TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Restaurant at La Vista

Just got back from our two weeks at La Vista. We were sad to find out that Girard, the French chef at the restaurant was fired about 8 months ago. A new chef, German and not sure of his name, walked off half-way into our vacation. The food is still quite good but there is a lot of flux. Menu is different, and IMHO no one does the reduction sauces as well as Girard. Miss him. BTW, the server we have always had problems with is no longer there either. That's a plus for me.

It had been mentioned there was a new chef there. Not sure what happened but the former chef had been there a long time. I always thought the chef there was a nationality other than French though. Too bad as we always enjoyed eating at The Hideaway and they seemed to do a good business.

"BTW, the server we have always had problems with is no longer there either."
Great news. I"ll start going back there now. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />

Why are you replying to me? I never said a word about any server in my post. You are quoting the wrong person.

I thought you didn't like LaVista/The Hideaway since guests there sometimes frequented the beach at Flamingo.

JD, if you remember, our last meal there, was not anything to brag about! Does the term "hot wine" ring a bell??!!

Yes, sure do. I communicated with Andrea about that but we never made it back last year, at least I didn't for a meal, just a drink. The wine ordeal was supposedly about the person who ordered it had been off island due to a death and also the supplier had changed.

After I hit submit I thought about that. As you well know it wasn't directed to you but I figured I'd hear about it.
Never said I didn't like LaVista. We have friends that stay there for two weeks while we are there and often visit them at their pools as their guest. They also have the following week at Flamingo. Best of both worlds.

I don't remember going there last year, either. Not sure if Bill and Mort went there, as usual for there anniversary dinner or not. Food is usually good, although I know some people haven't been happy with their meal choices!

I thought some of the others that arrived early went last year for a meal. I know Bill and Mort had wine issues 2 years ago also when they went for their anniversary meal. I have always had good meals there over the years.

Sorry, not to change the subject, but have you checked with the management at LaVista about using their pool when you're not staying there? You would be the first one to complain if someone brought a "guest" into the Flamingo pools....

"You would be the first one to complain if someone brought a "guest" into the Flamingo pools...."
Not sure why I'm taking to time to respond to this comment but guests of people staying at a the Flamingo or other resorts are welcome as long as the person staying there is there. I would never just go to a resort and use their pool without an invitation to do so from the person staying there.

Really?? I have NEVER seen that to be the case at any hotel I've stayed at, let alone a timeshare. I don't really think it's up to the hotel or resort GUEST. It's up to the management of the resort. I'm more familiar with Royal Palm, having stayed there several times, and there are just not enough chairs there for their guests that are staying there to sit around the pool, let alone people who are not even staying there. Just imagine what would happen if every guest of a resort allowed 3 of their friends into their pool???

I thought this post was about the restaurant at La Vista? Did I hit a wrong key?

My conversation with Scubaman went off thread, I know.. It happens.

Carol. The Flamingo allows friends of guests to use the pool as does the Royal Palm as long as they are with the people staying there. We have been to many other resort destinations and it's been the same there too. Maybe some of the places you have stayed at aren't as guest friendly but I know that the Diamond resorts allows this.

I guess maybe that's why whenever I stay at Royal Palm, that I can never find a chair around the pool. As I said, I've never done that.

For what it's worth, they allow us to have guests at the Towers pool but within reason and certainly, accompanied by an owner or trader. We have plenty of chairs and room but limited umbrellas so they would frown on an owner using multiple umbrellas for their guests, but even then, I strongly doubt anything would ever be said. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

I remember a post of yours several years back that you used pelicans pool and played bingo and thought is was ok if you bought drinks at the bar. You even took advantage of the free bingo and other events around the pool. I made a comment and your response the bar tender didn't mind why should I. There was no mention that you were a guest of one of the timeshare menbers.

Yes. I was a guest of the bar tender at the time and was invited by him to partake in Bingo who was running the bingo. Nice to try and call someone out on your first post.

That is true Pat. You are allowed to have guests at a timeshare and they are allowed to use the pool if you are there with them. I wouldn't recommend bringing a dozen friends at one time, but it all comes down to being reasonable in your numbers. You can even have guests for a pool party if you so desire. Paying maintenance fees as an owner for a timeshare does have benefits over just renting there.

While it may be the first post by "bobbarb", the poster has been a registered member of TTOL for several years so they obviously have been paying attention. A good memory is a valuable asset.

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Hi All, this is Andrea from la Vista. Just to bring some clarity to the restaurant situation. We brought a German Chef in since last year to help with the restaurant, as it was not doing well, and there were a lot of complaints. He was always supposed to stay for a year. It was decided last year in May that we were laying off all the restaurant staff. They were all notified, it was in mutual agreement, and they were all compensated according to the law. We decided to give it another go, and re-hired 2 staff members. The German chef informed us in January he would be leaving a bit earlier as scheduled.
Despite all this, and a re-adjustment period, things are going well. We have a new menu indeed, and we DO have a new wine list ! As most everybody knows, we at La Vista strive to make everyone's vacation a memorable one, and while hiccups or issues can always occur, we can usually fix them. We are ok with owners inviting friends, as long as it is not a huge group, as we have limited space. Our restaurant is open to the public in any case! Dmarty, it was nice seeing you guys again, I hope you enjoyed your stay, and until the next time!
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Thanks Andrea for checking it. Is Jean-Marie still at the restaurant? I hope things work out as we always enjoyed the restaurant.

Yes, Jean Marie is one of the employees we re-hired!

Is the menu on the Website the current one? There are a number of items that look tempting.

Good and thank you for the response. He and my wife and I go way back, 20+ years or so.

As Andrea mentioned, the restaurant is open to the public. Myself and a group of local friends have dined there a few times and enjoyed the pool as well, usually in the off season.