TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Short notes

We just returned from a walk on Frair's Bay Beach enroute to Happy Bay. Beach looks great and the Cafe was open on Monday. Happy Bay was also in great shape and reasonably quiet. VERY windy

Different area but I read in today's DH that swimming at Grand Case Beach is prohibited due to bacterial contamination. Rechech will be later this week...

Yesterday afternoon just after going over the causeway to Cole Bay we saw a decent size monkey that had been struck by a vehicle laying deceased on the side of the road...gone today

Last Sunday we got in a bit late and went to Lee's for our usual arrival grilled fish filet meal...excellent as usual

Last Monday we went to BBB for their all you can eat ribs and chicken combo....food was ok and no problem getting additional servings but the place was a zoo. Totally packed at 530p. Prices were decent but probably won't repeat the Monday thing

Friday it was Mark's Place and ordered their Mussels that arrived that day from P.E.I..Great food and service. Parking lot does have it's issues but the food makes it worth it.

Saturday we had lunch at Talk of the Town in Grand Case and walked out on the cement pier and at the end we saw three decent size sea turtles surfacing and swimming by the pier. Also some good size fish (3-5 ft)

Yesterday we had lunch (for the first time) at Sunset Bar and Grill. We have gone to the beach MANY, MANY times and got drinks at the bar but never had a meal there. Decent food but the best part was the view. Two rows of Bar tables way in the back right along the rocks with a great view of the Bay and incoming aircraft. 12p-3p reserved for lunch people but after that it is open to all. Will repeat

Sounds like a good beginning to your trip.

While I've never been to BBB for their ribs and chicken deal, I would agree with your assessment. To me, that to me is one of those situations where the cheap price may not be worth the trip, on vacation. I feel like that with the steak deal at Fat Tony's. I would definitely go back to Fat Tony's (and BBB), but huge crowds for mediocre food doesn't seem worth it to me, when I just have a week or 10 days. YMMV.

It's sad, we always loved spending the day at Kimsha beach and the food at BBB!! I always said, they had one of the best burgers on the island! The Halloween parties were great. But ever since the new owners took over, it's mediocre at best!!! IMHO, no reason to return!

Thanks for your notes. We ended up in Grand Case today and I confirm it is open and the people are bobbing about. I can report back in 24 hours as to whether I still have skin (joking). We were told it was closed Sunday and Monday and “based on information” it is safe today. Rainbow appears to still be closed for whatever unrelated reasons.

I ate for the first time at Fat Tony's in November and was quite underwhelmed. The steak was mediocre at best, and I simply don't get the hype. Not on my list to return.