TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Marks last night

Had the mussels and substituted the fries for pasta. OMG was so good with the sauce and mussels in the pasta. Others in group had snapper. All of us enjoyed our meals. Going to bbq in tonight.

Never a bad experience at Mark's Place.

That's for sure.

Glad you enjoyed, Scuba. We love the mussels there - the broth they’re served in is literally out of this world. And they’ll give you all the bread you want to enjoy it. I almost wish you could order the broth without the mussels.

Broth and garlic bread! I was lucky enough a few weeks ago to enjoy both with a few lady friends. It was Friday, the day they get their fresh mussels. We were a tad concerned on arrival when they told us the shipment had not arrived yet. Happily, by the time we were ready to order the shipment had come in. Fresh off the plane, they were absolutely, melt in your mouth delicious!

Hmmmm, methinks one of the ladies you may have been with is the same one who first introduced us to their mussels. I doubted they would be that good and boy, was I ever wrong. Ya gotta’ trust a local! 😊

Someday you have to remind me to tell you the story about our very FIRST visit to Mark's when he was still in Cul de Sac before he relocated to his current location. How we even found him all those years ago was a miracle but it gets better......

Consider yourself reminded. "Back in the day" that used to be the first restaurant we went to on arrival.

Good to know. I always thought they came in on Tuesday.

Rbailey,

Well, since you insist...........you do insist, right?

We stumbled upon Mark's one day when taking a ride and thought it would be a fun place to bring the girls for dinner so we signed up for a reservation on the reservation carte and showed up that night for dinner. This was either 1983 or 1985, the first years we finally brought our daughters to the island.

The girls and I had no trouble choosing our entree but DH was having a hard time. Rather than choose just one item, he opted for their appetizer plate which included a couple of things that sounded good but also included 'blood sausage' which I knew he wouldn't enjoy. Being the devoted wife that I am, I reminded him how he didn't like any type of sausage but he was adamant - this was what he wanted and what he ordered.

Our meals arrived and DH took one look at his plate and turned a very interesting shade of green before telling me - big surprise - "Honey, I don't think I can eat the blood sausage." I was tempted to tell him 'told you so' but I was nice. Our dinners were all great, btw.

He kept hurrying me to eat my baked potato because he wanted the foil it was cooked in. When I finally gave him the foil he wrapped his sausage in it and when no one was looking he discretely threw it out the window. What he didn't count on was it hitting a sleeping cow in the bushes directly below the window who was not at all happy at having his nap disturbed. The cow jumped up and started thrashing around in the grass and bellowing his displeasure at being disturbed. Every eye of every diner in the restaurant turned out way. So much for discretion..........

Oh, that is a GREAT story, Pat!!! Thanks for the chuckle!!

... And his "wanted picture" still hangs today in the Natural Resources office.

Oh Pat that is so funny. I have a similar story about Foie Gras at Le Cottage but don't want to hi jack this post. Will tell another time.

Pat -- that's hysterical! Thanks for the laughs.

Nice story.

Ironically only did them in Grand Case way back lol. But one day will try.

Grand Case?? Were they in Grand Case before Cul de Sac??

Meant Cul de Sac that goes to show how long ago.

Well, I must be the exception. I have had their ribs, and was underwhelmed. I went back this last year to have the mussels as that was the suggested dish. Others had different dishes and in the end it was all below average at best. The service however was a bit less than the food experience, I just don't get the support this place gets. Other than all the suggestions to go there which makes me feel like I missed something, I would not go back if it was free. I tried, twice, and sadly I actually might give it a chance for a third strike but I really don't like wasted meals on island so it makes zero sense but I really want to give it an honest chance based on the people that like it. I think you all may be nuts!
T

I think you are in the minority regarding Marks Place. I resize we all have different tastes and likes which is good.I think the ribs with the scalloped potatoes with Gouda cheese at Marks are the best I have had on the island.
Bob

I know how you feel, Todd. I actually like Mark's Place for what it is. But I have your sentiment about Pineapple Pete's. While I have had okay service, my meals there have definitely been underwhelming. Yet others rave about it. Go figure.

"Pineapple Pete's. While I have had okay service, my meals there have definitely been underwhelming. Yet others rave about it. Go figure."
Same here

Lesley--OK, thanks.

Lesley--OK, thanks.

Linda--Yes, Mark's Place to me is a great value and good, hearty food. Nothing more or less, but we enjoy it. We don't go there that often, since it's 'over the hill', but we have always enjoyed it.

Remember Mark's from our first trip to the island in November of 1985 (honeymoon). That was when he was in Cul de Sac. What I remember most was the Creole chicken and profiteroles for dessert. In 1985, we weren't as "wordly" as we are now, and had never heard of profiteroles! Lol. We still enjoy Mark's Place and usually eat there at least once every trip. Good times.....see you in July.