My wife and I just returned from five days on Anguilla, which we liked very much. Some quick thoughts:

Restaurants: As expensive as advertised, but excellent. We had our best meal at Barrel Stay, but contrary to what many posters told us before we left the US, Barrel Stay cannot in anyone's wildest dreams be considered moderately priced, even by Anguilla standards. The entrees were $28-42, and the restaurant is essentially a fancy beach joint -- nice enough, and on the water, but less ambience than many places. In any case, the food and service were wonderful.

Koal Keel, equally expensive, was a very close second favorite.

Cedar Grove, almost as expensive, was very good, but the service was so-so. Picante, which we ate at twice, as very good and reasonably priced; nice staff, friendly place. As others have said, don't miss the Mexican chocolate pudding, which is really like a dense mousse.

We had a great breakfast at Overlook (nice view, too), and an almost-as-great one at Tasty's. (Yes, the Gran Marnier French toast is as good as people say.) Tasty's was wonderful (twice) for lunch. Smokey's, less expensive, was good for basic beach joint food. Madeiraman was similar.

Beaches: Rendezvous Bay, Shoal Bay West, Cove Bay, Shoal Bay East and Maunday Bay are all as beautiful as advertised. It's tough to pick a favorite. And, except for the area right around the restaurants at Shoal Bay East, all are not crowded in the least. We also searched for, and miraculously found, the island's smallest bay -- Elsie -- which we shared with two people. Pretty and secluded. You can get in the water, but have to look for the spot that has no coral close to shore.

Snorkeling was decent on some beaches, right off shore, but not the quality of the BVIs, for example.

We visited four galleries -- some pretty good art, some lousy art. All overpriced.

Nice people, a little bit of visual interest inland, island seems safe.

Note that Rendezvous Bay Beach Hotel and Villas, where we stayed, will be demolished in August. It's a good thing; the place is a bit dowdy.