The Cliff — Restaurant in undefined

If you happen to find yourself in Barbados, pat yourself on the back, you have already won. If you want to celebrate your win in the most extravagantly satisfying way possible, book a table at The Cliff. If you don’t think that you can afford it, postpone your trip to Barbados so that you can save up, then book your trip and a table at The Cliff

From the moment you walk up to The Cliff, until the moment you leave, it will feel like this ethereal dream. A weird thing to say and even stranger thing to believe but let me backup a bit. This isn’t to brag, more to provide evidence into the realization that I am blessed. I have had the opportunity to eat in some of the best rated restaurants in the United States and Europe. I could name names but won’t. The Cliff is, simply stated, the best experience in a restaurant that I have ever had. I won’t spoil the experience here, it is something that truly must be lived in the flesh.

The service is impeccable, from the doorman to the server assistants, sommelier to the front of house manager. On an island that is rooted in and known for their service industry, The Cliff offers the climax on the service crescendo. Attentive, informed, intentional service that is never in your face but always aware. I have never had better service. Perfect.

The food does not disappoint either. They have what you’d expect to find at the highest end restaurants all over the world. Artistic, creative plates of perfectly cooked food. A team of more than capable chefs in no less than 3 different kitchens which can be seen by the casual diner. If I had one critique, it would be the lack of a tasting menu. When you employ the quality of chef that The Cliff clearly does, allow them to be wildly creative (the plating and food is creative in a safe kinda way). Although I admittedly know nothing about operating a successful fine dining restaurant. All that said, the food was beyond reproach.

Which leads us to the establishment itself. All the fine linens are there, tables are beautiful etc… Everything you expect. Where The Cliff really sets itself apart is its location and its attention to detail. The location can not be described, and if you have never been it is better experienced without looking at pictures first. It is breathtaking. Everything is well thought out, I mean everything. For example, there is a lantern on every table that casts a shadow towards the table. As you are working your way through your meal, your server will adjust the placement of the lamp for a more dramatic shadow. As you leave, you will notice a much larger version of the same lamp in a pool near the entrance. It is art. This is just one of many details we noticed that someone clearly spent a lot of time thinking through. I'm sure there are things we didn't notice as well, as is also the intention of The Cliff. It's just so well thought out.

I want to thank The Cliff for the experience that they gave me. I will be back every time I have the good fortune of...

Made a reservation for my birthday at the cliffs. FYI cliff beach club and cliff are two different restaurants on the same property with two different menu offerings. I arrived 1 hour late. Keep in mind the time difference guys. That was my bad, I made my reservation in advanced almost 2 weeks. I was greeted not warmly, but greeted. I was very apologetic for my tardiness. Escorted to the lounge to start with a drink while I would wait for my table to be ready. Ambiance is an A++, like amazing breath taking! Servers were kind and friendly in the lounge. Waited until almost 9:20 to be seated. Which wasn’t so bad given I was an hour late. I arrived at 8:30. Once I was seated I wasn’t seated at the table I requested. No where near the table I requested. I noticed that they’re were 3 tables that could accommodate 3 waterside. They were not seated for the duration of the evening. Like till the end of the night. Food was good seasoned well, cooked perfectly. Nothing inventive spectacular or exciting. Simple dishes to order, pretty straight forward menu. Beware menu has no prices listed for offerings, they’re is a prefix menu around $250 bgi which would be half in US dollars. Service moves at a slower pace for sure. Overall service id say was B-. Didn’t touch the table in a timely fashion for the duration of the meal. Had a cake delivered for my birthday, $25 per person to cut it and plate it. Many other guests were celebrating when they’re desserts came out they all had sparklers, mine did not. I had to ask for one. Clearly no one cared about the reservation notes. I would say it’s not worth the money based on the experience your honesty paying for ambiance only. And they’re are many great places that offer waterside tables w better service, better food and even better views. Such as the Tides and a less expensive option like Primo. I had 2 other reservations, and they all gave me waterside tables per my request. To come all this way and not sub par food and service is beyond disappointing all for a little over 1,000 dollars I expect a lot better. Also don’t bring your debit card, they’re machines don’t accept debit cards or bank cards it would seem. I payed with a credit card and that worked, also cash is fine too. When my debit card didn’t work the asked me to come to the back office, which was strange instead of just bringing the card back to my table and asking for a different form of payment which would have been way more appropriate. Once I am in the back office I see two employees eating including the person trying to run my debit card again. I will say they were no other people of color (besides all the staff) dining during my seating. Maybe this is why they asked me to come back to the back office. It left a very bad taste in my mouth and I won’t be back. Not sure they...

The Cliff takes advantage of its beautiful setting to sell the dream of fine dining, but under delivers in the key areas of atmosphere and more importantly great food.

It dazzle’s you with its valet service and enchants you with multiple layers of sharply dressed staff who will open doors and greet you with “Sir” and “madame” at every turn. From entrance to seat the Cliff tries hard to create the feeling of a fine dining experience that is worthy of the bill.

The problem it’s all too contrived. The service is functional and lacks warmth and sincerity. It’s delivered like it has been coached at finishing school and rehearsed daily.

The food is at best good but lacks any individuality that would put it in the elite category the Cliff seems to be striving for. The flavours and textures, from starter to mains were not inspiring and the presentation was nothing better than I have been served in other restaurants on the island.

The difference is the Cliff claims to be fine dining, and when you’re required to take out a small mortgage to dine with them, that is what you expect.

The rack of Lamb is not a rack. Mine were two poorly cooked and quite sinewy noisettes of lukewarm lamb. The cutlery was hideous especially the knives which were also blunt, making cutting meat a tedious experience. My partners fish was just that, fish. Nothing exceptional. No unique twist or take on sea bass. Just basic sea bass served over risotto I would sum up the dining experience at the Cliff as overpriced, pretentious dining disguised as the islands best fine dining experience.

It is not just overpriced, it’s ridiculously overpriced. The food is average and underwhelming and you will be left with the feeling you have just been sold the emperors new clothes.

Please do not take this review as someone who unwittingly strayed into a fine dining establishment and did not understand the cost of a truly great culinary experience. I have no objections to paying $1210 Barbadian Dollars (£475 Uk Pounds Sterling) for two courses for 3 people and a bottle of wine. I do however object to paying that for average food and mediocre wine served at a premium price dressed up as a fine dining experience. The irony here is we would have spent more. Bought another bottle of wine and perused the deserts menu, but there was no warm atmosphere to enjoy, and we could not face any further culinary disappointment.

The Cliff works of you want to tell people you have been to the Cliff. It falls short or the dining experience their prices demand. If you want to experience the trifecta of warm Bajan service, with great food and a beautiful location, go to The Tides. You will double your experience and half your...