TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Nov. 7 & 8

Time can move so slowly but why does it fly on vacation?!
The weather has been a little iffy as in if I don’t bring my umbrella am I gonna be sorry? It was a hazy lazy day with a passing periodic shower with the exception of during dinner when the heavens opened up and poured down on us. For less than ten minutes!! The rain didn’t last long but everything seems to be flooded again.

We’re pretty much Pokey-Moses types these days so we’re content to have a breakfast in now and then. Yesterday and today definitely fell into that category so far this week.
Lunch was a different story both days. On Tuesday we decided to try Pollos Hernanos based on the positive reviews of so many and it was great. For starters, it actual paved and convenient parking which is an island rarity so I’m discovering. The inside was immaculate and the servers were very pleasant and efficient. And then there’s the food. Not fancy fare but simple plain and good eating. John had a chicken wrap plate and I had their chicken satay. These were meant to be lunches but the servings were huge and very good. So much so that we were still stuffed at the dinner hour and decide to pass. And on top of everything else, our check was reasonable for all that goodness.
That’s about it for Tuesday. We posted around, watched a little tv and called it a day. But a pleasantly passed one at that.
Wednesday we were up early and showered eventually, and finally did coffee-and in our villa at Beachside. Had a driver take us into town and return when we wanted to return. It was the best possible way to get in and out of town for us and I’d do it again in a heartbeat if I had business to transact. No dealing with the parking madness and we did exactly what we wanted to do which was meet our longtime friend and favorite island jeweler at the French Touch restaurant, owned by another long time island friend and former owner of Antoine’s By the Sea.
We enjoyed delicious meals and caught up with each other on who had new grand and great grand babies and whose kids were doing what where. It’s great to have friends of such long duration and we lingered over a 2.5 hour lunch playing catch-up. Our driver picked us up within ten minutes of calling him and we were whisked back home to our fortress by the sea.
Planned on a quick trip to the grocery store which turned into an hour plus drive before we got to the Market Garden. Did our shopping in minimal time but upon checking the time we decided it was dinner time so since we were already in the general area we went looking for the Secret Seafood Place. Found it and bumped into Linda Lehman and her companions who were also enjoying this out of the way spot. It s only been open for about five months but trust me, it’s a secret no more. People were coming and going the entire time we were there. We shared a 4.5 # lobster done Thermidor style. It wasn’t the sameas Antoine’s used to be but it was very good nonetheless. The servers were all pleasant and as the owner acknowledged, they’re still working out the kinks. And being hidden away as it is it does seem to already have a following.

Pat, looks like it may be breezy for a while.

Love the reports! Taking notes for the next trip in February. We've driven by Pollos Hermanos about 1,000 times but never stopped. Sounds like a great place to grab some chicken and save for the next day too!

It was so nice running in to you and not-Kim's-father. I thought your thermidor looked fabulous and want to go back just for that.

Pat - got some lettuce and parmesan hanging around? Go back to Pollos and get a half roasted chicken. Makes the BEST chicken cesar salad.

Pat--thanks for the report. Meals at three different places we have never tried, but need to put on our list!

Sounds like another good couple of days. Glad you made it to town and enjoyed lunch and dinner. I may have to look into the Secret Seafood place.

Thanks and enjoy.

To correct myself - it’s the Secret Seafood House and not ‘Place’ as I called it.. but whatever the name, it was very good and the Thermidor really was yummy! 🙂🙂

Pokey-Moses -- love it! That's what we feel like now! We were just telling someone about the days of eating, drinking, gambling and returning back to the timeshare at 4 am most mornings. Waking up and doing it all over again. Boy those days are long gone.....I think we had two rum punches at Dany's this year and needed a nap!

We always wanted to try Pollos Hermanos and now we will based on the stellar recommendations from you and I think it was Fabila. We were on the Island in July when I think the Secret Seafood house had just opened. Lobster Thermidor is one of my husband's favorite dishes to have in St. Maarten. We will have to give it a try.

Enjoy the rest of your stay.

crsxm--Yes, for sure!! In the old days, we would always stay on the French side. Spent all day on the beach, then went every night to Grand Case for a big dinner. Then drove to the Dutch side to casino, and drove back through Marigot at 3 AM. We would always seem to get stuck behind the garbage truck in the middle of Marigot! These days, we are almost always back at Beachside before 9--usually by 8!!

For sure, we need to check out Pollos Hermanos!

Pat: Who did you use as a driver? This year I am thinking of using one instead of renting a car. We have mobility and health issues. Last year we stayed around La Vista Beach more and relied on orders.com for meal delivery. I am going to contact Wilford Brooks. We arrive the end of January.

Sorry, Blues, his name was Ray but Ray whom I don’t have a clue. He is a relative of the manager here who hooked us up with him. His van was immaculate, he was personable and pleasant and he had a stool to help access the van as well as a willingness to assist if necessary. I will see if I can locate a last name and phone number for you.

But all that said we still use a rental car and I can’t imagine not having one or using a driver for simple things like a pastry run. 😊😊

Edited to add:

Rays taxi service
Taxi 318
590 690 66 32 63 or
1 721-586-2232 or
1 721-526-3791

Hahaha. I didn’t understand your comment and just got a FB message from someone else that was there that night - guess dad was up to his normal goofing around! Yes that’s my mom and dad! 😂😂😂

Linda etal,

Sorry I didn’t explain. John and I have been married for 57 years and dated for a couple before that. I’ve become so accustomed to his clowning around that half the time I don’t even notice it when he does it, thus the lack of explanation on my part. And every kid should be so lucky as to have a not-Kim’s-father type of Dad. He’s the very best, for sure!

No explanation needed. I was just pulling legs at his clowning around.

Obviously you and Miss Linda were being two sillies. 😁

Pat: Thanks for the info. What was the fare to Maho? Zee Best? from BSV.

We did r/t from our front door at BSV to French Touch’s Back Street entrance and the fee was fifty dollars plus gratuity if you so choose. Rays transport was worth it IMHO.
We drove to Zee Best and and Maho and basically anywhere else we wanted to go but didn’t want to deal with midday traffic, parking and walking with three ships in port. Mostly the walking part given currrnt situations. 😊😊

Pat, on your recommendation we had dinner at Secret Seafood tonight. We did a 5 pound lobster thermidor style and it was very good. They had a very busy evening tonight. Great atmosphere.