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The Palms- Bring Cash

Well, we made it to the Palms for the first time. Right next door to Little Jerusalem a new favorite for us.

No real parking at the Palms itself so parked across the street. We came 5ish but the kitchen does not open until 6pm. We walked around the area and came back sat down. Opened the menu and saw Cash Only. Well, we just blew 80 in cash and only had 40ish. So, Ordered drinks and made a dash to not one,not two,but three ATMs. Had to cross the street and go to Texaco station for ATM that worked. Almost $9 bucks to get $100.

Drizzling rain walking back.

The welcome and service is very good. They take great pride in this and it shows.

But I don’t think we picked the best menu items.

Ordered the Pao steamed bun appetizer. These things are awesome in Asia, soft and light with a tasty filling. Here, not same thing. Kind of like Sloppy Joe meat in a toughish bun that needed a knife to cut.

We shared the drunken ribs and whole snapper.

The ribs were very good. Meaty and tender and mash potatoes good.

The whole snapper was small and pan fried. We had to pick through alot of bones in nearly every fork full for little pieces of meat. Unfortunately,the juice was not worth the squeeze. We’d rather have a decent size fillet broiled or baked in lemon garlic butter or almondine. I think they had to cook it whole because the fillets would be too small and thin.

The Rice and beans were ok.

Anyway, maybe the steak and prawns would have been a better choice but they talked the snapper special and their ribs.

Top shelf margarita was excellent even though it came in a regular rocks glass.

Service was excellent and friendly and quick.

We dont get the no credit card decision in the tourist business. Ok at a beach shack, unsat when dinner bills approach $100+.

We’d try again some day but are more likely to visit their next door neighbor if in the area.

No cc and cash only is a killer for me. Don't care how good the food is.

It's no secret that The Palms is our favorite restaurant on the Dutch side, maybe now our favorite on the island as we don't venture over to the French side at night much any more. A lot of that does have to do with the owners, Greg and Jo, who are delightful people and work very hard to make their restaurant a success. But the food is excellent. David always gets the snapper, and I always get the ribs, for our first meal on the island. I've never been able to finish my ribs, and I've never seen a small snapper on David's plate. They serve it whole because that's the best way to get the most flavor out of any protein....bones add flavor! The food there isn't gourmet; it's good, filling, home-cooked food. Every single item is homemade.

Scuba, what a shame that you'll miss so many great places because they don't take credit cards. But hey, whatever works for you....

I expected a litlle reaction 😀.

I agree on the passion for the business and service and we will return knowing better what time to arrive and what to take out of safe and have some cash in wallet.

I asked how it was prepared and that should have alerted me. The fish was tasty and I am always aware for bones but it was a little to finger lickin good. I like a big fillet.

We shared both and made sure I got the extra rib.

They had a Guinness beef Stew that did sound and still does sound awesome.

Isn't there some other salads or appetizers folks rave about? Maybe that’s Greenhouse but we haven't gotten there yet.

Years ago, when Greg's mom was also in the kitchen, she made an amazing Tabbouleh salad, and homemade hummus. Sadly, when she and Greg's dad retired and left the island, those items are no longer on the menu. The Guinness stew is extremely good; and while I've not had it, Todd says the filet is one of the best he's had anywhere, not just on the island. Greg also makes a stuffed meatloaf that is extremely good. You may also be thinking about the carrot cake, which a lot of people love. Unfortunately, I've never had a carrot cake that's better than mine, so I don't order it anywhere . Jo makes an amazing espresso martini, and if she's not behind the bar, John's is just as good. One evening we wanted an Old Fashioned, and there wasn't any good whisky behind the bar. Greg went next door to the Chinese market, took Todd with him, and came back with a bottle of Maker's Mark. It's that kind of personal attention that makes a restaurant, in my humble opinion.

I do agree that, for the prices they charge, they should take cards. But it's a lesson to make sure that you bring cash if you eat at someplace that you have not eaten at before. Don't assume they take cards.

I always have their lasagna. While not a true Italian receipe, it's pretty tasty. The "cash" thing is sometimes inconvient and I guess a surprise for first timers.

Love The Palm,,,,great food. My Guess is that they would take credit cards if they could. People spend more when they can pay by credit. It may should funny but its not easy to open a bank account or merchant credit card account on the island and it take forever to get approved and many good people get denied for whatever reasons. Thats just my guess.

Taking cash is all about education to their customers but making sure they back it up with the quality of food and service they provide to retain said customer. Also saves them a packet and dealing with the nonsense of the credit card companies. Can work, done it myself in my time and it also gets rid of the riff raff....(incoming🤬)

Can’t remember but I think Mama’s Pizza in Porto Cupeco also only take cash.

"Scuba, what a shame that you'll miss so many great places because they don't take credit cards. But hey, whatever works for you...."
I don't mind paying cash for inexpensive meals or beach food but for an evening out where it can get expensive I like to have the option of using my card. And yes I do sometimes pay in cash for expensive dinners or purchases but like that option.

Mama's in Porto Cupecoy Facebook page doesn't say cash only so not sure about that however, noticed Sunday Brunch aptz, main dish, dessert and a mimosa $25 us. and daily specials $15. Lamb dinner, Pot au Feu, Beef Bourginon, Lasagna to name four (can't remember the rest).

If anyone knows for sure cash only please post. I'd like to try it in March.

Totally forgot to mention the Spicy Lasagna; it's another favorite!!

We always make sure to have enough cash to cover whatever we expect to spend no matter where we go on the island; you never know when the internet will be down and even places that do take credit cards can't take them. It hasn't happened as much recently, but used to be a common occurrence.

I think your review is fair, and I get what you are saying. I as most know am a big supporter of The Palms and is on a short list of places that I will go back to several times over our normal three week trip. I have enjoyed meals at lots of the top end places on SXM on both sides of the island and I still enjoy a stop at Spiga, Bistrot Caraibes, Le Moulin Fou (who has an excellent steak) and others. But what I enjoy most is the personal relationships we build over the years with people like Lal, Greg and Jo, Bruno, Dany, and many others including some that have since left the island following Irma. We are loyal to them, and we know that not one of them always has their best day, but over time we know we can count on good food and being taken care of and that relationship growing. That to me is what SXM is about, that is what draws me back each year, the people are the key including our visiting island friends we have added to our lives.

This is what makes The Palms one of our favorites on island, and it has given us incredible memories along with some pretty good food and drinks. The cash deal, we know it going in and while we might prefer to also pay with a card it just isn't a big deal to me and we just make sure we bring enough cash to the island to enjoy places like The Palms and Lal's.

As for the steak that was mentioned, I had the steak and shrimp twice on the last trip. The second one was very good, and I would have that again and again as it was competitive with about any steak I have ever had. The first one however was off the charts fantastic, it would have been pretty difficult to repeat something that good. The lasagna is also very good as long as you get there before a famous Lasagna Aficionado from NY that has been known to end up with the last piece! The creative and quality cocktails are also a draw for us and sometimes we just stop there for a cocktail before or after dinner elsewhere.

Sure missing The Palms and the island now, here in the PNW where our high temp will be in the mid 30's.

Cheers!

Sure it said in small writing at the bottom of the board outside, cash only but I could be wrong.

Regardless. Was really good and just not pizza...think you will enjoy it.

Todd, in a nutshell you have described what SXM is all about. We have never dined at the Palms since we stay so far away, but hope to someday. Speaking of how the island merchants become friends over the years, on our most recent trip I heard someone calling out to me as I left Carrofour. Turns out it was my favourite jeweler whom I hadn't seen in THREE years. As my husband reminded me "you must have spent WAY too much money there over the past 20 years......"

I didn't realize how much I had missed SXM until we went back this year (our first after Irma).

Big fan of the Palms. Just a note, there is an ATM just past the parking lot a few steps away.

Todd, you and others have hit the nail on the head. Loyalty and friendship. We all have our favorites. They look after you and you repay the favor. The trouble is so many places, so little time. What a tough life....causes one to plan carefully, now can I do breakfast as well. Three meals a day, on vacation, no cares, no worries apart from lugging the stomach into bed at night..oh what bliss.

I went once and when they said cash only I said I wont be back until they change.I come for multiple weeks and thrive best on credit cards.

Your loss. We spend three weeks every year, and have no problem bringing enough cash for those places that don't take credit cards. Sure, we'd also rather use cards and get the cash back bonus, but I would never refuse to patronize a business for solely that reason.

And, the cost of taking a credit card is built into the menu prices which would likely rise if they did start taking credit cards. I can go either way but cash only would not stop me from going to a place I wanted to go to.