Thanksgiving Day

When we scheduled this trip we knew we would be traveling over Thanksgiving and figured we'd have a very non-traditional dinner this year.

Our first dinner in Dominica -- at the hotel's restaurant,which the guidebook had recommended -- was disappointing and odd.  We seemed to be the only people there....a theme that would continue for our 4-day stay.  Our second dinner was at another guidebook recommendation and was ok but nothing special, and we selected it in great part because it had easy parking which is quite rare here.  Our third dinner was at a place we identified on-line, was quite good, was easy to get to and had good parking.  Our only critique was that the music was a short loop of mostly Christmas music and Brahm's Lullaby, and after hearing most of it twice we weren't interested in hearing the lullaby for a third time. I was amused that it was called "Palisades Restaurant" having attended schools with Palisades in the names.

We decided to return there tonight. We parked and went upstairs to the restaurant.  It was closed.  Huh? On a Thursday night?  We were told dinner was elsewhere tonight and were escorted.  It wasn't quite over the river and through the woods, but it was down some stairs, up some stairs, up an elevator, across the way, and down some more stairs or something  like that.  I'm pleased to say that even without a GPS we were able to reverse course after eating and return to our car without making any wrong turns.  

In the elevator we noticed an advertisement for Black Friday which seemed odd.  Then we saw a sign for a  Thanksgiving buffet which seemed even odder  We commented and our guide noted that they have lots of American guests and want to keep them happy.  He then asked where we were from -- the States -- which one -- Oregon -- I don't know that one it's not in the NBA -- we're in Portland -- oh I know Portland, the Trailblazers. We hadn't sought out a Thanksgiving meal, but when one appeared we figured we'd give it a try.

When we arrived yesterday's server instantly recognized us and welcomed us like long-lost friends.
It turned out to be a fairly traditional meal with a bit of a local twist: soup, bread, salad, green beans, rice, mashed potatoes, turkey, cranberry relish, cornbread stuffing, gravy, and dessert.  Local items included the passionfruit vinaigrette, a mahi mahi main dish, and the desserts which were creme brulee and a sorbet.  A pleasant and tasty surprise.

We're both pretty sure that this is our first Thanksgiving dinner with live music.  It was mostly Christmas music, with a singer, a steel drummer, and a synthesizer.  And no lullabies, despite the tryptophan and the opportunity to have seconds..