Felicidades to all!

Things are picking up around Isla Nena. Lots of people spent Thanksgiving in paradise so there was more activity than we have been used to lately. People are beginning to decorate their homes for the holidays. Some neighborhoods really go all out with lots of lights and it reminds me of home, without the snow of course! Many of the regular “snow birds” have arrived for the winter which makes for more socializing. In all December is a festive month and there are lots of activities for all to enjoy.

Many of you who follow the column monthly know of all the restaurant changes. Unfortunately I have not been able to visit all of them yet but the reports are good. I did get to Café Media Luna once to sample the new menu and what I had was terrific. They call the new menu the “4 Tastes” and it includes a few items under the categories of tart, spicy, salty and I believe sweet. The prices encourage guests to try several of the items and make sure you save room for Monica’s delicious desserts! Blue Macaw at the Inn on the Blue Horizon is getting great reviews, I intend to get there very soon. They are serving food at the bar as well as on the terrace. The bar menu features sandwiches and lite meals as well as anything also served on the terrace. People say the portions are very generous, reasonably priced and very tasty! The terrace menu is more elegant and priced a bit higher but still very reasonable. It is the most beautiful spot on the island to enjoy a cocktail and/or dinner, be sure to check it out. I am now working at the Island Cafe everyone is enjoying the food there, me included! Kristen is doing a great job in the kitchen and the menu is great, something for everyone. The prices are fantastic, starting at $14 for an entrée. The piñon, a local casserole made with mashed plantains and meat filling, is wonderful and very filling. This is definitely one of the best values on the island! Barry and Diane just opened at the Posada Vista Mar and again I have not had the opportunity to try it but heard that it was fabulous. If Barry is cooking it has to be good! Hopefully I will have more news soon on that. Duffy just reopened Chez Shack this weekend as well. It looks like it will mostly be grilled foods and they of course continue with the world famous Monday grill night with steel drum music! If the menu is similar to what he did the end of the summer he should do very well throughout the winter. Oasis will be offering a new menu starting Dec. 5th. I tend to get in a rut there as
I love the sesame seared tuna, actually I think it is an addiction to wasabi that keeps me going back for it. I also love the sandwiches they have on the menu. It looks like they have a new bartender in training named Warrick! He is from Australia and does not know how long he is staying but I just love listening to him talk. He is just another in the long list of fun wait staff that tends to gravitate to the Oasis. I heard too that the Tiki Hut just opened in Esperanza and that the sandwiches were huge and very good, only complaint was that it took a long time to get the food. I am sure that as the season goes on that the time factor will improve and she will be getting the food out quickly. Banana’s has been sold and the new owners are now permanent residents here on Vieques. Glenn and Wynne are a really nice couple and they aren’t looking to make any changes until they get comfortable in their new position. Colleen remains in the position of manager to assist and teach them about the restaurant/guest house business. Liz is back from her summer up north and is cooking up a storm at La Sirena. Charlotte has done an amazing job with the new upstairs dining room, her floor that she designed and painted is really beautiful. According to Francois they too will have a new winter menu soon. Things stay the same at Trade Winds, one of the most popular dining spots on the island. David is known for his menu and his consistently great food at reasonable prices. I have always loved the dining room at Trade Winds and had a great meal there a few weeks ago. Everett continues to cook  breakfast and lunch there as well, which is always popular. One of the amazing things about the Trade Winds is that the employees never leave! Candy, Dominique and Tully are still all there to serve you!

Tom Venters of Vieques Flowers and Gifts has a truly amazing selection of things in his little store. I am always surprised that he can fit everything in there! He has been busy doing flower arrangements as well as manning the store. He does have some help these days as Joanne Hamilton is helping out part time there and loving it! He is hosting a “Shop ‘til you Drop” day on the 8th where he will donate some of the proceeds to the Vieques Humane Society. Chef Michael will be offering cheese and wine for the event as well as opening his new store to the public that day! We are all excited about Michael opening up for business. Another new gift shop just opened at the Water’s Edge. Erin is selling some cute things, nice sarongs, and doing some gift baskets there. Peter is getting new merchandise all the time so that Kim’s Cabin will be well stocked for the winter. He does have the best clothing selection on the island and great jewelry. He also has some really neat coconut fish that someone is making for him. These are a great gift item, very creative and colorful, make sure you check them out. Beach Doggies reopens for the season this month. John and Judy have a great selection of art, oddities and recycled furniture, this is a fun place to browse!

 

December What's Happenin' Calendar
December 6th	Puppet Show at the Multi-use center at 1pm Traveling Serenade by the Tuna los Bardos through businesses
December 7th	Christmas begins with Tony Mapeye perfoming at 7pm – Plaza Spanish Tapas at Oasis call 741-0655
December 8th	Shop ‘til you Drop at Vieques Flowers and Gifts 12-4pm Chef Michael’s in Esperanza opens
December 11th	Bingo at El Sombrero Viejo 6pm- benefits the Vqs Humane Society
December 13, 14, 15th	Christmas on the Malecon, shopping passport, prizes. Look for the Big Red Bows! Stores open until 7pm
December 13th	Christmas Lighting Ceremony in the Plaza after dust
December 14th	Gift Giving to the children – in the Plaza in the morning Christmas Concert by San Juan Choral Group 7pm at the Peace and Justice Camp across from Camp Garcia
December 15th	Raw Bar at Island Café 4-8pm, call 741-0033 for info. Beach Doggies in Bravos to Boston opens for the season
December 21st	Fifth Christmas Show by Ramon Silva at the Plaza Wet and Wild Night at Oasis, special pool performance!
Christmas Eve	– Make sure to make reservations early at your favorite restaurant!
Christmas Day	– Make Reservations early!
New Years Eve	Music at the Plaza after Midnight! Free Rootsticks with Fernando Ferrer at the Oasis 10pm. Call 741-0655 Prix Fixe Dinner at La Sirena with live music. 741-4462 Champagne Party at the Blue Macaw by reservation – 741-3318 Party at the Mar Azul
Daily Events
Sundays	Happy Hour 4-8 at La Central NFL Football on the big screen at Amapola Paella Special at Trade Winds
Mondays	Conch Specials at the Island Café – 741-0033 Pool Party at Oasis, food and drink specials 4-7pm $1 Medalla beer night at Banana’s Sunset Happy Hour at La Sirena, 4-6pm, 2 for 1 well drinks Reggae Grill Night at Chez Shack by reservation
Tuesdays	Happy Hour at Island Café, chance to win bar tab! 5-7pm $1.50 Cuba Libre, all day and night at La Central
Wednesdays	Ribs at Tropico, call 741-4000 Bohemian Night and Happy Hour at La Central
Thursdays	Live Music at La Sirena, steel drum music (starting 12/19) Roberto’s Dinner Special and Oldies Night at Mar Azul
Fridays	Jazz at Tropico, 9:30pm guess the artist and win a rib dinner! Classics Night at La Central – free wine for the ladies Live Music at Oasis 7-11pm
Fridays and Saturdays	Paella at Tropico
Saturdays	Live Music and Happy Hour at La Central 8-12pm

As you can see there are lots of activities going on, lots of social events and lots of fun. This is all typical of the winter here in Vieques, we all work more in the winter trying to make your visit to Vieques a pleasant one.

It sounds like Christmas is completely booked on the island, all the rental cars are spoken for, most hotel rooms are reserved and many of the houses are rented as well. We should be rocking and rolling for a few weeks anyway. I am looking forward to the holidays as I have many family members arriving in town for New Years, it will be hectic but nice to have a family gathering in Vieques.

Hope all of you enjoy a great holiday wherever you are and a Very Happy 2003!

Judy

PS: If there is anything you would like to see in the newsletter or have any feedback please email Ask Judy. Thanks.  askjudy@enchanted-isle.com 

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