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Cooper island Beach club restaurant review post Irma
#160804
05/14/2018 09:56 PM
05/14/2018 09:56 PM
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 2,154 Ontario, Canada
warren460
OP
Traveler
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OP
Traveler
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 2,154
Ontario, Canada
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Yesterday we made a reservation for a 7:30 dinner tonight.
The rebuild is georgeious.
It's unfortunate that this is the only nice thing I can say
Let's start with the bushwackers. I have had many a great bushwacker here. Tonight was not that Night. The drink was very icy. The worst bushwacker of this trip.
Onto the menu. There were very few choices. My favourites, chicken roti and the wonderful pasta dish have been removed from the menu. The roti is still on the lunch menu. The menu moved upscale and includes some overpriced sharing dishes.
The menu had a vegetarian dish, a lobster bisque with no lobster, they ran out of their chicken dish, they also had a steak dish and a fish dish. Eating steak on board tomorrow.
I spoke to the manager and asked if they could accommodate us by offering the lunch menu. The manager was very firm and had a take it or leave it attitude. He did not care in the slightest about the fact that the menu did not have anything of interest. He could have offered the lunch menu. But no dice. I told the manager that we would order appetizers and desert and eat dinner on the boat. He did not care.
We are a group of 6. No one in our group was happy with the menu.
Those that ordered the fish said it was good but the portions were small. Two of us ordered the lobster bisque. It had very over cooked shrimp(3), no lobster and a few morals of shrimp.
No longer do they offer complimentary bread.
We wanted to order a Bailey's ice dessert. They are out of that too.
Cooper island is gorgeous. Eat dinner on board. You won't be sorry. Limited overpriced menu. Few menu items, staff with a cavalier attitude.
The bottom line, disappointingly.
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Re: Cooper island Beach club restaurant review post Irma
[Re: RatmansWife]
#160809
05/15/2018 07:28 AM
05/15/2018 07:28 AM
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Joined: May 2018
Posts: 4
rednecksailor
Member
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Member
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 4
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Warren, so sorry to hear about your bad experience. There is no excuse for that. My guess is they were busy and ran out of food, so no chicken for chicken roti! Re-supply on an island is always a problem. Maybe the attitude is a consequence of little competition since Irma. What is with this apologist attitude on this board for poorly run businesses? If you are an open and functioning tourist business get your s**t together and prosper or fail.
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Re: Cooper island Beach club restaurant review post Irma
[Re: rednecksailor]
#160829
05/15/2018 01:05 PM
05/15/2018 01:05 PM
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,359 Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
JasonHelmbrecht
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,359
Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
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Warren, so sorry to hear about your bad experience. There is no excuse for that. My guess is they were busy and ran out of food, so no chicken for chicken roti! Re-supply on an island is always a problem. Maybe the attitude is a consequence of little competition since Irma. What is with this apologist attitude on this board for poorly run businesses? If you are an open and functioning tourist business get your s**t together and prosper or fail. I'll kindly mention that there was a storm here in September that was bigger than any storm in BVI recorded history. It's a miracle Cooper is open at all this early so fact that they have anything to offer means they have their s**t together. Many places have a limited menu still. Luckily you found the best solution of your group and ate ashore. Too bad you couldn't suffer thru the 4 offerings and support the people trying to recover and earn a living so they can eat from the limited offerings the BVI has.
Last edited by JasonHelmbrecht; 05/15/2018 01:07 PM.
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Re: Cooper island Beach club restaurant review post Irma
[Re: JasonHelmbrecht]
#160845
05/15/2018 03:19 PM
05/15/2018 03:19 PM
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 925 Chesapeake - deliveries worldw...
Auspicious
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 925
Chesapeake - deliveries worldw...
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I'll kindly mention that there was a storm here in September that was bigger than any storm in BVI recorded history. I've been in the BVI three times so far this year. I've been incredibly impressed by the strength and adaptability of the BVIslanders in responding to the damage from the storm. Not only are they resilient they have their priorities straight. By getting power and cellular systems back on line as a priority they have made everything else that must easier. My experience there bringing boats out on delivery, all of which required some local support to get ready for sea, has been truly amazing given the damage. Tortola and Jost Van Dyke are recovering nicely although there is still much to do. #BVIStrong Warren's experience on Cooper is saddening and out of character. While it may be an anomaly in BVI it is a disturbing one. There is no excuse for the reception he encountered. Cooper Island has long been a favorite stop and the restaurant a "must do." I'll leave it to others to report on any possible philosophical recovery and plan to walk the beach, snorkel Cistern Point, and eat aboard.
dave
S/V Auspicious
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Re: Cooper island Beach club restaurant review post Irma
[Re: warren460]
#160848
05/15/2018 03:29 PM
05/15/2018 03:29 PM
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Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 2,154 Ontario, Canada
warren460
OP
Traveler
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OP
Traveler
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 2,154
Ontario, Canada
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We had a wonderful lunch served by very friendly people at Hendo's. The contractors at Cooper did an incredible job getting the facility ready. It's unfortunate that the staff were unfriendly as is very uncharacteristic for the bvi at present.
The snotty behaviour was uncalled for.
As previously indicated we have been to CIBC many times per year Over the past number of years. This was a bad experience and it was uncharacteristic.
The purpose of this thread is to inform members of this board so they make an informed decision regarding visiting that restaurant.
I will still go to happy hour or lunch but not dinner.
When I read about a change in menu and staff attitude, I will definitely be back.
Jason, I agree with some elements of your post and fully support the people of the bvi.
Last edited by warren460; 05/15/2018 03:32 PM.
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Re: Cooper island Beach club restaurant review post Irma
[Re: warren460]
#160891
05/16/2018 04:51 AM
05/16/2018 04:51 AM
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,666 Memphis, BVI, CT
RatmansWife
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,666
Memphis, BVI, CT
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Redneck, if you knew me, it’s unlikely you would describe me as an apologist. There are many restaurants here I have refused to patronize over the years because, at that time, their food was poor, their prices were high, or the service sucked.
Living on an out island, I know that you can’t run to the store when you run out of something. And when you get to Riteway, they may also be out if it. Island supply chains are very different than mainland supply chains.
Eugene did a great job on Cooper. His first job in the BVI was out here - he was a great kid, and deserves the success be has had.
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Re: Cooper island Beach club restaurant review post Irma
[Re: RatmansWife]
#160907
05/16/2018 09:33 AM
05/16/2018 09:33 AM
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Joined: May 2018
Posts: 4
rednecksailor
Member
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Member
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 4
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Redneck, if you knew me, it’s unlikely you would describe me as an apologist. There are many restaurants here I have refused to patronize over the years because, at that time, their food was poor, their prices were high, or the service sucked.
Living on an out island, I know that you can’t run to the store when you run out of something. And when you get to Riteway, they may also be out if it. Island supply chains are very different than mainland supply chains.
Eugene did a great job on Cooper. His first job in the BVI was out here - he was a great kid, and deserves the success be has had.
I did not specifically call you an apologist. I remarked on an attitude on this board of immediately jumping in to apologize for island businesses that fail to deliver, for whatever reason. I have observed this by being an unregistered user for years and reading many many such posts. I am actually very aware of all of the challenges of island life. I have lived full time on STT for 35 years, personally experienced David, Klaus, Hugo, Marilyn (lost home), Irma and Maria. The 2017 hurricanes were 8 months ago and it is past time to stop making excuses. If you own a business you need to deliver what your customers want for a price they will pay and leave them with a memory that makes them want to be a return customer. That is the message. If you have grumpy employees change them out. If your BVI suppliers are still blaming all of their inadequacies on the storms dump them and switch to a supplier in STT, or elsewhere, that is brimming with merchandise - or stay closed until you can deliver on what clients demand.
Last edited by rednecksailor; 05/16/2018 09:33 AM.
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Re: Cooper island Beach club restaurant review post Irma
[Re: warren460]
#160924
05/16/2018 12:23 PM
05/16/2018 12:23 PM
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 240 Texas
purplelily
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 240
Texas
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AMEN! -- to the posts above. Good Lord, people - serve peanut butter crackers, if you must, but do it with a grateful attitude and a warm spirit, or I'll keep my happy [censored] (oops - butt cheeks) on the boat.
Ain't nobody got time for that on vacation.
And yes- I know Good Morning, Afternoon, and Evening, and I ALWAYS approach with a huge Texas smile and open heart.
Bless their hearts. I can't imagine being so grumpy with all that beauty in your backyard.
Last edited by purplelily; 05/16/2018 12:24 PM.
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Re: Cooper island Beach club restaurant review post Irma
[Re: warren460]
#160977
05/17/2018 07:07 AM
05/17/2018 07:07 AM
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,999 Macon, Georgia
GlennA
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,999
Macon, Georgia
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I really have not enjoyed CIBC as much since Toby sold it. It lost a certain island "looseness" and I just have not been able to relax quite as much. Kind of like the difference between Pirates Bight and Billy Bones or Saba Rock and Pirates Pub.
Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. - Mark Twain
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Re: Cooper island Beach club restaurant review post Irma
[Re: Winterstale]
#161017
05/17/2018 01:56 PM
05/17/2018 01:56 PM
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Joined: May 2018
Posts: 4
rednecksailor
Member
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Member
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 4
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.Leverick and others have.....
Exactly
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