Here is a guest post reviewing the Pizzeria at Prickly Bay Marina in L’Anse aux Epines. It’s submitted by Ryian from Washington DC. Thanks Ryian.

Considering the fact that by the time we all got there we were all starving, I would say that overall the pizza was pretty good.

The service was very slow, in fact they forgot to put in an order for one of our drinks. Not only that but they also did not have the widest selection. The only option we had was pizza, and I personally have never heard of a pizzeria only offering pizza.

I will give them the benefit of the doubt since after all it was Christmas Eve and it seemed as though there were only three or four people working the entire restaurant.

But as I said, the pizza was pretty good, so if you are in no rush or like to take time in between courses, this is a good choice for you.

A good Roti in Grenada always seems to elude me. So when I received this post from Mimi a Washingtonian visiting Grenada, about her Roti experience at Ebony Restaurant in Grenville I just had to share it. Here Goes:

Ebony Restaurant is located in the heart of Grenville. I must admit from the outside I was very hesitant to eat from the restaurant but a good friend says she makes a special visit to Ebony’s every time she returns home to Grenada.

After much anticipation about Ebony’s having the best Roti in Grenada I was not disappointed.

The menu consists of traditional Grenadian dishes.  I ordered a Lambi (Conch) Roti which is one of the best Roti’s I ever had (other being in Trinidad at the Roti Shop). The lambi was perfectly seasoned and very succulent.

For someone with a small appetite the roti “perfectly portioned.” This is the second time I was able to eat an entire roti in one sitting.  I ordered a passion fruit drink which was very thirst quenching.

The service was excellent, both waitresses were attentive and patient as we ordered our meals. The prices were very reasonable… cheap to be perfectly honest.

The restroom facilities need renovating.  I was told from a friend who grew up in Grenville that they’ve been at that location for a very long time, which may explain the appearance.

I am so disappointed we didn’t order any Rotis to go because it was a long and dismal night with the Lambi Roti on my mind (even when I returned to the states).

In a nutshell I will return to Ebony Restaurant during my next visit to Grenada.   5/5 stars for me given I was able to get beyond Ebony’s aesthetics.

Hi my name is Neville, and I am a Chocoholic. There I said it. I have a weakness for sweetness, especially when its all smooth, and velvety and has Chocolate written all over it. Rarely a day passes by and I don’t have a chocolate bar.

You don’t even have to say it, I already know:  that’s beyond bad, its downright dangerous. So in recent years I’ve slowly migrated to healthier dark chocolate… upwards of 60%, 70% Cocoa.

Grenada Chocolate Company Organic Dark Chocolate

No decent chocoholic should deny their taste buds the satisfaction of making love to a bar of The Grenada Chocolate Company Organic Dark Chocolate. Trust me it’s really really good.

It comes in two strengths. In their words:

60% Chocolate: sweet and rich with an intense and complex chocolate flavor

71% Chocolate:strong bitter-sweet with extra fruity cocoa flavor notes

As the name suggests, The Grenada Chocolate Company Organic Dark Chocolates are made in Grenada. I actually tried twice in the past to tour their factory but it never worked out, always bad timing.  The fact remains, that the Cocoa, the main ingredient in Chocolate, is one of Grenada’s number one exports. And Before Hurricane Ivan, only Indonesia exported more cocoa than Grenada. But Grenada’s Cocoa is still recognized worldwide as a superior product.

Note: As of this writing, due to the devastation caused by hurricanes in recent years to the Cocoa Crop in Grenada: Grenada Chocolate is now made with a fine blend of Grenadian and Costa Rican organic cocoa.

The bar is still full of goodness though, and hopefully it will very soon return to 100% Grenadian Cocoa.

A few more brownie points for the Grenada Chocolate Company:

• The 71% strength won second place for “Best Dark Organic Chocolate Bar” by the Academy of Chocolate
• All Chocolate is produce in a sustainable fashion. The factory uses Solar Energy, and off course the cocoa and chocolate is certified Organic by the USDA. I just know that will make all you Go Green / Environmental supporters happy campers.

So there you have it. Grenada Chocolate Company Organic Chocolate, now go try it

PR: wait… I: wait… L: wait… LD: wait… I: wait… wait… C: wait… SD: wait…

Who said you had to be in Grenada to eat good Grenadian cooking? A group of us from the Maryland/Washington DC area decided to “Throw Down” some Grenadian food last weekend. And with a typical Grenadian hospitality, we invited our other Caribbean and US friends to come eat us out.

The Name says it all

All I will tell you is that it was a big hit. Food Galore!!

• Oildown -  Grenada’s national dish.  We had two pots: one for the meat eaters, and one for the rest of us. I commissioned the Oildown but that’s as much credit as I can take for it. All the praise for this delicious pot goes to the Iron Chef Willy a.k.a Rookie.
• Callaloo Soup – this local favorite came compliments of Katina,  Michelle & Graeme
• Fish Broth – A Grenadian Cookout is just not the same without some “Seafood Waters” , so we decide to go for extra credit and do not one, but two pots of Fish Broth: one with Red Snapper, and the other with Tuna … that was a Che and Graeme production.
• Pelau – Nothing like a good Pelau. Michelle I need that recipe.
• Curry Goat -from the Iron Chef again.

Graeme, with Hosts Che & Michelle

But wait… THERE’S MORE:

• Salt fish and Fig – Michelle again.
• Baked Whole Salmon – prepared Grenadian style, by a Grenadian living in Baltimore
• Baked fillet Salmon – As if the whole Salmon was not enough, my sister Gwen showed up with even more Salmon
• BBQ chicken – My other sibling Hazel took no chances and decided to walk with her favorite meat
• Corn Soup – Che knows this is good for any occasion, but he also know it’s very appealing after a long night of drinking
• Mango Chow – Since Michelle found a recipe for this, no function she hosts is ever without it. It’s a good healthy, tasting snack

And on top of all that, the other guests did not come empty handed. Who didn’t bring drinks brought some other Caribbean dish, or desert, as I said before Food Galore!!

Oildown Grenada's National Dish (My plate)

Grenadian Recipes just for You

Now I know some of you have never heard about some of the dishes above. Don’t worry. To better acquaint you with Grenadian Cuisine, I will post the recipe for some of these in the coming week(s). And if you’re not brave enough to try the Grenadian recipes at home, then you’ll just have to wait until you Go to Grenada, to get the real deal.

Great food, fun friends, and sweet island music. The session was swinging from start to finish.

• Them Trinbagonians beat their Iron all night
• A Jamaican old timer and a Grenadian got in an argument about which island has the strongest rum. This time it was Wray and Nephew vs. Grenada’s Best.
• A Grenville man and a St. George’s man argued over Rivers Rum and Clarkes Court. ( See what I wrote about Grenada’s Clarkes Court Rum here)
• Them GBSS and PBC boys trash talk about high school life, and reminisce about the old days…
• And of course with elections high in the air lots of rum shop politics talk.

Big Thank You

At the risk of sounding like Sarah Palin, I’ll like to give a “Big Shoutout” to our gracious hosts  Michelle (My Fav Cuz) and her husband Che. And another “Big Shoutout” to all the Master Chefs, and the entire party crew, we definitely doing this again (right Michelle?)… as they say when it’s nice you gotta do it twice (at least).

More Pictures from the Grenadian Food Throw Down

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PR: wait… I: wait… L: wait… LD: wait… I: wait… wait… C: wait… SD: wait…

Grenada’s most popular rum is Clarkes Court Pure White Rum, and it’s also Grenada’s strongest rum. It’s so strong that:

• It will make hair grow on your chest
• It will strip the paint off your car,
• And if you’re lucky you might even run on your car on Clarkes Court Rum.

Clarks Court Rum Grenada

Okay, okay, I’m only kidding. But on a serious note this rum is definitely NOT for the faint of heart. The bottle label says its 69% Alcohol by Volume, and 138 Proof!!!

In my humble opinion … That’s a damn lie !!!

Over many years I’ve watched Clarkes Court reap hovoc on both the uninitiated, and seasoned rum drinker. More havoc than even the venerable Mr. Bacardi 151 can ever claim.

To be frank, Bacardi 151 is a paper tiger compared to Clarkes Court… just look at the carnage Clarkes Court leaves in its wake compared to Bacardi, and you will agree.

So don’t believe what you read on the Clarkes Court bottle, this rum is much much stronger.


Stronger than Rivers Rum?
Ah yes good old Rivers Rum from River Antoine… you can smell it from a 10 miles away. Well this rum is some brutal stuff, and it’s taken down many a good man. It’s 75% Alc. Vol. So again on paper it is supposed to be stronger than Clarkes Court…

Personally I think the Clarkes Court will take you to the point of no return faster than Rivers. That’s a great debate that’s been waging for years in Grenada. All I can say is that Rivers Rum lovers will tell you they wake up next day feeling strong… No Headaches!! I’m afraid Clarkes Court drinkers can’t make the same claim.

Rum and Coke, No Shots Please
Uncle Clark is best enjoyed with Coke, and it’s superb in any tropical cocktail that calls for rum. But stop at any rum shop in Grenada and you are sure to see an old timer or two taking shots. These guys must carry a spare liver in their back pockets.

My advice: Don’t do Shots!! But if you must do it, then practice at home first, we don’t want you to end up like this poor guy:

He had Way Too Much

So Guys if your preferred liquor of choice is rum, then make sure you request Clarkes Court Rum for your Rum and Cokes and cocktails. Ladies I recommend a Clarkes Court Rum Punch.

A Pharmacy in a Bottle?
Clarkes Court also has some medicinal uses. The old folks use it as a topical rub for joint pain, I guess it’s all that heat it generates. And I can attest that a mixture of Clarkes Court, Honey and Lime will clear up, or relieve any sore throat, or chest cold.

Stock ‘em Up
Don’t forget to grab a couple bottles to take back home with you. It’s refreshing in the hot summer and soothing in the bitter winter.

Actually when you say Clarkes Court to any Grenadian they immediately think about “The Pure White Rum”, but there are at least 7 different Rums under the Clarkes Court Brand. Dark rum, white rum, aged rum, strong rum, light rum, you name it you can find it so go knock yourself out.

Find out more about Clarkes Court at Grenada Sugar Factory

Grenada Spices… The Isle of Spice Where Everything is Nice

The best way to take a piece of Grenada back home with you is to get you hands on some Grenada Spices. Grenada is a treasure chest of spices

• Nutmeg, Cinnamon
• Clove, Ginger
• Allspice, Bay Leaf
• Black Pepper, Bird Pepper
• Turmeric or Saffron
• And more

The spices of Grenada are fresh and authentic. You begin to smell their aroma long before you even see them, now that’s authentic stuff.And I’ll bet you won’t find that kind of quality in the corner grocery in your home town.

Use these spices in your favorite recipes, and they will push your culinary skills to another level. The bland, and the ordinary now become flavorful and mouth watering. The compliments just keep rolling in. That’s just what happened to me…

King of the Chili …

Every year my company just outside of Washington DC in Virginia holds a chili cook off. I had never made chili before but I figured that with my Grenada Spices and a little help from a coworker I can make a decent showing.

Well to my surprise, we won! By the end of the event my pot was empty. Some folks even took my spicy chili home to their spouse. And everybody wanted to know what were the spices I used …

That was 5 years ago, since then I have come in second twice and won another first place award. I now hold the record for the most consecutive top finishes. Who would have guessed it! And it’s all because of my secret weapon … my Grenada Spices

Where to get your Spices…

You won’t have to go out of your way to purchase Grenada spices. Just follow your nose, to any of the vendor markets or booths. There is one on Grand Anse beach, and another close to the port where the cruise ships docks. Also any souvenir shop or duty free area are sure to have nicely package spice baskets that will make an excellent and useful gift for your friends back home. So pick up a couple.

Photography: Grenada Spices, Vendors Market by mary.

Related Pages:

1. Gouyave Dougaldston Estate
2. Gouyave Nutmeg Pool

Click here to return from Grenada Spices to Why Grenada

Click here to return from Grenada Spices to Grenada Beaches Home

A Beer is A Carib… In Grenada

Learn this: In Grenada A Beer is a Carib, and Grenada makes absolutely the Best Carib Beer. Full Stop!!!

Now them Trinbagonians (Trinidad & Tobago) won’t agree but that is another story.

There’s only one thing that’s missing from this shot taken by a_truong, and that’s YOU!! Cold Carib Beer, Lovely Sunset and a Grenada Beach… it’s almost perfection in paradise.

As a tribute to my favorite lager I am dedicating this page to fellow Carib Drinkers and Carib Lovers (one in the same).

Post you favorite Carib Photo, and let’s salute the king of Caribbean Beers.

Click Here to send me your Carib Beer photos and comments via this submission page.

Carib Beer in Pictures

My sister and I, with my friend Val, I hanging out at Rick’s Cafe… our favorite spot

David, Mom and Arend at Nutmeg Restaurant

With sister Hazel and friend Leslie. Find out why I did not have a Carib Beer at Nutmeg Restaurant…

A Carib Shak… How is that for an island bar? Not to mention a great Carib Beer Advert. Thank you Funkatronik.

Enjoying a Cold Carib at the Thomas Sisters Eatery on Grand Anse Beach

Ron, Cecil and a traitor Heineken drinker (not shown) chilling at Port Louis Victory Bar

Spass & Carib Beer at Club Karma

Jeff & his wife at Flamboyant Hotel, enjoying a Carib Beer on their favorite Caribbean Island… Grenada

Carib Beer and smokes…aaah, breakfast in Grenada…compliments

Izumi a.k.a Zoomdog and her high school buddies, enjoy their final sunset drinking session at Grand Anse Beach

Cricket lovely Cricket, the Carib Girls, & Cold Carib Beers, my friend Spass is in heaven at the Party Stand in the National Stadium… Windies v Australia.

Thank You Gerad from Nashville, TN – Hanging out with family for a 50th birthday. We all turn 50 sometime.

Perfection… you just can’t beat this!! Special thank you to Caroline of double © photography for this awesome shot. Taken on Grand Anse Beach.

Girls hanging out at Le Phare Bleu Happy Hour. Thank you Oliver.

Carib Girls - Le Phare Bleu Happy Hour

Click Here to send me your Carib Beer photos and comments via this submission page.

Return from A Beer is a Carib to Grenada Beaches homepage

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Grenada Wine At Pappy’s

En route to Gouyave Fish Friday, we stopped at Pappy’s to sample some Grenada Wine. Pappy’s located in Concord, St John’s just a few minutes outside Gouyave.

Now I must warn you that you won’t find any

• Cabernet Sauvignon,
• Merlot,
• or Chardonnay.

In fact Grenada Wine is grapeless. And certainly not the wine you are use to.

The bottle says: “Makes a wonderful drink when served with crushed ice”. Wine with Ice? Oh well, what the heck: When in Rome … Right?

The wide variety of tropical fruits, and flowers used to produce the many flavors of Grenada Wine lining the shelves impressed me.

Except for the occasional reds like a Merlot, Cabernet, or Pinot Noir, I am hardly the wine connoisseur or wine lover. We were prepared to just meet the shopkeeper, take a drink, purchase a single bottle as a token of support for the local Grenada Wine industry (if one exists), and walk out the door.

Well you probably guess by now that did not happen. I instead left Pappy’s Wine/Rum shop with six bottles of fine Grenada Wine in hand.

How did I go from one bottle to six? Well our quite, generous host, broke out two wine glasses, and the next thing I knew is that am tasting all these very unique wines, and loving them.

Here is Mia pictured left trying some of that sparkling Grenada Wine.

First was the Hibiscus Wine

I never knew such a thing existed. I mean Hibiscus is a flower for crying out loud. I tried it … quite interesting. I liked it.

Then came the Tamarind Liqueur

Tamarind is from a curved brown bean-pod from the tamarind tree. The pod contains a sticky pulp enclosing one to ten shiny black seeds. It is the pulp that is used as a flavoring for the sweet, sour, fruity aroma and taste of this Grenada Liqueur.

Viagra? Cialis? Any takers?

Relax guys you don’t need that stuff in Grenada. Just try the all natural Bois Bande Wine (pronounced Baw-Ban-day). Since I was a little boy growing up in Grenada I’ve heard the stories about Bois Bande.

Local legend has it that if you consume too much … it might be hours before things return to normal. Bois Bande comes from the bark of a tree. If you really want some potent stuff just, get the bark. Boil it and drink just like tea.

The Bois Bande concentration in Pappy’s wine is not too strong, not too weak … I guess just enough to get the job done (nod, nod, wink, wink… ). This Grenada Wine is not the best tasting of the lot, and the aroma … well it takes some getting use to … definitely an acquired one. But I just had to have a bottle … give a guy a break.

And all the rest … Mango, Plum, Guava, Sorrel

We tasted everything, and it was not your connoisseur kind of tasting. It was more like a full drink. Is there any wonder why I had a nice buzz by the time I got to Gouyave Fish Friday?

Mia loved the Guava Wine and the Sorrel Liqueur, they were on the sweeter side.

In all we spent about forty US dollars maybe more, which is a lot. Now the challenge I faced was figuring out a way to get them all back to the US …

We enjoyed the little stop at Pappy’s Shop. And I encourage you to drop in on Pappy’s when traveling on the western coast. Sample to your hearts content then take a couple bottles of your favorite.

If you do drop in please tell me here.

And Guys you definitely want to get your hands on some of that Grenada Bois Bande wine, the ladies gonna thank you for it.

Check out these other Grenada west coast hot spots at Gouyave

or

Return from Pappy’s Grenada Wine to Grenada Beaches Homepage

River Antoine Estate … The home of Rivers Rum

Rivers Rum is arguably the strongest and finest white rum you will find anywhere in the Caribbean. I cannot say it definitely is, because it depends on which Grenadian you ask.

They all will agree that Grenada produces the strongest white rum. But the debate rages on over whether Rivers Rum in the north, is superior to Clarkes Court Rum in the south. And that can make for a healthy rum shop argument.

On One of my island tour I decided to drop by to see the good folks at River Antoine Estate the makers Rivers Rum. For a few bucks we got a guided tour of the entire rum making operation.

The key thing that distinguishes Rivers Rum from the rest is that the rum is still made almost the same way the original owners made it over 200 years ago.

Central to that process is the Water Wheel. Water from River Antoine is channeled, and used to turn the wheel, which generates the power to press the juice out of the sugar cane, and kick off the rum making.

Here is Ryian, with the water wheel pictured in the background.
The entire process from the raw sugar cane to the final bottled product is quite fasinating. And I can guarantee that you won’t look at your Rum Punch, or Rum and Coke the same way after taking the tour.

Did you know? Or even consider …

How do you go from this ugly stuff?…

To this .

That one always impresses the heck out of me. And I’m so grateful … I mean can you imagine what life in the rum shop would be like, if we had to drink that brown stuff?

Well the good folks at River Antoine Estate have been turning the nasty looking brown stuff, into crystal clear perfection for over 200 years.

And on the tour to see just how it’s done. This is my second visit to River Antoine Estate. On each visit we got guides that were very knowledgeable about the Rivers Rum making process (no surprise here). On this our last visit, our guide was Patsy …
And of course my little traveling buddy Ryian, just had to have another shot to add to her collection.

Here’s Ryian and Patsy, with the cooling tanks pictured in the background.
The best part of the tour of course is the rum tasting …

And after tasting you get the opportunity to take home a couple bottles at factory price.

Rivers Rum comes in two different sizes, and two different proofs. There is a 40% alc, 80% proof which is less strong, and suitable for traveling. And then there is bad boy, not for the faint of heart … and the only guarantee here is that it won’t be below 75% alc or 152 proof.

If you like good natural white rum like I do. Then make a stop at River Antoine Estate, the home of Rivers Rum a Must Stop.

And if you make it this far north, be sure to also check out Lake Antoine it’s only 5 minutes away. It is the source of the River Antoine, that feeds the channel, that turns the wheel, that crushes the cane, that makes Rivers Rum, which we all love so much.

Return from River Antoine Rivers Rum to Sunshine Tours in Grenada