The Gingerbread complex was a welcome addition to Bequia’s waterfront. Situated along the Belmont Walkway between the Frangipani Hotel and Mac’s Pizzeria, its graceful rooms and spacious restaurant, painted a pale yellow and adorned with gingerbread trim, were pleasing to the eye. The elevated restaurant served delicious curries, perfectly cooked fish and tender steaks – dining there was always a treat. The small café at ground level offered excellent coffee and baked goods, which changed my work-day forever; with another business making pastries I no longer felt that I had to rise early to roll cinnamon buns, and as a result the Pizzeria stopped opening for breakfast. This change suited me just fine!
The inventive brain behind the Gingerbread’s success was Pat Mitchell and, when she opened yet another section to the business, I knew it would be terrific. Pat was rather close-mouthed during the construction of a small building adjacent to the cafe, and the suspense nearly drove me crazy! Finally, it was announced that the Gingerbread café would be offering barbecue, an announcement that made me happy and also relieved. Happy because I love barbecued food, relieved that she wasn’t opening a waterfront “buy-by-the-slice” pizza parlour!
That little barbecue “shack” was an instant success. The café’s breakfast business segued straight into the lunch crowd, and the tables under the giant almond tree were always filled with appreciative customers. I could smell the aromas of the barbecue from the Pizzeria, they wafted along the walkway and practically made me drool as I cooked for my own customers. More than once the enticing smells made me ditch my apron and head for the café to get a taste, knowing in advance that I wouldn’t be disappointed.
The Gingerbread café was a fine gathering spot, offering shade as well as a fine view of the harbour, and I often joined friends there for lunch once the barbecue section opened. However, there were days when I just needed to get away from people to have some time alone, and the Gingerbread staff were good to me. The upstairs restaurant was often pretty empty during the lunch hour; they didn’t serve barbecue and that, along with the waterfront seating, is what people seemed to want, making the large dining room a perfect escape from the crowds. The staff made an exception for me, and snuck barbecued food to a quiet corner of the dining room for me to enjoy in solitary splendour. I would read a book and enjoy delicious seafood or beef tenderloin kebabs in peace, a “secret” privilege that was very much appreciated!
I have never understood why Pat closed the barbecue part of the business, and at this point in time figure I never will. I don’t recall how long the Gingerbread offered those fabulous barbecued lunches under the almond tree, perhaps a few years? I DO know that when the staff stopped grilling those seafood kebabs it made me sad, and I wasn’t alone!
I missed the enticing aromas wafting along the waterfront too…………..
My husband and I spent a week on Bequia in March of 1996. We stayed at the Sunny Caribee (Plantation House), Bequia which was a Timeshare at the time. I have fond memories of walking along the waterfront to the Gingerbread where we would enjoy banana bread or gingerbread with our tea and coffee while waiting to go out scuba diving with Sunsports. I’m pretty sure we had a lobster pizza one night from Mac’s Pizzaria.
We loved the island and most people we know have never even heard of it!