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The Cove, Eleuthera- Looking for Lenny

My favourite thing about The Cove, Eleuthera used to be that Lenny Kravitz supposedly lives nearby.  I first had dinner there in 2010, and the place was, to put it mildly, dated.  The food was good, the views were lovely, but the restaurant had that Golden Girls vibe that used to permeate southern interior design.  It was a bit run down, too.  No one had shown it any love for years.

When it closed for renovations, I had high hopes, but wondered what sort of commitment the new owners would make to the island.  Big developments had a way of falling through in the Bahamas. See Baha Mar as the most recent example.  So, when the Cove reopened, I was excited to see what an amazing job the new owner did. Still, I worry, because the man who did the renovations has already sold it.  I can only hope the quality is maintained by the new owners.  The island deserves it.

The whole complex was completely transformed.  You notice this right away, as there is a gated entrance, and a security guard with a clip board of names, who makes sure you're supposed to be there. He was welcoming, once the gate opened.  I don't generally care for "exclusivity";  I think it's a lazy way to make an average place seem special. I guess it makes sense in a place as remote as this, so I am willing to put up with it.  At least it was a tasteful gate.

The Cove, Eleuthera
The bungalows are secluded, and there's a beautifully-maintained private beach on the Caribbean side of the island.  The whole area is pristine.

Looking back towards the outdoor bar and the restaurant in the distance.
The landscaping is impeccable.  It was frankly cold the night we were there in February, with a breeze coming from the Atlantic side making it even colder.  Still, we couldn't resist getting a drink out at the bar near the water's edge.  The sunset was incredible.

Stunning.
After our drink, we moved inside to have dinner in the renovated restaurant.  It had a distinct Japanese vibe, and was quite formal, expensive, and delicious.  Worth every penny.

Tuna sashimi melted in my mouth.
Classy surf n turf.
The red velvet cake was divine.
 I'm happy that Eleuthera is getting a few upscale joints.  Don't get me wrong, I am just as happy that Elvina's is reopened (at least they were giving it a shot in February, not sure about now.  I hope the new manager is able to make a go of it; we had a nice talk when we visited, and he and his wife seemed committed to bringing the business back.) after Elvina died in 2011.

On the grounds of The Cove, after dinner.
I hope Lee's Café and Kel-D's in James Cistern never change.  I am certainly not calling for the wholesale gentrification of Eleuthera, but The Cove and French Leave offer some alternatives for when I want to put on a nice dress, pay top dollar for a cocktail, and look for Lenny (or, better yet, Robert Plant, but that's another story!).

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