Restless Restaurant Dining

OK, this is a warning: service in Caribbean restaurants is not speedy. Whether you are going to a resort restaurant for a nice night out or a side of the road jerk stand, recognize that these are not American fast food joints. Service will not be speedy. You will wait. Your kids will wait.

And they may not wait gracefully. Evening meals can stretch out for several hours at some Caribbean restaurants, and even the most patient diners can become restless. Here are a few tips for dealing with young (and not so young) restless diners:

•consider buffets. Most resorts offer buffet lunches and many offer a nightly buffet as well; those that don’t often offer a buffet serving at least once a week (most do a “beach night” and serve barbecue).

•move around. Consider placing the order, then taking the kids out for a walk.

•bring activities. The wait for food is a perfect time to catch up on postcard writing, travel diaries, and other “desk” activities for schoolage children.

•use the time to discuss your day and plan the next day’s activities. Go around the table and ask everyone what their favorite activity that day was. Their favorite food? Their favorite song on the island?