TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin “Running around” and Mardis de Grand Case

Yesterday our bodies needed a break from the sun and surf after so many nice beach days. We had what I call a “running around day” - just drive around and look at stuff. We intended to have an early lunch at Rusty Rocket but arrived to find it closed. I sent a message on FB and found out they’d be closed for the day for maintenance. We decided to just drive around places where we haven’t ever spent much time. In Simpson Bay we saw many, many restaurant names I recognize from trip reports here. We decided to stop at Buccaneer for lunch. It’s funny how you imagine things to be, and reality ends up being so different. I had originally thought maybe we’d spend a beach day at Buccaneer sometime, and I’m now glad we didn’t plan that. Our food was actually quite good - coconut shrimp and Philly cheese steak. The staff was nice. It just wasn’t somewhere I personally would spend the day, when compared to the other wonderful beaches we’ve seen. I can see how it probably gets quite lively in the evenings.
We wandered around some more ending up in Phillipsburg. One ship in port- I think it was called Celebrity Millennium. We had a frozen drink at Talulah Mango for some people watching and then browsed the shops. The goal was Gulmohar’s after reading about it in Todd’s report. What nice people! We purchased a few bottles and a shirt. Prices were not as inflated as I expected. Next we tried a few pours across the street at Lux. There was some minor drama when the males of a cruise ship family came in to drink, leaving the wives and children on the sidewalk (no minors allowed in Lux). One kid smashed her finger in the door and the other one beat on the glass prompting the bartender to tell them to cut it out. She was so calm and collected in addition to being nice and knowledgeable about bourbon.
We drove around some more before heading back to the hotel for some pool time before dinner at La Villa and Mardis de Grand Case. (I guess this used to be called Harmony Nights?).
Dinner was exceptional. I love La Villa. The service, the food, the ambiance are all top notch and the fixed price menu is the bargain of restaurant row. We had appetizers of eggplant and walnut stack, mushroom ravioli, and lobster bisque followed by entrees of lamb rack, filet in fois Gras sauce, and coconut crusted mahi. Desserts were two pineapple dishes and a pistachio creme brûlée. In addition to the house rum shots, JC (from Orange Fever) was pouring everyone some type of libation out of a gas can. I didn’t partake but I think it was passion fruit something. The parade started up just as we ordered dessert and it was such fun. One of the dancers came all the way into the restaurant. The music and costumes were top notch.
We had a nightcap at Ocean 82’s bar before hitting the footpath home as there were still plenty of people out and about following the parade. Another wonderful day!

Thanks for another exceptional report! How much was the price fixe menu at La Villa? Wonderful pictures! Unless you are VERY hungry folks, I'm thinking there are three of you for dinner? Carry on!

Carol - yep, we’re a party of three this trip. The fixed price menu starts at $60 pp with up charges for certain selections (fois Gras for example as your appetizer would be an up charge). Otherwise you can choose from any selection on the menu for the fixed price. It’s a steal.

OK thanks for the info. It does sound like a good deal, although I don't think I could eat that much food anymore.. We have done a 3 course menu at a place in Cupecoy (Altro??), that was something like $36, but the portion sizes were smaller, so we were able to enjoy all three courses. Not in the category of Grand Case, but easier to get to from the Dutch side at night.

Looked like a good day for you all. La Villa is on our list for this comimg May.

Another lovely report.

We love La Villa, too, and the people are so gracious and nice. JC rounds it out with his charm and wit!