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The current weather in Culebra

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Juanita Bananas Review
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Marty (---.hsd1.pa.comcast.net)
Date:   03-22-07 16:41

I recently returned from a week long vacation to Culebra with my girlfriend, her mother, and her brother. We had an absolutely amazing time on the beautiful island.

I wish we could say the same about our dining experience at Juanita Bananas.

We made reservations for 8 PM and were promptly seated. A server didn't show up at our table to take a drink order until 8:35. Not a big deal...we were excited to be on the island and chatting about the great day we had. I had done research beforehand and from Juanitas site I knew that Monday was "sushi Monday" so we planned accordingly.

We ordered our drinks. My girlfriends mom ordered one of the pricier bottles of wine off of the wine list. Whatever...it's vacation. We ordered appetizers as well...the salmon wontons.

My girlfriend, her mother, and myself each ordered 3 rols of sushi apiece while her brother ordered the guava basted ribs with a bean salad.

Over 30 minutes later one of the rolls appeared(no appetizer yet), another 15 minutes later another roll appeared.(still no appetizer). Over the course of our time in the restaurant so far (1 hour 10 minutes) the table behind us has been fed, cleared and a new group of people was working on their appetizers.

20 minutes after the second roll came out 2 more rolls came out and my girlfriends mother ordered a second bottle of wine....a 1997 grande riserva spanish red...upwards of $45 for the bottle....once again...we are on vacation no big deal....except....when the bottle came out it was CLEARLY MARKED AS A YEAR 2000 WINE. 3 years difference??? This is a huge difference in time for winemaking...HUGE. Especially if you are going to advertise one thing on your menu and then serve a completely different thing?

So about 90 minutes in...4 rolls in...no appetizers yet, no entree for little brother yet...the server comes out with 4 more rolls and the appetizer. We are getting frustrated....we know it's a laid back island atmosphere but this kind of service anywhere would be UNACCEPTABLE. I don't care where you are it's just not right to treat patrons like this.

Now we get to the good stuff.

They bring out the final roll....about 1 hour and 45 minutes into dinner.

I got up and asked the server very politely when my girlfriends brothers ribs would be out...he was cool at first and said he would go right back and check on it. Her brother is bummed because he didnt get to eat with all of us at the same time and at this point just wants it boxed up...so when the server comes back he asks him if he could take it to go. I decide to let the server know why we want it to go. I told her we waited over 2 hours for a rack of ribs, nothing was served in a timely manner, you sold us a 1997 bottle of wine that was actually a 2000, you didnt take our drink order until about 40 minutes in.

He asked "Well what would you like me to do about it?"
My girlfriends mom replied "Well what would you do if you were us?"
He says "Honestly I just think I wouldn't complain at all"

The attitude and tone in his voice when he replied was disgusting and rude.

My girlfriends mom and brother got up at this point and went out to the car. I stayed behind with my girlfriend to speak to the manager.

She wasn't any better.

She took $10 off the cost of the wine. That's it.

Seriously?

Overall this place was terrible. The rolls were bland. The heated up ribs didn't have a lot of meat on the bone and the service was piss poor.

Save yourself from the overpriced menu of sub-par food and go eat at Mamacitas. We ate there twice and each time were pleased. The server even comped us on some free coffee.

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Re: DO NOT EAT AT JUANITA BANANAS!!!
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: richard (---.washdc.east.verizon.net)
Date:   03-22-07 17:33

wow, I've heard of the Drusos pissing people off (never had a problem myself) but that is very off.

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Re: DO NOT EAT AT JUANITA BANANAS!!!
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: richard (---.washdc.east.verizon.net)
Date:   03-22-07 17:36

sorry, meant Daubons

something must have been up that night, maybe not the warmest of places, but usu. worthwhile.

that server needs some sort of wake-up

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Re: DO NOT EAT AT JUANITA BANANAS!!!
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: MJ (---.prtc.net)
Date:   03-22-07 18:48

You really did have a bad experience and I'm sorry to hear about it.
I can say it is also a place where many people rave positively about both the food and the service, so apparently there can be a wide degree in what can happen. No doubt the owners will be told of this entry and work toward more consistency, in the areas mentioned.

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Re: Juanita Bananas Review
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: David Magee (72.169.148.---)
Date:   03-23-07 10:14

Very unusual situation. First complaint I've heard and I've never had a bad experience in the 20+ times eating there. Something obviously went wrong that night.

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Re: Juanita Bananas Review
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Marty (---.hsd1.pa.comcast.net)
Date:   03-23-07 11:51

I researched these forums as well as various other sites and found nothing but rave reviews for JBs. I was beyond disappointed to have this be our end result.

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Re: Juanita Bananas Review
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: julia Huff (199.198.220.---)
Date:   03-23-07 14:05

we had similar experience in a different restaurant, i dont remember the name, but it was on a hill, they also have a hotel...two old ladies own it, we were waiting for 3 hours, and they were out of everything...we figured thats how it is in Cluebra ,and we are not planning to eat out there again....we will just buy the food at the food stands on the camping site--it was great last time.

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Re: Juanita Bananas Review
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Doug (---.aurorasys.com)
Date:   03-23-07 15:16

I had a sub-par experience at JB, as well. That night, they were understaffed and slammed. Our server was someone I knew. My friends on Culebra had tutored him and given him a job earlier. Good kid, in my book. Because of the connection, we got better service than the others in the restaurant, that night. He kept us in beers while the kitchen tried to dig out, and I appreciated it. Ultimately we ate about 90 minutes after arriving. I had no place to be, so to me, it was a non-issue. My friend is a little less tolerant and when I suggested we each pay $45 on a $77 tab, he said no way. When I made up the difference on the tip, he didn't speak to me the rest of the night.
My thoughts are this.
1. I understand why service can be erratic at restaurants on Culebra. There is a finite amount of help and it moves around according to a formula that I haven't deciphered yet. Probably related to how the employees are treated/paid. I have returned to Culebra to find the entire staff of Mamacita's transplanted to the Dinghy Dock or vice versa.
2. The supply chain is much improved from 12 years ago, but still a long way from mainland standards. If you want fresh fish, or any specific menu item, come early.
3. As one who enjoys my evening cocktails I deliberately set my expectations to a very modest level. Nothing is going to block my island karma. Not restaurant service, not menu items being unavailable, nothing - except warm beer. I love to luxuriate in my thoughts about the day in Paradise and sip my Presidente. When dinner comes, it comes.
4. I have many friends on Culebra, a good number of whom are wait people. I am not tipping them for 'superior service'. I tip them for being part of the infrastrucure that allows me to slow my metabolism to that magical pace that I miss so badly just now. Nobody in food and beverage is getting wealthy on Culebra, unless they own the property.
5. If a restaurant is pricey and I have a subpar experience, I roll with the punch that night and don't go back. JB and Seabourne are in that group. I've had bogus meals at a number of the other places for the reasons mentioned, but at pricepoints that don't scare me off permanently.

My $0.02.

Doug

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Re: Juanita Bananas Review
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Debbie (---.asm.bellsouth.net)
Date:   03-23-07 18:46

Well said, Doug. We missed going to JB's this trip and last, so I can't speak to current service and issues, but when one rolls with the punches on Culebra, one is usually a happier camper.

We went to Dakity this trip, and were less than impressed with the quality of the food for the price. The service was fine, and we'll go back to try it again. Seabourne, we hear, is back on the go-to list, but they were closed the night we went there (in high season! I truly don't get that!)

Happy Diving!
Debbie

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Re: Juanita Bananas Review
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Will Benson (38.101.220.---)
Date:   03-29-07 14:36

I have to say we had a GREAT experience at JB's on 3-25-07. We showed up at 7 (1 hour before our reservation) and they were nice enough to serve us beers and apps while they took care of the earlier tables. We took our time and had a blast. The entire staff treated us like family. One lady (I really wish I could remember her name) came by every so often to sit and talk to us for a minute. We had a great time getting to know her. Jennifer even took the time to come over on several occasions to see how everything was going. The food was amazing! The people were fun to be around. The dogs and cats were entertaining. I have to say "Thanks!" to Jennifer and the entire staff at JB's. I would not hesitate to recommend them to anyone.

Will & Oonagh
(The last table to leave Sunday night)

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Re: Juanita Bananas Review
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: MJ (---.prtc.net)
Date:   03-29-07 22:10

Thank goodness! I was standing in line in Milka's two days ago and these tourists were talking....the woman was saying, "We went to Juanita Banana's last night...it was SOOOOO good, we're going tonight too." So yes, sometimes things can be so bad (there are some big time changes going on at JB's right now) and sometimes so good.
I'm so sorry for the really awful experience had, but glad it's not an ongoing thing and hope visitors are willing to give Juanita's a go...and if it is a bad night, SAY something, politely, and go to someplace else...trust me, there are some great alternatives (and since all of them have crappy nights at times, you have lots of *other* choices...they know it, you can do it...say what you think, politely I point out again, and don't be afraid to try them again another time...things change here pretty quickly).
Life is too short to have a bad meal...do something about it, and move on. Frankly, the choices here now are huge compared to not so very many not so long ago. It ain't St. Bart's. If you want a Club Med experience...there are a whole lot of them in some very beautiful places in the world.

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Re: Juanita Bananas Review
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: richard (---.washdc.east.verizon.net)
Date:   03-29-07 23:13

wow Will, I've stayed at Harbor View down the hill and I forgot about the dogs...

sweethearts.

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Re: Juanita Bananas Review
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Java (63.175.186.---)
Date:   04-10-07 13:49

Hi
Thanks to all for the support and good wishes.
Here in JB We Love What We do More than anything else in the world.
Fresh Food Best Ingridients.



Javier

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Re: Juanita Bananas Review
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: hockeywife (---.211.180.193.montanasat.net)
Date:   04-17-07 12:56

Hi- Just wanted to add my two cents- a good review for Juanita Bananas- of a fine meal (again- our 3rd time dining at JB's- twice in 06- both times then it was wonderful as well, and once this year- just a couple weeks ago when we were in Culebra- Sunday, April 1st)
We took our two boys this year and so were able to try several items on the menu- everything was creative, fresh and delicious. I once again got the treat of having Jennifers wonderful Coconut Bleu Cheese salad dressing....YUM (what did I say about creative??)
And, we had the whole fried Strawberry grouper- which had fantastic presentation, and those wonderful truffles out on the deck for dessert... I applaud Jennifer on attending culinary school and then returning to Culebra to try to give something back and cannot imagine that with the food and supply transportation issues on the island - that getting fresh ingredients on a consistant basis can be easy when trying to run a gourmet restaurant.
As far as service is concerned- it may be considered a tad slower there than people may experience in the states at higher end restuarants- but, as another reviewer states- you're on a beautiful island - on vacation- relax and enjoy yourself! And, our server was very friendly and Javier and Jennifer each checked on us at least once to make sure everything was good...and it was.
Keep up the good work you two- we hope to dine at your place again for many years to come whenever we are blessed enough to find ourselves in Culebra!
And we also would recommend it to anyone who is looking for a great meal in a beautiful setting - it really should be a part of your Culebra dining experience!

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