By Cameron Takacs (BonaireTalker - Post #51) on Thursday, August 26, 2010 - 6:01 pm: |
I have had a good eating experience on Bonaire. Some of the most tasty and well prepared meals I have had. The one thing I can not get over is the service. It is TERRIBLE!! Taking drink orders and then waiting 20 minutes for the wrong drink. Sitting with empty glasses while the meal comes 20 minutes later. Then waiting 20 minutes for a cheque.
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By pat murphy (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2772) on Thursday, August 26, 2010 - 7:26 pm: |
one thing we learned about eating at restaurants on bonaire (in addition to making sure the total is in guilders or dollars) is that you often have to ask for the check. unlike in the states, they consider it rude to put the check on the table until you ask for it...it's like they would be trying to rush you out. i agree that it would be nice if they'd come by more often and ask if you wanted more drinks.
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By Mel Briscoe (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #773) on Thursday, August 26, 2010 - 7:54 pm: |
The worst service I ever experienced was at the Baltimore Inner Harbor.
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By Scot Ward (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #226) on Thursday, August 26, 2010 - 11:03 pm: |
I have had mostly good service a few that where slow but not as slow as you describe. I tend not to go to the more Upscale or Pricey resteraunts.
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By "Barbie"Ruth******Ken's forever love (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4843) on Friday, August 27, 2010 - 1:40 am: |
Coming from a society that is rush, rush, rush, my husband and I have learned that the slower pace of life on Bonaire is refreshing. Yes, it is annoying at times that service is not as fast as we want it to be, but hey! we are on vacation which puts us on island time. Relax and enjoy the time you have on the beautiful island!
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By Vince DePietro-www.bonairebeachcondo.com (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3208) on Friday, August 27, 2010 - 5:34 am: |
Cam...Just as a suggestion. If you order drinks and they don't come in a timely fashion, I get up and work over to the main service area and ask for the owner or politely inquire where are my drinks.. The drinks are usually forthcoming.
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By ***Ron Gould*** (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #2300) on Friday, August 27, 2010 - 9:51 am: |
The squeek gets the oil! LOL
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By Nancy Klune (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #142) on Friday, August 27, 2010 - 12:10 pm: |
We have not had any "bad" service this trip.
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By Lloyd H (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #589) on Friday, August 27, 2010 - 1:34 pm: |
Service is a world wide problem .
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By Diane and Bea (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #736) on Friday, August 27, 2010 - 4:33 pm: |
The worst place we had service at was Cappriccios . Never again to that place. We were not important because we did not order wine. She paid more attention to the next table filling their wines glasses than taking care of the other 6 tables that were full also . Told Lola about the service we received and she just snickered. So no more Cappriccios for us
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By Tom Schamp (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #592) on Friday, August 27, 2010 - 4:38 pm: |
I seldom order wine when eating out either, certainly not a whole bottle.
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By Nancy Zellin (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #7) on Friday, August 27, 2010 - 5:30 pm: |
We went to Capriccio's for the first time last February. I laughed about it afterward, but it was still irritating to have such mediocre food served with such a patronizing and snotty attitude (by Lola). We had a good bottle of wine with dinner, but that didn't seem to make any difference. No more for me either-a good restaurant provides good, friendly service regardless of the price.
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By Jeanine (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #10126) on Friday, August 27, 2010 - 5:33 pm: |
The worst place we ever had service was Banana Tree on our first visit (many years ago). We had to ask for our check over and over and over again. Lunch took 3 hours. It was horrible! We even got up and asked for a manager, who told us to sit down and they would bring it right out. NOT! It took another 20 minutes. I have never gone back.
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By Vince DePietro-www.bonairebeachcondo.com (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3209) on Friday, August 27, 2010 - 5:36 pm: |
Tom..We've always had very good service at Capriccio's. We were there several weeks ago & one of the patrons apparently passed out outside so they had to call an ambulance. Needless to say, Lola was a bit flustered. The place was pretty crowded, the service was "a bit" below par but bearing in mind the circumstances it was quite understandable.
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By Jerry (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #28270) on Friday, August 27, 2010 - 10:32 pm: |
This is a good thread, and I have enjoyed everyone's input. Fact is, Bonaire is running low on good help. Serving tables is a very hard job, nun of us would make it through one night! There are a few places that have gone down hill, poor service, low quality. But, they still are open and people rave. We all expect something different from our dining experience depending on your lifestyle. Look, some think ribs and chicken is fine dining, and that's ok....hell, I love good ribs and a cold beer at times.
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By Skywalker (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #110) on Friday, August 27, 2010 - 10:39 pm: |
No, the service on Bonaire is generally not up to European standards, but the worst service I have ever encountered was New York city.
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By Jerry (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #28274) on Friday, August 27, 2010 - 10:48 pm: |
John, we all learn from our mistakes.
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By Yuval Erlich (BonaireTalker - Post #22) on Friday, August 27, 2010 - 10:59 pm: |
"Keep in mind, we are on vacation.....relax" says Jerry, but for me, good service is part of the dining experience. I think that for most of us, slow, annoying service affects our fun. When on Bonaire I find myself choosing the buffet evenings at the various resorts where you eat decently well [not gourmet, of course], and do it on your own terms and pace.
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By Jerry (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #28278) on Friday, August 27, 2010 - 11:03 pm: |
Yuval, best to know ahead great vs poor.
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By Jerry (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #28279) on Friday, August 27, 2010 - 11:05 pm: |
Want fine dining on Bon? Read the threads.
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By Nico van Tropp (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Saturday, August 28, 2010 - 5:47 am: |
Een gulzige mond is nooit verzadigd. De beste stuurlui staan aan wal.
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By Freddie... Someoneisawizeass (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #14839) on Saturday, August 28, 2010 - 5:53 am: |
Nico I can't get the second sentence please translate...
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By Nico van Tropp (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #2) on Saturday, August 28, 2010 - 5:56 am: |
It is fable. The best steersmen are ashore. (Outsiders think they no better)
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By Freddie... Someoneisawizeass (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #14840) on Saturday, August 28, 2010 - 6:05 am: |
thank you Nico for the translation.. true in so many ways
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By Vince DePietro-www.bonairebeachcondo.com (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3210) on Saturday, August 28, 2010 - 6:20 am: |
here's google's translation of the above..
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By Robert J. Patch (BonaireTalker - Post #43) on Saturday, August 28, 2010 - 11:15 am: |
I've always had good food and prompt service at La Guernica, It Rains Fishes and City Cafe.
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By MONTY FORBESS (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #281) on Saturday, August 28, 2010 - 11:36 am: |
I think Jerry hit the nail on the head..last year mil was with us for the first time and we took her to what seems like one of the bt'ers consensus for special dining...while the service at some of the tables was at what I would consider a superior level..ours was what I would consider sub par...the difference was definitely the person doing the waiting...could also see the owner trying to light a fire under our waitress...did it spoil our evening..absolutely not..wasn't in any hurry at all..wine was good..the view was great..service was just very weak...was just an observation that they seemed very short handed at this particular favorite...the night before we had a meal where the service was great...the food was great..but the price was in my opinion too high..there was only two tables occupied that night and I suspect the price was the reason....always have had wonderful service,food and great time at Donna & Giorgio's..can't wait to see them in november
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By Sharklovers (BonaireTalker - Post #11) on Saturday, August 28, 2010 - 2:39 pm: |
Hey, good thread, and just curious: are the gratuities that servers in Bonaire make split with the staff, or do servers keep all of it? We all know the guidelines here in the States, but I wonder if the servers in Bonaire understand that the better service they provide, the better tips they'll receive? We generally get fair service when dining there - a little on island time, but that's perfectly fine. We do the same as we do at home - we walk in with the server receiving 20 percent - and it's theirs to go downhill from there. If they are ultra slow and just show no motivation to wait on us, their tip goes down...even if we receive "fair" service, but at least the server is doing their best, they'll get the 20 percent.
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By nestor kopko (BonaireTalker - Post #71) on Saturday, August 28, 2010 - 5:36 pm: |
I understand being on Island Time (laid back and casual) but there is no reason for rude or snotty service from service staff, even if customers themselves are the rude ones to begin with. If you like a certain restaurant maybe ask for someone else to be your server. Sometimes, that gets the message across.
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By writingdiver (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Sunday, August 29, 2010 - 10:03 am: |
I left Holland quite a few years ago, looking for a more laid back life. I found it here on Bonaire. But I realized everything good has something bad in it as well. One of the things is the often too laid back attitude of local restaurant staff. It annoys me too, but when I change my way of looking at it I get a different experience. Most waiters do their best, and quite a few even enjoy their job if you find the right button to push. You don’t get your food any quicker, but it’s a lot more fun. Just relax and don’t hurry. Plan for 2 hours of dining and enjoy it. It’s an inevitable part of the Bonaire experience.
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By George Blanchard (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #391) on Sunday, August 29, 2010 - 11:50 am: |
We have been traveling to Bonaire for 15 years for at least 2 weeks per year. This equates to nearly 200 dinners and about 100 lunches. We have had some excellent service but very rarely poor service. For the most part our wait staff has been affable and competent. We take our time eating and try to enjoy the ambiance and the food. Remember, it is all part of your vacation experience.
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By Pietri Hausmann (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #450) on Sunday, August 29, 2010 - 12:03 pm: |
just remember your server is paid the minimum... just about 4 $ an hour -- tips go into a common "pot" generally distributed once a month and everyone -- including the owners get a piece of the pie ... so a tip is not just for your server ... often if the tip is put on a credit card the server will not ever see the gratuity in their pocket .. this is a foreign country and a very different culture .. what you are asking is just one more thing the bonairians are pressured to learn .. service is not taught in any school here and most are trying their best .. remember .. how many cultures a Bonanairians works with everyday and languages .. are you fluent in a minimum of 4 languages .. the bonairians are.. I am in tourism and i try my best .. but i can't please everyone .. remember your patience and look at it from our side .. in our culture here we take it as it comes and accept things for what it is . enjoy what it is .. and power up your sense of humor
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By Scot Ward (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #228) on Sunday, August 29, 2010 - 12:41 pm: |
I like this thread just more reasons that big travel groups and such should go to Aruba or Curacao leave the tiny island with poor customer service alone for god sakes there's no starbucks or hard rock cafe how can it be civilized! The diving isn't that great they let you go off all by yourself or with your group with NO ADULT supervision like a DIve master!
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By matthew (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #160) on Tuesday, August 31, 2010 - 9:58 am: |
The way I see it, A bad meal with sub par wait staff at any restaurant on Bonaire is far more enjoyable that an great meal with great service at any restaurant in the midwest. Relax and enjoy your on Bonaire!
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By Jerry (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #28368) on Tuesday, August 31, 2010 - 10:44 pm: |
I like your thinking Matthew.
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By Remco van Reeuwijk (BonaireTalker - Post #15) on Wednesday, September 1, 2010 - 11:05 am: |
I've been to Bonaire several times and never had any problems with service. On the contrary. In 2007 I went to Maiky Snack withfriends and family. The owner was about to close, but when I asked him to stay, he served the 15 of us a good meal; filled up the watercan without being asked to do so and even served us cool beer. we had a great time there and the owner got a good tip. I will be having lunch at Maiky this year :-)
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By Lloyd H (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #592) on Wednesday, September 1, 2010 - 1:40 pm: |
As a last resort...
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By Vince DePietro-www.bonairebeachcondo.com (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3213) on Wednesday, September 1, 2010 - 5:02 pm: |
Nice touch underlining it with mustard!
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By Jerry (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #28382) on Wednesday, September 1, 2010 - 5:33 pm: |
Lloyd, I love it
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By Nick Ferraro (BonaireTalker - Post #11) on Sunday, September 26, 2010 - 11:26 am: |
My wife and I just returned from a week on Bonaire. In all but 1 case service was very good to excellent. We met either the chef and/or owner at most and food at each was very good or excellent. Casablanca was our favorite; if I didn't like to try new places so much I could have happily eaten there every day. The one place where we had poor service still had good food. They appeared to be doing a large take out business (a Saturday night) and might have been understaffed. Others in our party had been there before and I've seen good reviews so I'd be inclined to give them another chance. Everybody has an off night now and then.
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By KOB (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #186) on Sunday, September 26, 2010 - 1:49 pm: |
I second Nick's comments. We just got back from a week on island and had reasonably good service at Bobbejans, Mona Lisa, Paradise Moon, Pasa Bon Pizza, etc.
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By Chris Colton (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #1) on Wednesday, October 13, 2010 - 1:50 pm: |
I have visited Bonaire 29 times in 10 years. This is a Caribbean island and not a fast-food emporium. Relax, folks. The food is almost always good. Plan to make lunch or dinner an event.
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By Lloyd H (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #596) on Wednesday, October 13, 2010 - 4:05 pm: |
Welcome to BT Chris . I pretty much agree with your post other than the bit about rude service in USA . I am from Canada and find USA has set the standards for fast friendly service , however , my experiences are all West Coast and Southern States . I have not visited the East Coast of the USA .
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By michael gaynor (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #4159) on Thursday, October 14, 2010 - 1:14 pm: |
Of course you must take into consideration that when Chris goes out for dinner, he has one of the nicest and most attractive ladies on the island with him most of the time. He gets the best table, the best service and lots of attention.
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By Jerry (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #29170) on Thursday, October 14, 2010 - 8:47 pm: |
Dear god Michael, you are such a kiss ass, you out of coffee again? Just a joke. I want Michael to run for office on Bon. Gov Mike, sounds good.
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By Glen Reem (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3260) on Thursday, October 14, 2010 - 9:15 pm: |
A barefoot gov'ner!!!! In the Council rooms??? Perhaps appropriate to Bonaire but the Dutch might shy from that!!! :–)
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By Jerry (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #29172) on Thursday, October 14, 2010 - 9:21 pm: |
We need to set up a BT fund to buy Mike some shoes.
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By Bob - RE/MAX Bonaire - bonairehomes.com (BonaireTalker - Post #51) on Friday, October 15, 2010 - 9:36 am: |
Actually, I saw Michael in shoes yesterday!! I couldn't believe it either.
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By KOB (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #223) on Friday, October 15, 2010 - 10:46 am: |
I saw Michael in flip flops ... does that count ??
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By philip gelber (BonaireTalker - Post #49) on Tuesday, October 19, 2010 - 3:44 pm: |
My take after 18 trips in 22 years...
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By Denise K (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2808) on Tuesday, October 19, 2010 - 7:14 pm: |
side note:
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By Jerry (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #29224) on Tuesday, October 19, 2010 - 9:18 pm: |
Phillip, sorry you went through that. can you please expand on it? Whare, when, and what night?
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By Scot Ward (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #250) on Tuesday, October 19, 2010 - 9:51 pm: |
Hi Denise we ate at Pasa Bon Pizza two weeks ago and it was awesome! The gentleman that was running it has been the same for the last few years that we have been going. I don't know his name but he is always nice to us.
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By R.A.... (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #16962) on Tuesday, October 19, 2010 - 10:24 pm: |
Denise, Joe and Lisa are still there
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By Denise K (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #2809) on Wednesday, October 20, 2010 - 6:31 am: |
Thank you R.A...
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By newjerseynets1988@yahoo.com (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #2) on Thursday, December 16, 2010 - 8:24 pm: |
If there is a restaurant i would recommend to keep away from, it would be pasa bon pizza. The owner as well as the workers are quite rude and dont excell at proper customer service. Sadly, he is supposedly from New york, you would think he acquired good customer service skills??...Definitely not a favorite anymore. They take too long with food orders and with a snotty attitude.
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By Antony Bond (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #745) on Friday, December 17, 2010 - 5:41 am: |
Newjerseynets.
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By Vince DePietro-www.bonairebeachcondo.com (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3348) on Friday, December 17, 2010 - 7:06 am: |
Antony..Well said..But personally I try to take little heed nor pay any attention to posters who hide behind made up names. More often than not, they are disingenuous and what they write is as silly as their sign in names.
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By Antony Bond (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #746) on Friday, December 17, 2010 - 8:10 am: |
You are of course right Vince.
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