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The current weather in Culebra

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Food on Culebra
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: steen (---.ny.ny.metconnect.net)
Date:   01-10-07 17:21

HI all,
Talk food to me :) My husband and I were on Culebra last year and had a difficult time finding options. We frequented Mamacita's and Barbara Rosa's--as well as the kiosk by the ferry terminal that serves the octopus pies etc. But waited one night for 45 minutes at the Dinghy Dock (or dingy dock rather) and once seated were told they were out of nearly everything on the menu but veggie burgers. Which I love--but came out ice cold; there wasn't even cheese which we requested:) Needless to say--that's not on my top ten. But when we tried to get to a few other places: Dakity and Juanitas we found that reservations were made so far in advance (they were booked for two weekends straight) that we couldn't get in. I love Culebra but I still have a hard time understanding why a laid back island environ requires a Darwinian instinct to get to a place before the crowds descend. I'm aware of the list on the forum for food places--and was prompted to post this due to an earlier post today about Susie's kitchen--which I'm really glad to know about. Has anyone compiled a thorough list of what's open and around this year?

Thanks much
-s

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Re: Food on Culebra
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: MJ (---.prtc.net)
Date:   01-10-07 17:40

"I love Culebra but I still have a hard time understanding why a laid back island environ requires a Darwinian instinct..."

Interestingly, just today a friend of mine and I were talking about this subject. I won't go into my response to the phrase Darwinian instinct, because someone might bite my leg...or I might bite my own leg.
This may be harsh, but Culebra, IS Culebra. Things run out, there is lots of stuff we don't have, crowds aren't always expected, lines form. That is because tourism is moving very fast here and sometimes...that's just the way it is. This isn't St. Barts or Jamaica or Nassau. It isn't even Vieques. It's Culebra. The whole laid back thing isn't a THING...it's how it really IS. We run out of food, gasoline, the water and electric may go off, etc. So people coming here will either be okay with that, or they won't.
There are places to go eat that don't have lines, but they aren't on the lists a lot of times. Personally, when I travel, I look for the local places that DON'T have lines (and trust me, I have a stool with my name on it at Dinghy Dock and one half warm at Mamacita's and hit the rest of the places here as much as time and money allows, so I am not saying don't go to those places, hey my friends OWN those places, I go there and I love to do it).
Those of us who live here, Culebrense and gringos alike, are all very aware of what those who visit may think we *lack*. But we live here anyway, because we don't WANT a Wal-Mart or a Plaza Extra or an Albertson's or an Office Depot or a Cosco or whatever it that would provide an immediate fix for our desires and, at times, our serious needs. It's a choice we live with 365 days a year, not a week or two. We LIKE it this way! Weird, huh? But so it is.
To think because this place has been written up all over the place that it is some on-time, all-prepared sort of island would be a mistake and a disappointment. It is what it is. A tiny island growing, with more people arriving to enjoy it than it sometimes has room or resources for. I've started sending people to the beach for local food at lunch, there are great kiosks there that should be checked out (Flamenco) if the lines are crazy or the wait is long at some of the local well known places. Explore! Have an experience! Meet some locals, you may get invited to dinner!
Culebra, as the bumper sticker said - it's not just an island, it's an experience.

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Re: Food on Culebra
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Arroz (216.110.122.---)
Date:   01-10-07 17:59

The other alternative, which we have adopted, is to rent a place with a kitchen and do our own food preparation.

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Re: Food on Culebra
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: MJ (---.prtc.net)
Date:   01-10-07 18:02

Great alternative, thanks for adding it! I was going to mention that as well, but...sorta forgot. Let's toss in, go fishing; if you have a kitchen you can eat fresh fish if you can't find it in a store or the fish market. The folks who take people fishing will be happy to clean your fish for you to take back to your place.

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Re: Food on Culebra
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Appetite (---.hsd1.nj.comcast.net)
Date:   01-10-07 20:43

I hear this argument all the time: "It is what it is, Culebra is Culebra." Which is fine...but...

...the thing is, restaurants on Culebra still charge hefty prices for the food they serve. Its not as if people are getting a "laid back" island price. On the contrary, people pay premium prices to eat on Culebra.

Those of us who come to Culebra do so because it is not filled with tourists and is not as developed as St. Barts, Thomas, John, etc. But if we are going to pay comparable prices, then any customer should expect comparable service and availability.

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Re: Food on Culebra
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Kayra (---.mia.bellsouth.net)
Date:   01-10-07 20:53

There has to be a mark-up on prices because with the exception of "catch of the day" everything has to be brought over from the main land and beyond. The prices ARE a bit high, but I've never found them to be over the top. They are comparable to what you would pay for a meal in say, Old San Juan, for example. I am proud to give my patronage to the restaurants in Culebra!

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Re: Food on Culebra
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Debbie (---.asm.bellsouth.net)
Date:   01-10-07 21:37

I don't think the prices are "hefty" at all. The price we typically pay for meals in Culebra are comparable to what we pay in Atlanta; in some cases, they are much cheaper than what we pay in Atlanta. For instance, four of us ate at The Fox's Lair, Susie's new restaurant in the Muneco/Resaca area - it was $75, inclusive of an $18 bottle of wine. Our bar tab while waiting for dinner was $12. For $75 in Atlanta, four people would be able to get a couple of appetizers and a bottle of wine (at a restaurant like Chilis, Ruby Tuesday or Applebys - we're not talking anything fancy). There is no bottle of wine on any menu in Atlanta for $18; maybe a split of wine, but not an entire 750ml bottle.

At Juanita Bananas, our tab is usually around $75 for two people, inclusive (now that they have their liquor license) of a bottle of wine. When we ate out for a special occasion in Atlanta last month, we dropped $150(!) on one salad that we split, two entrees, one dessert and a bottle of wine at a restaurant whose food was comparable to Juanita's.

As Kayra so aptly put it, everything is brought over from the main island, and that cost must be figured in.

We find it challenging and creative to visit the grocery stores and make meals from what is available. One of my favorites - angel hair pasta with sun dried tomatoes and artichoke hearts - it can be done - TRUST me on this one. There's even whole wheat pasta in the stores now!

On Culebra, you must be able to roll with the punches to get the most out of the experience.

MJ has a great point about meeting the locals - the very first time we visited Culebra we had dinner with a couple who are now are good friends - at their house at their invitation. It's exactly this Culebra hospitality that led us to have as many friends on the island as we do - six and a half years after that first trip.

Happy Diving!
Debbie

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Re: Food on Culebra
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: MJ (---.prtc.net)
Date:   01-10-07 21:39

What would be a *laid back island price* and what laid back island(s) are we talking about? There is no sarcasm intended here, I'm truly curious, as the islands I know about that are comparable to Culebra in size and locale charge as much or more for dining out, even if it is beach dining. As a former full time and currently part time travel writer in the Caribbean, I love to hear about good deals, especially when great food is involved!

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Re: Food on Culebra
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: steen (---.hsd1.ma.comcast.net)
Date:   01-10-07 21:58

We usually like to spend part of our time camping and part of it in a rental which is what we will be doing again this year. Fish is a great idea--and thanks for the angel hair pasta recipe--we'll give that a whirl.

I appreciate Mj's perspective--having come from living in remote parts of Romania and Nepal as well as Alaska (places that have far less than Culebra) I can appreciate not wanting the crowds and not having everything at your fingertips. I'm not looking for anything on demand--simply inquiring if there are more options than what I've come across.

MJ--you mentioned you like to hit local places that don't have lines. We do too:) Could you name a few?

In my post I was only hoping to get a broader list of restaurants or kiosks that are off the beaten path (rather than the ones I mentioned that we all know about.)
If anyone has any ideas I'd love to hear them. We'll be there for two weeks in Feb and if we dig up anything not listed here will be sure to add them.
Thanks!

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Re: Food on Culebra
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: steen (---.hsd1.ma.comcast.net)
Date:   01-10-07 22:01

We usually like to spend part of our time camping and part of it in a rental which is what we will be doing again this year. Fish is a great idea--and thanks for the angel hair pasta recipe--we'll give that a whirl.

I appreciate Mj's perspective--having come from living in remote parts of Romania and Nepal as well as Alaska (places that have far less than Culebra) I can appreciate not wanting the crowds and not having everything at your fingertips. I'm not looking for anything on demand--simply inquiring if there are more options than what I've come across.

MJ--you mentioned you like to hit local places that don't have lines. We do too:) Could you name a few?

In my post I was only hoping to get a broader list of restaurants or kiosks that are off the beaten path (rather than the ones I mentioned that we all know about.)
If anyone has any ideas I'd love to hear them. We'll be there for two weeks in Feb and if we dig up anything not listed here will be sure to add them.
Thanks!

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Re: Food on Culebra
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Tate Kauffman (---.hsd1.pa.comcast.net)
Date:   01-10-07 22:09

My wife and I were very happy with a liitle place by the ferry dock (Cafe Isola, I believe), that I very much hope is still there and unchanged. They didn't serve dinner, but served substantial tapas and drinks several evenings a week. While the menu was not extensive, what was there was wonderful and reasonably priced.

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Re: Food on Culebra
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Debbie (---.asm.bellsouth.net)
Date:   01-10-07 22:13

Tate - Cafe Isola is no more. However, the owners are working on a new place called The Spot next to Heather's. When I was there last week, it looked like they might be 2-3 weeks away from opening.

Happy Diving!
Debbie

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Re: Food on Culebra
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: MJ (---.prtc.net)
Date:   01-10-07 22:32

I've emailed you some spots, steen. One good thing about Culebra is it is small enough to smell the good food cooking. On the way to Flamenco or Zoni, roadside stands will be there, along with La Pista restaurant across from the airport, Ocean View, up the hill, Tina's which isn't Tina's anymore (La Caboa? Not sure). There is also local food on the ferry dock...
For fishing info, check in with Chris Goldmark, he's excellent!

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Re: Food on Culebra
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: Michael (---.ba-dsg.net)
Date:   01-11-07 17:46

MJ, it's Caobo's.

Enjoy Culebra!

Michael

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Re: Food on Culebra
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: MJ (---.prtc.net)
Date:   01-11-07 19:51

Thanks for the correct spelling.

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Re: Food on Culebra
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: LA_FadeAway (---.biz.mindspring.com)
Date:   01-12-07 02:00

MJ, to answer your question about where is a laid back island with laid back prices... I must say I found true paradise on a little island in the Andaman Sea about an hour or three by ferry from the southern Thaiand coast (depending on which boat you take), named Koh Lipe. Absoultely gorgeous and everything is CHEAP. The most expensive rooms on the island are about $50 U.S. and most are much cheaper. Giant beers are a buck and an entire meal with appetizers and all for two was around $12 and the food was damn good! Like Culebra, they often run out of things and the water and electricity have their moments. That's all part of living a long way from the mainland. I know it's not in the Carribean, but I had to mention it. I just hope too many people don't discover it. Everyone living there is afraid of becoming the next over developed island like Phi Phi or Phuket. Well worth a visit if you're into the laid back island life. Check out pics here:
http://www.mountainresortkohlipe.com/

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Re: Food on Culebra
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: MJ (---.prtc.net)
Date:   01-12-07 17:32

I've heard about those places, as well as places in southern Thailand. One friend went for 3 or 4 months and couldn't spend all his money (2 grand) no matter how hard he tried. That included a cottage on the beach and massage every day, with all meals, as well as traveling around that area of the country. Sounds divine. But no...it's not the Caribbean. And yes, it is being *discovered* so get there quick before everyone says "Oh...you should have been here ____ years ago when it was GREAT!"

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Re: Food on Culebra
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: LA_FadeAway (---.biz.mindspring.com)
Date:   01-12-07 20:09

It's all true, your friend isn't making up any of it! As you said though, it will all be spoiled in time. I hesitate to even give out the names and locations of places like this any more! I'd be going back there in a heartbeat if it wasn't so far and expensive to get there!

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Re: Food on Culebra
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: kris (---.hsd1.mi.comcast.net)
Date:   01-14-07 22:58

Hi..I am coming to Culebra for the first time Sunday March 4th thru Thursday March 8th. We will be camping at Flameno beach. Could I please get a list of the reasonable food places also? Will we have a problem getting in to eat during the week. We wont be there on a weekend. Thank you Fawn

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Re: Food on Culebra
Culebra, Puerto Rico
Author: kris (---.hsd1.mi.comcast.net)
Date:   01-14-07 23:02

I have another question..are there many places to eat in close walking distance to Flamenco campground? We are not picky people at all! Thanks Fawn

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