TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums US VI and Puerto Rico STJ dining, recent experiences, thoughts, opinions

We are returning to STJ after a year and and a half break. Looking to fill 6 nights for dinner and was wondering who has dined/eaten around STJ recently?

I know we will hit our old favorites like the LIme Inn, Zozo's and La Tapa.

Thoughts on Oceans (old Zozo location)?

The Waterfront Bistro menu looks too mainland for our vacation tastes but the location has always appealed to me. Is it worth a try?

In 20 years, we never tried Asolare. A while back I started to hear good things again and would appreciate thought on that as well.

Virgin Fire is also on the maybe list. Some rave about it others are "meh" Our friends were in the later camp but their tastes probably weren't a good fit for the menu.

We will be there over Carnival if that matters.

Asolare has taken a step up and we are considering trying again after a six year hiatus. An on-island friend's son is working their and he is taking some shifts in the kitchen at garde-manger and the food pics are great.

Morgan's Mango is closed due to fire and Fatty Crab is closed for good. The Terrace has an oyster happy hour, Banana Deck is a casual favorite that executes well and is a favorite of on-island friends. Rhumblines is a crowd pleaser with my gang of adults and adventurous kids. Virgin Fire has great happy hour apps and solid cuisine, from the Sun Dog Cafe folks. Cruz Bay Landing is new to you and a favorite for casual dining and great breakfast.

In Coral Bay, Aqua Bistro has taken a step up. Indigo Grill was opened by the Rhumblines folks. We also like Cafe Concordia when it is open.

Now I'm hungry!

Cheers, RickG

Rick, is that all you do all day, eat? <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" /> I guess we eat on the boat too much.

You sold me on Asolare, I will make a reservation.

Any word on when Morgan's might get their bar open? That was the location of our very first STJ drink 20 years ago and we visited every trip since.

Ha, we do a couple of meals each trip on St. John. Once you're in Cruz Bay for C&I you might as well. St. John only really has about 30 options for dining. We've been working through those over the last 25 years.

By the way, The Tap Room reopens today after a complete reconstruction after their fire.

Cheers, RickG

Are you sure, Rick? They have "a" Tap Room that is next door to the old Tap Room, but I believe it is still a band-aid version. The old Tap Room space was still completely open down to the concrete floors and rafters as of last Sunday. The temp spot is small, but mighty!

We didn't see any indication of work at Morgan's Mango, again last Sunday. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Sad.gif" alt="" /> Since they have been closed, we have been going to Ocean Grill, Lime Inn and La Tapa. Yum. Made a BIG mistake by going to De Coal Pot.

Went for happy hour at the Longboard. That was my second time, and I'm sorry, I'm "not feeling it", as the young folks say. Pretentious "hand-made" cocktails in a too-cool-for-school atmosphere. IMHO, of course.

We talked about, but didn't walk over to Gallows Point to check out the "new" place. Maybe this weekend.

The Temp Room has been open during construction. Julie from News of STJ covered Friday in http://newsofstjohn.com/2015/06/17/beers-will-be-flowing-at-the-original-tap-room-this-friday/

We saw demolition going on in March. Maybe they just had a reception in the old space for the 10th anniversary?

Cheers, RickG

Nutmeg - can you share your experience at De Coal Pot? What in particular landed it in the mistake category.

I like the idea of authentic Caribbean food but then I see things on the menu like French fries, Mac and cheese, scrimp scampi, etc and I wonder......

I suspect we will cruise by longboard just to satisfy our curiosity.

Heard reports of Oceans being very "precious" as it relates to their dishes.

Rick: I suspect they used the space, but it was not built out last week. The temp spot is nice, but a bit too small.

Cleobeach: About De Coal Pot...well, let's see. The dove pork was very dry and tough. I ordered the ACT salad, which was billed as avocado, cucumber and tomato. She brought a lettuce and tomato salad with a couple of cuke rounds. When I said something, she just shrugged and said, "no avocado". The roti was okay. Prices were high, I thought. Mac and cheese is a Caribbean staple, BTW. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

If you go to the Longboard, Happy Hour is a good deal, but they get busy and the hand-crafted drinks really slow down the bar staff.

Da Livio has great Italian food. Took a pizza back to the boat for late night snack.

Morgan's Mango is posting pictures and updates on their Facebook page of the work being done. It is mainly in the back kitchen area which may explain why you can't see it being done.

I'll add to Rick's list -

The heart of Cruz Bay is really changing and for the better. We have had some new restaurants open and some old ones change owners. New lights have been installed on the side of Connections - King street just before Woody's, the unsavory characters have been run off and the street is busy with lots of tourist traffic.

The Longboard - just opened last month. These guys are off and running, the food is fantastic and reasonably priced. Dark and Stormy's on tap and frozen painkillers!

Cafe Roma, above Longboard - local favorite for Italian food and pizza. Probably the best kept secret in town. Home of the "Roma Coma" - the nap that occurs after gorging yourself on the amazing food.

Castaways has been sold and is being revamped into a Dog House Pub (STT) location. The owners have done a great job in St. Thomas and I think they will do equally as well in this space. Best tacos and nachos on island!

Lime Inn has been sold but it is staying in the family The kids are going to do an awesome job.

Woody's / ATS have two new owners (brothers) who are now living on island and have really gone to work on cleaning up both kitchens and getting both places back up to speed.

Vista Mare - above Joe's Rum Hut in wharf side has one of the best sunset views. Cute romantic place with really good Italian food.

Ocean Grill - Mongoose Junction is still one of our favorites. Excellent steaks, seafood and fantastic service. Delicious and amazing.

A new restaurant will be opening in the Fatty Crab location, I'll post back as soon as I know what its all about.

If your into drinking (most sailors are) - Cruz Bay can't be beat from 3-6. HAPPY HOUR deals are everywhere, ranging from $1 beers to $3 you make the call. Cheers

Okay:Cheap Happy Hour at Across The Street-$1 well drinks and certain beers. Can't beat that. As cruzan said, HH is ubiquitous in Cruz Bay.

We walked over to Gallows Point. The bar doesn't even open until 5:30. The menu had some interesting items like a $20 burger and $7 sides. We went to La Tapa instead. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" />

We did hear that the damage at Morgan's Mango was greater that they thought, but that they are indeed working to get 'er done.