TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin In my travels......

Over the past few days we’ve enjoyed breakfast at the Yacht club but alas, no bridge opening when we’ve been there and big yachts going in or out though we did see some later in the day in Simpson Bay.

We had dinner Tuesday night at Mary’s Boon. We had always thought it a reasonable choice in the past but dinner the other night left me not a fan. The waiter was very pleasant but he really should have advised us it was poker night and the players would be arriving any minute. They did and it got very loud.

Yesterday my DH ran to the store to grab some cold cuts for lunch. I started to get concerned because it was taking him so long. Lo and behold - he came through the door with a smile on his face and the cold cuts in one hand and a lunch to go package in the other. He had seen the ships heading into town early that morning and had heard people talking about Rosie only doing ribs on ship days so he stopped by and grabbed a double order of her ribs to go fresh of the Barbie. Yummy lunch - who wants ham and cheese when the other is available?!

Last night we had dinner at Vesna Taverna. It was very enjoyable and the waitresses there are all so nice. John had salmon and I had pan sautéed grouper and we both had snails and all were very good.

Today we headed out to Friars Bay with a quick detour up the Towers driveway again. The workers are up on the roof - it looked like three or four of them and while the corrugated seems to be covering all the roof we still couldn’t see the pool side. Still a lot to be done but at least they seem to be doing something.

Lunch today was at Friars Bay Beach Cafe and it was delicious. John had a cold lobster salad plate and I had their Boef (Sp en Francais?)carpaccio and they were both incredibly good. We even had desserts - chocolate mousse for DH and I had a Nutella crepe. Yummy, both.

For those who might go there, the dirt road in closest to Grande Case is a nightmare. Best to come in the original route past Gutside per staff at FBBC. Also, no cc - cash only and water shoes are a good idea near FBBC.

Thanks for another update.

Thanks for keeping us informed

OK, thanks for checking in! I would be unhappy with that situation at Mary's Boon also. Did they say if the poker night was specific nights of the week? Any chance you are sending me some pictures???

When you say to get to FBBC by Gutside, not sure what that means. When we were there in June, we took a road that went straight for a while, and then had another road that veered off to the right, where apparently one would eventually end up at Happy Bay. There was a little parking area there for Happy Bay. We started to go there and looked confused I guess, so a local asked us where we were going. We said that we were headed to FBBC and he told us to go back and continue off to the left. The road was bad, but we made it. It ended up at the parking lot for FBBC. I don't know where Gutside is, so I don't know if that's the way we went or not.

Great info here. Thanks for the update!

Love Vesna Taverna! Only discovered it on our last visit in June, but will definitely return. Good food, good service. Really enjoy reading your trip reports!

Carol,

The road you took is the one that I used to prefer but after the rain the island has had, the potholes are now craters. This is the road that enters just before you reach Grande Case. If you were heading from Marigot, the road by Gutside is the original route we used to take twenty years ago. Gutside is a fun little restaurant off that road but long before you actually get to Friars Bay. This route will bring you in by the parking lot at Kali’s. It’s no great shakes either but according to some of the FBBC staff it is currently the better of the two.

OK, thanks, so you end up at Kali's and walk from there?

When we were there, the island was very dry, so I'm sure that is the difference.

We discovered Vesna Taverna when we were on island in February. Became quite a fan!! Great people and delicious food. One of the best racks of lamb ever!!
Thanks for rechecking on the Towers.

It's actually called Friars Bay Road & yes you end up in the parking lot by Kali's. Gutside is the restaurant on the right heading in to Friar's Bay before the little bridge.

thank you Pat! really enjoying your posts!

We also love Vesna Taverna. Owners are delightful and the food is very good. We enjoyed many breakfasts there.

Thanks for the update. Enjoy yourself.

Forgive me Pat, you can correct me any time....I was a French major, it’s boeuf...I can’t help myself!!

No need to forgive - my high school French was a very long time ago - some might even say it was a lifetime ago and they would be about right. And I don’t recall boeuf carpaccio being on any of our vocabulary lists. Bottom line, however it’s spelled, it was delicious! And I always appreciate learning........

Speaking of Gutside, does anyone know if it is open?

I am a big fan of Vesna Taverna as well.

3 weeks! Can't wait