TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Arriving Friday--need info please

We are arriving Friday and I have seen a lot of info regarding curfews, border closing, etc...hoping to get the most updated info so we know what we are coming into. Thanks to all who can provide a current update!

Also looking for a great restaurant to celebrate our 35th anniversary next weekend....all thoughts appreciated.

JBSTL

to the best of my knowledge
French side curfew 9:00 PM (better than our 8:00 PM a week ago) most restaurants will stop seating 45 minutes prior but who wants to eat in 45 minutes.
It sucks but we just adjusted our schedule to eat breakfast and lunch earlier with no snacking
You are to back to your place and off the road by curfew
almost everywhere we went were observing the curfew
an establishment can stay open later if it is in a resort
I believe the sunset cafe at GCBC stayed open later but we never took a look over when returning home
Not sure how the Grandame handle a late road driver as the latest we got back was about 8:10
we did see them driving through Grand case before curfew

Dutch side business's must close by 11;00 although you do not need to be "home" by curfew
We got "kicked" out of the casino twice

Stayed tuned as changes are usually announced on Friday for the French side

No boarding closing unless there is a protest

For a special meal in Grand Case I would recommend Le Pressoir which is extremely overlooked. This is more like michelin presented food. they also offer a lunch prix fix if you wished to not spluge as it is a little more than the others
Again not sure what has closed in the last week as I wasn't concerned but La Villa has recently closed along with Spiga. La Cottage is also closed
I also believe L'Aubegre Gourmand has also closed leaving Bistro Caribes for the celebratory lobster thermidor ( we had a 5 pounder, too big but we finished it)
We did celebrate every night and Astrolab (Orient) was awesome dining alfresco around the pool. They have special nights with music (curfew may change schedule) and surf & turf or just lobster (Fridays & Mondays)

For dining on the Dutch side
Sublime delivers very good food and service although we only enjoyed 6 appetizers
Most places I would recommend are on holiday including Jax and Mario's
If casual is okay, Altro is a great value
Sale e Pepe has very good food and a beautiful setting while the service lacks

Happy Anniversary

Oh you guys are young, check out Le Pressoir if you appreciate fine dining
No insults to the mature folks who seem to be a bit more conservative
I'm fairly mature but live for food, it's my life

Mahokid

JBSTL--Mahokid has described the situation re curfew well. Dinner on the French side is more possible now, with 9 PM curfew--unless as he said, they change back again to 8. 8 PM was what we had in June, and I was very uncomfortable, trying to get in a meal and get back over the border in time. We dined at Ocean 82, and enjoyed it immensely. It is on the water, so that makes a nice view, especially with an earlier meal. I don't know whether they are closing for vacation or not. Best to make a reservation for your anniversary, to confirm they are open, as much as anything, and if you choose a waterside restaurant, to ensure an oceanside table. Congrats on the anniversary!

Thanks for the suggestions from those who responded so far--and for the additional info. I guess some of this really depends on the curfew timing and how things look a few days from now.

We typically stay in Orient Village when we are there (2X/year), but are staying at Royal Palm this trip. We don't know a lot about the Dutch side restaurants, but are open to any other recommendations as well.

I appreciate Mahokid and Carol's input and will look forward to any others who want to jump in or throw anything else my way.

Thanks!

Our favorite spot on the Dutch side our last trip was Palapa Grill. It's a quirky, tented type place. The bar was fun for a before dinner drink and the steaks were wonderful every time we've been!

For a high-end dinner on the Dutch side, I am partial to Le Foulin Mou in Maho. Have had an excellent meal every time I've been there.

Hey JBSTL!!! It's not real high end dinning. But for the bang for the buck. I'm giving Greenhouse there lobster night or there Prime rib night ( should book in an advance) a BIG two thumbs up!!! Get there for "HH" and be seated for dinner. You won't go wrong! You can walk it!! [/font]https://www.thegreenhouserestaurant.com/greenhouse_simpson_bay.html

JBSTL--Since you're staying at Royal Palm, you may want to try out Roxxy, if it's open. I don't know whether they are closed for vacation now or not. It's literally next door to RP. It's very high end. I haven't been there myself, but you can always walk over for Happy Hour and see whether you like the menu and the ambiance or not. For French cuisine, I would echo Jazzgal's recommendation of Le Moulin Fou. For a toes in the sand experience, you may want to check out either Karakter or Mary's Boon. Neither is high end food, but it's a lovely stretch of beach there.

I will be interested to hear when you arrive if the restaurant at Royal Palm is open or not. IF it's open and you go there, don't expect much. Historically that restaurant has been VERY bad.

Another thumbs up for Greenhouse. Any night is good.

IMO For a special occasion dinner, Jax can not be surpassed for cocktails....food and service.

Bistrot Caraibes on French Side, Le Moulin Fou on the dutch.

Roxy Beach is modern and very hopping/loud both times we visited. Felt like the only people over 30 .

Karakter food/service was really very good for multiple dinner meals with no complaints from our large groups.

Marys Boon food, unfortunately, I would recommend only to people staying at the Boon and dont want to leave for breakfast or dinner. Lunch burgers and fare are pretty good as is the bar.

Mary's Boon just got a new chef last week. Getting rave reviews so far, you might want to try again.

I'm not that familiar with the Dutch side, but I highly recommend Le Champagne Bistro for a wonderful gourmet lunch. I'm not sure if they are open yet for dinner. It is owned and run by Sylvain who also owns the wine shop next door- Select Wine Cellar. It is in the corner of the Orange Grove Shopping Center in Cole Bay. If you are familiar with where the Harley Davidson shop used to be, it's just across the street on the same side.

UPDATE: I just saw the the wine shop will be closed for 2 weeks from Sept 11-27. Trying to find out if the restaurant will be closed as well...
UPDATE #2: The restaurant will be closed the same dates. Sorry

Lets hope they do well as it would be nice to just bill a good breakfast/dinner on the water to the room rather than get in a car.