TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Maho day 9

the morning started off cloudy, we decided to gas up the car early since we aren't driving any distances the next days before departure
a short trip over the new bridge and a couple of lefts and we filled up at the Cadisco in Sandy Ground
my thoughts are they offer a low price as well as 1:1
also on the way back hit up Chez Fernand bakery one last time
finally before going back home, a quick stop at Zeebest by the airport for another piece of their carrot cake

around 11:00 AM the skies opened to another lovely day by the pool
we skipped out of the pool around 4:00 PM and shared a frozen mudslide and fresh fruit daquiri at the Driftwood or the boat bar as I call it
got to be one of the best places on the island to just hang and relax while the big birds land just yards away, never gets old and they make good drinks
fun watching the bartender make their renowned rum punch, five different rums almost fill the glass with only a little room for the punch
one of the best on the island

just before dinner we stopped by Jewels & Beyond to pick up wife's new ring, she is very happy
a few steps down the street and make a return visit to Roma as there were some menu items we wanted to try earlier

we requested Shana who just got married a few days ago and provided attention service earlier in the week

after cocktails my wife reordered the fried calamari
we usually don't reorder anything, but it was that good
I wanted the tuna tar tar but decided on the "seafood salad"
bite size pieces of fresh calamari, octopus, bay scallops, whole baby clams and mussels both in shell, and several medium sized shrimp were served marinated in a delightful lemon dressing much like a ceviche over a bed of greens
like everything else, delicious

wanting to try the homemade pastas
we shared the pumpkin agnolotti served in a traditional browned butter with sage and parmesan with a little balsamic reduction
my pillow like gnocchi stole the show with a gorgonzola sauce with spinach and walnuts
both fresh pepper and grated cheese were offered
I treated myself to a special glass of Argiano Brunello di Montalcino ($28 / glass) which is offered coravin which is a way to preserve wine one once it is opened
the wine seemed a bit light when drunk before the main course, but after the gorgonzola sauce it was full of dark berry and well rounded in the mouth with good tannins on the finish

we opted to skip desserts since we have bakery goods "at home"

back to porto cupecoy to finally give back a few dollars but still remain a bit ahead

should be quite by the pool today as most guests are departing and week 36 the last week before RI LaPlage closes for 2 weeks for yearly maintenance up keep
for those long time RI owners, John from maintenance is doing well as he is back to assist for the yearly up keep and Sherell (front desk) is enjoying retirement
miss them both but the new staff are friendly and wonderful

Thanks for the report and the amazing pictures. We will all be sad when you go home!

All those selections at ROMA looked fantastic. Glad you had that Brunello. It's a very good one. Wife and I once spit a bottle. Expensive but worth it.

You got that right!!

Another wonderful report. I am going to miss them!

Enjoy your last few days.

Yes, today is our last night with a return trip to Altro.

We have had a great time and already planning our next visit which will be our first year of maybe some sort of retirement

Even with 3 weeks, there are many of things and places we missed visiting.

Next year I plan on cooking one night for some friends we know or would like to know better

I previously worked at one of the finest Italian restaurants in the Philadelphia area that had over 1000 bottle selections of wine, the largest in the state
I have been very fortunate to have tasted many wines that I usually wouldn't buy

Our chef at the time was named best new chef of the year from food and wine magazine
And a james beard finalist

I enjoyed your real dining reviews!

As a Philly area local, can I guess, Vetri?!

Anyways, enjoy your final night and future trips and retirement.

while Vetri is without a doubt the best Italian in Philadelphia and maybe one of the best in the US, your guess would be in correct

at the time, Marc had not opened Vetri

Savona restaurant was located in Gulph Mills, half the staff were professional servers were imported from France along with the sommelier

Great and very detailed vacation report .
See you Folks tomorrow at departure .

Can't beat the drinks at Driftwood!!! (great pictures) Not for nothing, they have great bar food too!!! The pictures from Roma made me so hungry!! Marco and he staff outdo themselves every time!! Love Shana!! Thank you for sharing!!
46 and a wake up can't come quick enough for us!! Those gnocchi's have my name on it!!

Marc and I were just talking about the carrot cake from Zee Best. It’s so good!

I believe the Artist at Driftwood is Christian Potter. If so, we met him several years ago at Juggie’s. He painted a lovely ocean scene for me.

A pleasant gentleman with his "dregs" in a bun

Always kind and nice to talk to

Doesn't paint quickly

"Doesn't paint quickly"
Maybe he's told to so you'll drink more waiting. 😉