TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Mark's Place

Just wrapping up our 2 weeks @ Belair. Ate @ Mark's Place the last 2 nights. I know we've spoken about this place before and I know it lacks ambience, but food and prices more than make up for that. Ribs are terrific and Lisa said the lamb chops were as good as any she has had.

Great place to eat don't need the ambience .
The only thing ambience does is raise food prices .

And their portions are more than adequate.

When I go there, I always get the chicken alfredo. Great and enough leftovers for lunch the next day!

We do take-out at Mark's-provide our own ambiance at home. Like the ribs.

One of the best deals on the island!

There most everyday, take home very frequently. Love Mark's Place!! Crystal Pineapple award winner last year and best Service/waitress award to Valda there this year!! Great place!

Congratulations to Mark's Place and Valda. We were introduced to Mark's by our local friends many years ago.

If Mark's Place will ever offer take out delivery that would be super.[supper] <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

Totally agree, but Mark is kind of conservative and don't think he would every go for delivery.

I have been touting Mark's Place for years now. The food is always great...love there chicken and ribs...and the service has always been right on point. As for the ambience...it is what it is....but still find it a great place to eat, without breaking the bank!! Funny thing, either last year or the year before, we took friends of ours there who have been timeshare owners on the island for well over 25 years. They, for some reason, were never there before, but the next night insisted that we go back again!!!! They enjoyed it so much too.

Funny, Ed, it sounds like you are talking about us, but I know you're not. We just discovered Mark's Place 2 years ago. We are always on the hunt for good ribs, and used to think Turtle Pier had the best ones. Then Turtle Pier went downhill (we saw a rat the last time we were there), and ultimately out of business it seems. Friends recommended Mark's Place for great ribs. It is now our favorite place on the island for ribs, and friends tell us they have the best mussels as well -- have yet to try them.

Could I please ask where Mark's place is located. I don't remember ever seeing it,,,but we love ribs n chicken. Thanks

It's on the way to Phillipsburg, in Cul De Sac, in the same shopping center as the Grand Marche supermarket.

Mark's Place is located in the parking lot where Le Grand Marche is located on Bush Road in the Philipsburg area. It is right by the round about there so easy to see.

Mark's has the very best ribs and his mussels are second to none. We always make at least two trips when we're on island. He also has the best prices for the size of meal he serves. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />

We love Mark's Place! While my lovely wife and daughters explore the menu I usually choose an island specialty dish I have never found anywhere else...curried goat. It is delicious! The appearance and texture reminds me of a miniature beef chuck roast that has been slow cooked for hours. I order it at least once every time I am on island...

My wonderful wife refers to it as "One old goat eating another..." <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Rofl.gif" alt="" />

Now that last is funny!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />

I agree... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Here is a place that we only went to once, four of us including my daughter and her friend. We were not impressed with anything including the ribs, or the service so we never went back. Based on all the positive reviews I often think we should go back but it never happens, never really in the area when we wish to eat so that plays a part and it seems a bit nuts to go out of our way to eat in a parking lot like that but some day we will give it another try based on reviews like yours.
Cheers,
Todd

Don't most restaurants have a parking area for their place. Marks is no different. You park your car and walk inside. You make it sound as though they are serving and seating you in a lot.

That is a nice spin, but lost on me. Next?

I don't see where the setting of Mark's Place is significantly different than that of Lee's or The Palms.

I see what Todd is saying, lees has water on one side. Marks is in kind of a not so great spot but when we tried it one year we were really very surprised. Worth a trip

We always arrive early and sit at a back table at Lee's and have a great view of the yachts. There is usually someone feeding fries to the huge tarpon that make the water churn. Live music if you arrive a little later.

I like the food at Mark's and I have eaten at quite a few good strip mall restaurants BUT equating the view of the two is stretching it a tad....

If you're going to talk about crappy locations, The Palms is it, as far as I'm concerned, with a large side of auto exhaust. On our occasion, coupled with so-so food, which was expensive for what you got. We went there once, won't be going back.

I think the point was that you are in the Caribbean and maybe part of the eating experience should, if possible, be kinda Caribbean like which, to me, means an appropriate atmosphere and/or a view.

The food is also VERY important part and this sometimes makes up for the lack of a view. If you think the food is great then go for it... If you can get both...perfect

Sorry, I kind of went off on the Palms. I just don't get that place, but others really like it. I won't be back though. Mark's we've been to several times and I find it great for consistently decent food at a very reasonable price.

You definitely don't "get" the Palms, Carol. We sat at the closest table to the street one evening during happy hour, when traffic is at its worst, and I don't recall any auto exhaust at all. It was fun to watch the traffic while chatting with Greg. I find the food excellent there (and I'm definitely a food snob), and the ambiance is very island. But as you said on another thread, it's a good thing everyone doesn't like the same thing, or we'd never get into the places we love!

<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Nope, I don't get it at all, but that's fine. Depends on which way the wind is blowing, as far as the exhaust, I assume.

i found the Palms last year. Although they were out of what i went in for...the food and service was fantastic. Will be going back this year for sure.

I am sure that I should give Marks another try, I only gave it one and based on the reviews I should give it another try. I acknowledge that, and someday will. But, it is in a parking lot with intent to enclose enough so you do not look out (at least when we were there). A very significant difference in my opinion from looking out into open air and the surrounding buildings and activity going on.

I usually stay in the Simpson Bay to Cupecoy area range, so the places in these areas are a lot more likely to get my business. For the first time in all our trips ever on island we did not go over the hill to Phillipsburg once! We simply had too good of weather to not do beach days every day so unlike in 2013 where we had a lot of rain.

Did not really want to start a Marks vs The Palms but The Palms has Greg, his big belly laugh and warm heart. His mom and dad are fantastic as is all his staff. Add to that his drinks are excellent and his food is good and you always feel welcome there even if just stopping in for a drink or appetizer. Best Tabouli Salad anywhere I will add. This is why they are liked so much, it just feels right. Also, if he has his burger, simply the best on island and yes, even better than the one at Dreams (sorry Bruno).

I did not do a trip report so I will also take just a moment to mention another place that people should try. Marty's! The location next to Toppers at a glance does not look that inviting but you should give it a try. To be honest I do not care for his appetizers but his main course items like his Hurricane Shrimp are fantastic and well presented and I would add very reasonable in price. The place does not have the flair of some of the other places along the strip, at a glance, but it is entertaining especially when Marty and Lori are there.

Cheers,
T

I think that the Palms would definitely BENEFIT from something to close it in, versus watching cars backed up stopped!! (...and smelling them....). But will just agree to disagree with you on that one.