We've been doing some thinking.  And a vacation without a beach isn't really a vacation at all.  So we decided to apply that theory in our quest for a good restaurant.  We think you'll like what we've found.

The Tides Restaurant in Holetown, Barbados – set on the water's edge and waiting for you to make your reservation.  What once was a beach-front villa is now your beach-front fine dining outpost, its rustic coral-stone exterior housing a seafood haven that'll have Poseidon pulling his seaweed out.  You're passing through the pretty courtyard and around the row of huge tree trunks that grow straight up to the ceiling.  But before things get a little... wild, head to your seaside table where the water laps gently against the edge of the dining room.

If you really want that warm, gooey feeling inside – take a look at the menu.  Get started on the Grilled Calamari with lightly spiced Sea Scallops, served with a Chili marinated vegetable salad.  You're following that up with the Panfried Scottish Salmon (which, conveniently, goes well with that Scottish model you're seeing) offered up with stir-fried vegetables, sushi rice cake with a soya balsamic glaze.  Dessert is Litte Sticky Toffee Pudding, topped with caramel sauce, roast nuts and vanilla ice-cream.

Funny.  That sounds like the Scottish model.

The Tides Restaurant | Balmore House, Holetown, St. James, Barbados | 246 432 8356 | www.tidesbarbados.com