Forums39
Topics39,549
Posts320,739
Members26,685
|
Most Online4,031 Dec 15th, 2024
|
|
Posts: 97
Joined: March 2002
|
|
There are no members with birthdays on this day. |
|
18 members (Lionsail, DanS, SXMNAN, Manpot, Midsouth, SXMBND, Whale Tail, xrayman67, marybeth, SXMScubaman, deliveryskipper, MrEZgoin, Jerry_R, CLIFFTOPS, turqwater, ARC, TRIM, 1 invisible),
1,631
guests, and
79
robots. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 50
Traveler
|
OP
Traveler
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 50 |
Suggestions for restaurants, shops, places to visit or see that represent "The Real St. Martin ™" that locals frequent...
|
|
|
.
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,711 Likes: 1
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,711 Likes: 1 |
IMHO, there is no longer much of an ‘authentic’ SXM specific area although interspersed everywhere are bits of the old island as we first came to know it in the early 70’s. We were chatting yesterday about how very many restaurants we knew back then are no more in existence starting with all the great places that used to be at the original Mullet Bay Resort and the list goes on across both sides of the island. Some we miss are: Le Pavillion Zachary’s LaGuna Turtle Pier DaLivios Antoine’s Paradise Cafe Claude’s Mini Club Maison Sur La Porte La Vie en Rose L’Escargot and these are but a few. The list goes on and on and on but these were special in our memories…………
This is one island where locals and tourists really do intermingle although in the more residential areas you will find the occasional island hot spot. 🙂🙂
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 725 Likes: 3
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 725 Likes: 3 |
Restaurants that I consider "local" (based on our being the only, or few, diners speaking English there) are Le Cool Heure, Fleur de Sel, Le Taitu, and Hercules. Also, Yvettes, but everyone speaks English there.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 930 Likes: 7
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 930 Likes: 7 |
Pat is L'Escargot open again? When we were there in March they were working on the roof.
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 310 Likes: 8
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 310 Likes: 8 |
I guess the Lolo's would be considered local but also touristy.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,711 Likes: 1
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,711 Likes: 1 |
Pat is L'Escargot open again? When we were there in March they were working on the roof. Not to the best of my knowledge but I will post on Wednesday evening if it is.
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,503
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,503 |
Pinel Island Chesterfields
Another Day On Planet Earth
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,837 Likes: 2
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,837 Likes: 2 |
Mark's Place.
Vesna Taverna.
J.D.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 19,471 Likes: 4
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 19,471 Likes: 4 |
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 352 Likes: 1
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 352 Likes: 1 |
We When we've had lunch at Chesterfields it seemed as if most of the clientele were local workers from the businesses in the area. Evening crowd seems a mix of locals and tourists, but always fun to see families and friends from the island getting together there.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 50
Traveler
|
OP
Traveler
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 50 |
Great suggestions, everyone! If possible, I like to avoid places that cater *specifically* to tourists, because they usually result in something that I can easily get back home. I like to keep it as real and local as I can.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,290
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,290 |
For local places....Mark's Place. LaGoonies. Le String, especially on weekends. Chesterfields.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,396 Likes: 5
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,396 Likes: 5 |
Lal's Curry in a Hurry seems like mostly locals and very regular visitors, and have run in to island politicians and other noteworthy chefs from the island as well there. Gutside on the French Side, Friars Bay Beach Club has a very heavy local island crowd for lunch and one of our favorite places to spend a day on the beach.
I prefer the Isle seat
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,333 Likes: 1
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,333 Likes: 1 |
Restaurants that I consider "local" (based on our being the only, or few, diners speaking English there) are Le Cool Heure, Fleur de Sel, Le Taitu, and Hercules. Also, Yvettes, but everyone speaks English there.
I agree with these as well. How about also the Ital Shack?
If life hands you a lemon, just squeeze it on a lobster!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 496
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 496 |
Yvette's in Quartier D'Orleans has been there at least 30 years. Hate to admit it but we have never tried it. Love to hear from others who have. Wahnfried, Anthony Bourdain's video is worth a watch in case you have not seen it. Most of the places are gone but it's entertaining. I'm sure all of the SXM veterans have seen it. Johnny B is still in the LoLo's next to the Simpson Bay Drawbridge. Gus's place on Baie Rouge is gone but Gus frequents the Perch on Orient once in a while. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9SoWhmsSR4Here is another fun video on SXM establishments. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oa-yqJ5iOKM
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 795
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 795 |
Gutside is as local as you can get for Caribbean food. We love Richard's food and Lourdes is a wonderful host. Yvette's is a great local restaurant. We have eaten there 30+ times over the years.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 18,603 Likes: 1
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 18,603 Likes: 1 |
No. The local family who owns the building for many years is refurbishing the building. They say it will not become a restaurant.
Elaine ********************************* God Bless the broken road....
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 50
Traveler
|
OP
Traveler
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 50 |
I'm writing all of these down!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,711 Likes: 1
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,711 Likes: 1 |
Pat is L'Escargot open again? When we were there in March they were working on the roof. Not to the best of my knowledge but I will post on Wednesday evening if it is. I was told yesterday L’Escargot is definitely closed and not reopening as same but no clue what it will become.
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,979 Likes: 4
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,979 Likes: 4 |
Elaine--sorry, which place are you talking about?
Carol Hill
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,527
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,527 |
Elaine--sorry, which place are you talking about? Her response is to Whale Tail's question regarding L'Escargot.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,760 Likes: 3
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 4,760 Likes: 3 |
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,979 Likes: 4
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,979 Likes: 4 |
Carol Hill
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 95
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 95 |
We started coming down in the 90's, just before Louis hit the island. Our favorites were La Vie en Rose in Marigot for lunch, and Da Livios and Antoines for dinner -- miss them!
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,535 Likes: 4
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,535 Likes: 4 |
And next to La Vie en Rose was La Messina , great too but cheaper than La Vie en Rose
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 375
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 375 |
What about O Plongeoir in Oyster Pond? Don’t know if that’s still there but it had a lovely Creole ambience.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 709
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 709 |
O Plongeoir is in Marigot facing Marina as I remember. 2 years ago it was still there.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 365
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 365 |
It was very busy as we passed by lunch time on Thursday, so yes it is still there.
|
|
|
|
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 310 Likes: 8
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 310 Likes: 8 |
Mostly French at O'Plongeoir, their wine list is on a giant magnum bottle of wine, pretty funny.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,120 Likes: 1
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,120 Likes: 1 |
One of our favorite places in Marigot was Bar De La Mar!!! I notice that no one mentioned Danny's in Cupecoy !!
Sand Gravity, got to love it!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 412
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 412 |
I'm digging this list!
Just to add, St. Martin's ribs should be on the list. WE have our rib culture stateside, but SXM's ribs are typically dry rub and on point. I'm still torn as to whether Rosie's ribs are better than Captain D's. And next visit, we have to assess Mark's Place ribs as well.
So like others, I never made it to Yvette/s b/c I couldn't find it. I'm hoping to hit it this time. Gutside was good creole food worth trying but coming from a carribean upbringing, it wasn't our #1.
Resto Hercule was fantastic and it was specifically Haitian Creole food, which I love. This is the one that our entire clan can't wait to get back to.
One last place, not touristy but I'd say authentic as in one of a kind, is Little Jerusalem's Shwarma.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,979 Likes: 4
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 83,979 Likes: 4 |
captain--If you haven't been to Mark's Place, you should go. Regardless of whether you get ribs or whatever, it's all good!!
Carol Hill
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 84
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 84 |
Mark’s is usually our first night meal since we stay very close to there. I keep saying that I’m going to try something different but I keep reverting back to the ribs!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,837 Likes: 2
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,837 Likes: 2 |
Hard to go wrong with anything from Mark's Place.
J.D.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,711 Likes: 1
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,711 Likes: 1 |
If you can manage to order something other than the ribs, do try their mussels - out of this world and reasonably priced for a huge pot. I think they get them fresh on Fridays (or not?) but we always check before venturing out.
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
|
|
|
|
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 110
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 110 |
Speaking of Yvettes, we contacted (through Facebook) them and they said they would be open for Valentines Day dinner! I thought they did not open to public as they wanted to reserve their restaurant for family and friends! When we tried to make a reservation for Feb 14, I have not heard back from them. Does anyone know why? Did they make a mistake in saying restaurant is open to public? We will probably reserve at another restaurant if we don't hear back soon. Thank you!!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 412
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 412 |
Thanks, it's been a while since we did Mark's Place but we will give it another go!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 19,471 Likes: 4
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 19,471 Likes: 4 |
Ribs are usually outstanding but the last time mine were dry and tough. Can't go wrong on the Mussels. I always sub the fries for pasta.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 412
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 412 |
Are the mussels in a wine broth?
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,837 Likes: 2
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,837 Likes: 2 |
More of a cream broth from what I recall. They are good and lots of them.
J.D.
|
|
|
|
|