TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin is Mary's Boon Worth it for dinner on.the beach?

Hi, we were going to do this in 2004 but got stuck on Sabine Island when tropical storm Jean came through, so we missed our opportunity . Wanted a nice romantic dinner, and in two thousand four this was the place to do it, because you sat right on the beach. Wanted to hear firsthand, anyone's recent experiences and whether they enjoyed it enough to make it there special night out? <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" />

I personally have not been that impressed with Mary's Boon, the times I have dined there, and I would want the food to be wonderful also. Although I know that Pat and Jazzgal have dined there more recently than I have, and they may have a different opinion. What kind of food are you looking for? If it were me doing it, I probably would prefer Karakter, next door, or for a more upscale dining experience, Dreams, although you are not actually sitting with your feet in the sand at Dreams. Another suggestion that I would prefer better would be to have cocktails at Calmos in Grand Case on the beach, and then go to one of the oceanside restaurants there, like Ocean 82.

Whatever you decide, enjoy!!

The setting is nice there on the beach, but I do not think the food there would be something to get me there for a romantic dinner.If you approached Bruno at Dreams in Nettle Bay, I think he could arrange the perfect beach setting for you and the food is excellent.Also Karakter, just close to Mary's Boon, would be a good choice as Carol suggested.

I would say Mary's Boon on the beach for dinner would be a special place to many and might not that special to others. Depends on what you are looking for but the dining room is right on the water anyhow. Its not what it was years ago as the hotel now rents out the bar and restaurant to a 3rd party operator. To me its much better than Karakter during the day who I understand has new owners and not a good or crowded as before. Mary's Boon still has that small hotel charm but the food can be hit or miss as I think they change chefs and restaurant staff often. Prices are not that bad for the Island and service has always been friendly. If the local lady is cooking breakfast she makes the best eggs, bacon and French toast. I'd go by all of them during the day to check out then make your choice for your special evening diner.

We stayed one night at MB this year. Just ok. I would go to karacter 100 times before MB and I also agree with prior comment about Calmos. For us that is when the who St. Martin thing began. Dinner in real low beach chairs with excellent service and food.

kd,

I think the restaurant at the Boon goes by the name of Satori (or something very similar??) at night. It's a pretty setting on the beach and I'm not certain they actually do the 'toes in the sand dining' any longer - that would certainly be something to check on if it's what you want.

As far as a romantic dinner - hmmmm, I'm thinking probably not? We had lunch there several times during our past few trips, enjoying the "boonies for a day" option and we thoroughly enjoyed our lunches there, so this past April we thought we'd try it for dinner, and much to our disappointment, it was basically the same menu without any specials added for good measure.

The food was good, the service was good and the setting was nice but I doubt I'd go back for dinner next trip, and for sure, not if I was hoping for a romantic dinner with my DH. There are so many great places - you might consider dining al fresco at Le Moulin Fou on a Tuesday evening, or Dreams, as has already been suggested and so many other places that would answer the romantic setting but I'm just not sure about finding both romantic and toes in the sand.

Good luck and I hope you find the perfect spot and you're able to make it happen!!

Thank you.Thank you. What we imagined. I think we'll do calmo's and either Le cottage or ocean 82. What time does music start at Calmo's on sunset reggae sun night? <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/circle.gif" alt="" />

Depending upon month you go, you may try La Cigale for that type of experience.
http://www.restaurant-lacigale.com/restaurant-lacigale.html

However, there are many variables to determine when making a recommendation...
What is most important to you? The food? Type of cuisine? The beach? Being ON the beach with sand, or near the water? Hearing waves? Price?

OK, that I don't know. Depending on when you go, you need to be there in time to see the sunset regardless..

I would second a recommendation for LaCigale in Nettles Bay for a very romantic dinner on the sand. We have done this many times as our last night on the island for our goodbye dinner . Make a reservation and ask for a table on the sand overlooking the water. A very nice memory!!

Two years ago I had dinner at Mary's Boon and it was one of the best dinners of my three-week stay. This year (June) I went back and was very disappointed. The food wasn't bad; it just wasn't great as it was before. The service also wasn't what I would have hoped for, and there were only 3 tables occupied. The setting is nice as you see the lights/boats on the water, but I wouldn't call it romantic. Won't be on my list for next year, unfortunately.

I would also recommend La Cigale. Even though the beach is on the lagoon, the food is much better. As mentioned food at the Boon can be hit or miss.

Years ago... circa 2005... Bob had them set up dinner actually on the beach.... It was very romantic... Does anyone know if they still do this?

Years ago while in Aruba, we had a wonderful romantic dinner on the beach, near the water. Service and food were perfect!! Very romantic! On our 1st visit to SXM we tried to duplicate. So I set up a beach dinner at Mary's. They set up a table VERY close to the building so that we were able to hear all the commotion inside. On top of that we could also hear the guy in the apartment next door coughing and screaming at some little kid. Food was just ok. Waitress was NOT very interested in trucking through the sand to our table. Quite honestly they are not the right place for a romantic beachside dinner which is why we started doing our own at BSV. Less aggravation than trying to find a place with a lovely setting, quiet, and good food!

Thanks. Calmo's is closed in Sept. during our visit. Will check out LaCigle. Can you guys tell me if its open?? Thx!

Sorry about Calmos. Don't know about LaCigale. You might check their website. Also, check with Bruno at Dreams.

"Is Mary's Boon Worth it for dinner on.the beach?"

Not for us !!!!!!!!!

There is a place near Oyster Bay called Mr Busby's that is on the beach that one of our good friends goes to and has raved about but I seem to recall that it is inconsistent. Technically, I think it is on Dawn beach and close to the Westin. Probably about as far from Mary Bon as you can get&#128532;

I have to tell this story of our first dinning experience (or so) at MB. (long time ago) We had stayed there a few times at this point and had a non beach day planned (rain Gods) for the day. So I'm the breakfast guy, Fabila is the lunch gal. We order, I had a GREAT caribbean dish, Fabila orders the lobster salad. WELL!!!! I mean after 45 minutes or so, (I'm done with my breakfast) her BEAUTIFUL lobster salad comes out!!! Lovely in the dinning room, windows open cool sea breeze coming through!! I ask the lovely waitress: BTW why so long to get the lunch?? She said we had to run out to get the lobster!!! Only to find out they went to Uncle Harry's place!! OMG with that traffic, it's no wonder we're still not sitting there waiting!! BUT worth it!! We use to love(when staying there) the honor bar!!! Food/menu was always great, service ??? "island time". So don't go hungry, but be prepared for a lovely meal!!!

It wasn't a romantic dinner that was planned but 9 years my Mom had just passed away and my sister and I along with our spouses went to SXM for a week.
I had seen on TTOL about other people going to Mary's Boon for the private dinner on the beach. We set up the reservation, I think she(the owner at the time) lived in the Houston area.
Anyway, we get there for dinner, spend time at the honor bar(poor drinks like you do at home, 1 jigger sure you do) do the usuall per dinner stuff and then are led to the beach for a great meal. Water lapping 10 feet from our feet, nice breeze and not blowing sand on your food like back home. My Sis and I do not remember what we had, BUT we will always, yes always remember the dinner and the occasion.
You can have a romantic, or great dinner anyplace. It is the WHY that is important.
Bob

We stayed at Mary's Boon a few nights this year. We had breakfast there 2 morning and service was sooo slow and the food was average. It wouldn't be my choice for a romantic dinner.
Le Cigale is on our list just haven't made it there. Being on the lagoon the view might be beautiful after sunset with the twinkling lights.

It is. Le Cigale is a great place for a romantic dinner.

LA Cigale is closed too.

We had a "romantic dinner on the beach" at the Boon last May and it was a complete disaster. We could not have been more disappointed the the service and the nasty way we treated. We will never again visit this restaurant. Years ago under the Cleveland's management, this was our favorite romantic place. Not anymore.

BobandJeana

The Clevelands are the present owners of the resort. Perhaps the restaurant is under contract to somebody else. So disappointing when you were looking forward to a special evening.

Raoul is in charge of the restaurant.

Is La Cigale permanently closed or just for their annual vacation?

If there are complaints about the restaurant it's because Raoul is in charge. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/thumbsdown.gif" alt="" />

MB dinner on the beach was the very first dinner my wife and I ever had on an Island (2004) . It was wonderful. The food was good to better than good. I had Tenderloin, Mary had Chicken Breast. You got seconds, and thirds if you wanted, and the manager made me take a Chicken Breast because Mary only wanted 1 serving. Boy I hated that <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />. They had THE BEST warm chocolate sauce they poured over the Profiteroles. Was one of my all-time favorite meals, regardless of the food rating.. We went back the following year, ate inside, and the Manager remembered what wine we had the year before. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" /> Phil

Phil,

I'm willing to bet the restaurant was under very different management on your first visit, and based on our dinner experience there in April of this year, I'm thinking you'd be very disappointed today.

And I don't want to leave the impression that it was bad - the food was okay to good but the menu for lunch and dinner were the same so it was a little disappointing having had lunch there already a couple of times that trip; the service was okay to good but not outstanding, and the ambiance was the same as at lunch but with dimmer lighting - just not what I'd deem as outstanding or particularly romantic when there are so many other places that will fill both those qualities. I'd go back but only on an evening I couldn't find something more appealing. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

It's( La Cigale) is only closed in September. Striking out y'all. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/boohoo.gif" alt="" />