I just returned last week from a quiet and restful two week stay in SXM. My friends from Unity, Michael and Joseph, arranged for a pick up at the airport. They were on time and smiling as always. I love their pick up service since the airport area is quite congested due to construction but it sure will be nice once it is completed.

Once settled in at Sapphire, I visited SSBB where the afternoon crowd was being entertained by a singer named Jeff Medina. Jeff has a great sound, so I hope he's around for a long while. I met John, the SSBB new "owner". It seems like that bar moves around a lot. During a subsequent visit I must have really looked like I was part of the SSBB scene since two free lance performers approached me looking for jobs and the driver from Antillean Liquor tried to present me with the bill. John got a kick out of that one, once he arrived for the afternoon shift.

The Cupecoy area was congested with construction projects from the Cliffs next to Cupecoy Beach Club on down to the western edge. Rough waters made a trip to what is left of the beach difficult but Danny and John are hangin in.

Baie Rouge was great but waters were rough. Gus' Beach Bar was closed but Chez Raymond was open for business as usual.

Lobster Night (Wed) at Turtle Pier was excellent, but I just missed Al who was off the island for a few days. Next time Al, I promise:) [color:"blue"] [/color]

The Celine Pub Crawls are still a favorite evening activity and growing in popularity from what I heard.

The Atlantis Casino is remodeling (again) but opened for business. The back doors were closed off which means walking from the back parking area to the front but that I’m told is temporary.

The Cliff Hanger Bar at Cupecoy Beach Club was awesome due to the huge waves and especially colorful sunsets. I suppose the October weather can contribute to a good time. I cannot complain, two week in SXM with only one full day of rain.

Another favorite place of mine is a small bar and restaurant at the Ocean Club Resort. Yes, anyone can go there. The owners Bert and Jill are both great cooks. Bert has a great collection of DVD Music Video’s at the bar. During busy season, Bert has been know to host an all you can eat BBQ with live entertainment for abut $25.00 per person. Been there and it was great.

I have some great news to share regarding Sapphire’s restaurant and from my friends Dino, Asha and Jack at Temptation:

The Sapphire restaurant and bar are no longer associated with the resort. They are now The Blue Sapphire Café, under the management of Pascal from Alabama, Jose from Le Tastevin, and Patrick, who is familiar to most long-time Sapphire visitors. Room charges are no longer available since the restaurant is independent of the resort. Cash, credit cards and travelers checks are accepted.

The Blue Sapphire Café menu is fantastic. The presentation of food rivals any Grand Case establishment. The new management brings a friendly atmosphere to the Sapphire, where management greets the guests with a smile and pleasant conversation. They still serve American and French breakfasts but will customize a breakfast upon request. The lunch and dinner menus have been completely changed providing a vast selection of soups, appetizers, salads, pizza, and entrees. A snack menu consisting of salads, wraps, burgers, sandwiches, and side orders is available from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Even the
snacks are presented with elegance. The snack menu wrap sandwiches are huge, easily shared by two.

Prices range from $6.00 for snacks to $30.00 for a dinner entree. I had the beef tenderloin for dinner more than once. It was fabulous and so tender that a knife was (almost) optional.

Desserts are also a must, the Creme Brûlée was a favorite of mine but there are selections for chocolate lovers and cheesecakes as well.

More good news: Dino Jagtiani, Asha, and Jack have opened a new restaurant next to Temptation called Rare. The atmosphere is more subdued than Temptation [which
is more like an upscale Manhattan bistro] with an al la carte menu consisting of several steak choices along with other favorites. An entree with sides at Rare
runs about $50.00. Rare is not to be missed, although I admit I have a tough time deciding between Temptation and Rare. To solve that problem, one evening we had drinks in Rare, dinner in Temptation and went back to Rare for desert. Reservations are highly recommended at either.