Posts Tagged With: Turks and Caicos

Provo Zen – Meet Your Restaurant Critic!

Posted on January 28, 2014 by Ziggy

Hi, I’m Ziggy, your Restaurant critic!

Why I am abandoning my disguise?

I got somewhat influenced by this guy

And a bit more from this guy

Oh, and I almost forgot this guy

Its that age-old question. The question I’m being asked again and again whether on the message boards, Korean baths, or in my adopted second home of Providenciales. With all my eating habits, how exactly do I stay in shape? What is my secret? Is it fish oil? Well, I think its time to share this gift

The answer my dear readers is Beach Yoga. That’s right! There’s absolutely nothing as exhilarating and at the same time as peaceful as Beach Yoga. People often said that Beach Yoga is like a cross between Kite Surfing and couch potatoing. Well, I’m here to tell you that those people are idiots! The only way for me to properly explain this phenomenon is by sharing some of my favorite moves and provide helpful tips. Difficulty levels range from beginning to advanced to satisfy the entire EWZ audience.

The Warrior (advance). This is always a crowd magnet for some reason. The warrior with help from the waves will relax you and greatly enhance your balance. Don’t be surprised if after 4 weeks you notice a difference in tricky balance situations like standing still in a supermarket line.

The Italian Warrior (advanced) – Sometimes in order to achieve that Zen, you need to release some steam. Dig deeper into your Roman roots and just let it all out. Imagine for a minute you have an uncle in Milan that always makes fun of your shoes and your American way if life

Outstretching (medium) – stretching is something I advise to avoid. It’s overrated and you achieve nothing but the occasional groin injury. And seriously you look like an idiot on the beach. I’m just including it here to show you how you will look like an idiot.

Crouching Tiger, Hidden Angel (moderate) – Something I accidentally invented for this column. A rare moment that allows you to connect with the 4 basic elements of our planet. Wind, air, water, and kittens.

Reaching to the Sky (advanced) – Something I like to do during Jewish holidays. This position strengthens your arms, palms, legs, hamstrings, chin, stomach, and left foot, but speeds up the road to knee replacement. No one said this will be easy.

Lunge (moderate) – perhaps my favorite move, but something I prefer to do earlier in the morning before the middle aged, frontal balding men start doing their beach walks. The last thing I want to do on vacation is to intimidate anyone.

Pushup (moderate) – Self explanatory. It strengthens your wrists, arms, increases your metabolism, and your ability to have children.

I’ve fallen and I can’t get up (medium) – You and earth as one. All about experiencing that ocean oasis, living the moment, getting to that final zen, or swallowing ocean water. Whatever comes sooner.

Man Standing Still (moderate) – Connect with your inner Ziggy. You and the ocean as one. Seriously I don’t have a clue what the f%*k that means. I just read it in a fitness magazine.

Categories: Turks and Caicos | Tags: Travel, Turks and Caicos | 3 Comments

TCI – What to Eat in Coco Bistro

Posted on January 24, 2014 by Ziggy

Courtesy of Brilliant Studios

This is one of those posts that almost needs no words. But there are a couple of things I want to accomplish with this one…

1) Tell you what to eat in Coco Bistro, Provo’s favorite dining establishment among tourists and residents ages 16-110

2) Showcase my newfound Food Photography skills!

So lets take a moment and ~~admire~~ look at the pictures first. You like? You Welcome! Would you say they are Brilliant?!? Yes, I’m getting better at this photography thing. But before you hire me for your son’s Bar Mitzvah, I should tell you something… I’m very expensive, and they are not exactly mine.

I remember my first visit to Coco Bistro, about 8 years ago. Coco the resident cat was like a young cadet moving ever so swiftly with a purpose. A colorful pepper soup was the popular item back then. Now, a well fed Coco, the size of an average Staten Islander, just walks around at a much slower pace like one of the partners. The pepper soup is long gone, a fantastic lobster bisque is in (while not featured here, it is indeed good), and a fun menu to boot.

Since this is Provo’s most popular spot, I see this question often. Whats good here. From past experiences, and simply hanging out on the message boards, I came up with this short list.

Starters:

Caesar Salad – Bacon, Croutons, Anchovy filets and Fresh Shaved Parmesan Cheese in a Spicy Dressing. The description on the menu ends with “(no wimps please)” which is the main reason I never actually had it. Yesterday, we had a cheap holiday party (we do it well into January – food highlight was the tortillas) and I wimped out of the mechanical bull ride. Look, its not Obama-care friendly is all I’m saying. With that said, I’ve seen too many Caesar Salad fans rave about this particular one.

Courtesy of Brilliant Studios

Ahi Tuna Sashimi – Fresh Tuna served on a Crispy Tortilla with Red Onions, Vine Ripe Tomatoes, Scallion, Tobiko, Fresh Cilantro and a Wasabi Mayo. This is perhaps my favorite item on the menu. Just a glorious concoction of fresh tuna, veggies and wasabi mayo that perfect compliment. Simply divine!

Courtesy of Brilliant Studios

Spicy Lobster Soft Tacos – Fresh Guacamole , Sour Cream and a Pineapple Tomato Salsa. This is one of the new kids on the block which I tried on my last trip and obviously enjoyed it enough to include it here.

Courtesy of Brilliant Studios

Mains:

Roast Lamb Rack – Herb Crust and as of this writing with Sweet Potato Mash, Buttered Carrots and Broccoli, Beet Root Paint and a Caicos Lager Onion Sauce. Expertly cooked, perfectly seasoned, meaty, herby, rack of lamb. Get it, or we are no longer friends.

Courtesy of Brilliant Studios

Grilled Lobster – Jasmine Rice, Snow Peas and Garlic Lemon Butter. I must confess grilled Caribbean lobster normally just doesn’t do it for me. Its very often a tad dry, and/or uneventful. This one is moist, buttery, and very eventful.

Courtesy of Brilliant Studios

Dessert:

Coco Bistro’s Famous Coconut Pie – Fresh Cream and a Medley of Sweet Sauces. Need I say more. Its right there in the name “Famous”. Like “Shlomo’s Famous Falafel”, you simply have to try it at least once. Its not only addictive, but large enough to feed a small Armenian village

Courtesy of Brilliant Studios

For your Island photo needs visit Brilliant Studios

Categories: Turks and Caicos | Tags: Best restaurants in turks and caicos, Coco Bistro, Coco Bistro Turks and Caicos, food, restaurants, Travel, Turks and Caicos | 2 Comments

Lazy Post – The Scene at Island Fish Fry

Posted on January 13, 2014 by Ziggy

Dear Turks and Caicos fans. Unless you are living under a rock, or simply trying to pass a town not endorsed by Chris Christie, you probably already know that every Thursday from 5:30 to 9:30 there’s a party going on at the Children’s Park (way out west, just past Gansevoort). About a dozen local vendors like Jerkie’s, Miss Moonies, Uncle Dough’s, Middle Caicos Cafe (not to be confused with just Caicos Cafe) are participating (vendor list varies on a weekly basis), along with a live band, and all sorts of cultural fun.

Sitting is limited. Best time to come if you want a seat is before 6. With that said, sitting is not very important as you’ll just want to walk around and sample some local goodies like fresh grouper in a foil, conch salads, conch fritters, and grilled lobsters in season. Parking is Provo style, on the sidewalk. Check it out

Categories: Turks and Caicos | Tags: food, Island Fish Fry, Thursday Fish Fry, Thursday fish fry turks and caicos, Travel, Turks and Caicos | 3 Comments

Turks and Caicos – Lupo

Posted on January 4, 2014 by Ziggy

The Italian invasion of Providenciales continues. From Turtle Cove, to the new lake region (the area by the school that floods after a 5 minute shower) to Via Veneto and Caicos Cafe plaza, home to Caicos Cafe. It is only a matter of time until you see this just outside your resort, or people selling made in china little helicopters that fly, and then they break. Around a year ago, Lupo has joined forces, and firmly secured itself in the Regent Village which is becoming quite a yummo international destination. I also want to take this opportunity to welcome a new slang word to the EWZ family – “Yummo”. Although, I dont see myself using it much as it just sounds weird, as if “Yummy” reached its expiration date.

Owner Mark (formerly with Lemon) has done an excellent job bouncing back from a shaky start (as just about every new restaurant in Provo). Lupo also seems like the kind of place that would be featured the most with the Provo ladies who lunch, or Real Housewives of Grace Bay County. Perhaps the same Provo housewives who robbed the place of all its pictures the night before our lunch, leaving us with empty frames.

As for the food…

Romaine lettuce – Yummo! Not something I would normally order but this was quite good, like the best Caesar Salad you ever gonna eat. Smokey Romaine, topped with sharp delicious Parm, and crispy pancetta bits. Well done!

Meatballs Sandwich – Excellent! Good bread, great herby, tasty, schweddy balls. 2013 was filled with some amazing meatballs for us in 2 continents. Make it a third. If I have to criticize one thing is the polenta fries – not a fan. But Mrs Z was, which frankly all that matters. You know what they say, Happy wife, happy Ziggy.

Penne with sundried tomatoes, Pesto walnut sauce – Nice and light summer dish. They didn’t have Orecchiette (damn you IGA truck) so we settled for Penne. Nothing wrong with that dish

Tiramisu in a cup, panna cotta with Balsamic reduction in another cup. Heavenly! Perhaps the best Tirsmisu I’ve had on the island (Sorry Caicos Cafe) and that panna cotta was very unique and went very well with the zesty balsamic

Although I was very satisfied with the lunch, the dinner menu made me jealous. Fresh made pasta galore including what seems to be a popular Fettuccine Bolognese, nice looking flatbread pizzas and more. The housewives should really come here for dinner if they are smart.

As I keep saying over and over, come out of the water area and things start to get interesting in the island of Provo. In that location, one needs to be creative and follow up with great flavors, and it looks and tastes like a success to me

Categories: Turks and Caicos | Tags: Best restaurants in turks and caicos, food, Lupo, Lupo Providenciales, Lupo Turks and Caicos, restaurants, Travel, Turks and Caicos | 3 Comments

The Seven Stars Survival Guide

Posted on January 1, 2014 by Ziggy

Updated June 12, 2016 (after visit #12)

So you decided to book the Seven Stars in Turks and Caicos. Mazal Tov!! And now what? Not quite sure what to do? Got that deer in headlights look after all those All Inclusive trips? Time to change that to Raccoon in fresh Indian leftover garbage can look. Or something like that.. you know what I mean. Here are some tips that should enhance your stay. Some of these are my own opinions by the way so save the hate mail and voodoo. I occasionally have friends and family stay here so I’m partially doing this to save time writing stuff for them.

Airport – first things first, get your island reading material. After customs, go straight to the stand on your left to pick your free copy of the Where When How Magazine and Dining Guide. Dont be surprised to see my frontal balding head and a food column in the magazine (not dining guide). Then let the SS rep outside know that you arrived safely, call your mom, and take a shared taxi to the hotel ($33 per couple, $16.50 per additional, subject to change). There’s also a VIP fast track available to or from, starting at $200 per for the first person, $75 for each additional

Car – You can get away without renting in this location but renting for at least 2 days is recommended. I usually rent from the ultra reliable Grace Bay Auto Rental. You can pick and drop from the airport and from the resort itself. Very simple. On one of the days drive to Taylor Bay or Sapodilla in the morning followed by lunch at Las Brisas (closed Tuesday for now – owner says they may start opening soon) overlooking stunning chalk sound. Click here for directions. On another day you can drive to Bugaloos or the Blue Hills area and have lunch at the Conch Shack or any of the other local spots. Another fun option is Long Bay Beach, watching the kite surfers do their thing, although when the winds are not out, its just about as good as it gets (see below). BTW, a new tradition for us is pick up the car at the airport and get some fried chicken on the way from Sweet T’s

Long Bay

Excursion – Some of the popular ones are half day excursions with outfits like Island Vibes or Caicos Dream Tours. Entire list in here (links on the left).

If you want parasailing, you can just catch “Marvelous Max” walking around on the beach and he can get someone to pick you up within minutes. No need to reserve this ahead of time as many do

IGA market – 5 minute walk. Come out of the hotel and its straight ahead. Get you Bambarra Rum coconut + Pineapple juice and its party time folks. Or….

Seven Stars Market – A small store front where you can get your bare necessities, i.e. Beer, bambarra, sandwiches (for the airport), basic drugs, sunscreen and much more.

Entertainment – These days you have live music on the deck normally on the weekends 6-9pm. Sunday beach BBQ with music and bonfire (about $59/pp).

Photography – Seven Stars teamed with Paradise Photography for a $350 portrait special that includes one hour photo shoot (sunset/daytime), access to all images and a Web gallery.

Spa – Seven Stars boasts one of the top spas in the Caribbean. Dont believe me? Ask Conde Nest readers, voting it one of the Top 25 in the world. Yes, the world! We used the spa a few years back and can confirm the world status. But now with further improvements and the addition of a retail store, things are looking even better.

Other amenities: Free bike rentals, tennis, watersports, yoga, kids club with movie night, a coconut station, omelette station (finally!), adult only deck, a pillow menu, mosquito nets, bidets (I would sub a bidet for a quality Squatty Potty myself. I mean who uses bidets anyway, except at night by accident)

I have to say, I’ve seen the resort grow from a bare-bones, simple condo rental property to a full service resort over the years, and I’m super impressed by the job Ken and company done.

Insider Tip: No need to reserve seats here. We’ve been here at the busiest times and between the deck, beach and pool there are always plenty of seats. Dont be the one! BTW, all the pictures here were taken at the busiest times since thats the only time we can travel as a family. So you can see for yourself

Insider Tip that is not really an insider tip: Dont bring a speaker to the beach no matter how small, and dont assume everyone likes Country Music. I see that from time to time. Might as well wear an “I’m a douche” T-shirt. If you do that I promise to bring my own speaker and blast “Best of Barney” right next to you.

Caicos Bakery – (opens 7:30. close Sundays) 5 minutes away. Come out, turn left and look for it right next to Caicos Cafe in Caicos Cafe plaza. Get some croissants (almond – yum, chocolate), a baguette and you are all set. And dont worry about the “here’s another idiot bringing their own bread to breakfast” look at the free breakfast. You’ll get used to it. Best bread on the island. Well, they are french!

Lunch ideas: Besides lunch at the hotel you got many options nearby. The following directions all facing the ocean.

To your right you have Ocean Club West and Seaside Cafe (5 minute walk). Seaside is becoming a great dinner choice as well. The food is better that the “resorty” place suggets as long as young phenom Francois is at the helm

Also to your right, another exciting option, 20-25 walk is Flamingos. Past Club Med, by the second dock you’ll see. Fun local fare. Great curried grouper.

To your left, a 15 minute walk, you got Hemingways at the sands – Nice conch fritters, Fish and chips (great fries), very popular fish tacos with mango chutney

Also to your left (5 minutes) is the Regent Village you can enter via the Regent Grand. Highly recommend Lupo, Garam Masala (not open for lunch at the moment,) and Le Bouchon (burger with egg!).

Elsewhere, as mentioned lunch at Las Brisas on chalk sound is pretty cool with the most stunning views on the island. Try the lobster salad in season.

Bugaloos and Conch Shack are other driving option

RIP Jerkey’s – Goat Curry

Dinner ideas: You got Seven, The Deck, Sunday night beach BBQ on the premises and a plethora of restaurants within walking distance like Bella Luna, Caicos Cafe, Le Bouchon, Lupo, Via Veneto, and more. Here are some of our favorites…

Coco Bistro $$$$ – 2 minute drive. 15 minutes walk on the road, dont walk in the dark. Perhaps the most romantic and definltely the most popular resaturant on the island. Great soups, Tuna Sashimi, grilled lobster, lamb, and more. Coconut cream pie for dessert is a must

Seven $$$$ – One of the better resort restaurants on the island with a pretty inventive menu. Try the Vanilla rum butter poached lobster with papaya buttermilk risotto, or the best end of lamb.

Caicos Cafe $$$ – 5 minute walk, in Caicos Cafe Plaza. This is our personal favorite and we try to eat here at least twice on every visit. Do not get fooled by the review rankings on Trip Advisor. Great great pastas, some homemade that day, some artisanal with top quality ingredients. Try the Grilled Calamari, Gnocchi, Wahoo Carpaccio (when available) apps. Fantastic seafood pasta dishes like the Tagliolini, Lobster Fra Diavolo (in season). Some of the meat dishes like the ribs and steak are popular as well. We’ve tried them all

Le Bouchon $$$ – At the Regent Village. As French Bistro as it gets on the island from a former bistro owner in Paris. Fantastic escargot and arguably best steak on the island.

Seaside $$$ – Great new addition (since new owners took over a few years ago) at the Ocean Club West next door. This is an underrated gem with Coco veteran Francois doing all sorts of magic with groupers, fresh tuna, and conch

Caravel $$$ – A newish, local, super friendly comfortable spot, just a short drive (turn left, on the left right past OCW entrance). Try the white chowder and Fish Tacos

Private Dining at Seven Stars – SS also offers a variety of private dining like feet on the sand, beachside cabana, and an in-suite option. The first two come with a private butler, while the in-suite comes with a private chef. All start at $300

Hope this helped. Enjoy!

Categories: Turks and Caicos | Tags: Provienciales, Seven Stars, Seven Stars Turks and Caicos, Travel, Turks and Caicos | 10 Comments

Turks and Caicos – Via Veneto

Posted on December 27, 2013 by Ziggy

“Do you come with your own plunger” my friend Elizabeth wondered once she saw me unpack my equipment after running into each other in Via Veneto. “Ahhm, not exactly, its actually my flash diffuser”. I realized right then that I need to add a new flash diffuser to Santa’s list (sitting besides me was the actual island Santa so it was convenient), right between a new car and Mensch on a Bench. This was actually an improvement over last year when I borrowed my brother’s camera bag which had sort of peculiar male genital shape. To any patrons after a few Chiantis sitting there it may have looked like I was really happy to be there. This year I walked everywhere with a plastic bag.

I’ve been waiting to eat in the new Via Veneto for almost a year, after just missing the coming out party in the spring. Luckily owner Aldo subscribes to the “do it right or dont do it at all” mentality, which meant delaying the opening. Coming from a competitive environment such as Rome is a big plus to Provo. Early reviews have been a little shaky but thats the Provo norm these days as building relationships with vendors can take some time. Everything except the meats is imported from Italy; From the chefs, the tiles, the paintings, to the girlfriend, all imported from Rome. Hence, app page a bit pricey but contrary to the forums chatter the rest not too bad at all. This is indeed the closest you get to eating in Italy. Perhaps one Cacio e pepe dish shy from a Roman Trattoria. As with any Italian establishment in the USA, sticking to dishes from one region only is quite impossible and a recipe for failure.

Once we were seated outside, the gods got angry and it started pouring. Those were the Italian tile gods going “go a in to a check out the a tiles”. Our tables were swiftly moved inside on top of the tiles. It felt like eating at a Russian family house without taking my shoes off. We were no there on a saturday which meant “No Pizza for You!”. The pizza is Roman which if true, and I have nothing to doubt its not, expect thin almost Matzoh like crust. The less toppings the better from my experience.

We started with a Coccetto app of mushrooms, bread and ham topped with cheese which was fine. While I’ve had various Russian/French variations of this dish, I never heard of Coccetto

As is often the case with Italian Trattorias the highlights are the pastas. Spaghetti Carbonara was as good as we’ve had in Rome. Creamy, a but runnier than I like, but still quite good. The Fetuccinne with Guanciale (pork cheeks) and black truffles (top) was best of show surprisingly considering its white truffle season at the moment. The dish had plenty of truffle aroma to satisfy all senses and convince the brain that its pretty darn yummy (foodie technical term).

The lamb chops as our shared secondi was slightly uneven but cooked well and quite delectable for the most part. We finished off with a nice ice cream duo, one topped with chocolates and the other with cherry sauce. Cherry won 3 “Mmmmmm”s to 1.

Categories: Turks and Caicos | Tags: Best restaurants in turks and caicos, food, Providenciales Dining, restaurants, Travel, Turks and Caicos, Via Veneto Turks and Caicos | 2 Comments

Long Bay Beach Kite Surfers

Posted on December 20, 2013 by Ziggy

Long Bay, Turks and Caicos – Beautiful beach, beautifully isolated, beautiful people. We fit right in! 🙄

We were invited by our friends from Ottawa to watch them fly in gorgeous, windy Long Beach. An ideal spot for Kitesurfing, and most ideal to learn how to kite surf due to the shallow waters. While things got to a rough start where we met with an angry rain shower (kites = great shelter), followed by dying winds, things got back to normal as the skies cleared and the winds came back. Besides, it was a good time for me to practice my true passion, Beach Yoga!

Roberto from kitesurftci.com

Meryl from Spa Tropique

Categories: Turks and Caicos | Tags: Providenciales, Travel, travel+photography, Turks and Caicos, Turks and Caicos Kiteboarding, Turks and Caicos Kitesurfing | 2 Comments

Mis Amigos – Turks And Caicos

Posted on December 16, 2013 by Ziggy

Its been 33 hours and 25 minutes now since I’ve said goodbye to our friends in Turks, and I have to tell you readers (both of yous), I miss my Turks amigos already. There’s a lot to write about this time. And when I run through the possibilities in my head on where to start, there’s always one that puts a smile on my face. That’s the one.

Mis Amigos is the perfect first stop from the airport and to the airport. Not only it is a good place to start practicing your right turns, its convenient, delicious, and you feel like you are visiting friends, rather than a restaurant. Friends with benefits! Friends that can cook well (a luxury in the city of NY). Tina the owner runs the place, the kid serves, and the husband does ~~nothing~~. Oops, got caught day dreaming again. I mean the husband cooks. Its one of those places that you simply don’t want to leave. So not surprisingly two nights ago it was packed with locals. Remember when I said that this is one of those places you don’t want to leave? The KILLER Margaritas may have something to do with it. Avid readers of EWZ know that I don’t use upper caps cheaply. I only use them when I mean it, or when I get paid to do it. They were KILLA! (joking about the paid stuff of course)

Freshness is key in this 6 month old Mexican cocina/cantina. Sometimes, on a remote island it can be more economical to make things from scratch. Which means everyone wins! On my island of Staten, everything is done fresh by a guy named Joe. Trader Joe’s! (we are strong supporters of the farm-to-freezer-to-my freezer-to-microwave-to-belly-to-why is the microwave smells of fish for a week concept). That freshness and special attention to detail is felt right off the bat with some of the best Chips and Salsa north of Tijuana. The salsa has a nice kick, thick, and easy to scoop. This is not your typical watery, soggy restaurant stuff. I normally don’t care much for chips and salsa wherever we go and I normally stop eating them after a couple scoops. I cared here.

A hefty Poblano pepper stuffed with pork sitting on a corn veggie Quesadilla was more than satisfying.

Chille Relleno – Anaheim pepper filled with cheese deep fried in beer batter had pleasant mild heat and was good

Lobster Quesadillas – “Pretty Pretty Good” Larry David quotes sometimes come to mind while eating. I should probably see someone about that. Fresh Lobster chunks with cheese in those perfectly crisped tortillas. Good luck finding this in your neighborhood Chili’s. Our favorite item here so far.

Buttermilk Fried Chicken Sandwich – with homemade mayo and slaw. Honestly one of the juiciest, tastiest chicken sandwiches I’ve had in a long time. Nice buns from Caicos Bakery

For a place that is still trying to get its bearings with its vendors Mis Amigos is doing a lot of things right. You can really sense the passion of the owners and the attention to detail here. Check em out, Amigos!

ZZZZ 541

Categories: Turks and Caicos | Tags: food, Mis Amigos, Mis Amigos Turks and Caicos, Providenciales, restaurants, Travel, Turks and Caicos, What to eat in Turks and Caicos | Leave a comment

Getting Organized. Introducing the TCI Page

Posted on May 12, 2013 by Ziggy

Last TCI post for a while. I have quite a few New York posts cooking on the back burner. The Turks and Caicos link now points to this page, your one stop shop to everything Provo including other one stop shops, dining stuff, photos, directions, Hitler videos, and more. I will try to update the page as needed.

https://eatingwithziggy.com/turks-and-caicos/

Categories: Turks and Caicos | Tags: Providenciales, Providenciales restaurants, Turks and Caicos, Turks and Caicos dining, Turks and caicos food, Turks and Caicos Restaurants | Leave a comment

Turks and Caicos – Top 7 Small Bites

Posted on May 7, 2013 by Ziggy

(As published in the current WhereWhenHow Magazine)

Seven days of culinary bliss. That defines another trip to Providenciales in a nutshell for the Ziggy clan. I can’t think of another Caribbean island where we’ve had it thisgood in such consistent fashion. Recent trips to foodie heavyweights in Europe have produced their share of clunkers. So who knew that an island nation of 33,253 residents, with restaurants mostly geared toward tourists, would produce such culinary delights?

I just love eating in Provo. In fact I love everything about the island – the beach, the people, even the driving. According to Mrs Ziggy I turn into someone else, including a complete gentleman while on the island (Although the truth is I keep forgetting the location of the steering wheel on the rental and keep opening the wrong door). Anyway, with that said, I will share here some of our favorite dishes from our last trip.

A solid meal can turn uneven in a hurry without the support of a solid starter to set the tone. So without further ado here are the nominees for best supporting cast (I’m talking about small dishes. Play with me here as I’m recovering from the latest Oscar fever)…

Conch Kebabs at Garam Masala. Imagine the Falafel and the Shish Kebab having a baby girl named Apple (a ~~Hollywood~~ Bollywood baby). The result is a spicy, juicy palate pleaser that opens your senses for things to come. I love Indian food and I can tell you that this is not your ordinary Indian. Part owner Vinni has a passion for his native cuisine and it shows.

Strong contender: Chicken Tikka “Pizza” (on naan bread)

Lobster Salad at Las Brisas – Lobster, tortilla, Chalk Sound, gazebo, light breeze, stronger breeze, napkins flying, oh no quick, close the shutters before the kids get a cold – Ingredients you wont find anywhere else, not even in Basque Country. The folks at Las Brisas (which means breezes) have been dishing out great tapas and lobster salads for years. They partially cook the lobster and let the lime acid do the rest. A semi-ceviche if you will. But you need to get there during lobster season, otherwise, well.. enjoy chicken season.

Strong contender: Chickpeas and Chorizo

Grilled Calamari at Caicos Café – Did you ever take a bulldog for a walk to his favorite spot in the park, and experience its huge anticipation as it strains on the leash to get there? That is sort of like when I’m being taken to Caicos Café. And in recent years in Caicos Café, the marvelous grilled Calamari is usually the first thing to arrive at our table. The squid itself has great texture, not too chewy as some can get. Add fresh mussels, savory Cannellini beans and finger licking, more bread please sauce and you got yourself one heck of a dish. I like to order grilled calamari everywhere we go and the result is very often a case of severe daydreaming.

Strong contender: Gnocchi with Mushroom sauce

Fish Tacos at Hemingway’s – A staple on every trip to Provo for us, especially for Mrs Ziggy (Hi, Mrs Ziggy, look at me I have my own column. See, I told you all that time spent on Trip Advisor will lead to something). While in other popular establishments on other islands you need a fishing license to fish the grouper out of the tacos, in Hemingway’s the fish is the main event. A hint of sour cream and sweet Mango chutney provide a glorious compliment and lets you temporary forget any preferences for the spicier stuff.

Strong Contender: Conch Fritters

Coffee Rubbed Tuna at Bay Bistro – Who knew coffee and tuna can play so nicely together. Well, the same person that figured out the pecan, conch and orange Ménage à trois among other great combinations in the classics filled Bay Bistro menu, that’s who. Island riots and airport shutting firefighter strikes normally erupt after Bay Bistro removes items from the menu. Long live the Coffee Rubbed Tuna!

Strong Contender: Conch Wontons

Escargot at Le Bouchon. When in Provo do what the French do, and eat what the French eat like the succulent Escargot at Le Bouchon. It’s a fairly simple dish that so many can’t get quite right. At a recent popular Brooklyn joint I was presented with an Escargot dish that was pretty to look at but with zero substance, like Paris Hilton. However at Le Bouchon what you get is the perfect balance of garlic, butter and herbs. And once you are done with those babies you can shift that ‘I want more’ desire to the sauce and the terrific bread.

Strong Contenders: Mussels

Scallops at Beach House – Perfectly seared scallops with cauliflower espuma and white truffle vinaigrette. The espuma is a foam-like runny “I cant believe its not mashed potato puree”, and you really get the wonderful truffle essence here. Big flavours in this one. Note that spelling flavour with a U, the British way, normally alludes to bigger tastes than the less sophisticated American plain Flavor.

Strong Contender: Strozzapreti (Another Note, I havent actually tried those particular Priest Stranglers (“Strozzapreti”) but strictly judging in this case by the facial expressions of a trusted foodie that did. Unless it was just gas)

So there you have it. 7 memorable small bites from our last trip. Enjoy your trip and stay hungry my friends

Categories: Turks and Caicos | Tags: Best food in Providenciales, best food in Turks and caicos, food, restaurants, Travel, Turks and Caicos, Turks and Caicos Restaurants | Leave a comment

Posts Tagged With: Turks and Caicos

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