Word is that that Vice President Joe Biden and his wife were spied on St. Croix a few weeks ago. That marks their second visit in four months. Were they just doing what many of us were wishing for: a quick escape from the endless winter? And, are they just being patriotic going to America’s Caribbean island? No. We know they are big fans of St. Croix. The couple has spent every New Year’s holiday in the USVI since Biden was elected vice president in 2008.
He wasn’t the only VIP who decamped to St. Croix for the holidays. While little is known of the Bidens’ activities while there, Martha Stewart, on the other hand, told all on her blog about her family’s visit. “I spent this Christmas on the beautiful island of St. Croix in the Caribbean. Took lots of pics to share w/u on my blog,” began the first of many posts on The Martha Blog.
We hope that one day we report that the Bidens – and maybe Martha, too – enjoyed themselves at the St. Croix Food & Wine Experience, that annual week-long celebration of Cruzan food and drink. I hereby suggest that Martha be a judge for the event’s restaurant competition, the Taste of St. Croix, which takes place every year at Divi Carina Bay Resort. She certainly has the right qualifications.
It’s no surprise that while exploring St. Croix, Stewart found the local’s favorite lunch spot: The Chicken Shack. On Centerline Road, near the midpoint of the island, it’s a mecca for spit-roasted chicken, ribs and pork. It’s the place to enjoy a coquito, too, a tropical twist on eggnog. The Chicken Shack is only open for lunch (10:30 – 5). Now that Stewart has introduced you to coquito, continue on to the Cruzan Rum Distillery to stock up on Cruzan Rum. (Tours: 9-4, M-F) In the factory store, they’ll box a six-pack of rums for shipping as baggage. No worries about an extra baggage fee – It won’t get charged.
If you’d like to try a coquito at home, here’s a recipe.