We said goodbye to our housekeeper, gardener and pool attendant. It was said as we had become friends with Robin as we kept her work cleaning to a minimum and we all enjoyed the company Staying at a villa was a great experience and not that much more than staying at GCBC or a nicer air B&B We knew our Villa mates which is very important allowed them space and time they never used their rental car except to drive back to the airport not sure if they will return because of pets and caring for elderly Mom We tried to take them to the best of the best restaurants and it was maybe a bit too much as you can only eat so much French fine dinning food
We arrived at Royal Islander for an early check as we had checked earlier to see availability on our unit we are two doors down from our unit which is presently occupied (we added two days on the front end) there are a few less palm trees and we have decided to stay put for the next 11 days and not do no room changeover
a quick unpack to a short walk over to the boat bar for lunch the food looked good at the tables next to us and although I had that jonesing for a burger, I decided on Chicken / lamb shawarma While I know it could not complete with Little Jerusalem, it actually was pretty tasty My wife had the chicken shawarma They were doing a very good business as a ship was in port.
for dinner we went over to Porto Cupecoy to "wing it" checking out all the menus We made brunch reservations for the sunday jazz brunch at Rendezvous and moved on the a new restaurant, Le Mediterraneen (warm welcome and a thank you for stopping over) It is reasonably priced and looked very appealing for a different night out, with middle eastern food such as hummus, kabobs and other Lebanese food Their prix-fix offered a nice selection I believe under $30.00 We put his one in our minds for another night
Not in the mood for Italian we skipped over Mama Pizza You never know when you are missing out on a great meal but proceeded over the courtyard to L'Altro A friendly welcome from one of the servers showed us the chalkboard prix-fix menu and specials
Ten steps to the left we checked out Cambuci where Eduardo was singing and playing the guitar ( I enjoy his music) WOW, the menu and specials were inviting, but we decided on L'Altro since we were looking for a lighter meal and know that would Altro has just right portions
I probably have enjoyed most of the limited menu and wanted to try something different The 3 course prix-fix is now up to $36 which may or may not include the service since it has been discussed earlier in maybe another thread or forum
The chalkboard offered several selections for each course along with some additional entree priced differently and with a surcharge which I am not sure about, I think they add a few dollars to the $36 if you order a special
My wife started off with tuna carpaccio, simple thin sliced tuna with a light red curry sauce and garnished with a seaweed salad Wanting something different, I enjoyed the thick cold pea soup with thick sliced bacon pieces and a poached egg
My wife selected the shrimp and pasta off of the specials board ($22), homemade tagliatelle topped with 3 shrimp in a not over rich cream sauce, it was a generous portion, I do love fresh pasta My sweetbreads melted in my mouth and taste like the most delicious chicken, it was served in a mushroom sauce (some morels) with torn pieces of a wider pasta. Just incredible
A great coffee tiramisu and a baked pear finished off a great meal I am very fussy about tiramisu and this one did not disappoint The baked pear was served with honey on the side and vanilla ice cream, I usually do not like fruit desserts but this combination was perfect
although my wife selected her entree off the additions board, there was no surcharge our main server George ( a veteran server) was excellent, and his female co-server looked over us as well
we stopped in the empty Cupecoy casino and slot hopped Lobstermania machines after hitting on the interactives on each one, we left $40 up (playing 50 line penny) and a couple Baily's on the rocks (immediate cocktail service) ended the night at Casino Royal where it takes longer to be offered a complimentary cocktail across the street to RI and a good nights sleep we are street side and with double glassed windows are not bothered by the loud music
home always feel so good
Our bill was $36.00 times 2 plus our two drinks for a total of $98.00 (no additional for the off the prix-fix choice) the check stated gratuity not included we proceeded with our customary gratuity although some say the price increase includes service
Altro is one of our favorite casual spots with great food, service and atmosphere
Last edited by mahokid; 08/27/202208:54 AM.
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Re: Boat Bar / L Altro
[Re: mahokid]
#287895 08/27/202209:34 AM08/27/202209:34 AM
I have to say that Altro was one of our best meals in June 2022. I am confused though, that picture of the chalkboard shows that the prix fixe menu is $29?? It was $36 I believe when we were there in June.
Carol Hill
Re: Boat Bar / L Altro
[Re: mahokid]
#287896 08/27/202210:23 AM08/27/202210:23 AM
It looks like I may not get around to a final trip report from my June trip. I had a wonderful meal at Altro; the prix fixe menu was similar with a couple of differences. I had the crab cake topped with coleslaw, asparagus risotto with shrimp, and chocolate/coconut mousse. All were excellent, and service was nicely attentive. It was a lovely experience.
Sorry, I don't mean to hijack your thread.
Re: Boat Bar / L Altro
[Re: mahokid]
#287905 08/27/202203:13 PM08/27/202203:13 PM
Linda--I had the crabcake in June 2022 also. That was one of the single best things I had to eat during that trip. Overall, I would definitely go there again in a heartbeat. We seriously considered going back a second time this trip, which I can't think of the last time when we went back to the same place twice in the same trip.
Carol Hill
Re: Boat Bar / L Altro
[Re: mahokid]
#287926 08/28/202207:38 AM08/28/202207:38 AM
Yes it is worth a return visit especially considering the quality of the food and the great value Even with 18 days this year we are still trying to fit in all the restaurants on our list With some recommended new restaurants (Balls & Wine, Les Galets, La Villa Hibiscus, Cambuci, Bamboo House, Maison Mere), we don't have any open nights for a return visit Also added to our list this year is Jax While some great restaurants have closed since Irma, it's seems there is a rebirth of great places to eat