18 July 2011

Prettiest Island Resturant


It's easy for "themed" decor to get cheesy.  (In fact, if it's "themed" at all, you can pretty much guarantee it's bad or borderline bad.)  What keeps anything good, however, is authenticity.  It's no longer a theme, it just is what it is.  When we visited Aguadilla, Puerto Rico last week & visited this beach & beachside restaurant (above) I was in love.  It was completely and perfectly "beach."  Appropriate & real. 



The open air restaurant was right on the beach and they'd hung capiz shell chandeliers all over.  When we got there in the morning, my family hit the beach while I took these pictures.  (waitresses just staring.)



There were rustic dining tables for eating & a few different loung areas:



The loung area above was separated by hanging bamboo stalks that knocked gently into each other in the wind like wooden chimes.  It was such a beautiful detail and if I ever do an outdoor space on a tropical beach (yes someone please call!! ;) ;)  I'd love to use these:


There were hanging shelves above some of the tables layered in candles, coral, shells & rope wrapped bobbers.


For casual elegance & outdoor parties, I love stemless wine glasses (above).
A tree gew right through the resturant, below:



The hanging fishing floats were huge!!!


I could have spent all week here...


I loved the white curtains hanging throughout. 


A few hours later, a storm came right around lunch time...


...So we had lunch under the roof while the rain poured down.  On the tin roof (below)  Perfection.


Super-lush fern grew all over & to me, there's nothing better than watching a thunderstorm.
(with mojitos! ;)  I just love that energy in the air.

And...  I completely forgot the name of the resturant but it starts with an "e" and I'll ask my cousin when she gets home from her honeymoon.
***UPDATE:  It's called Eclipse!  (Thanks so much to a reader, Wendi, who googled it!!)

Later today, I'll be on Cecy J where I was interviewed about my favorite things to do in the DC area. 

Have a good one!


xoxo, Lauren

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28 comments:

  1. Laura TreveyJuly 18, 2011 at 9:13 AM

    Sometimes when you are in such a beautiful setting - the rain does not matter - what a great little place!!

    xoxo

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  2. KellyMellyBoBellyBananaFannaJuly 18, 2011 at 9:33 AM

    looks wonderfully relaxing! my husband and i used to spend lazy sunday mornings at an oceanfront hotel by our house watching rainstorms. it had this huge veranda with cozy wicker furniture (and outlets for our laptops!). the coffee and brunch were terrible, but the view was worth it. we loved it so much that we got married there!

    kelly

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  3. rachel @ Just a Touch of GrayJuly 18, 2011 at 9:35 AM

    Oh wow!! Gorgeous!!

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  4. Heartfire At HomeJuly 18, 2011 at 9:43 AM

    That looks utterly amazing - just beautiful. I wish we were getting closer to the end of our dreary Winter over here in Aus... I'd love to be somewhere like that. Even though it rained I bet it was still lovely and warm.

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  5. helen tilstonJuly 18, 2011 at 9:43 AM

    I just love it. Serene, tranquil, yet not sterile.

    Thanks for a beautiful post
    Helen Tilston

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  6. pve designJuly 18, 2011 at 10:35 AM

    What a sweet spot, so tranquil.
    Thanks for sharing.
    pve

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  7. simply brookes:July 18, 2011 at 11:03 AM

    you are so right...this is most definitely the prettiest island restaurant ever. would love to copy it all and slap it in my own back yard.

    thanks for sharing. great find.

    just moved from your beautiful dc to now muggier and buggier north carolina. am enjoying so for, btw.

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  8. AnonymousJuly 18, 2011 at 11:11 AM

    Agree that is perfect beach design. So wish I was there having a mojito and not worrying about anything right now!! Hope you're having a good summer xx. Loved the post article!

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  9. dianeJuly 18, 2011 at 11:13 AM

    Wish I was there right now! Thanks for sharing

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  10. Barbara Bussey {The Treasured Home}July 18, 2011 at 11:46 AM

    Nothing cheesy about this place! And I love the sound of rain on a tin roof! Looks like a wonderful spot!

    Are you on an internet radio show today, about DC? We'll be there in October and I'd love to listen, if you can tell us where and when. I'm a real novice at this Internet radio stuff! That certainly applies to twitter as well!

    Barbara@TheTreasuredHome.com

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  11. Miss B.e.e.July 18, 2011 at 12:16 PM

    Oh to sit there on the sand and stare at that water right now! Gorgeous and love what you said about "themed" decor:)

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  12. Mary Ann PickettJuly 18, 2011 at 12:22 PM

    Such a cool restaurant with the naturally weathered beams and shell chandeliers...love it. Spells relaxation.

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  13. UnknownJuly 18, 2011 at 12:25 PM

    There is nothing better than bringing the spirit of a vacation back home with you. What a beautiful spot in Puerto Rico.

    And....such a pleasure having you join u on cecyj.com today!!

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  14. CHIC HABITAT INTERIORSJuly 18, 2011 at 12:33 PM

    Absolutely beautiful space. Perfectly detailed and designed. Great photos!

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  15. SarahJuly 18, 2011 at 12:38 PM

    I love the design of it and frankly, wish I was right there right now!! Calgon take me away! I love all the wood and natural simplicity...thanks for sharing Lauren! ;-)

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  16. The Buzz Blog @ Diane James HomeJuly 18, 2011 at 1:28 PM

    That is one beautiful restaurant - it looks so relaxing and authentic!How lucky of you to have found it and be able to share it with us. Thank you!

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  17. The enchanted homeJuly 18, 2011 at 2:39 PM

    Stunning! A restaurant I wouldn't want to leave, and what is it about rain on a tin roof? LOVE that sound.....looks like it was a beautiful place to get away to.

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  18. EDYTA & CO. INTERIOR DESIGNJuly 18, 2011 at 2:49 PM

    Looks so perfectly beachy and relaxing. I could see why you loved it :)
    Happy Monday Lauren

    xo
    Edyta
    http://edytaandco.blogspot.com/

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  19. Jodie Okun InteriorsJuly 18, 2011 at 3:21 PM

    wow...what a spot! you are right...the decor is perfect. thanks for sharing!

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  20. Tina@thriftingwithcake.blogspot.comJuly 18, 2011 at 5:00 PM

    Stunning! I could LIVE there fulltime with no complaints!

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  21. under spanish mossJuly 18, 2011 at 5:45 PM

    What a lovely restaurant. We love the decor and wonderful ferns. Headed over to check out your interview. Hope your Monday is great! Angela and Renee

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  22. Kristy @ I Design LoveJuly 18, 2011 at 7:22 PM

    So pretty! I completely agree with you that "themed" decor can be really tacky, but this restaurant is so gorgeous :)

    www.idesignlove.com

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  23. WendiJuly 19, 2011 at 10:30 AM

    Lauren...I just had to google it and I found it... it's Eclipse Restaurant & Bar.

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  24. MarilynJuly 19, 2011 at 3:55 PM

    Absolutely gorgeous Lauren. Glad you had a wonderful vacation. Thanks for sharing :)

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  25. LaurenJuly 19, 2011 at 4:47 PM

    hahaha yay WENDI!!!

    that's it!!
    thanks!!
    xoxo,
    lauren

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  26. JillyJuly 23, 2011 at 12:24 AM

    I like those loung area above was separated by hanging bamboo stalks that knocked gently into each other in the wind like wooden chimes.
    online marriage counseling

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  27. corineJuly 26, 2011 at 10:52 AM

    This place is amazing. I added it to my travel list folder. Beautiful blog too:)

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  28. JewelMarch 16, 2012 at 7:28 PM

    I vacationed here with my husband last April- Villa Montana- the food was mouth watering and the beach was divine! My family is from Aguadilla so we found this resort to be perfect for us! Lovely blog of your trip!

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I love hearing from you- thank you for taking the time to write!! :)

*If you have a specific question, I'll try to answer it in the comments section so be sure to check back! If you're looking at an older post, email me directly. Thanks!
~Lauren