By Scott Phillips (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #226) on Tuesday, September 13, 2005 - 5:35 pm: |
Just wanted to pose a question to visitors and residents to see if anyone has any thoughts.
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By Captain Tribble (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #973) on Tuesday, September 13, 2005 - 6:39 pm: |
Hi Scott! I hope you receive some informative responses to your post. When I was just there, Aug 6-13, we encountered two places that "ran out of fish." We were surprised by this and maybe it was part of the same phenomenon that you experienced. Any one out there know what is going on?
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By Mare (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1058) on Tuesday, September 13, 2005 - 8:26 pm: |
We were in Bonaire during that time period and we were told that 'there aren't a lot of fish this week'. So we didn't order fish.
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By Captain Tribble (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #974) on Tuesday, September 13, 2005 - 10:18 pm: |
Mare, we did the same thing and just ordered something else. Kind of a mixed blessing because in one case I had my heart set on fish pizza, but ended up with the BEST sausage pizza I have ever had. Cheers!
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By Glen Reem (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2169) on Wednesday, September 14, 2005 - 12:52 am: |
Sunday the 4th was the 14th Annual Bonaire fishing contest for the local fishermen. Most of the market fishermen were likely involved. Preparations and all that goes with the contest may have cut down on that week's market fishing.
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By Tami Lamb (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #109) on Wednesday, September 14, 2005 - 10:32 am: |
I don't know how true this is but once at a restaurant we asked about the fresh fish and were told that everything you get in a restaurant is going to be frozen and flown in. From what I have seen it could very well be true unless you find a place that really tries to get to the fish market. (IS there a fish market or is everything in the supermarket? And is that frozen?)
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By Scott Phillips (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #229) on Wednesday, September 14, 2005 - 10:44 am: |
I recall a time when the Green Parrot restaurant was still open at Sand Dollar and we watched them bring in a huge wahoo that was still kicking. This was definitely not frozen. We said "we want some of that" and were rewarded with an outstanding meal. I suspect that while some of the fish may be imported, there are restaurants serving fresh fish. Hopefully some Bonaire-resident BTers will chime in with their knowledge. I'm pretty sure that just like restaurants in the US, this varies from restaurant to restaurant, menu item to menu item, and day to day. Obviously, your only chance for getting fresh fish on Bonaire would critters that can be caught locally, like wahoo, snapper, grouper, barracuda, reef runner and tuna.
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By Debbie Babcock (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2102) on Wednesday, September 14, 2005 - 11:50 am: |
I was on Bonaire from August 19th to Sept. 3rd and I remember a sign outside at Will's Tropical Grill advertising "Fresh Mahi Mahi" and I know hubby had some great fresh fish at Lions Den while we were there. It was a wahoo special BTW.
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By Floris (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #5) on Wednesday, September 14, 2005 - 11:53 am: |
Most restaurants on Bonaire will always try to serve fresh fish. There is not really a fish market but you can pass by most of the fishermen homes. They call the restaurants when the get back from their fishing trip to lett them know what they caught and they bring that over. Thats why most places have catch of the DAY on the menu since you never know what they catch and sometimes the variety is very limited. Of course for different reasons sometimes the catch is low (big holi(party)days,tournament or just bad weeks). For this reason some restaurant will have to freeze some fish as a back up or order the vacuum packed fillet with there wholesaler.
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By Mrs. Limpet (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #992) on Wednesday, September 14, 2005 - 4:24 pm: |
Debbie, Chibi Chibi, are you talking about the new General Manager of the resort, or is Chibi Chibi owned privately? Just curious! In the Bonaire Reporter about a month ago, they highlighted the new General Manager of the Divi, and changes that he was going to make...
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By Larry Gross (BonaireTalker - Post #31) on Wednesday, September 14, 2005 - 5:24 pm: |
I know Richard's Restaurant the best, and he buys fresh fish daily, and I'm sure others do as well. Actually there are several fish markets, including Dui's (various spellings) next door to Richards, where you, too, can buy fish. Shrimp and conch are not local or fresh.
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By Sue (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #119) on Wednesday, September 14, 2005 - 8:59 pm: |
During Aug and into Sept the fishing was slow. In part due to prep for the fishing contest and just not a lot of fish being caught.
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By Debbie Babcock (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2106) on Thursday, September 15, 2005 - 11:55 am: |
I am not sure if the restaurant is privately owned now that you mentioned it, just thought that the resort owned it too. Something to look into, I guess. All I know is that since the new General Manager took over, things at the restaurant certainly have improved. Not sure if he has anything to do with it or not, may be coinsedence, but we were very pleased dining there.
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By michael gaynor (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1935) on Friday, September 16, 2005 - 8:27 am: |
Flamingo owns Chibi Chibi...Also, when it is very windy, the fisherman generally do not venture out too far thus less fish..
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By Mrs. Limpet (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #993) on Friday, September 16, 2005 - 10:43 am: |
Thanks Michael! That's what I thought. Good to know that service has improved...we've always found the food good, but often the service more than island time slow (we are the only one's there and it takes an hour to get an appetizer and drink)
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By Brian (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1187) on Saturday, September 17, 2005 - 2:34 am: |
Thanks Floris
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By BEVERLY A FILLIO (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #118) on Saturday, October 1, 2005 - 12:30 am: |
We too were at the Green Parrot when a large fish was carried thru to the kitchen and our waiter came back and said "" we now have fresh wahoo also"" doesn't get much fresher than that. At the Fruit of the Sea a forerunner to it rains fishes they had some of the best fish I have ever had in my travels anywhere. Can't
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By john lyons (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #4) on Thursday, October 6, 2005 - 11:49 pm: |
Assuming there's supply What are the top 5 best (fresh) fish restaurants on Bonaire?
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By Nadine Rubin (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #113) on Friday, October 7, 2005 - 3:38 pm: |
I think there are more than 5 and it would be a tough call!
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By Rich Penksa (BonaireTalker - Post #66) on Wednesday, October 12, 2005 - 1:39 am: |
I can only add this. I have deep sea fished on Bonaire twice, and for the only time in my life no one on the boat received so much as a bite, both times, eight hours of fishing each time. Different seasons. Once December, another July. I too believe their gourmet type fish is brought in (Halibut, Swordfish, Tuna, Snapper,Wahoo, hell the grouper are mostly small when seen diving!) That being said, I love the dining on Bonaire, frozen or not!
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By Ruth van Tilburg (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #428) on Wednesday, October 12, 2005 - 10:41 am: |
The tuna, snapper, wahoo & dorado served in restaurants are all caught locally--wahoo is the most common 'catch of the day.' Local grouper is available occasionally. Snapper & Grouper are harder to come by, and therefore cost more (prices for fish are regulated by the government-there is a minimum charge/kg to protect the fishermen). In most cases, you have to put in a request for tuna (so the fishermen saves it for you & doesn't cut it up for bait), as it is not a popular fish with the local market. Marlin is caught here--someone like Wil, at Wil's Tropical Grill will take that & smoke it in his smoker (yum).
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By Jack Brewer (BonaireTalker - Post #22) on Thursday, October 13, 2005 - 5:22 pm: |
Fresh Tuna being cut up for bait ... that just ain't right. Outside of Mahi Mahi, Tuna & Sword are my favorite eatin fish.
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