DestinationSaint Lucia I Michelle Elliot
Michelle Elliot
and the Pink Plantation House The Saint Lucia born artist has created a hilltop retreat for art lovers, long lunchers and couples wanting to tie the knot
Take the road called Chef Harry Drive up to the top of the Morne hill above Castries and you soon begin to think that you may have made an error – the road is steep and windy and you are often met by someone driving down at speed in the other direction. Yet the people on this road know a little secret – at the top you will find the Pink Plantation House. After the craziness of Castries, you are ushered through the gate into a slice of paradise, a French plantation house that has been transformed from a derelict husk into a restaurant, inn and art studio. The Pink Plantation House is, as you would expect, pink – very, very pink. Yet the colour seems an inspired choice against the colours of the surrounding gardens and the brightly coloured artworks within. Most of those people who brave the windy road up come here for a long lunch on the veranda, with partners, family or friends. There are a handful of tables, covered with leafy tablecloths and set with fresh flowers and water jugs. Small, brave birds hop onto the chairbacks in the hope of grabbing one of the sugar lumps from the bowl. Up here on the hilltop, you can see down to busy Castries, which seems a million miles away up here in the tranquil gardens. The food is fresh and light. You might start with a salad of avocado, crisp leaves and salt fish or crab smoked with garlic and herb sauce and follow up with huge chargrilled shrimps with coconut curry sauce or pork tenderloin in creole sauce. In the garden, you may spot an attractive, slim women with scraped back dark hair tending to the bright lobster claw flowers. This is Michelle Elliot, one of the two sisters who run
Pink Plantation House and the artist behind much of what you see when you eat or stay here. Elliott, was born in Vigie into a family of restaurateurs (they run the popular Coal Pot restaurant) and seafarers; her dad skippered the Brig Unicorn (see page 53) until it sank a couple of years ago. Her childhood was spent diving and running around barefoot picking fresh guavas and mangoes, The house is filled with ceramics and silk screen prints, all designed and made
by Elliott, who is self-taught. Her work draws parallels with the work of Australian artist Ken Done but is inspired by the flora and fauna of Saint Lucia and her carefree childhood spent by the sea. A more recent development is the addition of three rooms at the house and the venue is becoming increasingly popular for weddings. For more information visit Michelle at www.facebook.com/The-PinkPlantation-House-1549657938653268/
Michelle Elliot at Pink Plantation House
www.stlucia.org 43
