TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Food Trip Report June 2015

MEALS AND DINING OUT REPORT JUNE 2015

Since I love to put in pictures of food, I decided to do a separate report this time, all about food! So for those of you not interested in food, gourmet or otherwise, you can stop reading now and go on to the next thread!!

These days when we stay at Beachside, we don’t go out nearly as often as we used to. It’s not a function of saving money at all, but more a function of how at HOME we feel at BSV and we often find no need to go anywhere else. We never went out for breakfast at all, unless you count the cup of coffee and a croissant that we had one morning at Macaron, which is Bruno’s pastry restaurant next to Yellow Sub on Orient.





We did pick up a couple of quiches at our favorite Le Suciere and one morning enjoyed a surprisingly good frozen quiche lorraine that we had picked up at Super U . We also did manage to have some omelettes and some mimosas a couple of mornings.







All the units at Beachside have their own gas grills, which we used very often this trip, as usual. We cooked burgers, boneless chicken breasts,
ribs, steaks and a pork tenderloin on the grill, over the course of our stay. One day we had steak and cheese sandwiches on the now infamous “ugly baguette”. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />





We don’t do much actual cooking otherwise, although this time, due to SOMEONE whose name starts with an “E” mis-reading a sale sign at Grand Marche <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Mad.gif" alt="" /> , we ended up with a 5 pound bag of potatoes!! So I did make some potato salad this time, although usually we don’t get that ambitious. Basically our meals ‘at home’ were usually a grilled meat of some nature with chips or veggies or a baked potato and a salad, etc.

On Friday evening, we went to Karakter for their music on the beach. We arrived before sunset, but as usual this trip, there was no sunset to be seen this evening, due to the hazy conditions.





It had been a while since we had been to Karakter for their tapas, but I have to say that their prices have gone up quite a bit. The food was good, but not as good as it had been in past, I didn’t think.





We really enjoyed the music, as in addition to Connis, there were a couple of guest performers who did a couple of songs each that were really enjoyable. We were very careful about where we parked, but it was still quite a chore to leave. Due to the parking situation, I don’t think we will go back soon.

We had determined to spend our anniversary on the beach at Dreams . It was a very windy day, so perhaps not the best choice, but the food was fantastic, as always. We started with the roasted camembert with apples and toast and walnuts, which was fabulous!





The only problem with it is that it is better shared with four people than two. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Smile.gif" alt="" /> Eric enjoyed the tuna Nicoise salad.




I again enjoyed the amazing Bo-Bun nem salad, which has such an amazing variety of great STUFF in it, it is difficult to finish.




As usual, our meal at Dreams was the best one of the trip.



On the day that we went to Dreams for lunch, neither one of us was very hungry at dinner time, but we did want a snack. I sent Eric down to Tacho Macho for tacos, which hit the spot! Four beef tacos for $10.00, what a deal! (Sorry, no pictures!) And of course, Eric just HAD to have a $1.50 Presidente while he waited! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Smile.gif" alt="" />


One day as we were running around, we found ourselves in Simpson Bay around mid-day, so decided to give Captain D’s a try. I saw all the lovely offerings on their sign and was really excited!





Unfortunately, all those goodies weren’t available—at least this day—that early, so we settled for a huge box full of chicken and ribs for $15.




It was excellent

[img]http://www.Info-res.com/ehill/ttol/bsv062015/ribs2.jpg[/img]

but next time I think I will try to go there later in the day and get one of the specials.

One evening we met our great good friends Bob and Lyn at Izi for dinner. Lyn and I both got the summer special, which was three courses for $35. Lyn and I both got the lobster ravioli.

[img]http://www.Info-res.com/ehill/ttol/bsv062015/izipasta.jpg[/img]




Bob got a lamb pasta special and Eric got a pasta with salmon in a cream sauce. The food was only OK, with the chocolate mousse being particularly pedestrian. I wish now we had gone with Lyn’s suggestion for Panlaan. However, the server was quite lovely and attentive and the company was quite special. Thanks again for such a fun evening, guys!


I was in the mood for steak one night, so we headed to Bajatzu . Eric had the ceasar salad and I the house salad. We both opted for the striploin steak, accompanied by an Argentinian Malbec.

[img]http://www.Info-res.com/ehill/ttol/bsv062015/bajatzu.jpg[/img]



The steak was good, but I personally should have gone with the filet, as I would have enjoyed it more, and wouldn’t have ended up with leftover steak. …although we ended up giving the leftovers to Marvlyn’s puppies, so they perhaps would not agree. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Smile.gif" alt="" /> We concluded with a lovely crème brulee.


Our last full day on island, the weather turned off pretty cloudy and a little rainy, but at midmorning, the weather lifted a bit, so we headed over to Orient to check out the construction project. Because of the weather there wasn’t much going on with the construction, but we enjoyed a lovely lunch at Kakao . We shared an endive salad

[img]http://www.Info-res.com/ehill/ttol/bsv062015/kakaosalad.jpg[/img]


and a terrific thin crust pizza

[img]http://www.Info-res.com/ehill/ttol/bsv062015/kakaopizza.jpg[/img]


with a refreshing bottle of cote de provence rose. It was a lovely interlude, as the weather wasn’t actively raining, but pretty cloudy and it was such fun just taking our time and enjoying the day.

[img]http://www.Info-res.com/ehill/ttol/bsv062015/kakao2.jpg[/img]



After a long hard day at Beachside, culminating in a late afternoon nap <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />, we decided to head out to Grand Case for dinner, for our last big meal on island. We ended up at Bistrot Cariabes , not surprising. Knowing I wanted to try to save myself for a fabulous dessert, we forewent my normal warm goat cheese salad, which I positively adore! I went straight for the rack of lamb, which was an astonishing FIVE chops, served over mashed potatoes. Eric went with tuna, which was light enough that he could help me finish my lamb chops.


[img]http://www.Info-res.com/ehill/ttol/bsv062015/bistrotcariabes3.jpg[/img]



We enjoyed the fabulous hot chocolate cake with ice cream and chocolate sauce. It was easily the best dessert of our trip.

[img]http://www.Info-res.com/ehill/ttol/bsv062015/bistrotcariabes5.jpg[/img]


At Bistrot, we were somewhat disappointed not to see Thibault, as he was off on a five week vacation in France. Amaury said that it would be HIS turn soon. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Smile.gif" alt="" /> Amaury reported that business at Bistrot in the off season once again has been excellent. Also business at Ocean 82 (which is also open for lunch) has been gangbusters, as well as their most recent acquisition with the same partners, Le Tastevin, which they acquired in October 2014, and which has looked up significantly since they were able to obtain the services of a new chef.

I just realized that we didn’t go to any new places at all this time, other than Captain D’s. It’s tough when you only have a limited amount of time, to take a chance on somewhere new, I guess. I really enjoyed getting back to Bistrot Cariabes and to Kakao, as we hadn’t been to Kakao in a very long time. I wish we had gotten back to Fig, but overall, I am pretty happy with the mix of eating in and going out that we had this time and I guess that’s all that matters, to enjoy yourself! Thanks for coming along for the ride!

Love food photos with reports, you definitely made me hungry.

Louise--I love them too! It seems people either love food pictures or are not interested, so I decided to put them in a separate report this time.

Hope E enjoyed the potato salad. Your photos were great and enjoyed all the commentary that went with them. It looked like all your meals at BSV were accompanied with the mandatory bottle of wine. Thanks for the food report.

Yes, the potato salad was good, if I do say so myself! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> And we did have to use up all that crazy cheap French wine we got at Super U! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />

Another good report with great pictures. I have got to actually eat at Dream's sometime.

Ok...we haven't started cooking dinner yet and I'm reading this???! We really enjoyed the food and desserts at Dreams too. You also mentioned tapas at Karakter, perhaps our favorite mini-meal of the trip, can't beat lounging and being served on that beach! Thanks for both reports! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />

Yes, you do. Dreams is great!

Got to get our dinner started also! I was somewhat disappointed with Karakter this time, but they were slammed. I would go back for sure during the day..

Thanks Carol for the interesting food report. The pictures were great especially the one of the two diners!

Carol,

Definitely not a foodie but I enjoyed your report complete with photos. For someone who barely ate out, you did very well.

And I'm in full accord with your assessments of both Bajatzu and Karakter based on both our April trip and last November's, too.. We were extremely under-whelmed with both places....not bad by any means, but not up to our expectations based on earlier trips. Dutch side favorites for us are still Antoine's and Le Moulin Fou, but there are so many great options these days it's nice to not have to drive all the way to GC for a great meal.

Again, thanks for your time, effort and photography excellence. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Yeah, I don't know, I will not write Karakter or Bajatzu off all together, but I was definitely not that impressed..

I guess I never post a picture of myself, as I don't take a good picture...

Well, it was a fun evening, the service was quite attentive at Izi, still wondering why you went to Bistrot Caraibes the next evening! It was our first choice! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

It was nice that you got to meet Brett too that evening.

Have a great summer!

Lyn

OK, well, it wasn't the next evening, it was 3 days later, but who's counting??? <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" /> Yes, we should have gone there to begin with, I admit. And it was great to meet Brett also!! Ditto on the great summer!

loved the photos Carol...so glad you recovered them

I gained weight just looking at them!!!!

Cathy--glad you enjoyed them. Oddly enough, I was surprised, I didn't gain anything this trip!!

Thanks Carol. Enjoyed the report and the pictures.

Nice.............

Where is Capt. D's? In the parking lot at Royal Palm?

No, just past it, closer to Toppers.

thank you, that's where I meant. I 'loosely' define that lot as RP's. lol

Oh,ok.

Great report! SXM is our beach and dining place for sure!! My husband always laughs that I can remember what he and I both ate at restaurants even 6 months after our vacation!! He had the filet 2 times at Bajatzu and loved it and I had the short ribs, which is a favorite of mine and I don't usually see it on a menu too often. He's so predictable when we dine out - either filet or veal. I'm a bit more adventurous, but sometimes when something is so good - you just have to get it again!

Beautiful report! I "discovered" the Bo-bun nem salad this year; absolutely fabulous. Silly me - I didn't know how big it was going to be, nor did I know how generous the shrimp tempura appetizer was...and ordered both! I truly waddled away from the table. The only salad I've had on the island that could come close, and it's definitely a distant second, is the Asian shrimp salad at Fig. Lots of great flavors mixed together.

I share your opinion of Izi - just "okay." I know lots of people love it, but it doesn't really impress me.

Thanks for another great report.

We were both stuffed at Dreams, due to the Camembert appetizer. This is the third time I've ordered that salad, so I should have known better. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Smile.gif" alt="" />

I had only eaten at Izi once and wasn't impressed, sothought would try it again, but I think at this point I will definitely not go back.

Boy am I ready for lunch now!! Great pictures.
You seem to have had quite a variety, even thought you cooked home most of the time. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" />

I don't remember what we had anywhere by the time I get home even unless I either write it down or take a picture! I'm really wishing I had gone for the filet at Bajatzu, as filet is my favorite.

Great pics - makes me realize that we need to get out more or at least not go to the same places all the time-thanks.

It is hard, when you only have a limited amount of time, to not go back to 'tried and true' places, because you don't want to be disappointed. As I said, this time Captain D's was the only new place for us, and that doesn't really count.