Big Banana — Restaurant in Antigua

I remember a few years back when my mother took me to big banana for the first time. It was the first time I had pizza and it was and still is the most delicious pizza on island. The wait staff were pleasant and the pizza along with the plates used to come out hot. I visited here with my son for his birthday two years ago and was so disappointed I really did not expect the plates to be hot so when they were not I did not care much. However the pizza was cold. Room temperature at best and the worst part is the lady that brought it out pretended that it was soo hot I touched the pizza pan right after she put it down and was puzzled as to why she needed to put on such a show like the pizza was going to scorch her if she didn’t put it down right away. Did not care to return after that. However we decided to take him back last night once again for his birthday. I believe in second chances… sometimes. We got the restaurant at 6:30 twelve minutes before sunset. Ordered and waited thirty minutes no updates no explanation. In fact we only received updates when we decided to ask. After waiting for more than an hour and just before we were ready to walk out the pizza came to the table at 7:56. There was no apology from the staff. The pizza itself was at least hot this time and was quite tasty. Also to my surprise the plates were warm. The dough was a bit chewy but the sauce was wonderful. Two slices filled me up to the point I had a struggle to finish my drink. I did not feel appreciated as a customer however and whether I will return or not…. I just don’t feel...

The chefs need to understand the art of cooking a steak to the required temperature. Most times, I order MEDIUM RARE, and still get it well done....no evidence of pink or red whatsoever. On Monday, I pleaded with the server to make sure that this time they get it right. But when the steak arrived, it was COLD, no outward sear, no evidence that it was grilled or fried, it looked BOILED, very pale outer surface adorned with cool, raw onions. Now the inside was "raw" (undercooked), was pink in appearance but NOT the pink of medium rare. Chefs need to understand that a medium rare steak still needs to be seared in a hot pan or grill until the outside is blackened and the onions well done, it's the inside that needs to be medium rare pink.....that's takes skill and timing....that's why its $85. It's not achieved by undercooking so that the outside seems cold and grey and raw and underdone, so that even the onions are cold and raw. It still suppose to be nice and hot and dark in colour on the outside, but juicy and pink in the inside. There are videos that teach that online. It is a shameful waste of steak meat to present it undercooked, cold, utterly without taste, and appearing "raw" even on the outside. That is NOT how you achieve Medium Rare. A TRUE chef knows that and understands the difference. But in Antigua, and especially at Big Banana, most servers and chefs skin up their faces at the very mention of medium rare and equate it with RAW or UNDERCOOKED. Sad and disappointing. I should have gotten my money...

The Big Banana, Pizzas on the Quay Restaurant is located in the historic Heritage Quay in St. John's Antigua specializing in Pizzas and other Gastronomic delights such as buffalo wings and sub-sandwiches. Pizza is what they are most famous for. I have attended many pizza parties and birthday parties at that location and have enjoyed casual and formal dining there as well, let me take this opportunity to say "Compliments to the Chief".

Something can be said for the rustic charm and ambiance of the location and also the intimate and cozy (read cramped) nature of the establishment which makes it special. I must note here that they moved just up the street to a more modern and spacious location for a period of time but subsequently moved back to their original location.

The customer service is exceptional and I must say quite scary at times, I remember being there enjoying a pizza meal and just thinking that I could use another one of their excellent beverage and just at that very instant a staff member asked me if I wanted another of the same, scary. I know, I know, my glass may have been empty but it has been empty before....i often say that what they may lack in other areas (not perfect, mind you)is more than compensated for in great...