That’s my Dad, who passed away today after a mercifully short battle with cancer.
The good looking guy on the right is my older brother. The little punk with no fish is me.
I could’ve been holding a fish. There were plenty in the cooler. But I didn’t catch any fish that day, and my Dad liked to occasionally remind us you can’t have anything unless you earn it. (But he mostly set the bar generously low.)
He taught us lots of other things too. Like, if you have to throw up, you gotta do it three times in a row without getting up or it doesn’t count. Vegetarians are bad hunters. God and The Church don’t always see eye to eye. Just make sure God and you do. And my favorite. The richest man in the world is the one who doesn’t owe anybody a dime. (I’m still working on that one Dad.)
My Dad had a booming voice, a big presence, and an enormous heart.
His favorite fictional character was Sam Spade, and that was his nickname for me. Every single conversation began with a thunderous “Hello Sam Spade!,” and ended every single time with a cautionary “Watch your backside.” I am, Dad. And I will miss you terribly.
The Surly Cantina does not make a good taco. It makes a great taco.
This is the new place in the former Paradise Café space in Cruz Bay, and we are taco-serious when we say the food rocks. You can get your fill for a couple of bucks.
Chef Craig Sullivan, and partner Suzanne Schlessinger opened up the place about a month ago, and business is booming. “Some people eat here three times a day,” Suzanne says.
They’ll do drive by pickup too…if you call a few minutes ahead, they’ll be at the curb.
Lunch, dinner and late night. Tortillas fried on the spot. (Ask Craig why that’s dangerous work.)
Tacos, taco salad, enchiladas, burritos, quesadillas. Beef, chicken, steak or fish. Margaritas, beer and Suzanne’s secret Sangria.
The food really is seriously good. And the prices, for the bang, really are great. Almost everything is single digits, and start at $2 for a bean taco. Four thumbs up.
The surf at the beaches has been choppy and the boat rides on the sea have been bumpy. Some people call it the Christmas Winds. Some people say it’s the Caribbean version of two feet of snow in the Northeast. Most people just say “Glad we’re not in Boston.”
Construction on the Pond Bay Club on Chocolate Hole is rocking, and probably breaking St. John records in terms of speed. This week a Beach Cottage model unit opened.
In our next video interview, meet the project manager, get a tour of the model and the grounds, find out why this project is moving so quickly and when they expect to be done. Until then, here’s a sneak peak inside.
When the landlord says you have to go, you have to go. Courtesy Car Rental relocated a couple of weeks ago from its prime Cruz Bay location to what is now officially Rental Car Row. Navigate the rising roundabout heading toward Starfish and take your first right toward St. John Inn.
“My lease was not renewed,” Courtesy Car Rental owner Greg Edwards tells us. “I’ve lost the walk-in customers and I miss the location, but being closer other car rental companies makes it easier for me to refer to them when I’m out of vehicles,” he says.
The landlord also owns the old Front Yard location, giving him two very nice pieces of real estate on the Monopoly board. When we asked him what’s up, all he would tell us was “We’ve got something up our sleeves.”
A good guess would be Banco Popular, but it’s just a guess. We’d press for more information, but we’re really busy right now with license plates, sunsets and plugs for artists.
Some additional parking is on the way soon in downtown Cruz Bay. A new parking garage (Huh? Yes, g-a-r-a-g-e) is under construction just up the street from Woody’s. We’re told it’ll be a two levels with about 60 parking spaces. That’s a lot of parking!
It’s set back from the street and on what was a vacant lot and parking is always welcome in Cruz Bay. It’s a good thing. But we’re running out of options for our Sam’s Club franchise license. (I just love setting some of you off.)
Sunday afternoon at the Gourmet Market conversation:
Cashier Guy: Why are you taking a picture?
Jeff: Because my friends won’t believe I just paid $24.79 for a duck breast.
Cashier Guy: Is that good or bad?
Jeff: Bad. Very bad.
Cashier Guy: Welcome to St. John!
We’re not cheap guys… and our Rip Off Meter has been severely altered by St. John over the years, but that’s just nutso. It’s a smoked meat product with a healthy shelf life ($9.99/pound at Whole Foods.) There are times we seriously consider becoming Cooler People. Tasty though. Throw one on the grill for a couple of minutes.
There is obviously a huge DC-area love affair with St. John. Here’s On-StJohn.com reader Amy Farris’ submission.
This St. John Girl drives a Mercedes. In DC.
Bet she doesn’t complain about paying $7 for a hot dog. (With a view and music. And fries. And somebody to get it to St. John, and to to pay the kitchen staff to make it for her. And do the dishes.)
Coral Bay artist Cheryl Geller submits yet another stunning photo, this one of a real, live, digitally untouched East End Rainbow. We also like this sunset photo taken by On-StJohn.com reader Tiffany Thomas, from Vida de Mar on Dever’s Bay.
While Cheryl fussed with f-stop and exposure, Tiffany snapped hers with her iPhone. (And Tiffany can check her email, surf the ‘net and shake the Urban Spoon.)
