 If you've been in St. Thomas for any length of time - you've likely heard of Legends. If you've been a part of the community for a while, you have probably made some of your own #LegendaryMemories at the landmark restaurant in the heart of Downtown.
The Legends Tavern family just marked its 25th Anniversary. I sat down with owner Andy Lerikos just ahead of the celebration, and he was all smiles with anticipation for the day - an opportunity to welcome regulars and friends old and new through the doors. What's clear in speaking with Andy is that his passion for the restaurant business is built around the people as much as it's about the food.
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 The Bistro has been a much loved local destination back to its days as the Beanery. While there has been growth and change over the decades, one thing has stayed the same - the sunflower bread!
As new owners, Akshay and Mayuri Patil are excited about introducing their take on international fusion cuisine while continuing to offer crowd favourites. They've already made a few additional like their Avo Mini Bombs. An incredibly delicious version of street food from India, consisting of crispy wontons.  Buffalo wings. In a moment of truth and vulerability - despite knowing that Buffalo wings originated in Buffalo, New York, my brain sometimes unwittingly envisions giant buffalo with tiny delicious wings trying to fly - it almost always makes me giggle.
The truth however, is that deep-fried chicken wings have long been a staple of Southern cooking. But the concept of cooking wings in peppery hot sauce wasn't born until 1964 at the Anchor Bar in Buffalo. Co-owner Teressa Bellissimo cooked wings that were sent to her in error (she was disappointed it wasn't the chicken necks she ordered) in hot sauce as a late-night snack for her son and his friends.  Paleta Passion - Milk based Coconut and Water based Mango Chili Bringing the farm to the heart of the city since 1878, The Horton Farmers' Market is a vibrant weekly market open from May through October in Downtown St. Thomas.
Horton is a producer-based market focusing on locally grown and produced foods and artisan goods. Vendors are welcomed from a radius of 60km to support keeping dollars local. The vendors are small business people and farmers - no resellers here. While there are a number of vendors who attend the market every week, there is always something new to discover, be it seasonal produce coming on - early spring boasts asparagus and rhubarb while the fall offers squash and apples - or those who pop up at the market occasionally. Attending the market each Saturday can always be a fresh experience.  If you are looking for a neighbourhood haunt to call your own (or you're just looking for an opportunity for a beer with friends), Caps Off Brewing Co. should definitely be on your list to check out. Located in the same building where Railway City Brewing was born, it's continuing the local tradition of craft brewing and highlighting some of the quirks that make us special.
 A long time ago on a cruise ship far far away continually disappointed by gelatinous creations masquerading as decadent desserts - I promised myself I would never again eat a dessert that I wasn't enjoying. Equipped with a sweet tooth inherited from my father, I am not always successful at backing away from the sweets.
That same sweet tooth tingled at the discovery of a brand new bakery conveniently located very near my office.  Mr. & Mrs. Bao is among the latest additions to the expanding flavours of Downtown St. Thomas. Their menu pairs ancient Chinese Traditions with modern flavours incorporating other cultural favourites like Caribbean Jerk Chicken into Asian Fusion Comfort Food - on the go!
 Discovering new flavours is one of the joys of eating. I was fortunate to be introduced to Caribbean dishes early in my life through family members from Trinidad. It's been tough to replicate at home since my coveted bag of West Indies spices has long been bare, and my roti never did turn out just right. I need more practice.
But with the arrival of Caribbean Stove Pick Up to St. Thomas, it's unlikely that I will be putting in the practice anytime soon.  For many of us, coffee is how we start our days. In some cases, how folks survive them. We have meetings over it. We end meals with it. We can get very specific about how to best enjoy it. Coffee is a routine part of our daily life yet, still an experience whenever that first sip reaches your mouth.
Maria Fiallos opened Streamliners Espresso Bar four years ago in downtown St. Thomas as an opportunity to share her passion for coffee with the idea that it was always more than just a cup of coffee. It's a way of life and a sense of community.  It's an official welcome to Downtown St. Thomas to the husband and wife team of Chef Minsoo Lee and Max Qui - the pair behind Plaza Sushi. What began as a sushi counter and grab & go cooler at Plaza Convenience on Elm St. transformed into a Downtown Fine Dining option is a dream come true for the pair. It's also a dream come true for my partner that with a reintroduction to sushi through Plaza Sushi - it's become a meal I genuinely enjoy and request...frequently.
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