http://msnbc.msn.com/id/4448715/

Not sure were I picked this link up but I think it was on this board. It is a good article and well worth the read. It should answer your question. Chicken Roti seems to be a local dish and it is quite good if you like curry. Many east Indians settled in Trinadad and curry has found its way around the islands.

If you are on the Island when there is a full moon I can highly recommend Miss Lucy's pig roast and full moon party in Friis Bay, just a little past Coral Bay. Miss Lucy roasts a mean pig and there is music and dancing in the moon light.

Many thanks to Pegasus, Nick and Bill:

Both for all for the great tips, and great web sites! I printed them out to take with me.

BTW, I was trying to recall the name of a Caribbean fruit I heard of that is poisonous both when under-ripe and over-ripe, and which I wanted to try if I ever had the chance.
After some creative googling, I finally found it--the akee.

I found it at this site, with some other dishes. http://www.lovetripper.com/ROMCARIB/intro4.html

Unfortunately, I see at that site that it is big in Jamaica, but no mention of it in St . John's, but it looks like there will be plenty of other things to try there.

Thanks. Dave From Ohio

Hi Dave,

If you want a 'different' fruit to try, pick up some locally grown genips (if they are in season when you are there). They are definitely something you won't find in Ohio.

A couple of other items to look for would include johnny cakes, funghi and callalloo.

Schultz
(Also in Ohio)

Hello,

You might try boiled fish with the funghi. Fried fish or fried chicken is good with johnny cakes or fried fish and beans and rice. If there is anywhere with local deserts like coconut tart - try those.

--Islander

I am fond of local chicken soup (a bowl is an entire meal) and kallaloo (a greens soup with bits of seafood and "pigtail"). Stewed or curried chicken or mutton (goat) are pretty good. Try side dishes like green banana, fried plantain, local sweel potato, potato stuffing. Then, if you want to walk on the wild side, there is bullfoot soup, souse, saltfish, oxtail... If you like southern cooking, you are in for a treat! And don't think Atkins at all!

Wow! If snorkelling was not my absolute most favorite thing to do (and living in Ohio, I amost never get to do), I think I would spend the whole week eating!

Thanks for the tips from:

Shultz re genip. Sounds delicious. I checked the web and from what I gather, it's not ripe until June or so. Bummer. I found more on Virgin Island fruit at :
https://www.vinow.com/general_usvi/flora_fauna/fruit.php

East Enter re kallaloo. I came across it in Frommers Virgin Islands guide book, which said the best in all the Virgin Islands is at Miss Lucy's, in Coral Bay. I will be staying in Cruz Bay, so here's another reason to rent a jeep. As for bullfoot soup--I would bet it it is similar to oxtail soup, which I grew up loving.

Islander re fish, etc.. If would live on fish if I could. My favorite. Sounds great! (Which reminds me of a story a friend from Hawaii told me many years ago, about stopping at a local restuarant when driving through Ohio, and asking what type of fish was on the menu, and being told "feesh, you know feesh"--as if there was only one type, I guess. That was a while back. I think we are a bit better at this now--although one might grow up here thinking fish is those squares things at McDonalds.)

BTW, Frommers also gives "best in the islands" ratings to:
- Garlic Chicken at Vie's snack shack, in Charlotte Amalie, 12 1/2 miles east of Cruz Bay.
- Succulent pasta at Zozo'z in Cruz Bay (Yeah! One I can walk to, I assume.)
- Seafodd Chowder at Le CXhateau de Bordeaux, east of Crus Bay.

Thanks. Dave From Ohio

Feesh in Ohio!!!!
Love Perch and Walleye fresh and breaded with some french fries. Salmon is good too in the fall. Grilled or Smoked yummmm
Liking all varities of seafood, I had my first swordfish and waho on St. X couple weeks ago. Both were pan seared and very delicious. Also had a fresh tuna sandwich at one of the delis in F'sted. That was the best tuna melt I have ever eaten.
Happy Trails and have fun experimenting. I didn't get to much into experimenting because my stomach doesn't vacation well. Many foods sounded apetizing though.

Also from Ohio