Is anyone on island now and planning to go to La Playa to eat? Would love it if you could get a picture of their menu! I read that the club sandwich was excellent and I'm hoping it is made like the one at Dreams, my mouth waters just thinking about it! Hoping some other items are similar to Dreams as well because we are staying at Orient Beach and it would be much easier for us to go there! Thanks in advance for any answers

We plan to go tomorrow when Bruno is there. I am curious about the chair/umbrella policy. Similar to Dreams?

My understanding is that Bruno charges for chairs at La Playa. We had planned to go yesterday, but our plans changed, as often happens on the island.

Bruno has done what he did for Dreams!! We ate there three times in one week and never had to pick the same thing twice! For a great view. He build an observation deck enclosed over the beach bar! Very romantic!! Check out "Fabila" trip report and pixx!! "SUPERB" as Bruno always say!!

we made a stop yesterday at la Playa and the chairs are free if you stay at Bruno's bungalows or if you eat there !!
We were happy to find some items from Dreams menu like the Bo Bun salad ! Great place ! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

Oh, Bo Bun Salad!! Count me in!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" /> The only problem now is that I love that salad so much, I'm afraid to order anything else!! ...at least until we ordered the best meal I ever ate! Is the beef for two on the menu there at La Playa?

This is good to know. We thought that there was a charge, for chairs, even if you ate there like the others.
It does make a difference if that $20 can be applied to the cost of a nice lunch. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" />

I don t remember about the beef for two but we are going back tomorrow or monday so I ll let you know !

Great! Honestly, we carried home leftovers and had steak sandwiches for a couple of days!

Strange, we were charged for chairs and even asked and was told yes you pay for the chairs? But friends that live on the island were not charged??? We ate and had a bottle of bubbly and other drinks on the beach. It's almost like it depends on who is working the day you were there.

Thank you for all the responses, we can't wait to check it out in February! We love Dreams, Yellow Sub, and Petite Casino so I'm sure we will be very happy to have some of our meals there! Thanks again!

I think they are adjusting because its onky been a month since they opened !

I think the general rule is like many if not most of the places on Orient you pay for your chairs regardless of if you eat there or not. I am sure there will be exceptions to that rule for some regulars or some other relationship with the place, staff or owners. I would go there with the assumption taht you will be paying for your chairs.

I will say that after not going to Orient last year and not much the previous recent years La Playa was at a level at our recent visit that has me looking forward to going back. I was very happy with everything about the place and I know it will get better after talking to Bruno.

Cheers!
Todd

Same here. I hadn't been to Orient since the Bikini Beach mess and the new people were flat out rude to us because we ate at "the real Bikini"!! We loved LaPlaya and honestly didn't mind paying the 20 bucks. We were there the very end of October, and I think hey may have only been open a few weeks. We would go back.

Sounds like the best option for us tomorrow...can't wait...so glad to be back on island!

Carol, We were at la Playa today and unfortunately the beef for two is not available there ! They have faux-filet and bavette though!

OK, thanks! Looks like I may have to 'make do' with the bo bun nem salad! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Carol, La Playa didn't have a bo bun nem salad two weeks ago. I love that salad from Dreams so would have ordered it. They had a Thai Beef Salad but it was different than what was served at Dreams. They do offer the same fried Thai spring rolls which are just as fabulous. The beef salad was also very good just different.

We used the beach and ate there 4 days of our second week on the island. Always a pleasure to see Bruno and meet his new staff (new to us.) They were awesome as was Bruno's business partner, Thomas.

David rarely gets off the beach to eat and the fact that he joined me three times up on the deck says a lot for food and service as he typically would rather lay on the lounge chair or go in the water than take time away from his sun bathing/water fun. This is what he likes to do.

Louise - I had the Bo-Bun Nem salad at La Playa day before yesterday.

That's good to hear Linda. Can't wait to read more on your trip