Food - expensive = think $7.99 gallon of milk.
Beer - cehap - $21- 25 per case.

Beer - Cost U less or Plaza Extra. Food - Plaza Extra.

Pamela

Thanks Pamela! 😎

I appreciate the information!

Bobby:

Where are you staying and for how long? What meals are you considering preparing? This way I can better suggest food markets.

Prices for food are about 10-15% above New York Metropolitan area prices.

Liquor is less expensive than on the mainland........estimate about 1/2 price of what you'll find stateside.....with no sales tax. Beer is slightly more expensive.

Are you renting a car?.....highly suggest that you do.

F.I.

Future Islander wrote:
Bobby:

Where are you staying and for how long? What meals are you considering preparing? This way I can better suggest food markets.

Prices for food are about 10-15% above New York Metropolitan area prices.

Liquor is less expensive than on the mainland........estimate about 1/2 price of what you'll find stateside.....with no sales tax. Beer is slightly more expensive.

Are you renting a car?.....highly suggest that you do.

F.I.

Staying at the Elysian with a full kitchen for 7 nights. Probably a simple assortment of simple breakfast, lunch, and dinner meals. Thanks for the food price estimate, I'm actually from New Jersey about 35 miles NW of NYC so I can relate to the NY Metro prices. We do plan on renting a car/or jeep so we can travel at will.

Shop at Cost-u-less for beers,sodas,waters,etc and also many thing available there for food - then use Marina Market in Red Hook for your daily needs.

CostULess has an excellent variety of beers, wines and liquors but you can't buy 6-pax of beer or individual waters there, only cases. One thing I have noticed recently is that CostULess has raised their prices in this area and Plaza Extra is the better deal (plus you can buy smaller quantities). I'm absolutely not knocking CostULess and consistently shop between the two stores based on selections available, quality and price.

Food Center is another option but their prices are considerably higher than the other two - and they've no produce section to speak of. Marina Market has some good stuff but way overpriced for my budget!

Enjoy your stay here. Cheers!

Bobby:

Take Exit Zero's advice for food shopping.

Best prices (IMHO) for liquor at Cost U Less. The Cost U Less shopping center is a good place for a rainy day/evening since they have the only movie theater on island.

Beaches not to be missed: (STT) Magens, Coki, Sapphire & Smith Bay Park; (STJ) Trunk Bay, Cinnamon Bay.

Restaurants: Robert's (at the Elysian).... ask for the coconut encrusted Mahi Mahi (Kevin the owner/chef will probably laugh, since he only makes it "specially" for me - tell him Mike from Point Pleasant sent you); The Agave at the Point Pleasant Resort; Molly Malone's, Duffy's Love Shack, Caribbean Saloon, East End Cafe all in Red Hook; and if you're really adventurous try Latitude 18, close to the Elysian but you'll need to get directions.

btw...we're from the Jersey Shore.

Have a great trip!

F.I.

Exit Zero: My address is Exit 88 (lol)

Actually I have noticed Jim Beam is higher now at Cost U Less than at Food Center. Marina Market is also out of my league for most items. Must admit to doing a little shopping in the produce section. There are lots of veggie stands along side the road in Red Hook/smith Bay. Fresh fish is available on the corner in Smith Bay. Go early!

Food Center is not significantly higher than Plaza Extra on certain items but Plaza Extra is the place to go for day to day items.

Pamela

Bobby: You have asked a controversial question! 😛 IMHO Plaza Extra is dark, dingy and not kept up. Cost-U-Less for produce, meats and any liquor/beer/wine that you like. Then stop at Food Center to check the liquor and wine prices and selection to fill in. They also have lots of processed junk food, if that floats your boat. Marina Market for produce and meat/fish that you didn't find at Cost-U-Less.

And I concur with FI- stop by Robert's and Ainsley's at the Elysian- very, very nice! (tu)

Have a great stay.8-)

Bobby, we're from PA and also from Wildwood, NJ :o)

Seriously consider bringing some frozen food with you. Not alot, but if you have a kitchen you may want to consider doing it.

We always have brought some chicken, hamburgers, sausage, porkroll, things like that. I especially like bringing breakfast food because I'm not the type of person who gets up and goes out to eat breakfast. It's very conveninent.

We always plan to at least eat the breakfast in, maybe pack a lunch and go out to dinner.

I don't want to sound like I don't help the economy by going out for meals, I just don't prefer to go out for every meal.

Lots of great info, thanks everyone!!!

I almost forgot to ask, where to I go to watch the football games??? 😀

Anyone know if the Elysian has cable or do they use satellite?

For games... Caribbean Saloon usually has games on, its located in Red Hook which is close to Elysian. You could also head to Havensight and try Shipwreck Tavern. They have several tvs and usually have various games going. Recently I was there and they had football, soccer, wrestling, I think tennis and something else. Both places are restaurants/bars so you can grab some food and catch the game.

--Islander

Thanks Islander! I'll probably check out one of those places for the Giants / Cardnials game Sunday night!

I just wanted to stop back in and say thanks again to everyone! We've been here since Saturday afternoon and have been having a fantastic time.

All your suggestions and recommendations have been on the money! (tu)

Hi BobbyD, glad to hear things were going well on your vacation. Figuring you are likely back from the trip now, if you get a chance please start a thread with some notes on your trip - what you enjoyed, beaches, favorite restaurants, tips for other travelers! 😉

--Islander

Where is Food Center?

Food Center is located about 1.5 mi.West of Red Hook - across from Independent Boat Yard and just past the Domino Gas station - coming from town you would turn right at the light in FT Mylner and head towards the East End. Check the expiration dates on your purchases.

Ditto exit zero. Be very wary of Food Center. Their canned foods, liquor, beer and wine are fine. Their produce and packaged meats are frequently out-dated and they will place a price sticker over the sell-by date. They should be keelhauled and forced to eat their soggy bags of spinach!(td)

For fresh produce: Fruit Bowl, Cost-U-Less and Marina Market.