If you're lucky enough to stick around until Monday, hopefully you'll be joining us at Barrel Stay on Sunday night for dinner. As previously noted, Korinne and I usually hit Barrel Stay on our first night on island. So it's a great spot for a relaxing Thanksgiving dinner with easy access to the fun down the road at Pumphouse and Elvis'. Though Barrel Stay actually does serve a traditional Thanksgiving dinner (despite being owned by Brits), neither of us has partaken because the rest of the menu is so good.
It's an open air, welcoming spot right on the beach in Sandy Ground. The proprietors are Jill and Graham - Jill hosts the guests and Graham is the chef. You can see the menu for the Sunday dinner in the post below, which is a subset of a broader offering. I have eaten the stuffed chicken, and I highly recommend it. The seafood is caught fresh, and the menu has lots of different types of influences. It's definitely one of the best restaurants on the island. We're really looking forward to having a relaxing dinner with everyone there, and if you won't be around Sunday night and are looking for somewhere to dine another time, you can't go wrong here.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Sunday Night Dinner Menu
This is the dinner menu for the Sunday night outing to Barrel Stay, which is a great restaurant right on the beach at Sandy Ground. We described it in the agenda below in more detail. The food is fantastic and it's an ideal setting for a relaxing dinner...plus it's walking distance from Pumphouse and Elvis'! Don't forget to RSVP on the website listed below. You can see the prices listed in the menu, and the restaurant will do separate checks for each table.
DINNER AT BARREL STAY
SUNDAY, MAY 2
STARTERS
TEMPURA OF SHRIMP
SERVED WITH AN ORIENTAL SALAD WITH MANGO, PINEAPPLE MELON
SALSA $22
LOCAL PUMPKIN SOUP
DRIZZLED WITH CHILI OIL $11
GREEN SALAD
WITH FRESH ASPARAGUS $13
MAINS
CATCH OF THE DAY
SERVED WITH STIR FRIED VEGETABLES IN A HOISIN SAUCE, PYRAMID OF
COCONUT RICE & FINISHED WITH A LEMON BUTTER SAUCE $36
CHICKEN BREAST STUFFED WITH MOZZARELLA, FRESH BASIL IN
PANKO BREADCRUMBS
SERVED WITH GARLIC MASHED POTATO WITH FRESH VEGETABLES WITH A
MUSHROOM JUS $29
CHAR GRILLED US PRIME ANGUS STRIPLOIN
ROASTED POTATO SHALLOT CAKE FRESH VEGETABLES SERVED WITH A
PEPPERCORN SAUCE $39
DESSERTS
HOME MADE CHOCOLATE TART
BUTTER BISCUIT SPOON WITH FRESH VANILLA ICE CREAM $14
ICED MANGO PARFAIT
WITH A WILD BERRY COULIS $14
FRESH VANILLA BEAN CREME BRULEE
WITH HOMEMADE RASPBERRY ICE CREAM & BUTTER BISCUIT $14
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Elvis' Beach Bar
Elvis' Beach Bar is one of our favorite places in Anguilla. It seems to be where we and half the island end up at the end of the night. It's also in Sandy Ground, and pretty much right across the street from the Pumphouse. Elvis took an old wooden boat, stuck it on the beach about 20 feet from the lapping water of Road Bay, and turned it into one of the favorite spots on island for locals and visitors alike.
When we went there a few years ago for the first time, the bar was just the one old boat (hollowed out so the bartenders stand in the boat, and the edges of the boat are surrounded by bar stools in the sand). Elvis has become more popular as a result of the great scene and his low-key hospitality and bartending skills. He and the guy with whom he runs the place, Brett (we call him Delvis - long story), have expanded the establishment with an extension of the bar, more tables, a big double-decker deck, and a stage for live music. But it still has the feel where you walk up and everyone says hello.
Elvis has worked at a number of places on island, including Cap Juluca (there is still a drink on the bar menu at CJ named after Elvis), before starting his own place. He is famous also for wearing jerseys (primarily football) that his patrons from around the world give to him. So, if any of you have an extra Jimmy Clausen or Colt McCoy jersey in the closet, feel free to bring it as a gift for Elvis. Anyway, Elvis is a great host and great guy, though a man of few words. You will certainly enjoy his hospitality, and he doesn't seem to close the bar until the last person leaves.
We've put Elvis' on the itinerary for Sunday night after Barrel Stay, but I can't see a scenario in which people don't end up there after the Pumphouse. Once you hang out at Elvis', with the sand between your toes, music on the speakers, friends all around you (even if you don't know anyone when you walk in), and a cold beer in hand, you will definitely want to go back.
Here's Elvis mixing some concoction on his bar, on one of the few nights he's not decked out in a jersey. He and Brett were at some event at the Anguilla Chief Minister's house, or something.
When we went there a few years ago for the first time, the bar was just the one old boat (hollowed out so the bartenders stand in the boat, and the edges of the boat are surrounded by bar stools in the sand). Elvis has become more popular as a result of the great scene and his low-key hospitality and bartending skills. He and the guy with whom he runs the place, Brett (we call him Delvis - long story), have expanded the establishment with an extension of the bar, more tables, a big double-decker deck, and a stage for live music. But it still has the feel where you walk up and everyone says hello.
Elvis has worked at a number of places on island, including Cap Juluca (there is still a drink on the bar menu at CJ named after Elvis), before starting his own place. He is famous also for wearing jerseys (primarily football) that his patrons from around the world give to him. So, if any of you have an extra Jimmy Clausen or Colt McCoy jersey in the closet, feel free to bring it as a gift for Elvis. Anyway, Elvis is a great host and great guy, though a man of few words. You will certainly enjoy his hospitality, and he doesn't seem to close the bar until the last person leaves.
We've put Elvis' on the itinerary for Sunday night after Barrel Stay, but I can't see a scenario in which people don't end up there after the Pumphouse. Once you hang out at Elvis', with the sand between your toes, music on the speakers, friends all around you (even if you don't know anyone when you walk in), and a cold beer in hand, you will definitely want to go back.
Here's Elvis mixing some concoction on his bar, on one of the few nights he's not decked out in a jersey. He and Brett were at some event at the Anguilla Chief Minister's house, or something.
The Pumphouse
I'm going to start giving you some of my opinions on the restaurants and bars in Anguilla (because I know how much you all value my opinion). We'll start with the places that are on the agenda, and then I can give you some thoughts on some additional places that you might want to hit if you have some free time, or are staying extra days.
We described The Pumphouse briefly below, but here is a little more detail in case that and its website wasn't enough for you. The Pumphouse is in Sandy Ground, on the side of the road that borders the big salt pond, which you can see on the right in the photo at the top of the page. It's an old pumphouse (imagine that!) that would pump the salt out of the pond to eventually sell. Salt production and exportation used to be Anguilla's primary commercial activity prior to the advent of tourism there about 25 years ago.
It's a fun bar with a pretty good menu of bar food, including some good local stuff. They frequently have live music, including Musical Brothers on Thursday nights. We'll be there that night, and you'll get to enjoy their fine reggae stylings, and a mix of original songs and covers (both reggae and other songs you know that they've made into reggae). It's always a fun crowd, and seems to be an even mix of locals and visitors. Some people have been coming to the island for years and always go back there. Some are there for the first time. We have frequently run into people there that we've met on the island, including hotel employees and just random people that seem to be everywhere. And everyone hangs out and has fun together.
It gets crowded, but not super-crowded, and it's never too hard to get up to the bar to get a drink. It's kind of a wooden shack with a concrete floor, some high and low tables, and the bar is on the left when you walk in. The band plays in the back, where some of the pumphouse equipment still sits. Very informal place - as Korinne noted below - wear comfortable shoes!
We described The Pumphouse briefly below, but here is a little more detail in case that and its website wasn't enough for you. The Pumphouse is in Sandy Ground, on the side of the road that borders the big salt pond, which you can see on the right in the photo at the top of the page. It's an old pumphouse (imagine that!) that would pump the salt out of the pond to eventually sell. Salt production and exportation used to be Anguilla's primary commercial activity prior to the advent of tourism there about 25 years ago.
It's a fun bar with a pretty good menu of bar food, including some good local stuff. They frequently have live music, including Musical Brothers on Thursday nights. We'll be there that night, and you'll get to enjoy their fine reggae stylings, and a mix of original songs and covers (both reggae and other songs you know that they've made into reggae). It's always a fun crowd, and seems to be an even mix of locals and visitors. Some people have been coming to the island for years and always go back there. Some are there for the first time. We have frequently run into people there that we've met on the island, including hotel employees and just random people that seem to be everywhere. And everyone hangs out and has fun together.
It gets crowded, but not super-crowded, and it's never too hard to get up to the bar to get a drink. It's kind of a wooden shack with a concrete floor, some high and low tables, and the bar is on the left when you walk in. The band plays in the back, where some of the pumphouse equipment still sits. Very informal place - as Korinne noted below - wear comfortable shoes!
Website Working OK for You?
Hopefully you're all getting the information you need for the wedding weekend from this website. If you are having trouble finding certain info, there is a blog archive on the right side of the page, or click on one of the "labels" at the bottom of a post to find all the posts with the same label. If you're still not getting the info you need, please email me (you should have my email address from all my previous annoying emails, and I'd rather not put it on the Interwebs).
Korinne and I are putting the finishing touches on all the details, and are really excited to see all of you in less than six weeks! It's going to be a great time (I hope - it better be).
Korinne and I are putting the finishing touches on all the details, and are really excited to see all of you in less than six weeks! It's going to be a great time (I hope - it better be).
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Detailed Weekend Itinerary
I'm going to turn it over to my lovely future wife again. We collaborated on this schedule with all the details for the weekend in Anguilla. The invitations just went out, so some of you will have been directed to this site by the paper products you just received. If you like the invitations, feel free to compliment Korinne - she worked hard on them. I think they look great, and am very happy that there isn't any tissue paper in the envelope. I hate that tissue paper. Here's the info:
It’s been a long, cold winter for most of us so we hope everyone is really looking forward to a warm, sunny weekend in Anguilla. We realize for many of you that this is a mini-vacation, not just a weekend to celebrate our wedding, so we want everyone to have time to relax on your own or have the option to join us for various events if interested.
As promised on the invite, we’ve pulled together additional details on the events for our wedding weekend. We are so looking forward to seeing everyone and hanging out with you in our favorite place – Anguilla.
Thursday, April 29
Cocktails at Sandy Ground
10pm, The Pump House
We’ll kick-off the wedding weekend on Thursday evening down at Sandy Ground. The Pump House is known for live music on Thursdays featuring The Musical Brothers. Every Thursday we’ve spent on Anguilla includes a stop at The Pump House so don’t miss it! Check it out at http://www.pumphouse-anguilla.com/.
What To Wear: Anything goes – wear comfortable shoes so you can dance!
Transportation: Grab a taxi from your hotel to The Pump House. Later that night we will make sure there are taxis available for people to share.
RSVP: No need to RSVP for this one. Just show up!
Friday, April 30
Banana Boat Trip
11am to 4pm, Meet at Johnno’s at Sandy Ground
On Friday, we hope you will join us for a boat trip out to Prickly Pear Island on Johnno’s historic banana boat, a 74-foot, single-masted sloop. We will meet at Johnno’s beach restaurant at Sandy Ground at 11am to board the boat out to this private island with unspoiled beaches, fantastic snorkeling and just two small restaurants. If snorkeling and swimming is not your thing, you can relax on the beach (in a lounge chair – of course) and enjoy drinks from the beach bar. The boat ride is about an hour (each way), and there will be a delicious lunch at Johnno’s restaurant on the island. After an amazing afternoon, we’ll be back at Johnno’s at Sandy Ground by 4pm.
We checked out Prickly Pear and the banana boat on our last trip to Anguilla. We had the best day, so we promise a fun adventure if you’re up for it! Check out Johnno, the boat, and Prickly Pear at http://www.bananaboatanguilla.com/.
Pricing: The cost per person is $85 plus 15% gratuity which includes the boat ride, a huge lunch of either ribs, bar-b-q chicken or fish (your choice) with all the fixings, drinks on the boat, use of snorkeling gear, and lounge chairs. We recommend bringing cash for payment.
What To Wear: Swimsuits and flip-flops. And don’t forget sunscreen and a towel.
Transportation: More details to come at a later date.
RSVP: Please let us know by April 1. Click this link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/HB22RDT for an online RSVP form, or RSVP to kkubena@gmail.com.
Friday, April 30
Welcome Reception
8pm to 10pm, Aleta, Viceroy Anguilla
We want to officially welcome all of you to Anguilla with a cocktail reception poolside at Aleta at Viceroy Anguilla. If you’re not staying at Viceroy, it’s a great chance to check out the newest hotel property on the island and enjoy drinks and snacks with us, and the rest of our wedding guests. After the reception, we can continue to hang out at the main bar at Viceroy, which has another great view overlooking the infinity pool and Barnes Bay. Check out the hotel at http://www.viceroyanguilla.com/.
What To Wear: Women could wear sundresses or pants and a top with heels, strappy sandals or flats. Men could wear khaki or linen pants and a polo or button down shirt, either short or long sleeved with loafers, boat shoes or something similar, instead of flip-flops.
Transportation: For those of you not staying at Viceroy, we will provide transportation from your hotel. Again, more details to come at a later date.
RSVP: We’re assuming you won’t miss this party, so no need to RSVP.
Saturday, May 1
Wedding and Reception
5pm, Smokey’s at the Cove
Now this is the main event and the entire reason you’ve traveled all this way… to see us get married. So we promise a great evening – enough said! For a preview of Smokey’s check out http://www.smokeysatthecove.com/. You’ll notice a couple of familiar “Smokey’s People.” This was clearly a wedding advance trip!
What To Wear: Women could wear sundresses; however, we will be on the beach so wear a flat sandal instead of heels. For men, the same attire worn to the welcome reception works for the wedding, but a sandal or flip-flop is fine to wear. No jacket or tie required!
Transportation: We will provide transportation from your hotel. More details to follow.
RSVP: Please fill out and return the postcard by April 1.
Sunday, May 2
Farewell Dinner
6pm, Barrel Stay at Sandy Ground
For those of you staying through Sunday, we hope you will join us for dinner at Barrel Stay at Sandy Ground. Chef / owner Graham Belcher and his wife, Jill, are putting together a special menu for our group. Anguilla is known for amazing restaurants, and this is one of our favorites. We eat at Barrel Stay every Thanksgiving Day. Check out the restaurant at http://www.barrelstay.com/.
After dinner, a stop by Elvis’ Beach Bar, which is just down the beach, is a must. You can’t come to Anguilla without meeting Elvis. Check out Elvis and his beach bar at www.elvisbeachbar.net.
Pricing: See the post above from April 3 for the full menu and prices (hey, how did I know it would be posted on that day?).
What To Wear: Shorts, pants, sundresses, jeans – anything goes!
Transportation: Grab a taxi from your hotel to Sandy Ground. Hopefully by this point you’ll know a group that can share a taxi with you!
RSVP: Please let us know by April 1. Click this link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/HHQGM9Z for an online RSVP form or RSVP to kkubena@gmail.com
It’s been a long, cold winter for most of us so we hope everyone is really looking forward to a warm, sunny weekend in Anguilla. We realize for many of you that this is a mini-vacation, not just a weekend to celebrate our wedding, so we want everyone to have time to relax on your own or have the option to join us for various events if interested.
As promised on the invite, we’ve pulled together additional details on the events for our wedding weekend. We are so looking forward to seeing everyone and hanging out with you in our favorite place – Anguilla.
Thursday, April 29
Cocktails at Sandy Ground
10pm, The Pump House
We’ll kick-off the wedding weekend on Thursday evening down at Sandy Ground. The Pump House is known for live music on Thursdays featuring The Musical Brothers. Every Thursday we’ve spent on Anguilla includes a stop at The Pump House so don’t miss it! Check it out at http://www.pumphouse-anguilla.com/.
What To Wear: Anything goes – wear comfortable shoes so you can dance!
Transportation: Grab a taxi from your hotel to The Pump House. Later that night we will make sure there are taxis available for people to share.
RSVP: No need to RSVP for this one. Just show up!
Friday, April 30
Banana Boat Trip
11am to 4pm, Meet at Johnno’s at Sandy Ground
On Friday, we hope you will join us for a boat trip out to Prickly Pear Island on Johnno’s historic banana boat, a 74-foot, single-masted sloop. We will meet at Johnno’s beach restaurant at Sandy Ground at 11am to board the boat out to this private island with unspoiled beaches, fantastic snorkeling and just two small restaurants. If snorkeling and swimming is not your thing, you can relax on the beach (in a lounge chair – of course) and enjoy drinks from the beach bar. The boat ride is about an hour (each way), and there will be a delicious lunch at Johnno’s restaurant on the island. After an amazing afternoon, we’ll be back at Johnno’s at Sandy Ground by 4pm.
We checked out Prickly Pear and the banana boat on our last trip to Anguilla. We had the best day, so we promise a fun adventure if you’re up for it! Check out Johnno, the boat, and Prickly Pear at http://www.bananaboatanguilla.com/.
Pricing: The cost per person is $85 plus 15% gratuity which includes the boat ride, a huge lunch of either ribs, bar-b-q chicken or fish (your choice) with all the fixings, drinks on the boat, use of snorkeling gear, and lounge chairs. We recommend bringing cash for payment.
What To Wear: Swimsuits and flip-flops. And don’t forget sunscreen and a towel.
Transportation: More details to come at a later date.
RSVP: Please let us know by April 1. Click this link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/HB22RDT for an online RSVP form, or RSVP to kkubena@gmail.com.
Friday, April 30
Welcome Reception
8pm to 10pm, Aleta, Viceroy Anguilla
We want to officially welcome all of you to Anguilla with a cocktail reception poolside at Aleta at Viceroy Anguilla. If you’re not staying at Viceroy, it’s a great chance to check out the newest hotel property on the island and enjoy drinks and snacks with us, and the rest of our wedding guests. After the reception, we can continue to hang out at the main bar at Viceroy, which has another great view overlooking the infinity pool and Barnes Bay. Check out the hotel at http://www.viceroyanguilla.com/.
What To Wear: Women could wear sundresses or pants and a top with heels, strappy sandals or flats. Men could wear khaki or linen pants and a polo or button down shirt, either short or long sleeved with loafers, boat shoes or something similar, instead of flip-flops.
Transportation: For those of you not staying at Viceroy, we will provide transportation from your hotel. Again, more details to come at a later date.
RSVP: We’re assuming you won’t miss this party, so no need to RSVP.
Saturday, May 1
Wedding and Reception
5pm, Smokey’s at the Cove
Now this is the main event and the entire reason you’ve traveled all this way… to see us get married. So we promise a great evening – enough said! For a preview of Smokey’s check out http://www.smokeysatthecove.com/. You’ll notice a couple of familiar “Smokey’s People.” This was clearly a wedding advance trip!
What To Wear: Women could wear sundresses; however, we will be on the beach so wear a flat sandal instead of heels. For men, the same attire worn to the welcome reception works for the wedding, but a sandal or flip-flop is fine to wear. No jacket or tie required!
Transportation: We will provide transportation from your hotel. More details to follow.
RSVP: Please fill out and return the postcard by April 1.
Sunday, May 2
Farewell Dinner
6pm, Barrel Stay at Sandy Ground
For those of you staying through Sunday, we hope you will join us for dinner at Barrel Stay at Sandy Ground. Chef / owner Graham Belcher and his wife, Jill, are putting together a special menu for our group. Anguilla is known for amazing restaurants, and this is one of our favorites. We eat at Barrel Stay every Thanksgiving Day. Check out the restaurant at http://www.barrelstay.com/.
After dinner, a stop by Elvis’ Beach Bar, which is just down the beach, is a must. You can’t come to Anguilla without meeting Elvis. Check out Elvis and his beach bar at www.elvisbeachbar.net.
Pricing: See the post above from April 3 for the full menu and prices (hey, how did I know it would be posted on that day?).
What To Wear: Shorts, pants, sundresses, jeans – anything goes!
Transportation: Grab a taxi from your hotel to Sandy Ground. Hopefully by this point you’ll know a group that can share a taxi with you!
RSVP: Please let us know by April 1. Click this link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/HHQGM9Z for an online RSVP form or RSVP to kkubena@gmail.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)