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Feeling really good that Villa (not sand) gravity has not kept me from doing my reviews
La Favorita makes it hard to leave where you are staying and I love traveling the island, but this week we have certainly been grounded
I wish our friends could have seen more of the island and understand why we all call it our away from home home

They did get a small taste of it yesterday as we visited with "my brother" Richard and Lourdes at the Gutside
We were happy to see them open as our backup plans were to keep driving and go to the Grand Case lolo's

Richard and Lourdes are the most welcoming folks I know (also JC from La Villa)
Coincidence but Richard said he looked at our Christmas card at his house in the morning and hours latter we arrive
even if we don't eat at the Gutside, we always stop by to spend time and chat

Getting ahead but another coincidence, we asked Lourdes her favorite restaurant and mentioned Le Pressor and of course that is our next dining experience

Lourdes turned the fan towards us and brought some cold Caribes and a ting for my wife
You'll see from the pictures that Richard is stepping up his plate presentation

Our friends are "Frenched" out after 5 days of gourmet eating said this was their favorite meal and the ribs where better than Jamaica where they usually visit yearly

My wife cleaned the plate of shrimps accompanied with delicious rice, beans, plantain, avocado and an off the tree mango
I crushed my whole red snapper. prepared so simple but always leaves a great memory
Lourdes joined us for the meal and someone said that's what a mango should taste like
Before leaving Richard proudly showed us his mango and avocado trees and Lourdes presented us with a bag of Mangos

Although a bit out of the way for most folks, Gutside is worth the drive for some real food and real island friends


Le Pressoir

Our Villa mates decided to stay in as they are happy to stay put all day and the refrigerator is full of some good choices
From our reviews of last year, Le Pressoir was our favorite restaurant
I have a feeling that it will win again this year despite an unusual ending

We arrived at 9:00 PM and parked across the street at the free lot
The restaurant was almost full and Gil and MIlaure were hustling to keep up as it seemed all guests pretty much arrived just before us and all were awaiting to order or thier first course, sort of like eating back home at 7:00 crush time
Gil made the best of mojito for my wife while I enjoyed a nice glass of Sancerre to start, I do like that they offer upgraded wines by the glass

We had made reservations for the 7 course tasting ($140.00)

Although extremely busy, service was attentive and Milaure has a great sense of humor

the amuse bouche was a generous portion of beef tat tar garnished with a heaping of quality caviar, my wife who does not eat raw beef ate all the caviar and half the meat,

First course will be a food memory forever, a poached egg, shaved truffle, porcini mushroom, asparagus, parmesan and foam . Culinary heaven

Second course was small rolled up marinated wahoo with truffle cream, truffle slices and yuzu pearls which popped in the mouth.
we have previously enjoyed this course in full size and it is presented under a dome with smoke which fills the air when removed


around this time a huge dover sole was presented and deboned tableside next to us, it was almost 4 pounds and shared by three at the table
I will digress to mention the 3 house made flavored sweet butters

Third course was a single river prawn ravioli topped with Osetra caviar, and a crab bisque poured table side out of a conch shell

Fourth course was a perfectly cooked lobster medallions with a sea urchin cream and black lemon shavings

It was about this time when my wife started with heat flashes and felt flush

Fifth Course was Iberian Pluma ( special cut of the loin of the black pig) , stuffed with candied duck, pineapple and mango sauce, and a thyme gravy
While the sauce was being poured tableside my wife dismissed herself

I enjoyed two bites and requested the check and for this dish to be wrapped.

Milaure quickly responded, she apologized although it is no fault of the restaurant and arranged for us to return to complete our meal

We both agree despite the ending, this is the best meal on the island for those who appreciate fine dinning
Beautiful presentation, quality ingredients, not overdone courses with too much going on, attentive service, French farm chic atmosphere

I did add a picture of the meat course from last year but we each got one portion

Apologies not accepting my lobster photo
Hopefully I will add the dessert photos

mahokid--I hope your wife is OK??

appreciated,
she just enjoyed breakfast and said she can't wait to pick out her lobster tonight at Bistro Caraibes

OK, that's good. Enjoy Bistrot!!

Richard and Lourdes are wonderful people. Richard prepared excellent oxtail for me years ago. And I was honored when he took me on a private tour of his beautiful property. Lourdes also shared some Interesting Snapper eating tips that included chewing the fish cheeks and eating the eyeballs. I’ve never eaten the eyeballs since, lol.

WOW. That meal at Le Pressoir was phenomenal! The pictures are fabulous!

Gutside is a must do for us every trip.

Love Gutside!!
Just sorry, it took us so long to get there.

Last year, we just stopped, woke up Richard and found out how to make a reservation. LOL
They are just a great couple to spend time with.
AND the food is great!

I guess it wasn't a reaction to the food that caused a problem for your wife---Happy she is better.

Mahokid you should really try Bacchus for lunch (they only do lunch), you seem to enjoy higher-end type of dining
https://bacchussxm.com/en/saint-martin-en/

I second that recommendation! One of the best meals of my June trip!

while we dropped a few dimes at Bacchus and know Romain at the Hope Estate store, we usually save our big meals for dinner and do not like to miss sun time
Yes the restaurant is nicely decorated and the menu does look inviting

Mahokid--Yes, that used to be us--didn't want to miss sun time with a big lunch!! Now, lunch almost seems to be our 'go-to' meal, at least half the time.

I'm with you on that. Suntime outs lunch time. Simple lunches for us in condo or lunch delivered to loungers on beach. 👍