The Caribbean International Food Fair is held each August - An exotic display of food and drink, at St. George's Rectory from 11 a.m. until whenever.

Market Day - Bay Road in Basseterre is held every Saturday morning is Market day. Look for local fish and hand made graters in sizes suitable for nutmeg or coconut. Ask, before taking pictures.

St. Kitts has some of the most delightful and healthy cuisine in the Caribbean. It is clean, fresh and wholesome, with no preservatives. Almost everything is grown locally, but there was a problem getting fresh vegetables after the latest hurricanes ransacked the island. For a while, almost everything had to be imported. After three hurricanes in 18 months, St. Kitts and Nevis bounced back quicker than many of the larger Caribbean islands, and the government is encouraging more local vegetables and crops grown for the local market and for export.

You will find casual beach restaurants, romantic atmosphere restaurants in traditional and unusual surroundings, such as Rawlins Plantation and Ottley's Plantation, elegant restaurants and hotel restaurants. The only all-inclusive resort on the island presently is the Royal St. Kitts/Jack Tar Village. You wear a wristband that informs the staff of your dining at the restaurant.

All the restaurants on St. Kitts and Nevis serve quality food. I never had a bad meal on the island. The water is healthy and clean.

BASSETERRE RESTAURANTS

BALLAHOO
The Circus
P.O. Box 908
Basseterre, St. Kitts
Tel: 465-4197
Fax: 445-7627 or VHF Channel 16
This is simply the best local restaurant hangout on the island, as is Fisherman's Wharf at the Ocean Terrace Inn on the Bay. The Ballahoo is located upstairs from the Island Hopper gift shop, steps away from the Internet Café. The Ballahoo is where the ministers of the government eat, so it has the feel of a local gathering spot and watering hole, and is convenient from anywhere in Basseterre.

Since 1982, the Ballahoo has been Basseterre's most popular restaurant and meeting place, located on the second story overlooking the clock tower. The open-air atmosphere is refreshing after a rain, or anytime.

Fresh seafood, steaks, daily lunch specials and dinner specials, vegetarian selections, snacks are all part of the fare at Ballahoo. Open from 8 a.m. to 10 pm. Closed Sundays. Dinner reservations accepted.

Here is a typical dinner special menu at the Ballahoo:

Pumpkin soup with rolls; Tossed green salad; Chicken sausage and vegetables roasted in rosemary, or; Lobster sub sandwich with fries, or; Chicken in BBQ sauce served with rice or fries, or; Roti with salad or fries.; Vanilla ice cream in chocolate sauce

Take the Carib beer or local version of lemonade. Both are refreshing, as is the soft drink of choice of most islanders - Ting.

BREEZES RESTAURANT
At Sun and Sand Beach Resort
P.O. Box 341
Frigate Bay
St. Kitts
Tel: 869/465-8037
Fax 869/465-6745

CIRCUS GRILL
Basseterre, St. Kitts
Phone 869/465-0143
www.circusgrill.com
Savor international and Caribbean cuisine on the breezy verandah or cool dining room with grilled lobsters, fish kebabs, ribs, chicken steaks and other delights. Open lunch and dinner from Monday through Saturday 11:30 am to 10 p.m.

CRICKET'S ON THE BEACH
Frigate Bay Beach
St. Kitts
869/466-5387
Fax: 869/466-1382
Restaurant and sports bar with great casual American cuisine for lunch and dinner. Amenities include snorkeling, sunfish sailing, lounge chairs and umbrella, outdoor sand and night lighted championship volleyball court. Happy hour is from 6 p.m. - 7 p.m. Sunday and Saturday The Beach Bar is open from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. daily, with pool table, 3-color TV's always set to sporting channels; shower and changing stalls. Open Friday and Saturday from 12 noon to 4 a.m. and Sunday-Thursday from 12 noon-1 p.m.

DOO WOP DAYS
Italian Café
Memory Lane, Frigate Bay
St. Kitts
Tel: 869/465-1960
doowop@caribsurf.com
Stroll down Memory Lane and enjoy the music of the 1950s, 60s and 70s from the Juke Box or occasionally live music. Happy Hour daily from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Enjoy casual dining from tasty pasta, seafood to filet mignon at the only authentic air conditioned Italian restaurant on the island. Sandwiches range from Philly cheese steaks to Italian hoagies. Weekend specials are karaoke, dancing and music. Open from 6 p.m. until whenever. Closed Tuesdays. Speedy take out.

FRIGATE BAY RESORT RESTAURANT
PO Box 137
Basseterre
869/465-8935
Fax 869/465-7050
frigbay@caribsurf.com
www.frigatbay.com

GOLDEN LEMON HOTEL RESTAURANT
for over 35 years the Golden Lemon Hotel has offered both casual and fine dining in a romantic settings. The five cooks proudly present splendid variations on West Indian and International cuisine. Lunch is a la carte. All-inclusive Sunday brunch at about $25US. Complete dinners, by reservation only start at about $35US.

PIZZA PLACE
Basseterre, St. Kitts
Phone 869/465-2546
joejong@caribsurf.com

This air-conditioned restaurant offers all kinds of pizzas and a wide variety of lunch and dinner menus, specialties, beef and chicken roti, conch, and flying fish. Saturday special is goat water.

STONE WALLS TROPICAL BAR - And Eating Place
Princes Street - Basseterre
Tel: 869/465-5248
Stonewalls is honored by Newsweek as one of he World's Best Bars, offering the most innovative dining on the island. There is a constantly changing menu from fiery jerk pork to delicate pasta dishes, all served in a lush tropical garden setting in the heart of Basseterre's Historic Zone. Stroll into the elegant boutique next door, where you can shop. Restaurant open from 6:30 pm to 10 pm. Reservations recommended.

SUNSET CAFE
At Timothy's Beach Resort
Frigate Bay
St. Kitts
Tel: 869/465-8597
Fax: 869/466-7085

NEVIS RESTAURANTS

MISS JUNE'S CUISINE
Tel: 869/469-5330.

At Jones' Estate, this is a restaurant in the home of Nevis's most engaging hostess, is not to be missed. A breathtaking array of nearly 30 dishes, including West Indian, Asian and Continental cuisine is the highlight of the five-course meal. Like a private dinner party, the evening begins and ends with drinks in the living room, where Miss June entertains with endless stories. Reservations mandatory. Accepts MC and VISA.

SEAFOOD MADNESS ON PINNEY'S ROAD

Charlestown, Nevis, twinkles at night with tiny lights, candles and the fresh aromas of lovingly prepared fresh local fish, often dolphin, tuna, and snapper. Spicy Creole and blackened fish and the house specials, along with conch, chicken, steak and ribs. Top it off with a rum punch drink called "Booming Madness" or the smooth and mellow "Tropical Illusion," Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Reservations preferred for dinner. 469/0558. Accepts MC, VISA and American Express.

BANANAS RESTAURANT AND BOUTIQUE
Cotton Ground, Nevis
Tel: 869/469-1891
Escape to the tranquil garden setting of Banana's and watch a glorious sunset while listening to mellow Jazz music. Enjoy delicious home cooking freshly prepared by chef/owner Gillian. Choose from a creative Bistro-style menu with a Caribbean twist. Specialties include French Onion soup, Stuffed Crab Backs "Creole," Thai Curries and fresh fish and seafood dishes, inspired by Gillian's travels.

BEACHCOMBER BAR AND GRILL
On Pinney's Beach, this is waterside dining at its best. A variety of tasty choices from lobster to burgers and is available at lunch and dinner. Daily specials, interesting appetizers and fun cocktails, plus, a terrific boutique - Beachworks- turn a visit into an event, all at reasonable prices. Reservations accepted. Tel: 469/1192. Takes credit cards.

CLA-CHA-DEL
Tel: 869/469-1841 - restaurant
869/469-9067
Delightful West Indian restaurant, with a beautiful view of St. Kitts, famous for its parrotfish, grilled, stewed, or pan-fried. Dine inside for lunch or dinner, or on the lawn for a seaside picnic (watch the egrets come home about 6 pm), or in the evening by starlight. Saturday specials are local goat water and chowder. Boasting the best cocktails on Nevis. Pas, the bartender, will whip up the tastiest mango colada. Open six days, closed Thursday. Lunch noon to 4 p.m. During low season, (summer times), closed a little earlier.

JADE GARDEN RESTAURANT
Phone 469-9762 or 9564.
Day Spa and Health farm located in Newcastle near the airport. Look for sign by the main road. Dine in or take out available. Healthy Italian cuisine. Fresh brick oven pizzas, roti, burritos, fresh baked bread and rolls made daily. Soup, salads and sandwiches, slim teas, vitamins.

MEM'S PIZZARIA
In Prospect Gardens, a cozy little roadside restaurant, offering the height of Caribbean decadence - lobster pizza, oozing with chunks of lobster, seafood, and most of all toppings and cheese. Mem's rivals pizza anywhere. There is "Mem's inferno" (spicy pizza) cheeseburgers, hamburgers, tropical chicken salad, lobster salad, all served on the front porch or inside near the bar. Goat water and conch on Saturdays. Lunch and dinner. Open Sundays and Mondays 6 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.

MURIELI'S CUISINE
Tel: 469/5920.
On Happy Hill in Charlestown, a delightful restaurant in town, with a home-like atmosphere, specializes in "Murieli's Lobster Creole," and a bounty of West Indian dishes. There's rotis, curried goat, and on Saturdays, goat water. Murieli offers popular West Indian lunch buffet on Wednesdays, breakfast, lunch and dinner. Closed Sundays. Reservations preferred for dinner. Accepts AE, MC, and VISA.

UNELLA'S BY THE SEA
Tel: 869/5574
Enjoying all that Nevis has to offer includes a stop at Unella's. Treat yourself to something different, delicious local flavors in an unforgettable setting on the waterfront in Charlestown. Specializing in fresh seafood and delectable West Indian and international dishes. Open from 8 a.m. until whenever.