Introducing the newly re-opened Cultured Pelican!

My new place of employment, the Cultured Pelican, has always been my favorite restaurant on the island. How happy was I to have been given the opportunity to work there under brand new ownership and management! The decor and menu have been updated, with a new and improved wine list coming soon and distinct Italian beer. Executive chef, Rob Cone, assisted by our new stateside boys, Jason and Bruno, are cooking up culinary masterpieces in the kitchen for dinner seven days a week from 5pm to 9:30 and Sunday brunch from 10am to 3pm. The setting couldn't be more perfect, overlooking the sparkling blue Caribbean waters with a view of Buck Island National Monument. On clear days we can see the islands across the water; the other US Virgin Islands and a few of the British. While setting up for dinner service the staff is treated to amazing sunsets which paint the sky with the most delightful hues. Most evenings we also see the historic schooner the Roseway as it creeps across the harbor on its daily sunset sail. The Roseway's likeness also graces one of the walls of the restaurant and coming soon; photographs by local artist and friend Steph Schoyer.

The tables are covered with butcher paper, complete with crayons for customers' entertainment, so if you are coming to dinner, bring your inner artist or inner child! I truly believe the adults have more fun with the crayons than the kids! Romantic corner tables for two are available and we can accommodate most larger groups as well.


Dinner and wine specials are handwritten on our blackboards nightly with selections from the grill and the best of what our local fisherman have to offer. Steaks, seafood and traditional Italian dishes such as chicken, veal and eggplant parmesan are paired with risotto and vegetables or your choice of house-made pastas. Warm, fresh baked rolls and foccacia bread sticks are served with our white bean puree topped with roasted garlic, olive oil, balsamic reduction and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese for dipping. Desserts are fresh made and change daily, with our signature dish, an indulgent Pina Colada Tiramisu - like the traditional Italian delight, with lady fingers soaked in painkiller instead of espresso - a Caribbean twist on an old favorite!

For Sunday brunch, enjoy specialty cocktails such as our fresh squeezed orange juice mimosas, garnished with a juicy orange slice, our famous, "Bloody Mary & the Boys," a pint glass sized bloody mary, topped with three large shrimp, pickled asparagus, green olive and lime or the caipirinha; a refreshing cocktail similar to the mojito but without mint, prepared with cachaça, a rum derived from sugar cane as opposed to molasses. Specialty breakfast hash includes traditional corned beef or our famous lobster hash, along with Chef's occasional specials; chicken rosemary or roast beef, served with eggs any style and choice of toast. Before your meal, we'll tempt your appetite with delicious, fresh baked muffins and scones, all served to you while enjoying the best view on the island!


Can't beat that!

It's a good week to be thankful

Somethings happen in our lives and remind us of all we have to be thankful for and appreciate. Sometimes these experiences are good and sometimes bad, but they help us to appreciate the beauty in this life and the magic that surrounds us all - if we let it in.

This week I found myself with another severe and potentially life altering medical condition - one which could have caused me to lose sight in one of my eyes. As a creator of art in many forms, this was scary, emotional and concerning at best. At the end of the day, I am remaining positive and know that whatever the outcome, I will take it in stride as I have everything in my life. Through the process, doctor's visits, pharmacy runs, questions concerns and reaching out for help, I have realized what an amazing group of people I have in my life. In tough times, you really do find out who your true friends are, and I am a lucky, lucky girl to have so many wonderful people on my side.

(Michael and I at a 'Razzle Dazzle' outing)
This week has also brought about another one of those experiences that often takes a leap of faith but ends up paying off in so many ways. More stories to be filed under the "rocking chair" category, as a friend once put it to me. Stories and memories that I will have for years to come, and will be telling to those around me when I am a crazy old lady and on (or possibly off) my rocker, reminiscing about the life I lived, the risks I took and the opportunities I embraced. Remembering the good and the bad, how far I've come, all I've accomplished and everything I have learned along the way. These are the moments...

(me helping Captain Al fly back from Virgin Gorda in 2008)

In my life I continue to find new levels of happiness I never thought possible. Life is truly amazing, today is a beautiful day to be alive and there is so much to be thankful for!

Slowing Down and Simple Pleasures

Life has been hectic, busy, overwhelming at times - but wonderful. I have entered the restaurant worker world, as a server for the newly re-opened Cultured Pelican in Coakley Bay. The Pelican has always been my favorite restaurant on island, for many reasons, the food, the view, the ambiance... I consider myself truly blessed to have been given the opportunity to work there, and especially to get in at the beginning of something so brand new and exciting! It was perfect timing, when the new owner and friend, Mitchell, approached me while I ate brunch at Rum Runners in Christiansted one day, hopelessly looking through the help wanted ads and offered me a job! So far, the Pelican has offered me new friendships and new knowledge in food, wine and fine dining. I am enjoying the lessons I am learning across the board. I truly love what I am doing and the hours certainly allow for more enjoyment of this beautiful island and for other exciting projects!

Today, I was able to slow down and enjoy life a bit again, since it is my day off (except for a wine class/ tasting at the Pelican this afternoon) I got up early and headed out to the beach this morning. It was absolutely perfect! The air has cooled, as has the water and the delicate Caribbean breezes have returned. Shoy's beach was not terribly crowded and I walked almost the length of the beach to my regular spot. After a little sunning and swimming, I decided on another treat for myself, a Schooner Bay salad. To my delight, when I got to the market, the salad fix-ins at the salad bar looked amazingly fresh, varied and delicious. It was my lucky day! I even had a great conversation with the lady in line ahead of me, as she complimented my salad and we expressed our happiness that Schooner is now using plastic containers instead of Styrofoam!

Good vibes all around, simple pleasures and everyday miracles. LIFE is good, and it is a beautiful day to be alive!

BEING A WOMAN IS NOT A PRE-EXISTING CONDITION

I am honored to work alongside such brave and inspiring women through my affiliation with SOAR (Speaking Out About Rape) and my involvement in Team SOAR. Fellow Team SOAR member and friend, Chrissy Turner has joined forces with the National Women's Law Center in their campaign, "Being a Woman Is Not a Pre-Existing Condition".

Last week Chrissy was on Anderson Cooper 360, you can see her interview here:
http://edition.cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/bestoftv/2009/10/26/ac360.christina.turner.int.cnn.html

From mother...

I haven't had much time to document my recent goings-on, but my mother did write about her experiences of last week at the newly re-opened Cultured Pelican, my main place of employment. Lots of fantastical changes, it's all very exciting!

Food, More Food, and World Food…..

I'm Alive

Going from under-employed to over-employed overnight has been interesting, but I am enjoying every moment of my recent busy-ness. Three months with barely anything to do has made working every day, including a few doubles, manageable and really a good thing for me.

Details to come, lots of exciting stuff.

Life is good :)

Puppy Love

I realized today, while looking through some pictures, that I have totally fallen in love with Brady. I remember my first pets as an adult, a pair of Siamese kittens, and how everything they did was absolutely the cutest thing any animal had ever done before. I went through rolls and rolls of film (yes, back before digital) taking shots of them in the sink, laundry basket, bookshelves, couch, bed, pillow, chair, salad bowl - even knocking over wine glasses was acceptable because they were sofrickin'cute.

I had the same response to the Brady pictures. He melts my heart with those amazing eyes. Funny, I know someone else who does that...