TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands Casual eating on Tortola

Hey Guys,

My apologizes if this has been posted before - I searched the archives best I could and didn't find anything but I'm sure I'm not the only one to wonder.

Anyway, we are going to be on Tortola for a week in March and while we plan to eat at the likes of Banakeet, The Sugar Mill and some of the other favorites we are also interested in some more "hole in the wall" type places. We will be diving a few days and sometimes its just nice to settle into a couple of beers and some fried fish after a long day diving rather than a more proper fine dining restaurant. We will be staying in the Carrot Cay area but have a rental car.

I think you will love "Gene's" in Carrot Bay at Ke Villas next to the graveyard. Gene and her husband Robin ran the amazing " Cruzin" just down the road and now have their own place with the same menu...

If staying in Carrot Bay, You'll have to try the new restaurant at Ke Villas called Gene's. Great little spot and if you get to try her pumkin soup, consider yourself very lucky!

Also, right in the neighbourhood is D' Coal Pot on Zion Hill Road ... about a mile and a half away. I think it qualifies as a hole in the wall. But I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Ooops ... sorry Mal, I was writing as you were posting I guess.

We are staying at Ke Villas so the fact that two of you recommended Gene's makes it a top choice! Thanks!

It's pretty close to go over the hill to Cane Garden, so definitely can recommend the Elm BBQ and also Myett's Happy Hour!

"D' Coal Pot" is moving into the "Palm's Delight" spot...we will really miss "Palm's Delight" and the ginger wine chicken...lots of folks love "D Coal Pot"..we have not been so thrilled by it..

#3 for Gene's in Carrot Bay. Lovely setting with cooling breezes, nice decor, friendly and prompt service; and smart, mega-clean restrooms. Oh...and the menu/food quality is as fantastic as ever! Well done Gene and Robin on a great set-up. You're going to have a really busy season!

Mal, you don't have to miss the ginger chicken. The family that owns Palm's delight is Evelyn's (owner of D' Coal Pot) husband's family. As of November 2015, a new item appeared on the menu. Ginger wine chicken breast. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Also, the old Palm's Delight building is a little past saving. Evelyn is building a new place in that spot. Should be open by June or July or whenever things work out ... BVI time.

FYI, I believe Gene's is closed on Tuesday.

I did try their version of Ginger Wine Chicken when they had that open house at Palm's..sadly it was not close..hoping that will change!

I am afraid we will never see Iona's ginger wine chicken again. Like a lot of southern pulled pork, it is a simple recipe tied to one person. The recipe on BVIPirate is accurate but there is more to it than the printed word can impart. A couple of years ago I had a chance to talk to Iona for a long time about my attempts and she explained in detail the seasoning and thickening of the sauce but though my version is close it is only a thin shaddow of Iona's.

Then again, a lot of it could be the feel and atmosphere that Iona and Sonny gave Palm's Delight that can't be duplicated.

Although not exactly close to Carrot Bay, one of my favorite legitimate local places is the Midtown on Main Street. It's truly a local joint, although the proprietor, Gloria, is no amateur. Homemade everything - local fish, conch stew, souse, goat water soup,roti - you name it (depending on the day, of course).
And the piece de resistance - locally made ginger beer and mauby.
Gloria is quite the colorful character, and an old friend (please give her a hug for me).
As an historical anecdote, the basement of the Midtown used to be a 'dive' bar, that the cast of the movie 'The Deep' discovered, and frequented during filming. It used to have a huge shark head hanging over the entrance. Of course the shark and the bar are long gone. It's just used for storage now.

I absolutely love Palm's Delight!!!!

I am so sad to not be able to eat at Palms Delight again. Was truly one of my fave's and the first restaurant I ate on my first trip. It will always hold a special memory. As will the signature dish!

Does anyone know when D'Coal Pot is closing??

D' Coal Pot isn't closing ... they are moving to Carrot Bay but that won't take place until sometime in June, July or whenever the new building is ready.

Has anyone tried Giorgio's new restaurant?

Have not tried "Georgio's" but only heard good things although I doubt you'd call it "casual eating"!For another amazing upmarket meal check my post on " Scaramouche"!

No one will ever replace the Roti Palace BUT Ruby at the Roti Queen in Raod Town comes close. Her small six table restaurant is upstairs above Serendipity Book Store on Main Street. Almost across from the Midtown Cafe

Friday night "popup cafe" on the roadside at the foot of Zion Hill across the street from da Coal Pot. To die for!

pls tell me more about the "popup cafe" we will be down 2/11/2016 and will be staying right in the area of zions hill road

Is that the same as the "Fish Fry" that used to be on Friday night with the bar set up in the hollowed out tree? If so that was a lot of fun AND good food.

Yes.

Now I'm envious as you get to walk down to that. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" />

Another amazing meal at "Gene's" last night...Candace and "Paddleboard" Susan had huge lobsters..I stopped by in the afternoon and asked Gene is she had any steak...she didnt but asked hubby Robin to pick a nice ribeye up for me..I had the most delicious, perfectly seasoned ribeye with some of the best fries I have ever had...If Gene has it she'll cook it for you..if she doesn't she'll do her best to get it for you..is that service or what??

Ready to eat lobster with C again! Can't wait to make it happen!! And can't wait to have it prepared by Gene!!