Is the food really that good?

**Ron & Rosa 25** · September 30th, 2009, 04:24 PM

Originally Posted by steverandlinda

I think it would be enlightning to see people's overall impression of the resorts food and their hometown. I would hypothesize those of us who live in rural area are more inclined to rate the food higher then those who live in a metro area.
As good as the couples food is, a "Fine" dinner at Couples cannot compare to a "Fine" dinner in a metro area resturant
Thay is not a fair comparison but compared tomany other AI couples has increidble food

I'm not expecting the degree of quality and taste to be on any James Beard Award or Michelin Diamond Rating levels, I realize this is an AI and they're serving large numbers of folks. I can appreciate this and factor that into my expectations. But surely the level of quality and taste can be expected to reach beyond a "little better" than Friday's. I don't feel that is being overly demanding by any stretch.

**Sue and Randy** · September 30th, 2009, 09:25 PM

Fridays?

lol

**Bkhiattky** · September 30th, 2009, 10:04 PM

Fridays?? Really?? Then I would LOVE to go to your Fridays, because ours here doesn't even come CLOSE to CTI!!

**DreaminofJamaica2010** · September 30th, 2009, 10:52 PM

lol papa smoke

**Marnies** · October 2nd, 2009, 10:26 PM

Put it this way...
we spent 2 weeks at CSA last January. I came home looking like a beached whale (16 extra pounds) and my hubby had an extra 8 (he now goes to the gym 3 times a week instead of twice) We are not big people, we arrived weighing 125 and 150 respectively. When we go to CTI in 102 days, I am taking the 1 piece bathing suits for the last few days of the trip!
We sat down and figured out our meals for the 2 weeks. No lunches just a snack but we never missed a course at dinner, not once. DO NOT EVER SKIP THE SOUP AT CSA!!!It is to die for.

**mattnsharon** · October 2nd, 2009, 11:08 PM

Yeah, really.

The atmosphere is wonderfull, the service is great. Looks like most people missed that part. I love having dinner at CTI and two weeks from tonite we'll be sleeping near the airport about to head for out third trip to CTI. Of the four AIs we've stayed at, Couples has had the best food.

All that said, I can't honestly tell someone that the FOOD is all that great. I can't wait to try the Asian Fusion or whatever they are doing at Bayside, because the location and atmosphere was totally wasted on the attempt at Italian cuisine.

I agree with steverandlinda so I'll share a bit:
I consider Boston home. Favorite restaurants there are Prezza & Davide in the North End, Kowloon in Saugus for Chinese. When in New York I do like Plataforma (who cares if the meat ever comes with that salad bar!) Il Pomodoro out in Somerville, NJ is a favorite. There was a great Spanish place in Newark that I can't remember the name of. When I'm in Charleston I always hit High Cotton and Slightly North of Board. Norfolk's food has come a long way and Byrd & Baldwin and Trilogy are particular favorites.

I've been lucky enough to eat a lot of great food, in a lot of places. You'll find me just as often at Chili's, Ruby Tuesday or Fridays though. I'm not trying to insult the food at CTI (well, except the old Bayside) and can't speak for the other resorts, just trying to give someone a realistic expectation of the FOOD. The DINING beats any chain, and there'sa difference.

**LisaPat** · October 3rd, 2009, 08:54 AM

Simply love the food at CN...in fact, I knew going into our last CSS trip , that the food would be even Better there...that actually wasn't the case...based on our tastes, I think we liked CN's food better...I mean, seafood, crab, and spinich omelets!!! for breakfast...rack of lamb & lobster for dinner....YUMM!!!

**Lindad** · October 3rd, 2009, 10:12 AM

I think whether or not anyone thinks the food is "that great" depends on everyone's own palette. We live in a rural setting, and our tastes buds are use to very plain foods. My husband has also had a very touchy stomach and a lot of spices I just avoided. We have taken two cruises, and tried all sorts of food on them. We stayed at CSS last year and tried many different foods we would never have tried. We liked most all of the them. Yes, there were some things our tastebuds weren't sure of, but that was us. The next guy would probably really like it. We however never had a complaint. And like others have said, if you don't like it, just ask for something different, No Problem Mon.

**steverandlinda** · October 3rd, 2009, 11:59 AM

Originally Posted by mattnsharon

Yeah, really.

The atmosphere is wonderful, the service is great. Looks like most people missed that part. I love having dinner at CTI and two weeks from tonite we'll be sleeping near the airport about to head for out third trip to CTI. Of the four AIs we've stayed at, Couples has had the best food.

All that said, I can't honestly tell someone that the FOOD is all that great. I can't wait to try the Asian Fusion or whatever they are doing at Bayside, because the location and atmosphere was totally wasted on the attempt at Italian cuisine.

I agree with steverandlinda so I'll share a bit:
I consider Boston home. Favorite restaurants there are Prezza & Davide in the North End, Kowloon in Saugus for Chinese. When in New York I do like Plataforma (who cares if the meat ever comes with that salad bar!) Il Pomodoro out in Somerville, NJ is a favorite. There was a great Spanish place in Newark that I can't remember the name of. When I'm in Charleston I always hit High Cotton and Slightly North of Board. Norfolk's food has come a long way and Byrd & Baldwin and Trilogy are particular favorites.

I've been lucky enough to eat a lot of great food, in a lot of places. You'll find me just as often at Chili's, Ruby Tuesday or Fridays though. I'm not trying to insult the food at CTI (well, except the old Bayside) and can't speak for the other resorts, just trying to give someone a realistic expectation of the FOOD. The DINING beats any chain, and there'sa difference.

newark = spain or don pepe's. newark may have the best collection of Portuguese restaurants outside or Portugal

**JumpinJen** · October 3rd, 2009, 03:49 PM

The food is fine, sometimes great, sometimes just ok. The food does not make or break Couples for us.

My favorite is Seagrapes at CSA because it is fresh and original, and you can't beat the location right on the beach. It is our favorite lunch spot in the world.

We are from California and were disappointed in Lemongrass. I know most people really like it, but it does not stand up to Asian food in restaurants here. (except for the appetizers, which were great.)

The soup at Feathers was so good that I ordered it for my soup course and my entree the second time we went there. I think it was pumpkin with pesto sauce swirled on top. Yum!

I really liked the pizza at Patois Patio. I didn't try it until our last night and I was bummed that I hadn't had more while we were there. Everything is very good at Patois, especially at dinner time. I really like the bar there because you can sit and have a cocktail before dinner.

Lunch at Seagrapes:

**Vickyj** · October 3rd, 2009, 08:35 PM

I guess I need to get back to Fridays! We love the food at CTI. I gained 6 pounds this time, down from 10 the previous visit and that is only because I was at the gym or doing the power walk every morning. And no it wasn't all the alcohol as I don't drink that much and can't drink a lot of the sugary syrupy drinks that often are served.

**lanellboo** · October 4th, 2009, 08:52 AM

I love the pics, they are making me hungry. I like it when people actually talk about what specific food they liked or show pics. The general comments really don't help much!

Thanks

**PermanentVacashun** · October 4th, 2009, 12:01 PM

I know its a general comment, but this was the first AI I have been to where I didn't get any stomach illness,
Some say you get sick at resorts due to sun or drink, but I did get a lot of sun and drank as always so Iam sticking with the food was better, or maybe better sanitation and preparation. AT CN at start of buffet line there was Purell which people did use and may reduce the spread of germs when sharing utensils at the buffets.

I know the above tells you nothing about the food, so do have the pumpkin soup...and the Jamaican pudding for desert at Otaheite

PV

**Amberryan78** · October 4th, 2009, 01:00 PM

FOOD IS AMAZING , FISH TACOS ARE A MUST AT CABANA Gril!!!

me · October 4th, 2009, 03:45 PM

I would say the food is better than any chain restaurant I know of. I never saw food at a chain restaurant served the way every dinner was served.

**Maxernie** · October 5th, 2009, 08:45 PM

When I see someone complaining about the food at any of the Couple resorts, I always wonder what they are used to eating at home. They must eat a lot "fancier" then we do because I do not know how anyone can not find something wonderful to eat at every meal. I have had things I didn't particularly like but I just tried something else if I was still hungry - which I have never been at Couples.

Personally - For me, as long as I don't have to cook it or clean up afterwards, I'm good.

**fabfifty** · October 6th, 2009, 08:51 AM

I know comparisons are natural, but they tend to just get people in trouble, and set up mistaken impressions.

From our experience at CSS, the dining is in perfect relation to the resort itself: relaxed, elegant, and with interesting flavors and colors. I like that the portions are "downsized" compared to many popular U.S. restaurants where the plate is covered with enough food for two lumberjacks. At Couples, you can just ask for another course if you desire.

Are there screw-ups, or things you won't like on occasion. Of course. It's not robo-dining. We're all human, subject to a slip-up now and then.

I only wish that there was a bit more in the way of wine selection. Not a BIG list, but just two or three choices each of red, white and sparkling. That, I think, would add another dimension to the dining experience.