Best Caribbean Restaurants:
Adding to Perfection

What do I miss most about the best Caribbean island every time I'm away?

Two words: Caribbean restaurants.

And not just any Caribbean restaurants, but "the favorites." At the top of the list?

da'Vida Anguilla restaurant.

Restaurants in the American countryside or busy cities can be cozy and peaceful, or bustling and all the rage, but the experience just isn't the same.

There is nothing like luxurious seaside relaxation at da'Vida on Crocus Bay, secluded, your body at ease, and your mind as free as a bird.

When da'Vida first opened, we knew it was going to be far more than "another" Caribbean restaurant. Plans were in the works for something much bigger, much more different. The part we were most excited about? Endless beach days on Crocus Bay.

On our first visits for lunch, and dinner, we noticed cushy chaises lining the golden beach, and beautifully finished wooden buildings further down. A da'Vida beach bar was coming.

We couldn't wait for the beach bar to open back then. We just made our own "da'Vida beach days."

Well, the wait is over. The beach bar and an "official" long, lazy beach day arrived in an e-mail from dear ol' Dad, rubbing it in a little since it's getting cold up here in New York (can't wait to get back to Anguilla for the holidays!)...

Check out these photos. Wish you were here! ;-)
Love,
Dad

"Really lamenting our absence," I chuckled to myself. The laughing ceased when I opened the photos. Da'Vida's beach bar is called "Bayside Grill" and it's sensational...

Celebrating Bayside Grill's Opening!

My Dad's email should have read like this...

When you think about Caribbean restaurants, what does your mind tend to wander to? Mine imagines a perfect beach, a low-slung, wooden, informal beach bar, lounge chairs, sunshine, delicious BBQ...

Wait, I'm describing the latest addition to what may already be the perfect Caribbean restaurant.

... Because, clearly, that's what his email was really about. He wasn't just haphazardly sharing some family photos! It's OK, Dad. I forgive you. :-)

Putting all jealousy aside, I picked up the phone. I needed to hear about the experience first hand.

The island was stirring after its fall "hibernation." Anticipating a crowd for da'Vida's celebration, they got there early.

David Lloyd, Vida and Clyde

They were greeted by two familiar faces, Vida and her husband Clyde, a wonderfully warm and inviting couple. They caught up with Vida and Clyde, and were promptly introduced to David Lloyd, the man on the left, Vida's charming brother, with whom she owns da'Vida.

Clyde gave my Dad the skinny on the prompt construction and setting up of such a beautiful establishment, done with all of the taste and flavor of da'Vida's dining room.

Whatever you want to do, you can do it on a beach day at da'Vida. You can eat on the fine deck, or have an order to your beach chair. Go for a swim, have a drink, take out a kayak and explore Crocus Bay. If you would rather do the exploring from under the water's surface, they have snorkeling equipment too!

After chatting comes exploring. Off Dad went...

Reggae Band Plays Jimmy Buffett & Other Favorites

da'Vida on Crocus Bay

What a Location!

Jim Williams!

He and his wife Meredith are family friends from back in 2003 and 2004. They are such kind people. We always look forward to running into them and catching up! As time marched forward, the parking lot filled, just as my Dad was finishing up his discovering.

Last stop?

The Kitchen

The kitchen was getting busy.

Not wanting to delay the orders, Dad snapped a quick photo, stepped back out, and put in his order right away!

What's on the menu?

Salads (grilled chicken, mahi mahi, and more), hot dogs, burgers, sandwiches, wraps, grilled fish, steak, lobster, crayfish, chicken and ribs.

They have a full bar and even a dessert menu: keylime pie, cheese cake and ice cream and sorbets.

Not just the traditional chicken and ribs at Bayside Grill!

My Mom loved the juicy hamburger with the freshest tomato, lettuce and onion.

And, my Dad went on and on about the tasty "dog" in a grilled bun, focaccia style.

Different, but delicious as always, he raved.

Just recounting the story and looking at the photos is making my mouth water!

I guess my Dad must have been really passionate about the lunch.

He sought out the chef, Van, to thank him personally!

He caught him just as he was firing up the grill for another round of burgers.

... He didn't get far before my Dad showed up!

"A talented man," my Dad said.

Without taking more of his time, he let Van get back to his busy day.

That is where my Dad's photo-email came to an end. "No more pictures?" I thought with a frown. Maybe this email wasn't intended to make me feel jealous after all. Maybe it was meant to brighten my day!

Between the photo-taking and the photo-sending were two or three rum punches, floats on the sea, a couple more hot dogs, and hours roasting in the warm, Caribbean sun before it started sinking in the sky, almost touching the horizon...

Let the count down to returning to the best of all Caribbean restaurants begin!