[2008] What dinners did you cook at Harborside?

[SNAvicki]

Need ideas from all of you experienced Tuggers at Harborside...what did you (or would you if you went back) cook for dinner?

Breakfast is pretty easy, but I need some ideas for dinners. We are a family that loves to eat out, but would rather spend $200 on a snorkel cruise than dinner. (only, naturally, because both isn't an option

So...how creative have you been? I do think we'll try Carmines, so I'm trying to think outside the pasta box. (and we don't need lobster or major gourmet either) I plan to bring a suitcase with an ice bag inside to pack as much frozen food as I can; I just need ideas. Right now it's 90 degrees in California and nothing but salad and a smoothie sounds good, so my mind isn't thinking in the right direction. No oven kinda limits our choices, but I just know there must be plenty of options? Right?

So...hmmmm...what are they? ??

 

[Westin5Star]

I know that you asked about cooking for yourself which we didn't do while we were there. We did manage to find a couple of really inexpensive meals that might be of interest.

If your family likes burgers, Johnny Rockets is pretty inexpensive and it has a fun atmoshere. My two kids are small but I think that we ate there about $30-40 each meal. The grocery stores on the island are much more expensive than the US so you wouldn't save all that much if you tried to put together a burger dinner from the store (bread, meat, cheese, condiments, fries, drinks, etc.). Another option is Marina Pizza. I think that we fed the whole family for about $25. Have fun on your trip!

 

[gmarine]

There are more reasonable places to eat than at Atlantis. Anthonys Caribbean Grill across the street from Harborside is among them. There also used to be an Outback just across the bridge. If it is still there it is a good choice too.

 

[SNAvicki]

There are 5 in our family, but our children are 19, 21 & 8 - so it's really like 4 adults (like 5 adults if it's pasta...)

Thank you for inexpensive suggestions. I know the last time we were there we were just amazed at how quickly food adds up. We probably will eat out at a few restaurants during the week, but I'd still like to eat "at home" a few nights too. Both for cost and convenience...how nice to just relax, watching a movie, playing cards or sit out by the pool and eat after a day in the water. Sometimes I just don't want to get cleaned up and go anywhere...y'know?

And speaking of movies...is it VHS or DVD in the units? (I'm hoping for Phase I).

 

[ownsmany]

I'm with you on the cooking in. Kids like to relax in the unit I'm trying to remember what we did. I think we mostly did pasta - but I know we did other things. I'll have to think about it.

I brought a lot of stuff with us and was glad we did. Food was very expensive there.

 

[Westin5Star]

I believe that Phase 2 has DVD and Phase 1 will be converted. Phase 1 does have some rooms with combo DVD and VHS machines; I was told that this was because they bought these combo players when the old VHS machines broke.

 

[tomandrobin]

There are more reasonable places to eat than at Atlantis. Anthonys Caribbean Grill across the street from Harborside is among them. There also used to be an Outback just across the bridge. If it is still there it is a good choice too.

And next to Anthony's is a Quizno's.

 

[GrayFal]

I bring a package of pasta, a can of tomatoes, some spices in a zip lock bag, a package of feta cheese and some frozen shrimp - makes a yummy dinner.
I also bring barillo mushroom tortellini and have that another night.
I bring frozen crab cakes or cryo- packed marinated chicken breasts from Costco for a third night.....
I bring bacon, frozen sausages and freeze a container of egg beaters and several individual packages of oatmeal for breakfast.
I bring a package of Costco sliced turkey, canned white meat chicken, a 'squeezy' mayo, a small jar of gourmet mustard and wraps for lunch.
Costco also has a cheese package with 4 different kinds of sliced cheese
Microwave pop-corn and a 3 pound block of cheese for snacks.
Crystal lite type individual water bottle size drink mixes - plus i pick up a water bottle in the airport to bring with me.
I buy a bottle of vodka in the duty free before I leave the US.
Coffee.....I am good to go!

The frozen items are brought with us on the plane in a rolling cooler that fits in the overhead - the rest of the stuff goes in the luggage

 

[nell]

At WKORV we tend to use the grill and oven more, but at Harborside because of the small microwave/convection oven(?) I try to stick more to the stove top. You could maybe do a stir-fry, tacos, fajitas, pan seared fish, or a country dinner (eggs, hamsteak and fruit). Maybe pan sear some shrimp and add it to a big ceasar salad.

 

[mjs]

:You can buy fresh fish, conch, vegetables under the bridge and cook them yourself. They also sell cooked dinners, conch salad etc. Many locals eat here.
Remember Dominos and Papa Johns delivers.

 

[SNAvicki]

Wonderful!!!

I am copying my daughters in on this link and they are emailing me (cuz that's how we communicate these days) w/ their preferences! There are so many good options, it's hard to choose!!

(Plus one daughter is in Boston and is IMing me as I write this telling me she's very cheap to travel w/ when she's on a diet - currently South Beach)

I will probably do my shopping and cooking (if necessary) in 2 or 3 days, so I'll keep checking this thread for your ideas. As my daughter wrote:

"WOW, this board is AWESOME" !!

 

[nell]

A good hot weather veggie dish is marinated vegetables. Basically take a can of corn, can of black beans, chopped celery, red onion, bell pepper, carrots and toss with a garlic vinagrette - refrigerate for an hour. It's cool and crisp--nice after a hot day in the sun. You can be creative and substitute other veggies to change it up (tomatos, cucumber, avocado).

 

[mariawolf]

We bought grouper under the bridge and my neighbor who came with us--who is Martha Stewart on our street--cooked it--we had it fried one night and baked another--bought salad and we were done.
Or go to Carmines and order too much and bring home the next night to reheat.
We have also gotten the mixed grill at the Bahamian club and it is way too much for the two of us to eat so it makes a great breakfast the next day--this is making me hungry to be there!
I always bring mac and cheese for my grandkids--it is their favorite no matter where we are and it is easy to transport--along with popcorn,peanut butter and fruit by the fruit for snacks.
But honestly without Martha around I would rather eat out!
I do bring a plastic type bottle for each of us and bring crystal light lemonade to add to the water and then freeze to take to the pool.

 

[fran]

I was at Harborside in April with my 6 and 11 year old during their Spring Break (husband had to work). Before we left, I cooked several chicken breasts and froze them. I used the meat for fajitas and spagetti with chicken and pesto (brought the pesto from home.) I also froze ground sirloin and used it for sloppy joes and spagetti with meat balls.

Fran

 

[Ken555]

Excuse me for stating the obvious, but... you're going on VACATION! All this cooking sounds like work to me.
(I found the supermarket had more than was needed, and only brought some dry goods with).

 

[califgal]

used to be an Outback just across the bridge. If it is still there it is a good choice too
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[/QUOTE

As of June last year Outback was there. If you take the taxi there and back you might as well eat at Atlantis. I think the taxi wanted to charge $15.00. If you walk over you'll be sweating too much!

 

[ownsmany]

great ideas. I'm loving this thread.

 

[SNAvicki]

Excuse me for stating the obvious, but... you're going on VACATION! All this cooking sounds like work to me.
(I found the supermarket had more than was needed, and only brought some dry goods with).

I know what you mean Ken, and most of the time we vacation, I don't cook. But it's quite a bit more expensive here than the usual places we visit, and I would rather put the $ toward an island cruise & dolphin swim - (can't afford it otherwise).

Besides, cooking in a bathing suit, w/ a glass of wine, family there, music on...it's really kinda nice... Clean up is quick w/ everyone helping and we don't have to tip a waiter for slow service! :zzz:

I'm definately going to Costco for their indiv. sealed, chicken breasts. Might get some grouper, just to try it, bc after all, where ELSE are we gonna have grouper??

Nell - I love the recipe, I'm going to do it!
GrayFal - A lot of great ideas, thx! And the rolling cooler? Could you bring it to the Atlantis pools?

Thanks to you all for the great ideas!

 

[Ken555]

FYI, the single restaurant (near the pool, outside) at Harborside was decent and priced reasonably. I think dinners were ~ $15 pp plus drinks.

 

[pfrass]

I think you're on the right track predominantly planning to eat in. We just got back yesterday. Enjoyed the stay immensely, but the restaurants were crowded (always a wait it seemed) and expensive. Not really a pleasant experience for us. The days we did packed sandwiches/fruit at the beach and then had a burger or wrap and nachos at one of the poolside huts in late afternoon and then something for the kids a little later in the room (pasta, snacks, etc.) if needed worked out best for us. Those days I didn't feel like we "wasted" time waiting and eating in a restaurant, but that's just my style. There is obviously some great restaurants at Atlantis. Would love to partake someday without children in tow. For now, I'll take a burger and glass of wine by the pool over a crowded restaurant.

We walked to shopping center twice and got munchies, fruit, alcohol, etc. A bit of a hike (over the paradise island bridge and then about 0.8 mi.). Definitely wouldn't recommend at night for safety reasons. We popped in Dominos and grabbed a pizza and they have a door security guy who unlocks door when you come up to it. Would be easy cab ride. Previous posts have discussed "Hurricane Hole", right near Harborside, but this no longer exists, so no closer food shopping as far as I could tell. There is Anthony's, a carribean restaurant and Quiznos, a sandwhich shop, right next to Harborside, but we did not try either.

The previous entry is referring to the "Point", which is right next to Harborside pool. It has a nice setting and you can get burgers and such without breaking the bank (as stated about $15pp for sandwhich).

 

[Stingrae]

Outback Steakhouse is still there just over the bridge. A little bit down the road is the Poop Deck. The food was very good, and the prices were even better. If you sit outside, you will have a view of the harbor. We ate there last month and enjoyed it.
http://www.thepoopdeckrestaurants.com/

 

[calgarygary]

Back on topic (cooking not dining out), I haven't stayed at Harborside yet but check in the 29th. Much of what we will cook will be based on what we see when shopping at City Market.

I'm editing to add that this is the first time that I've noticed that the City Market link hasn't been updated for the past week. Usually you see a different ad every week. Hopefully the bahamasweekly will update soon.

 

[SNAvicki]

Back on topic (cooking not dining out), I haven't stayed at Harborside yet but check in the 29th. Much of what we will cook will be based on what we see when shopping at City Market.

Calgarygary, thank you!! So nice to get an idea of what things cost, what brands are avbl, etc - right from the store. I didn't think to look for the market's ad! Glad YOU did!

 

[azsunluvr]

Great link, thank you! My married daughters and I are planning our menus for our trip next month.

 

[nell]

Just thought of another light dinner after coming in from the Texas heat.
Tuna salad, or tuna and egg salad or chicken salad stuffed tomatos.