For most people around the world, December is the busiest month of all. Same thing in Suriname. It all starts with a bit more cars on the road, more people vacationing here and for such a small country, any small changes are noticable.
Even in my usual supermarket, I notice how the shopowner tries to stuff the shop with all kinds of gifts, chocolates and goodies for Christmas. And like every holiday, it involves food, drinks and a good time in Suriname. For this year, I had several Christmas celebrations with friends and colleagues and of course, I'd love to share the experience. This year's restaurant choice went to Residence Inn's Matutu and Moments.
Residence Inn Paramaribo - Matutu
I chose for this restaurant, because in some way, I believe it would not be crowded. Most people don't know the restaurant is open to public and the phenomenon 'hotel' creates some kind of barrier for most locals. Maybe because they believe hotels will serve expensive food or just the idea that hotels are too uptight and formal. But Matutu is a different story. The prices are affordable and they have a very beautiful garden and if the group is big enough you can even have your own little party in their hut.
We were a small group, so we just have a table in the restaurant. Even though there was a small misunderstanding, the night was very lovely. The misunderstanding was about the food. I had asked for a quotation for a fixed menu, but at the end my friends thought it would be better to just order a la carte, so one day before the celebration I mailed back to inform them about the changes, but the chef never got that notification. But my friends were not that picky, so after all we still chose for the items on the fixed menu. I gotta admit, chef Deekman really did a great job on the menu items.
This was the fixed menu:
AppetizerChristmas salad with smoked chicken fan
Entree
Pine apple glazed ham
Roast breast of turkey
Spinach Potato boat
Dessert
Cherry cheese cake
Especially the main course was really delish! The turkey was juicy, the ham was sweet and the potato boat ( potato halved, gutted and filled with a potato-spinach mix puree) was something different. We even got creamy brocolli on our plate as an extra. Everybody enjoyed the food and when we saw the bill, it was a total surprise! No,,,not expensive, but very cheap!! After some calculation, it was not even SRD 100,- ( USD 30,-) per person and that including drinks and a pasta to go. The only thing that I'd prefer differently was that the cheesecake would be cheesier and a more Christmas-y decorated garden.
Moments Restaurant
Moments is often also a somewhat forgotten restaurant. Forgotten in the way that they don't really advertise what they have to offer. This is a restaurant within an apartment complex. On the premises there are 2 swimming pools, a very nice garden to look out from the restaurant and what I like most of this restaurant is that everything seems so in place to give you a relaxed atmosphere. It feels like so far from the hustle and bustle of the city, but still within reach. 
Of course, they also have their own wine selection, but we chose to bring our own and pay the cork fee. Some of us like their wine dry, some prefer fruitier wines. So specially for this event, I bought 2 bottles of Dos Camelidos and 2 bottles of Beringer White Zinfandel.
My preference goes to 'Dos Camelidos'. It's a Carmenere Reserva. The texture is very well-balanced. A bit tannic, but still very smooth. Very easy to drink and good for the price.
However Christmas has passed, but the good food, great wine and awesome people really made this Christmas one to remember.
And how was your Christmas? Had anything good you'd like to share?
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