Happy New Year

We're back from our whirl-wind vacation in the tropical Bahama Islands. We ate, we drank and were extremely merry. We popped champagne during midnight fireworks on the beach, which was great introduction to 2008.

While we were visiting, we finally decided on our favorite shanty in Potter's Cay, a little fishing community underneath the bridge to Paradise Island. Drum roll please....


#39, Raquel's and James Seafood Haven.


Their scorched Conch salad and fried Barracuda are like none-other.

Some highlights:
The chef catching our food right after we placed our order

The cold Kaliks (local beer named after the sounds of the island's Junkanoo celebration)

The local children selling DELICIOUS coconut cakes for dessert

Look for the red and white check table cloth if you're in town. Ask for the hot pepper sauce if you want to make a good impression on the locals.

Conch Salad and Fried Barracuda:


Coconut Cake:


Farewell Potter's Cay:

We Heart Flying Fish

Notes from a recent Flying Fish Beer and Cheese Paring Event at the Philadelphia Art Alliance
(j is for jen's vote, t is tivoni's)








---
Extra Pale Ale (4.5%)
strong wheat taste without the bitterness
j/3.5 t/2

with Garrotxa, a firm, Spanish goat cheese
j/3 t/3

---
Extra Strong Bitter Amber Ale (5%)
malty, caramel taste
j&t/ 4

with a sweet, unaged Red Wax Gouda, Dutch
j/2.5 t/2

---
Abbey Dubbel (7%)
strong, bold taste, yet smooth
j/2 t/3.5

with a green, grassy-in-a-good-way Sage Derby cow cheese, Welsh
j&t/3

---
Octoberfish (4%)
chocolate and nut taste
j/2.5 t/4

with a soft, 40% fat, brie-like Taleggio Italian cow cheese
j&t/ 2.5 (too indulgent)

----
Hopfish India Pale Ale (6.2%)
heartier than your average IPA
j/2.5 t/3

with a dry, sharp Irish Cheddar
j&t/ 3

---
Belgian Grand Cru Winter Reserve (7.2%)
A thicker version of their fruity Summer Farmhouse Ale
j/2.5 t/3

with a cherry juice and walnut-infused processed Gourmandise French cheese.
j/ .5 t/1.5 (like french cheeze whiz)