Bora Bora: The Food

Le Meridien: I have but one piece of advice. Do NOT get the meal package! Fortunately for us, we did not, and were very glad. As it turns out, the meal package does not save you any money, but locks you into being forced to eat all of your meals at the buffet at Le Meridien. This buffet is monstrous for the amount you will pay. And I don't mean that in terms of portion. We found the a la carte menu at Le Meridien to be tasty and satisfying nouveau cuisine. Amazingly, the quality was far superior to the buffet, even though the price was actually less. The buffet touts an enormous salad bar (the best part of it, with many interesting seafood dishes), as well as a variety of breads, desserts and warm entrees. My two biggest complaints were that all of the hot food was overcooked and tasted quite obviously like it had been sitting under a heat lamp for several hours. The theme was overcooked meats in heavy sauces. We were especially disappointed on seafood night, when the all-you-can-eat crab and lobster all tasted like it had been sitting on the beach for a week, dead, before anyone came and collected it. They clearly got a discount on some past-its-prime seafood. For more than $60 per person, this is nothing less than highway robbery. Fortunately, you can make reservations at many good restaurants on the mainland, and they will provide free transportation to and from their facilities.

Lagoonside dining at Le Meridien.

Bamboo House: This place was recently renovated at the time we were there. It is run by a couple of hip French guys who make service and hospitality a priority, even if they take their time doing it. Plan to relax and spend the evening here. The bar is very chic, with all of the furniture, walls and lamps constructed of bamboo and other woods. The drinks were some of the most reasonably priced (and inventive). We each had local fresh fish for dinner, and were very happy with the place, although it seemed not to be one of the more popular restaurants. The bread fruit on the side is an acquired taste for the american palate. It has a consistency somewhere between mashed potatoes, sponges and cottonballs. Not to be missed, just to say that you tried it.

Bloody Mary's: Yes, it's owned by an American, and consequently is very Americanized. (It's probably the only place where you won't wait an hour for a drink or to have your order taken.) But it was still by far our favorite. There is no menu. At the entrance, you stare at all of the mouth watering fare laid out on ice, and order while you are salivating. The variety and quality of fish is unsurpassed. The drinks are pretty great too. The atmosphere is festive and fun, with sand floors and coconut tree stumps for seats. If you ever find yourself in Bora Bora, this place is not to be missed.

Check out the spread at Bloody Mary's!