Turtle Cove | Turks & Caicos

Happy New Years Eve from the picturesque Magnolia Restaurant + Wine Bar! Above is their uncompromised views over Turtle Cove Marina at dusk. Below is the cavernous wine bar that beckons anyone without toddlers. Mind the photos, we are ever the travel weary family who landed hours earlier and are trying to keep it together at a nice holiday dinner. Camden has already lost two trucks over the balcony and Ryder is draping spaghetti over himself. I look crazy tired in that dirty martini selfie. It's fine. We're fine. Thank goodness for dirty martinis. 

The staff were so kind and thankfully our 5pm reservation had us out of there before we spoiled anyone's new years eve. My sesame crusted rare tuna with soy ginger sauce, jasmine rice + sautéed snow peas (combined with the atmosphere + views) was drive-over-from-your-resort at Grace Bay worthy. From ours at Vista Azul it was a pleasant ten minute stroll down the street.

Mango Reef

Mango Reef was a NIGHT. Maybe we expect too much from our 3 almost 4 year old to behave at a dinner where there's no wifi and the phone can't help entertain him? After playing in the sun all day? These kids are fun but it certainly is a challenge sometimes. My lobster ravioli was heaven sent, a dish that blew me away. Mango Reef Restaurant is located in Turtle Cove Marina and it was packed. A hot spot in this gem of a neighborhood. 

Things turned around the next night at Baci Ristorante. We sat Camden down earlier that day for a little chat about how he should behave at dinner. He did awesome! He was polite! Ryder was pretty tired but managed to hang. Baci serves Italian cuisine on a dockside terrace along Turtle Cove Marina. I can't remember what I ate so it definitely didn't blow me away like Magnolia or Mango Reef but I know it was good. I'm glad we got to check out Baci with well behaved kids. 

Sharkbite Bar + Grill

Sharkbite Bar + Grill is a beloved Turtle Cove hangout perched over the marina waterway (right next to Baci). We ventured here directly from a day on The Bight Beach. Sharkbite was rowdy and fun, just the type of atmosphere to watch some football games and eat some conch fritters. Our waiter kept the local beers flowing while Camden napped in the stroller. Ryder had his nap on the walk to the beach earlier, he was well rested and enjoyed himself! 

Here is the entrance to Baci + Sharkbite which is right next to Turks Wave Cafe, our essential morning iced coffee and breakfast spot. The food is great but service is slow (one girl working the counter, one cook). As we waited for our breakfast one day Ryder was fussy so I took him on a walk to discover this neighborhood is chock full of private villas and, well, $$$. All the villas are waterfront or close to it so until I explored the roads winding back into the cove I had no idea. Remember we booked this trip just two weeks prior, so, there you go! Come stay at Turtle Cove for an off the Grace Bay path T&C vacation and enjoy these awesome restaurants. 

Kioskos de Luquillo | Puerto Rico

One thing I really wanted to do in Puerto Rico was visit the Luquillo food stalls. After driving through El Yunque - the islands majestic rainforest, we headed into Luquillo to an absolutely packed and bumping scene. Where the loudest subwoofers hollered we looked to find parking amongst scattered trash and the uneven, dusty lots between Luquillo Beach (is everyone on the island here?) and the kiosks. This beach is everything to locals and watersports enthusiasts alike. Family party tents and jet skis abound! 

We strolled up and down the stalls with a bit of indecision before winding up at A Fuego. [family photographs with the fire hats might make a little more sense now!] The fire truck kept the boys extra entertained while we had quite an amazing lunch. I kicked things off with a Luquillo Sunset [Club Caribe Rum, Passionfruit, Orange Juice, Pineapple + Grenadine] before tucking into a fresh Caribbean Lobster. Selected from the tank, the spiny crustacean was steamed until tender and drenched in a garlic and herb butter, served with traditional rice + beans. This was so so delicious and satisfying!

The open air Kioskos de Luquillo are casual, fun and authentically Puerto Rican, I am so happy we paid them a visit. 

After lunch I found the Mojito Lab Kiosko! 

Guanabana fruit is my go to mojito flavor. It is tropical, creamy, refreshing and pairs perfectly with rum and mint. 

We meandered to the playa here for a stroll and then drove over to a different local beachside neighborhood, Vilomar, to check out The Brass Cactus for a beer or two. Behold a super cool bar with all kinds of vintage signage. Worth it!

Mare Oyster Bar | new location

new north end digs, still just as good

for fine Italian seafood with a side of fire pits in a secret patio.

Mare Oyster Bar

223 Hanover St / 3 Mechanic St

Boston, MA 02113

Hale'iwa Beach House

We are now on Oahu's North Shore continuing the Hawaii Honeymoon bliss!! Here's a look at a great dinner we had at Haleiwa Beach House. 

Kalua Pork Grilled Cheese ($15) | toasted pullman bread with warm goat cheese, white cheddar, pickled onion and kalua pork

Lobster Cob Salad ($24) | warm lobster + grilled croutons served atop a medley of waipoli greens, blue cheese crumbles, tomato, bacon and a 7 minute egg. tossed in an avocado ranch dressing.

Whole Roasted Catch of the Day (MP) | a ginger scallion beurre blanc, atop a bed of ponzu braised baby bok choy served with white rice

Hale'iwa Beach House

62-540 Kamehameha Hwy

Haleiwa, HI 96712