Auspicious
Traveler
Joined: 08/14/02
Posts: 913
Loc: Chesapeake - deliveries worldw...
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Well, not mine but Patrick's. Too my mind the first thread may have reached its limit but the issue has not.
The best time I ever had at CW was when we met Walker there. He grabbed our drinks and took our orders.
I've never had an experience like Patrick's, but as I reflect on earlier visits the service set one heck of a standard for "island time." YMMV. There ARE other nice places on the North Shore. To my mind Patrick's description is entirely credible. I won't risk my limited time in the BVI and certainly on Anegada to such service. I have probably gotten in a rut at CW anyway, and will branch out to Big Bamboo and Flash of Beauty on future trips.
Walker contacted CW on the subject but we haven't heard back. I'll be sure to visit CW again when Walker is on-island for a visit, but I will focus on other venues for a better comparison. You make your choices, I'll make mine.
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dave
S/V Auspicious
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SusanC
Traveler
Joined: 10/24/01
Posts: 789
Loc: Franklin, TN
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Patrick,
After several enjoyable visits to CW via charter boat I took my younger children and cousin to stay in one of the cottages for a week in '07. The stay was a nightmare. Part of the problem was a directly caused by Bell and/or the staff. In Nov. '09 I convinced my husband to take our family back for a week stay. My husband said at the time, "Must be a pretty special place for you to want to go back after your last experience." He nailed it. Cow Wreck is a special place, and we are glad we returned. The week in November was excellent. Anegada is different kind of vacation, you definitely have to spend more time with pretrip planning to create a relaxing vacation. I think it is well worth the effort. Obviously. Hope to not have to wait too long to return again. I feel confident should you decide to patronize CW again you too will have a better experience.
Regarding tabs: Several years ago, BillH (I think it was Bill) recommended here to never run a tab while on vacation. I thought that to be excellent advice then, and still follow it. Well, except when I stay at a CW Cottage. 
Susan
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BillH
Traveler
Joined: 10/11/00
Posts: 12087
Loc: Augusta, Georgia
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Susan - I still don't run a tab in most locations but since we were on Anegada for nearly three weeks, we did have a tab running at CW and Neptune's. I tried to keep it current and I know Lauren kept the checks each day but I still don't think a lot of Caribs and Presidentes made it on my tab. Same for Neptune's bar but I had my own vodka there and kept it stocked for the whole time. But, as I mentioned a few years back, I've been burned by a couple places where they waved me off saying, "I've got your tab." Later, when I went to settle up, it appeared I bought drinks for the whole bar a few times.. drinks I couldn't recognize.
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Bill Hartzman
bill@billhartzman.com
www.buyershawk.com
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Will_L
Traveler
Joined: 12/03/04
Posts: 1478
Loc: Ill, USA
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I would say most people who have been to cow wreck many times and had food and drink there will likely continue to do so. Those who have not will perhaps avoid the experience. Have no clue what went wrong on the occasion that was mentioned; but have heard (and no one has posted anything like it before or since). If you've been to the islands a lot, you are familiar with something less than great service on many occasions and just like here in the states some downright surly service that you didn't deserve.
That dinner went beyond badly and is far from the norm I am certain at Cow Wreck. For me a trip to Anegada would not be a trip to Anegada without a stop at the bar and if they have it "Belle's Conch Ceviche", tis the best around. I know it is tough to run a business anywhere these days but can't imagine how difficult it is on Anegada. Think about the labor pool? Supply? Heat. A totally unpredictable day every day as to amount of business you will do or the staff you should have. This is not to say I would accept the treatment the poster who suffered through his evening did.
But just as I go all the time to places I am sure that many avoid here and in the islands; because my experience has been fine; I'll head back to cow wreck expecting everything to be SNIT Situation Normal Island Time... until personally having a problem. Wish we were there this afternoon.
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http://tropicalbreeze.smugmug.com/
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Rasputin
Traveler
Joined: 01/07/07
Posts: 2943
Loc: Caribbean
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Not to get off topic, but as for bar tabs, as a professional bar fly, I've never had a problem.
Maybe because they extend me professional courtesy? 
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Rah Rah Rasputin
They put some poison into his wine
He drank it all and said "I feel fine"
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saildoggie
Traveler
Joined: 02/21/06
Posts: 10664
Loc: Here and there..
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Quote:
Rasputin said:
Not to get off topic, but as for bar tabs, as a professional bar fly, I've never had a problem.
Maybe because they extend me professional courtesy?
Right on Raspy!
See, we can agree on something, albeit not flag ettiquite! 
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Donaegada
Traveler
Joined: 03/15/09
Posts: 63
Loc: Jersey Shore
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Cow Wreck
Lunch YES 
Dinner NO 
Cottages NO
We first went to the original Cow Wreck Restaurant/Bar in April 1996 and were one of the first to stay at the only cottage Belle & Wendell had built at the time. We stayed each year after that till 2007 when the cottages were starting to run down
and dinner was not always an option.
We now stay at Neptune's. Always go everyday to Cow Wreck
for lunch and a beer or two. Would never ever go for Dinner.
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Unregistered
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Quote:
Will_L said:
Have no clue what went wrong on the occasion that was mentioned; but have heard (and no one has posted anything like it before or since).
There was a trip report by Zabar a while back that caused quite a stir. I think he was looking for his new Anguilla at Cow Wreck and didn't quite find it. Not a happy camper.
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Thistleman
Traveler
Joined: 01/26/09
Posts: 22
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I believe at any place you eat dinner in Anegada you should tell them what you want and exactly what time you want to eat as early as possible because they have to round up stuff. Neptunes, ARH, CW, they all like this pre-order system. When we did this at CW for dinner, we arrived and BAM the food came out flawless all at once like an Emeril restaurant
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SusanC
Traveler
Joined: 10/24/01
Posts: 789
Loc: Franklin, TN
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Donaegada, I have had several enjoyable dinners at Cow Wreck. Bell once served me the best Mahi Mahi I have ever had!
After some thought I wanted to add to my previous post:
I have spent more time than many, less than others, at CW. My overall impression is that Bell is a truly good person trying to run a business in difficult circumstances, with no business training or background while maintaining a house and raising a family. Sometimes the difficulties run together and the customers see and feel her frustration. It's not the business model we are accustomed to, but I'm pretty certain there is not a business model appropriate for Anegada.
Again ...... I go to come back
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