TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Dress code - Dinner in July

And to think I wasted 44 years on the Long Island Rail Road. Darn

See what you started, Cruzer?

Men have been wearing capris for years. I guess it is a European look. They know what to wear with them, probably not the same shoes and shirts Americans wear with shorts.
I like the look and will have to pay more attention next time.

Most of the men's shorts I see, I would consider capris. Not sure how they call them shorts, when they go way below the knees.

Capris are closer to the ankle than the knee. They are more like pants, but shorter. Most men don't bother wearing them as they are more for women's fashion.

I always bring a pair of long pants to wear at the nicer restaurants and for when my wife wants to dress up for a special occasion.

While it is true that none of the GC restaurants will refuse service or even comment on customers who wear very casual atire, our experiences are that if we dress in what I'll arbitrarily call "evening casual" clothes we do seem to get a sense of appreciation from the staff for showing up in kakhi long pants and a nice, collared, short sleeve sport shirt for me and a nice summer sun dress for Linda as our subtle way of showing respect for the fine dining experience we are about to enjoy...

But even more appreciated than the way we dress is our honoring the French tradition of politeness by engaging in simple pleasantries when we first walk in ... like "Good Evening...How are you this evening?...we look forward to enjoying our dinner here this evening..."etc...before getting "down to business".

If I can dredge up some of these polite pleasantries in French from my ancient high school French classes, so much the better.

<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" />

I totally agree! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" />

La Samana does not require a tie....

Since we witnessed that it DID happen your statement "while it's true that none of the GC restaurants will refuse..." is incorrect.

I agree that if one doesn't want to wear long pants then they have many choices of places to eat in SXM---one restaurant doesn't even require clothing at all! But one takes chances if they truly wish to dine in GC and not at a LOLO. My motto is better be safe than sorry. Anyone coming from New England or Canada probably wears long pants when leaving home so they have them already what effort does it take to look proper at a fine dining restaurant?

I totally agree! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />

I was born and brought up in New England, and generally, we never wore long pants in the summer. It is even hotter on the island and my take is how uncomfortable does someone have to be to dine in Grand Case to be properly dressed? I would think that a restaurant owner or server would be glad to have the customers in the low season. After all, someone in shorts is paying the same prices as the ones in long pants and sundresses. We are the ones paying for the food, so we should be comfortable.

I agree....Long pants in St. Martin is very uncomfortable and unnessary. I can understand if you are attending a wedding or funeral, but dinner? I would expect the employees of any restaurant to treat me the same whether I was wearing shorts and tee shirt or a dress / khakis. Just my opinion. I have never dressed for the sake of a restaurant, I just dress for me.

Actually long, loose linen pants are quite comfortable, and have the added benefit of keeping mosquitoes off your ankles. I'm one who believes that the nicer spots are deserving of nicer clothing by diners. If you look at any of the French couples you see dining in the fine restaurants in Grand Case, you will find them dressed to the nines. I just find it respectful to dress up a bit for the nice restaurants.

I've seen diners in shorts, t-shirts, and flip flops turned away from a Grand Case restaurant. That was several years ago, and now that business is down somewhat, that may not be the case.

But yes, it is absolutely up to you. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Ditto to what GaKaye writes.

Maybe we're considered stuffy but Mamma always made sure we dressed for dinner. I've eaten in Simpson Bay in shorts but I ate quickly and left. For me ---not everyone---dinner should be a fine experience that takes it's time.

That brings to mind back in the late 70's Grand Case restaurants had only two seatings 7 & 9:30 and you were never pushed to leave. Can't be sure when it happened but that has changed. When I asked at one restaurant I was told Americans come eat fast leave and we're left with empty tables so now we serve anytime and the table turn-over make us more money.

I'm glad you said it first, and I couldn't agree more. Not only is it disrespectful to your host (and paying does not give you the privilege of being disrespectful), you are also being disrespectful of the other diners and the enjoyment of their dining experience. I personally have never been uncomfortable in linen slacks and a light collared shirt, especially in the evening air, and women in sundresses look pretty comfortable to me. There's dress casual which is okay, and then there's "don't give a damn" casual, which isn't. Just my old stick in the mud opinion.

I don't remember exactly when it was when we went to what was once our favorite Grand Case restaurant, L'Auberge Gourmande. Unlike our previous times there, the waitstaff was all over us, constantly asking how things were, and if we needed anything. It was clear that they had changed their service from the typical French service to what most Americans want. Sorry, but I don't want that. We've not been back since.

I don't mind wearing a pair of long pants to dinner but don't make me wear socks with my loafers.

GaKaye we went to L'Auberge once after it changed hands---haven't been back either. Thought maybe next trip we'd give them another chance. Last visit ate at Le Cottage for the 1st time and now can't wait to return there.

Has anyone tried Sol e Luna since they changed hands?

GaKaye, what do you consider typical French service?
I don't think any restaurant in Grand Case does 2 seatings per night anymore.

No, I don't think they do either, but most don't make us feel rushed either. For me, typical French service is attentive at the beginning, and once my food is delivered the server doesn't come back to check and see if everything's ok. He knows it is. I can see him across the room, and if we make eye contact, he's at my table quickly to see what I need. He watches our wine glasses and sees that they're never empty. When he sees we're both finished with our meals he'll come and clear, bringing the dessert menu with him. After dessert, he doesn't return to the table until I ask for the check. I don't like a server who constantly stops by and asks if everything is OK, do I need anything. Probably my biggest pet peeve is a server who clears my husband's plate and asks if we want dessert while I'm still eating my entree. That's just rude. Most Americans are in too much of a hurry to get in and out of a restaurant to really enjoy a fine meal. I like the more relaxed tenor of European service.

GaKaye,
We too, really enjoy the type of service you have described. Absolutely hate it when the waiter comes to the table about every ten minutes while we are trying to enjoy our meals.

OMG, you sound just like me!
That is also my biggest pet peeve.

<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

as a restaurateur, assigned seating is a terrible idea. Either you have to precook the meals, or attempt to cook 100 meals at once. Service is also a nightmare. The first thing I thought was cruise ship.

again I agree with GaKaye. Maybe that's why I don't like eating in Simpson Bay. I always feel rushed.

Even though there are no longer 2 seating---I think Marios was the last to abandon that---there are still some places in GC that follow the rule of watching, not bothering, the patron while eating. And we always HAVE TO ASK for the bill. It's the only French my husband speaks, "L'Addition sil vous plat" and Merci

When I was 16 I remember going to dinner with my mother and another couple in Malorca Spain. The man from the couple reached for the wine bottle and the waiter almost flew across the room to grab it. They struggled as to who would pour and the man said he wasn't crippled and didn't need help. My mother told him it was the custom. As we were leaving I saw another waiter chastising our waiter for not noticing sooner that glasses need refilling. I felt badly for that waiter because I though the man was crass in every respect, not just dining.

I guess I will always prefer dining in fine restaurants. And in GC you don't always have to pay a fortune to do so.

I agree. Several restaurants do this type of service in GC. Bistrot Caraibes , Ocean 82,Le Testavin. We've never felt rushed in L'Auberge, but we normally go with a large group, so I guess they figure we're there for the duration.