TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Daily report #6

Went to Verna Taverna last night. Had reservations. It seems nowadays a requirement in high season. As mentioned before, they were not necessary back in the day. Most of menu items are on a caulk board. Very little on the printed menu, but it did have their Greek salad which I didn’t see unfortunately. It was my favorite. The same people are there. As mentioned in a number of posts, the new owners are originally from Philly but moved to Florida then to SXM. The past owners a there for an indefinite transition. To those who know and love, Lamb Shanks are still made on Thursday.
Now for the review. My wife ordered the “Nasqi” or unicorn fish from the Pacific . I went with my go to duck medium rare this time. My wife’s fish was flavorless, in contrast to other reviews. My duck was done correctly and was delicious. The Manhattans were ok not great. Some translation problem with Manhattan straight up with Jack Daniels. It was because the menu had bourbon as an ingredient. I told them that Jack Is the same, a little sweeter and from Tennessee as opposed to Kentucky. I think they will work the kinks out. We may try again in September.

Stayed at home for breakfast- baguette French butter and jelly. Succumbed to sand gravity and wind out of southwest. Stayed at RP. Getting old.
Tonight trying Dasha at the Stars casino- old Sublime- new steak and seafood place.

I am yet to have their duck but will for sure if we decide to go there again as my wife likes their lamb shank. I have found their bar usually screws up the drinks. Last time I ordered a Grey Goose on the rocks slightly dirty. Came neat in a stemmed martini glass with 3 olives on a toothpick. When I said it was supposed to be on the rocks she brought out a glass with ice in it and said "here, pour your drink in this". Not the way I thought it should be corrected but did it anyway. I have always found that place hit and miss but will give the new owner a try.

I hesitate to respond, but on an educational point Jack Daniels is not a Bourbon because the way it is made, not location. It is a Tennessee Whiskey. Bourbon can be made anywhere in the US, noting Kentucky is famous for it and most Bourbon is made in that state.

You very well may already know this but many don't.

I really hope for the best for Vesna Taverna, and all the staff. We were late to trying the place but really liked it once we finally did.
T

I hope Vesna Taverna survives. I tried it a couple of years ago for the first time. I took a local friend, and he said they had the best fish pot he had ever had. I tried to go back in August, but they were closed for dinner. I did not make it back on my most recent trip. Sadly, I have seen established restaurants fail (both on SXM and locally) when new (usually inexperienced) ownership takes over. I hope that is not the case here and I know nothing about the new owners. Do they have any restaurant experience?

Hey Todd thanks for letting people know the difference. I’ve been doing that for years. My daddy worked for Old Crow when we lived in Ky.

Growing up people always said we were lucky “bet your family had all the bourbon you could handle.”
My response was always, “yes we were lucky because we were so poor daddy poured it on my cereal because we couldn’t afford milk.”

Than nipped further questions in the bud.

I wouldn’t know about substuting with anything because I drink mine straight.

Jack Daniel is made different in that is charcoal filtered before aging in barrels. It is however, made with same 51% corn mix as bourbon and is only made in Tennessee. I’ll drink to that.