Barbados TravelAdvisor

Published on: 10/24/2009.



by MARIA BRADSHAW


THE CLIFF RESTAURANT which offers fine dining, has been knocked over by renowned British restaurant critic, Michael Winners.

In his best selling book Winners Dinners which is due to be released next month, Winners, who reviews some of the world's great eateries, has given the local upscale restaurant an award for "worst food, service, attitude, everything".

He writes in the book about the Derricks, St James eatery:

"Beyond belief, snooty, arrogant waitresses and managers, ghastly food, very few tables worth sitting at, overall a horrible experience."

Winners states: "Some people would place The Cliff at, or near the top of their list of favourite restaurants in Barbados. It sits overlooking the sea. It is owned by Brian Ward, whose family once had Treasure Beach Hotel. I think it's over-rated. Run by pompous, arrogant staff. Last time I went my so-called New York cut steak was three pieces of overcooked monstrosity."

The book, which is released every ten years, is a restaurant and hotel guide to over 600 places "to visit, not to visit, to love to hate".

Winners, who has been coming to Barbados annually for the past 26 years, is well respected around the world and is also famous for his acerbic and outspoken restaurant reviews, which he writes in a weekly column in the Times Online. He also critiqued several other restaurants in Barbados and the Caribbean.

Unlike the low marks which he gave The Cliff, he wrote favourably about Fisher Pond Great House which he noted is an example of everything a restaurant should be.

The book was shown to the SATURDAY SUN by repeat British visitor Barry Mckay, who agreed with Winners' assessment of The Cliff because of what he states was an extremely horrible experience he also had there.

However, owner Brian Ward is not fazed by the fact that Winners was not won over by The Cliff.

"I don't know what we have done to him, but he has always singled out the restaurant and he is always persecuting me. He used to come to The Cliff a lot and he wrote good things about us, but somebody jilted him in some way".

Ward said he is surprised by the review since Winners has not dined at the restaurant for over five years. However, he is hoping that it does not damage the restaurant's image.

"Our clients still keep coming back and we have 99 per cent positive reviews. British Airways just did two huge publications giving us rave reviews and we are very pleased about that," Ward said.

A celebratory dinner for the publication of the book will be held on November 11 at Belvedere Restaurant in London, where awards will be presented.

And this is how I answered OP, because just for once I agree with him


Personally I have eaten three times at the Cliff and each time it was , for the price and for the quality, abysmal. It 's a Restaurant that lives on hype and for every 10 good verbal reports I hear, there are as many indifferent or even bad ones.

A restaurant that charges these prices and purports to be the best should only have the tinyest minority of poor reports. This is not the case with the Cliff.



I am fortunate to eat in some of London's finest Restaurants and I'm afraid the only comparison one can draw between them and the Cliff, is the similarity in price

Very well put Turfy

Sorry to hear that. My experiences were always positive until the last couple of times, when i just thought the prices were outrageous and the food was just ok. Moved on to Southseas and loved it. Now no longer I believe Turfy?

This is my point exactly Emelda. There should be NO "last couple of times " A restaurant that pretends to be the best should BE the best, at ALL times. I NEVER had a bad or even "indifferent" meal at Southsea. That really WAS the best. I always used to say to Alfred that if he was on the West Coast, he would close the Cliff. Sadly he wasn't, and personal circumstances brought him to a tragic end. He and Southsea will be missed by many, for a very, very long time.

We avoid the Cliff. There is no finesse. In the UK, at somewhere like Hambleton Hall, you would be given canapes with your pre-dinner drink, a surprise before the meal, petit fours, not be rushed from your table and attentive service. Also, the food is only average you do not get the feeling that any loving care has gone into the preparation.

Customers are important, whoever they may be. It is all very well in the good times to be over confident but with the times we live in now establishments must provide service that they can be proud of and ensure that their customers have a happy experience.

I agree Bertha When you pay a large amount of money for a meal, it shouldbe " an eating experience" not just a meal with a view! Many Restaurants in Barbados have a wonderful sea view, but to pay Michelin Star prices , you need more than a view.

I shared this thread over on one of my other forums and an interesting conversation about The Cliff's credit card reservation policy developed - http://breadfruitlime.freeforums.org/post11076.html#p11076. I will temporarily relax the security over there so you can get in to read. Caution: We can get quite rough with each other over there but it's all fun, and you may need your "Bajan To English" dictionary.

I've posted on it Frankie (bravely)

Thanks for the link. The best line has nothing to do with restaurants. "Some people talk because they have mouths" Now that's a keeper.

Thanks for your visit and adding the British perspective to the discussion.



But isn't that the truth