French Polynesia Restaurant Tips by Ciambella

Restaurant Name: Le Sakura

If you like an elegant setting and discreet wait staff serving small portions of good food, you will like Le Sakura. There are two dining options: Tepannyaky-style (think Benihana without the knife-clicking act) and dining-while-kneeling-on-floor-cushions style. Whichever option you select, you will spend a considerable amount of money for your dinner.

We ate there on the last night of one of our trips. We selected the shared table, Tepannyaky-style. Our tablemates were decked out in exotic dresses, high-heeled sandals, upswept hair, and jewellery galore. Looking around, I noticed that other tables were also composed of people adorned in high runway fashion. With a classic white linen sheath and black pearl necklace, I felt for the first time in my life underdressed in Tahiti!

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Theme: Japanese/Sushi
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$21-30 » Currency Converter
Address: In Hotel Sofitel Maeva Beach, Papeete

Le Bougainville: Come See Me Back Stage In Tahiti

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Updated by Ciambella

on Jun 14, 2006

Cast of a Polynesian show

Restaurant Name: Le Bougainville

If you have a healthy appetite and like buffets, you will like Le Bougainville, located on the premises of Hotel Sofitel Maeva Beach.

The restaurant has a different buffet every evening on the weekend: BBQ on Friday evenings, seafood on Saturday evenings, and Polynesian on Sunday evenings. On Fridays and Saturdays, the Polynesian floorshow is during the dinner.

If you would rather watch the show without gorging yourself on the endless array of food, you can observe from the lawn surrounding the open-air restaurant. We did that once, and we actually liked it better than watching the show from the inside.

From the outside, you can stand next to the performers while the cast changes roles and costumes, preparing themselves for the next act. The photo ops from the outside are much more interesting than the postcard perfect floorshow.

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Theme: Eclectic/International
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$21-30 » Currency Converter
Address: In Hotel Sofitel Maeva, Papeete

Snack Moorea: In Tahiti: May I have some coconut and olives?

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Updated by Ciambella

on Jun 14, 2006

Restaurant Name: Snack Moorea

Charles thought I was strange when I told him I "really, really, really" like this snack bar.

"There is nothing special about it", he said, "There are much better bars everywhere on all islands." True, there are. But still, I like this bar a lot because they give me free stuff.

No, they didn't me big stuff, valuable stuff, or even souvenir stuff. What they gave me were olives and the soft meat of the coconut. Free, even after my drinks were gone and I did not order anymore.

I have always been a sucker for soft coconut meat and olives, and even more so when I drink. When someone gives me what seems like an endless supply of the stuff, they are guaranteed to win me over right there and then.

It's true that the people at the bar make pretty good grilled meat and fish, good sandwiches, and so-so burgers. I like them for the coconut meat and olives, though. That's it. That is the only reason I recommend this place. It is very biased and groundless, I know!

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Theme: Other
Comparison: about average
Prices: less than US$10 » Currency Converter
Address: By the pool in Hotel Sofitel Maeva, Papeete

Ananas Bleu: In Moorea: Oh Belle H�l�ne, Oh Belle H�l�ne...

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Updated by Ciambella

on May 19, 2007

Ananas Bleu at the old location,

before the fire

Restaurant Name: Ananas Bleu

For years, there was a good little restaurant across the road from Club Bali Hai and its name was Ananas Bleu. It was just a tiny place with six tables with plastic chairs on the covered porch and another one inside, right next to the kitchen area. The family tended the restaurant, cooking, cleaning, serving... and resting by the palm tree for a smoke and chat with the locals when business was slow.

It was a great place for simple but hearty breakfast and lunch, and it probably would be a great place for dinner too if they wouldn't insist on closing their doors at 2:30 every afternoon.

After a fire destroyed the restaurant and their residence, the Hunter family moved the business to Club Bali Hai's property, serving the same simple but good food on the bayside spot where the old bar used to be.

From this new location, you can enjoy your juicy burgers, wholesome sandwiches, omelettes, grilled fish, ice cream, fruit drinks, and cr�pe Belle H�l�ne (our absolute favorite), while looking out to the most beautiful view on the island of Moorea.

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Theme: Local
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20 » Currency Converter
Address: In Club Bali Hai
Directions: Cook's Bay

Alfredo's: In Moorea: Good Restaurant Gone Bad?

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Updated by Ciambella

on Jun 14, 2006

Alfredo's

Restaurant Name: Alfredo's

We ate at Alfredo's the very first week the restaurant opened. At that time, Alfredo's was a classy act with a talented chef who turned out great dishes. We usually came in a group; everyone ordered a different thing and there were more than enough sighs of contentment going around the table. Looking around the restaurant, everyone else seemed just as pleased with the food as we were.

That was years ago. From what we have read, Alfredo's has added pizzeria to the name and the quality has gone down. We have no way to confirm the truth at this point. If you want to try the restaurant, ask the opinion of your hotel personnel beforehand.

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Theme: Italian
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$21-30 » Currency Converter
Phone: +689 56.17.71
Address: Cook's Bay
Directions: Alfredo's provides free transportation from and to Club Bali Hai, although if you want to walk, it would only take 10 minutes to do so. For any hotel farther away, the restaurant will pick up half of the cab fare.

Le Sunset: Watching Sunset From Le Sunset In Moorea

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Updated by Ciambella

on Jun 14, 2006

View from Sunset Restaurant