TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Days 4-7

It's funny, I'm sure others have had the same feeling, once adjusted to island life, the days all seem to blend together. As I posted on another site, not to sound boring, but we just love to sit at the beach here at BSV. This is what we did during the last 4 days. The beach is just beautiful as well as the grounds here. I actually think this is one of the best beaches on the island. Many days we just walk all the way down to the end and back. Been in the habit of going to Jule's Bakery for some fresh croissants and a baguette. Voila, breakfast and lunch on the deck, looking at the beautiful blue water. While I'm not one to constantly be taking pictures, I wanted to take some for everyone to see. I’ve downloaded the instructions how to post and will do that when I’ve had a chance to read through them.

Friday night was dinner at Izi. This is always on our list of restaurants to eat at. Their pasta is always so fresh and delicious. The service is always good and many of the servers recognize us with friendly welcomes. David always joins us at the table to catch up.

Saturday night was Moulin Fou, one of our favorites on the island. We got there a little later than normal for us, but it was still pretty busy there. We didn’t have to wait for a table though so that was nice. It’s also nice without Cheri’s being open below. I have nothing against Cheri’s, it was an institution here on SXM, but the noisy dinner guest there was always a distraction from the ambiance of Moulin Fou.

Sunday night we tried a new place for us, Palapa Grill. Amazing what they did with the old Rancho restaurant. What a charming restaurant. The service was wonderful and the food delicious. I just love all the little alcoves and gardens and little pool in the center. What a nice ambiance. One of the servers had a little conversation with us showing us around. She was so pleasant.

Last night was another new restaurant, Frenchy Ludo’s. We absolutely loved this place. It reminded us of the days years ago over in Marigot. Nestled up to the water, loads of boats in their docks, blue water and very peaceful. They had a wonderful sax player up in the bar area playing dinner music. The service was top notch, as was the food. I think so far this trip, this was our best dining experience. A while back, someone mentioned there was an unpleasant odor there. We never experienced that last night what so ever. Perhaps it was a bad night for them back then.

We’ve been to the casino in Maho every night after dinner. Friday night, all of Maho was extremely busy. It was the only night the casino had a craps table open and it was great to be able to play. Wish they opened it more often.

Today we are planning on breaking away from BSV and head over to Anse Marcel. This will be a new first for us as well. With the help of Terry(The Lurker) we have good directions and will be enjoying ourselves on the other side of the island. It’s been a great trip so far. We still have 4 more days left of paradise. It never ceases to amaze me how quickly the time goes by when we’re here. I’m very appreciative of the time spent here. I will study the directions on loading photo’s soon……..

What a great write-up!!

Your days sound much like ours. Last November we never made it to Mullet Beach, our personal island favorite since 1973. It’s just so comfortable at BSV, beach or poolside, that you hate to leave.

You’ve given me some good inspiration for new places to try when we get there, so thank you for that, and I hope you enjoy Anse Marcel as much as we always do, though we haven’t been back since they reopened post-Irma. We left just a few days before they reopened last trip.

I hope the rest of your stay is as enjoyable as it’s been so far and again, I thank you for such a nicely done trip report.

Thanks for the report! I so agree, when you have the best beach on the island right out your slider, why would you want to leave??

I do think we will try Palapa Grill when we are next in Simpson Bay. Sounds great! I think with regard to Frenchy Ludo's the conclusion is that the smell is based on the prevailing wind. Wind out of the right direction, no problem. Wind out of the wrong direction, yikes!!

Thanks for the update and report.

I am one who mentioned the odor from the lagoon at Frency Ludo. I also had a bad meal experience there but glad you enjoyed it. Perhaps Palapa Grill is worth a try on the next visit.

Thanks again Mike!! I am with you on just staying put at BSV. I love that I have my own loungers, shade on the deck if I need it, and proximity to food, snacks, and a clean bathroom. It is heaven on earth for us and I don't need to venture to other beaches!! We also love the cooking amenities! We can enjoy a home cooked meal right on the beach!! I just love it there!

I am curious though about Palapa Grill. Where is that located? We may try it out!

In Simpson Bay, where Rancho used to be. Kind of near The Mailbox, same side of the road.

Actually, if you look from the street, you can still see the soaring roof of the “old Rancho”. The tenting covers it on the inside.

Thank you. I remembered your post. We approached last night with caution. A bad meal can't be negated, there's no excuse. Years ago, just a short way down the street, there was a restaurant I believe was called 3 Palms. We ate there once, and at one point, smelled the oder you were talking about. Big turn off. A friend who lived on the island said that sometimes in that area, after a good rain fall, that odor is present along the lagoon. side. So maybe a combination of rain and wind direction. I don't know.... But, I can also recommend Palapa Grill. Also wonderful atmosphere, and wonderful ambiance. I hope you try it and like on your next visit.

I hope you have a chance to try Palapa Grill Carol. I'm sure you will love it. Funny, I think the people who stay at BSV totally get it when I say all we do is hang out here at the beach. Why go anywhere else. One of my reasons for not writing trip reports in the past...same thing over and over again. BUT, I absolutely love it.

Yes, 3 Palms was a short-lived restaurant that was in the former Peg Leg Pub location in 3 Palms Plaza. The 12 days I spent on the island were virtually all dry so it was not anything to do with the rain on the night we went there.

I may try Palapa Grill if the reports continue to be positive but I would not go back to Frenchy Ludo. That does not mean others shouldn't try it as many reports have been positive but between the dry presentation of escargot and the very poor cut of filet mignon I had, they are off my list for good.

Happy to see more reports from you Mike. We'll have to try Frenchy Ludo in October with you. You are venturing off your path going to Anse Marcel. There are a few beach bar restaurants opened now on Orient, 2 more than we're opened when we were there in the Fall so we'll probably do a "road" trip to Orient a couple of days during our 2 week trip. Of course, if you absolutely love Anse you could twist our arm.

Mike, why did you wait so long to do trip reports, you are so good at it!! I can hear you talking!!

Hope you love Anse Marcel, as much as we did AND Louise I know you will love it!!

I don't think our dates are the same in November, but we will see you in the summer for sure.

ENJOY!!! Keep them coming!

Palapa Grill..what sort of food please?

Never mind found this..

http://sxmcooks.com/palapa-grill/

https://www.facebook.com/PalapaGrillSxm/?utm_source=tripadvisor&utm_medium=referral

We passed Palapa several times and said to each other we should eat there, then we ran out of time. Based upon your report we'll stop next year.

That sax player at Ludo's is Chocolate Watts. The first thing we did upon arrival was find out his schedule. He's great! We too thought Ludo's was our best dinner for all the reasons you stated. And I got the best photos there! Posted here thanks to beachkitn.

Thanks for reporting.

HERE is a link to a thread with the actual menu from Palapa Grill, as of a couple of months ago. I understand that they were supposed to be adding items to the menu soon after.

that link to SXM cooks is interesting....read the blog as well.

Yes, I had read that before, I think. My point was that I didn't really see a menu in your links. I don't understand why it is that restaurants cannot have a real website. And even if they have a facebook page, they STILL don't have their menu on it, in many or most cases. Bizarre..

I got rid of Facebook some years ago. However, although I agree with you Carol, some intentionally(mostly smaller establishments) won't advertise their menu as it gives the odds as only 50% of a prospective viewer either liking what they see or not. Better to entice them in first through other promotions, activities, musical evenings or whatever. Plus in the Restaurant business, unless you have someone just concentrating on the advertising side, they just dont have the time to change the menu which many do like to see if being different from what they ate say one year ago. And then some just don't have the internet skills needed to set up what we, the viewer, would prefer to see.

Honestly, I don't know much about Facebook, but I think all they have to do is take a picture of the menu and post it, I think. That isn't any harder at all than posting all the crap that they post there already.

Thanks for another good report. I am eager to hear your opinion of Anse Marcel; it's my favorite beach on the island. And yes, I've been on the beach where you are but find the water is often too rough to get in and out of. Not so at Anse Marcel. Hope you enjoy!