The Cliff

This was our first trip to Barbados, and from the start we were urged to visit the Cliff Restaurant. Prior to that we'd dined at South Sea (wonderful atmosphere, excellent food & service), and Daphne (excellent food, good service, OK atmosphere). We saved the Cliff experience for the end, anticipating that it would exceed our experiences to date on the island. We were woefully disappointed. The staff, from the distracted hostess, to the mechanical servers, to the absentee sommalier, we felt tolerated, not welcome. During the whole evening, one waiter smiled and made an attempt to connect. Everyone else was robotic, and somewhat inefficient. We received the wrong meals, we were promised clean napkins that never arrived, it took 20 minutes after we were ready to place our order. The menu was surprisingly predictable and out of sync with the climate. The braised meat, veal chops, cheescake and pannacotta were heavy offerings that would not have complimented the humid, tropical weather we experienced. We settled for the Thai curried tuna and the shrimp. THe portions were generous, but the quality of the ingredients and the plating (or lack thereof) was the calibre of a mid-range Thai family restaurant, with the selection of a $19.99 special. Along with that, we were served a basket of grocery store breadrolls, straight from the plastic bag, that you might expect to get at a family picnic!!! We skipped dessert beause we couldn't find anything (other than overpriced sorbet) that was light enough) or offerings that were inventive enough, to extend our stay a moment longer. To be frank, we were quite anxious to leave. Be warned that in order to reserve at the Cliff, you will be asked for your credit card, and even if you cancell ahead, you will be charged a minimum fee of $75. Compared to the outstanding food and service we experienced elsewhere on th eisland, including our own resort (The House) we wonder how the Cliff can sustain their success, if they don't pay more attention to what's happening around them and to how the standards are now being established by their competitors.
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Mr and Mrs Bret
Friday, July 27, 2007

We have just finished our third year in Barbados, And decided to make a vist to the Cliff. From pulling up to the main entrance to leaving the experiance was A1.

The level of service by the waiting staff was far superior to any servise we have had in any resturant in England.

Paul Owens menu was exelent. I was suprised at the cost per head. We will make the cliff one of our must does on our return to this beautiful Island.
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Steven Lee
Wednesday, June 20, 2007

The Cliff Restaurant is absolutely stunning. The food was perfectly cook and presented to the highest standards. The view is amazing and staff were extremely professional and polite, you would not even know they were there until your wine glass is getting a little low! I would defiantly visit this restaurant again and would recommend anyone staying in Barbados to try it at least once.
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Serena
Tuesday, June 05, 2007

I hate to be a party pooper given some of the other comments made on this website, but my experience of the restaurant was less than thrilling.

My wife and I have just returned from Barbados (March 21) and during our stay we decided to try The Cliff for our farewell dinner on this beautiful island.

There is no doubting the location and spectacular position of this restaurant, but the level of service and the food were well below my expectations. Despite requesting an ocean view table (yes I know they are hard to book) we were shown to a table at the side of the restaurant and then watched in amazement as tables on the front became vacant. We eventually asked the waiter to move us, which he did obligingly. But this was only a small niggle compared to what followed.

The starters of scallops and seafood linguine were OK, but my veal chop was underdone. But the real problem was my wife's main course of thai-style king prawn curry. It looked pretty, but something in it made my wife violently ill after about half-an-hour of eating it. It would be hard to prove whether it was a dodgy piece of seafood or my wife's metabolism that caused her to beat a rapid path to ladies' loo, but either way the concern of the staff was non-existant. You would think that such a 'highly rated' restuarant such as The Cliff would have been mildly concerned at the welfare of one of their customers or whether their seafood had been prepared and cooked properly, especially given the prices they charge. But at no point was muy wige given any assistance and she even had to ask for a glass of water. I don't think they charged for this though. Just as well as by this time they bill was nudging Bar$500 (US$250) -- and there weren't any canapes or bar nibbles either! All in all not a very successful evening. Great location though just a shame about the service. Once they had the cheque they couldn't care less. I did complain to the someone who looked remotely half-interested, and she said she would pass my comments onto the manager. Bet she didn't though.
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Thursday, March 22, 2007

Our visit to The Cliff was perfection. The ambience, location, decor, food, drink, everything was perfection. It is THE best restaurant we have been to and the meal will long remain in our memories. The staff were discreet but attentive and the food was out of this world. To be able to watch turtles whilst we ate was amazing.
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Annette Fletcher
Tuesday, March 20, 2007

The Cliff is rated one of the best 50 restaurants in the world.

Personally I would place it in the top 5 in the world.

Exceptional in every essance.

If you visit Barbados and appreciate first class food The Cliff is a must.

No exaggeration the whole experience is unforgetable
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Eddie
Saturday, October 21, 2006

Amazing setting... unforgetable food and realy enjoyed the experiences I've had on the occasions i've been there. Always found the staff attentive and pleasant.
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Perry Hemus
Tuesday, October 03, 2006

I have just returned from my first visit to The Cliff and I thought it was marvellous. The food is plentiful and delicious and the ambiance pure magic. This is the most romantic of settings. You will not be disappointed. I was pleasantly surprised with the bill especially as we had 3 courses with champagne. Very good value with fabulous food and lovely staff.
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Saturday, September 30, 2006

Have just returned from our 5th holiday in Barbados and our 1st visit to The Cliff. I have to say this was THE BEST meal I have ever had - better than Ramsey's and better than Le Manoir. Obviously the setting makes it so perfect, but the food was beautifully presented, tasty and plentiful. The staff and waiters were attentive, yet discreet and we wanted for nothing. I'd thoroughly recommend The Cliff Special Cocktail - a meal in itself! Ignore the derisory comments - just go and enjoy it, you will not be disappointed!
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Hevs - View all reviews by this user
Wednesday, September 06, 2006

Having visited The ***** dozens of times, loving the dramatic setting, the well executed menu, long and varied wine list and so on, the last few times have been a real disappointment. And this is the restaurant that I rated as my number 1 for a LONG time!

Paul Owens rarely changes the menu (I guess he has a 'if it ain't broke, don’t fix it' ethos) but for anyone who has visited more than two or three times, there is a plodding repetitiveness to what is on offer. Some signature dishes are winners, but the sparkle has definitely gone out of the food. And this is certainly not a cheap restaurant at approximately £100+ per head. They owe it to their customers to pay better attention to the food they produce, and the very 90’s menu needs to be updated.

The hostess parked at the top of the stairs has a phenomenal superiority complex. This is *** *****, not the bloody French Laundry for goodness’ sake. She has a very snitty attitude, trying to rush one through one’s aperitifs in the upstairs bar and looking disdainfully at arriving customers. I don’t believe they turn the tables, so what is the hurry? I hope she has been given the boot by now. That kind of ‘service’ is not seen anymore. Not in London, New York, Paris – so lose the attitude.

Of course the setting remains spectacular, the waiting staff are pleasant and unobtrusive (if a little clumsy/slow/forgetful), the permanent enormous display of tuberoses in the ladies bathroom amazing, the car-park valet (who has been there since forever) a lovely guy. But take note, Mr Owens – your Bajan customers are leaving in droves!
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Nichola Pickering
Thursday, June 29, 2006