TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Vesna Tavern

We have been to Vesna a few times in a previous years and had a very good experience there. This year we went there again first time in the beginning of our vacation. The food was fantastic, the service was good and Vesna herself was a firecracker! All perfect!
We decided to take the friend who are new to the island to Vesna to experience the good food again… We got a totally different experience that second visit. First, we were given the board with today specials. No regular menu was given at all. That wasn’t a biggie since we all liked the specials. Wife ordered mussels. They were pretty bland, not much flavour at all but friends never had them before so they ate half of the portion. Waiter came in to ask if we finished and if we liked it. Wife told her that we didn’t really liked them. Waitress said something like Pfffff and run away. The main course came in and two out of 4 dishes were pretty bad. One fish dish was way too dry, overcooked. The other fish dish was pretty tasteless… I had the lamb shank so it was very good and wife had some pasta with shrimps and clams. She liked it.
The service was very slow, the place wasn’t that busy either but it was taking forever to get the attention of the waitress to bring us some little things like bread or water…
It felt that the place was very disorganized even thou Vesna herself were running around in circles doing things.
My rant is over. Sorry it was too long.

just wonder if all the action of the regatta has something to do with all the mixed experiences at not only here but other places?

Unfortunately a lot of normally great restaurants are now struggling to provide good food and services as experienced staff is hard to find on SXM since covid. Vesna had always been one of the best reviewed so hopefully it’s just a temporary problem. This year I wouldn’t right off any restaurant because of bad service. It’s almost everywhere.

Sorry your experience was not as expected. However, I would suggest you express your concern to Vesna. She runs a great restaurant and is a dedicated business woman who will be determined to remedy your situation. You have acknowledged you liked the restaurant previously so perhaps a staff shortage or a new staff member caused the problem. I have always had excellent food and service at Vesna's and think it is one of the best restaurants in Simpson Bay.

Regatta is extremely busy for restaurants for sure, and many large parties. Large parties are really hard on a restaurant.

If they can't handle large parties they shoildn't take reservation for more than they can serve well.
And I don't think it is a problem everywhere.

I agree with what islandgem said.
Talk to Vesna, she is one of the best hosts and I'm sure she would want to know.

Very surprised! Love everything about Vesna Taverna.

WLE--I beg to differ. Large parties (like 10 people or so) are a strain on any restaurant. Been there several times at Regatta with large parties.

Yes can be , however be pre-prepared for large groups via reservation should be the normal protocol of said operations.

True but all it takes is for one employee to not show.

Especially at Regatta, people have a tendency to just show up, with a big group.

Understand .

Kennys- Right on ! Don't ask for a problem

Vesna would be very concerned and disappointed to hear about your experience. Please contact her. She will appreciate the feedback!

OP said Vesna was there.

Vesna actually sent me a message saying that a few of her clients showed her my post. And expressed her concern about the service that we had received. I didn’t have time to reply yet but I sure will. As I said, we were surprised by the latest experience.
The reason why we didn’t want to say anything when we were leaving is that we were sure that the waitress told her about us not liking our meals and she did nothing to acknowledge it and just sweep it under the rug…

Kinda strange though ?

always have great experience whether lunch or dinner................try again.....................

My thoughts exactly! One should always discuss before leaving an establishment. And if they don’t try to rectify the situation then they shouldn’t post about it because the establishment couldn’t attempt to fix the situation. Truly dislike posts like this.

They said they informed the waitress and she did nothing and they were certain the waitress informed the owner.

OK, this one has kind of run it's course, so will end it here.