TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Reminiscing-Bruno and Fransua

Missing our dinners at La Petit Auberge at Marigot marina. Missing talking with Bruno, and Fransua's wonderful french cooking! I know they moved back to Normandy. Has anyone heard from them?

One of my favorite restaurants on the island, honest people, great food and reasonable prices. He is about the only restaurant owner who was truthful with me when asked about "service charge", menu prices, tipping, etc. This always resulted in a generous "tip" since he was so forthcoming. I have not heard from them but miss the place as many others do. Remember the dog, Mic-Mac, that I believe Bruno said was French Shepherd, which is a Beauceron. He was a big boy!

They turned out some amazing food at a great price from a very small kitchen.

so what is the truth?

The "truth" is/was, "service charge" IS included in the menu prices on the French side. No need to add 15%-20% but a "tip" is appreciated. This is NOTHING new to the French side. Many will provide a false answer when one asks, Bruno was ALWAYS honest.

I can see this conversation going down to the dark side.

Hopefully not. No reason for it to. Some get it and some don't when it comes to tipping/service charge on the French side.

Ditto, ruralcarrier! We have a mountain of wonderful memories from these people and that place. Couldn't remember Mic-Mac's name, but remember him! Apparently the restaurant is still there and gets good reviews, so we may return some day.

Bruno was also the first to suggest to us that we drink our merlot slightly chilled, which we had been doing for awhile. I also remember a french family dining with their poodle that had its own chair at the table!!!

Without a doubt, my favorite restaurant on the French side when they owned it. We walked through that area a couple of years ago, sadly, the Marina area is not what it once was. Let us know if/when you do try the restaurant again. No idea who owns it.

Amen to all those great comments! We loved that place! Bruno was so accommodating: one visit, my wife commented that she would like a particular salad without the blue cheese and Bruno immediately suggested that they could add white asparagus instead! She loved it!
Their kind of generous hospitality is seldom met at other places.

And with Mic-Mac sprawled out, Bruno stepping over him, Fransua producing culinary miracles from that tiny kitchen, it's visit we reminisce about every year.

It was definitely our favorite restaurant !
It was also our first dinner, when we arrived in SXM, and not our last.
We would talk to Bruno for hours! Francoise was quiet, but her cooking
was fantastic.
We were always careful not to step on Mic-Mac---one big dog.

I think we got a greeting, possibly for Christmas, after they left the island.

I did hear some good things about Petite Auberge, since the new owners took over.
We never went back.

We enjoyed every meal we had at Le Petit Auberge. Francoise was an amazing Chef whose meals were always a delight. We never left hungry after having a fixed price menu meal. Bruno was a great host/waiter. My wife and I were seated at a table by the waters edge when Bruno came to take our order he stood on the water side of the table. My wife asked if he ever fell in and he said he had but jumped right back out of the water, took the persons order and didn't miss a beat. We do miss them both.

We always went at least 2 times and sometimes 3 each 2 or 3 week trip. Always enjoyed talking to Bruno and Fransua. They always went out of there to make you feel comfortable and very accomadating in making changes to the menu. We both would get there three course meals and Fransua would let us select the ice cream for the profiteroles. I also remember Bruno saying they were country French where you leave full after a three course meal rather than classical French where you need to stop for a hamburger to fill up after their 3 course meals.
Bob

Im guessing this isnt the same Bruno of Yellow sub, Dreams, Petit Casino?

Correct, different Bruno.

Went there every week. Took out of town visitors there. Quiche Lorraine, Pommes Frites et Chardonnay.
Fantastic. Easy, clean, just enough. Dog was adorable.
Thanks for the memories.
irina

Yep, slightly chilled Merlot and lamb chops was our first meal there in 1989. Went back every year. Great ice cream and passed hours talking to Bruno while Mic-Mac "rested". Fransua would almost always have to come out of the kitchen and get Bruno away from our table! Then her food would come out looking like a French painting and tasting superb!

Bruno's last name is Darricarrere. After he sold the restaurant he worked in commercial real estate. If I recall correctly, the last time I spoke with him he let me know that Mic-Mac had moved on to doggy heaven. Great guy.

I just heard from Bruno yesterday. He and Francoise are still living on island. He still does real estate and Francoise works for a different company. We had been planning on having dinner with them this year, but I don't think that will happen now. Bruno still has his great sense of humor and Francoise is really sweet. She speaks French with me and just smiles when I "mess it up." Bruno, of course will translate when I get in over my head. They are indeed lovely people and we hope to see them in the not to distant future.

What a surprise and nice to hear they are both doing well.

Thanks for the update.

You are most welcome.

Yes, that is a nice surprise! I thought they moved back to Normandy or Brittany.

La Petit Auberge was one of our favorites for years loved the food, Bruno, and Fransua. Once I ordered a dinner and Bruno said I was in luck because the cook was in a good mood.