AmbergrisCaye.com Home Forums The Cayes Ambergris Caye Looking for a restaurant to "dress up" and go to one evening

I wish we could have made it to more of these restaurants while there but, my favorite that we did make it to was Elvi's!!

I agree different tastes for different people. My wife and I just got back from AC and while staying at VH had several great dinners at VH. However, the one night we ventured out, based on recommendations on this thread and others, we went to Capricorn. Was not impressed at all. Maybe it was the fact that we had to pay 35$BZE, $17 for a crabcake appetizer that consisted of one measly little crabcake. And then the entrees were nothing special and overpriced. They were out of the stuffed grouper which was recommended. All in all, the best thing about the evening was the taxi ride up and back. But to each, their own.

Most of the servers in these restaurants have never eaten in a restaurant, and never will.
Most will go home at night to a tiny rented room with dirt floor and shared outhouse.
The lack of understanding shown in some of the e-mails above highlights more about the writer's ignorance than about the ignorance of the servers.

I should stay out of this, since we tend not to go to the more expensive restaurants. But, I have to say that every single wait person we encountered on our recent trip was friendly and competent. I don't want to go to restaurants here and feel like I'm in a fancy restaurant in the states or elsewhere.

I hear you and understand Diane. But doesn't that then invite the question as to where the money is going? If prices charged are equivalent to prices at finer places back home, then the servers should be receiving salaries somewhat commensurate with those at home. Don't you think?

(Even taking into consideration, extra costs due to location.)

The North American assumption that you get more, bigger and better for more money is just not a reflection of local Belizean realities.

There is a reason why America is the fattest country in the world.

And there's another reason I like places like Papi's and Ambergris Delight. Food is good, service is good to great and prices are in line.

I can pay 5 star at home and generally get 5 star for the money.

I was really shocked @ how expensive the restauarants were. If I had my way, I would have just eaten at Ali Baba's everyday.

I certainly didn't expect such a lashing! In no way did I mean to call servers ignorant. My post was absolutely not intended to hit such a nerve. As I previously stated, the managers/owners of restaurants are at fault. It is their responsibility to train the staff especially when they charge the kind of prices they do. It takes very little time to teach the basic and even finer skills of the restaurant floor. The fact that a person has not eaten in a restaurant does not make them unable to learn new skills. Give them some credit! Bartenders aren't born knowing how to mix a good drink, they learned from someone. A trained, skilled restaurant server has the potential to provide a better income for themselves and their families. It is a win - win situation. Enough said on that! Geeez! The best meals I had while in SP were in side street buildings with dirt floors and shared outhouses. I do not consider that a negative or lowly living environment. That is how many live. I would much rather eat and share an evening with a local family run business rather than an expensive restaurant anyday. Actually, fishing all day and bringing the catch to a small out of the way family restaurant to have it prepared with all the delicious island seasonings, rice and beans - sharing with new friends, now that is a perfect and memorable meal. I will never claim to be an expert on Belizean realities but the one thing I do know, the native Belizean people, are the most gracious, generous and serene people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. On the other hand, there are certain individuals not from Belize who live in their private beachfront homes with all the comforts of the privileged who consider themselves authorities on the ethics of Belize and it's people. Appearing compassionate is more often than not a self serving gesture. They will never know the true humility and selfless kindness that comes naturally to most Belizeans. If you come to Belize with an open mind and heart, not looking to benefit, you will leave a better person.