TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Day 11 & 12

Day 11
Woke up to sun so headed up to Orient to spend the day at LaPlaya. Today was a repeat of two days ago on Orient. Sun was out strong for a couple of hours before the clouds rolled in. Rain did hold off today so we spent a good amount of time lounging before and after lunch although we did see some lightening and hear thunder it did not rain while we were there.
We ate on the upper deck where we got a good view of the beach and very comfortable seating. I ate the seafood platter which included 3 extra large shrimp with a guacomole cream, mahi-mahi carpaccio, smoked salmon with a small bowl of tuna fish. I enjoyed my meal while David had a chicken club with fries. My meal was one of the special's of the day, 18E. We split a creme brule. Complimentary shots of infused rum were offered. Service is friendly and attentative. Another great day at LaPlaya.

Our next stop before heading home was the Sint Maarten Yacht Club. I walked over to the parking lot before Topper's where a woman was grilling. I think it's called Captain D's? Took away a rib meal ($14) with many small/short type ribs, sides included in the meal where a small amount of baked macaroni, lots of rice & peas , and Asian seasoned noodles . It would have be enough for us to share but I also bought jerk wings ($5). The food was good and we had some leftovers. Spent a quiet night indoors and got some well needed rest.

Day 12
I was determined to get to Hilma's Windsor Cafe. Got there around 8:30a where we enjoyed a Johnny Cake with Saltfish (lightly pickled or dressed red onion, lettuce and tomato ) accompanied my sandwich. I'm not sure if they were pickled or just a light dressing but it was good regardless. David ate a JC with egg, cheese and ham. Two JC's and two herbal tea's totalled $16.

We stayed onsite for what was one of the best beach days in at least a week. The sun was out all day. Around 2p we walked down to Karakter's for coconut shrimp and a cocktail. They were doing a nice lunch business. Almost all the tables were filled. Good way to spend about 90 minutes before walking back to Beachside villas and relaxing before it was time to get ready to meet our friends at Escape in Cupecoy.
Escape has been open since January. Beautifully decorated, air conditioned space. Very chic and staff was friendly and welcoming. They have some small plates that can be ordered "small" or "large." Also appetizers and entrees are available. A nice mix of food is offered.

We spent the next 3.5 hrs dining with friends enjoying our food and service. Service charge is not included unless you are a party of six or more and then 15% is added and is split between all the service staff, bartender included. I had the teriyaki beef (large) served with asian cole slaw and a green salad for $21. David had siracha grilled shrimp and one of our friends had a Kobe burger. I don't recall what our other friend had except it was chicken and he liked it. We thoroughly enjoyed our meal and service and would quickly return if we had another week.

Can't figure out how to embed photos so incl links

Flaming cocktail at Escape
https://goo.gl/photos/itMKK5PvjJDa6PGZ6

Interior of Escape
https://goo.gl/photos/16L8MKQZubxwXjEV9

https://goo.gl/photos/MGprCkerokFHTmw5A

Hilma's - not a food photo
https://goo.gl/photos/puf5Ts1b53Xrgkvk9

Thanks for your reports and pictures.

Hilma is a real island experience and well worth a stop or two during every trip.

Louise--thanks for the report and pictures. Escape is where Fig used to be?? VERY different inside now!

I would love to see the food! It gives me an idea as to whether I would like to go there. I do it myself, and my food doesn't get cold! Usually the waiter needs to bring another sauce, a ketchup, napkin, fresh pepper, a steak knife or something.

For those who say it's unappetizing..... Why else would there be food stylists, and food shows? You can't smell or taste it from television.....cuz that's not the point! It's to see it.

Just as seeing a beach picture...you can't hear the waves or feel the warmth, yet people like them.

To each their own. But please let Louise and others share as they wish to.
We don't all use the same rental car company, stay on the same side, or eat the same.

For you Beachkitten and others. These are food links:

Beef Teriyaki at Escape
https://goo.gl/photos/3WLdoYM7qR6hGE1J7

Sirachi grilled shrimp at Escape
https://goo.gl/photos/1rMxa19XDZ6xDp1g6

Thank you ! Enjoy the rest of your trip! Love reading your reports !

Thanks for posting, Louise! That looks like a good quantity of food and it looks great to me!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/chef.gif" alt="" />

Thank you! The plate presentation at Escape is lovely. I've added it to my list!
Only place we managed to get to in Cupecoy was Bar Code.

<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> Keep the food pics coming Louise.

Very well said.

Thank you for your interesting trip reports, I really enjoy them. I also enjoy the food pics!

Thanks for another good report and lovely pictures. I can't wait to try Escape! I have 37 places on my "to go to" list and am there for 21 nights. Hmmm...

Love the pictures of your food! They've convinced me to put Escape on my list for March. I've really enjoyed all your daily reports - thanks for all the effort you put into them.

I guess you are going to be having lunches out as well as dinners in order to complete your list! I must admit that when we are there for 5 weeks, we really do get tired of eating out all the time and appreciate home cooked meals sometimes too. SXM to us is more about the sun, sea and sand and less about the food.

Yes, I often eat lunch out as well. Perhaps I'll make it through the list; time will tell. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" />

from what I remember from last winter, Escape is on the bottom left of the building while Fig used to be on the bottom right (facing the building)

I thought that Fig used to have the whole bottom floor of that building???