish came out with about 90% of it totally raw. Obviously he did not charge me for the baked tater or veggies I ate from the plate, but serving raw fish like that is inexcusible. I have always had very good experiences there before, but am afraid I cannot go back again.

I wish someone would tell the proprietor at Richards how to spell Caribbean. Every time I see his sign, I cringe. I never would have accepted it with 2 r's. But, that's just me.

My wife and I have been going to Bonaire twice a year for over 10 years. We will be back in a few weeks. We've been to just about every restaurant in the city or at the resorts. Richard's is our favorite place. The food is always great, and the service has also always been very good. Richard himself is great. He makes you feel like you're at a friends house for dinner. He always goes out of his way to make sure you're satisfied. I have nothing but good things to say about Richards!

This topic sure comes up a lot. The food is average and the service is worse. That's just my opinion and there are, as you can see, plenty of people who love the place. Give it a try and see for yourself. If you're lucky, you'll get a good meal with bad service. I never got the good meal.

It's a hate love thing.

We've been to Bonaire 6 times and we have always enjoyed Richard's. We've just returned from a 2 week trip and we dined at Richard's 2 times while we were on the island and we stopped in a few other times just for drinks. The food and service were excellent and the ambience was terrific. We reserved the pier table for our wedding anniversary dinner and it was a beautiful, memorable experience!