TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Boy, how things change

Was just reading back over my 2004 SXM trip report looking for something, and I thought "there are a lot of places we went to then, that are gone now". Here is the list of places we went to in that week in 2004 that are closed or gone now. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/cry.gif" alt="" />
Lido, Bitta's, Baywatch, Don Camillo, Ric's (I think), La California, Scavenger's, La Gondola, Cliffhangers, La Gaiac, St. Germain, Ms. B's, Laguna, also Rima. Maybe some of the replacements are better, but there are some gems in that list.

Pretty much all are history at this point.

Baywatch became Andy & Cheryl's. It has been reported here that Cheryl is planning on returning once the structures are ready.

Restaurants are a very fickle business, you can not snooze

As far as I know, Rima's is still open.
http://www.rimasxm.com/default.asp

We had some great meals at Don Camillo's in Marigot's Marina Royale.

Rima closed two or three years ago. You can buy their products online, but the physical store is closed.

Yes, the list goes on and on.....Uncle Harry's - Sebastiano's - Le Bec Fin -Le Perroquet -

It seems like the horrible Westin has been there forever, but I guess since Scavenger's and Ms B's were still there in 2004, the Westin wasn't. La California was GREAT in the old days. And La Gondola was sooo much better than Izi, which I don't care for.. and the stuff that Rima carries online is nothing like what was in the store.. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/cry.gif" alt="" />

I still can't get Pinocchio's in P'Burg and Le Bec Fin out of my mind.

I think I try to eat at least once at all the places so I won't miss any---never can tell when they'll be gone.

I also liked Le California in the old days

Ah yes, Le Perroquet.

And Lynnette's, with King Beau Beau.
Turtle Pier, good for lunches in the 90s with a salty parrot.

...and going way back.... Zachary's for ribs in Philipsburg - Portofino in Grand case -

And then there were all the great places at Mullet Resort not to mention a few oldies but goodies scattered around the island such as when the lolos were just BBQ barrels on the side of he road as you drove through Grand Case. And then, of course, Zachary's, Bertines and David's and the best find for us was the original Marks Place back in the 80's. I didn't realize how partial we were to 'GUY' named places way back then. And not to forget the original Portofino Restaurant on Front Street, not too far down from Pinocchio's.

So many wonderful old memories savored and so many new ones yet to come - hopefully half as wonderful as those from 'back in the day'........ And I often ask myself how did we ever find some of these places without benefit of the Internet, google maps, etc? Those were the days when quite literally, we got into our rental cars and explored to see what we might find....and much of it was the very best of SXM, both back in the day and perhaps into the future as well. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

In the "old days" Pat we found them by word of mouth, by driving around and by chance ...and in magazines such as Sint Maarten Nights...didn't need the Internet...still the "best way" is to explore and find new favorites and old friends...enjoy !!

So very true, Bobcat.

Back in those days we would usually arrive on a Saturday afternoon and our first official island 'chore' on Sunday morning was to get in the car and drive around the island to make the first of our stay's dinner reservations. No such thing as cell phones or cell phone rentals back then. Heck, half the places didn't have phones at all. The reservation system consisted of a pad of paper, sometimes protected in a menu sleeve and sometimes not, along with a pen strategically placed outside the front door of the places you might want to try. You'd sign yourself up for the night and time and in a few places, even the table.... And it worked. The island was magical back then.

St Severin in Marigot for the fresh mussels. Used to see a lot of island friends there.
Cheers
irina

Portofino--great pizza and great conversations with the owners! I remember sitting out in the courtyard there, many times!

One of our first trips in which we stayed on the island, we walked into Sebastiano one night without a reservation--early, at maybe 6:30. The place was empty. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" /> We asked about eating and they, seemingly grudgingly, gave us a table way far away from the water.. Within about 45 minutes, the whole place was full.. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" /> It still makes me sad when I see that name above the door there..

La Vie en Rose, not the sidewalk cafe that is sometimes open now, but a lovely balcony table on the second floor. The most delicious food and service so perfect that you never knew the server was there; just that you always had exactly what you needed before you even realized you needed it. And the lady was always given a rose at the end of the evening.

Even though we like the food at IZI, La Gondola was head and shoulders above it. When we were at Rainbow, I said to Mary that I thought that was the location of Le California. Was I right? Also, in 2004, we brought back jars of Bar-B-Q sauce from Ms. B's. It was the best!

Yes! La Vie en Rose's upstairs balcony! Back when Marigot was magical at night, and safer. I remember those roses, <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" />

we celebrated some anniversaries at la vie en rose...it was a magical romantic place.....

I agree with previous posters regarding the balcony tables at La Vie en Rose - they were incredible back in the day, and even more so when they really were almost overlooking the Marigot waterfront. And another great Marigot spot was Maison Sur La Port almost across the street from LVER. And who could ever forget the Paradise Cafe up the hill in the Maho area behind the casinos and all the present buildings there? What a fun place that was with those beautiful wicker throne-like chairs.. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" />

West Indians Cafe, Sam's (sigh )

So far ,not one mention of SSBB when Neal was still there.

No, Rainbow is further down the street (toward the main road) from what was Le California. Off the top of my head, I can't remember what is there now, where Le California was.

ok. SSBB when Neil was there. Peg Leg Pub when Neil was there.
Buccaneer Beach Bar when Neil was there.
Cheers Neil!
irina

I'm fortunate to have first spent time on this island 28 years ago - my 1st Carib destination. It really was an adventure exploring the island the best we could.

I'll throw in a pitch for the "old" St Barts when Mini Mokes were the standard way of driving on the island. Those truly were great days.

Are you referring to Neil who owns Celine sailboat charters? We met him to do the pub crawl and weather was too bad. Loved chatting w him and hearing of his sailing adventures from South Africa. He referred us to Uncle Harrys. Great place for fresh grilled lobster. I thought Germains was still around? La Man Ala Pate is still there and Temptation (another fav and best meal then) from 04.

No, different Neil.

Sorry I misspelled Neil Rooney's first name. A Neal did own Celine pub crawl. Rooney, from New York owned SSBB until a few tears ago, then it became SSB&G. The two Neils/Neals where good friends.

La Vie en Rose - a class place just as you remembered it.

What was the name of the Italian Restaurant on Airport Road owned by the two brothers? Long gone. Many a night I got stuck with the the bill when my brother-in-law casually walked out for a cigarette when the check came!!

Johnnie B Under the Tree. I know he has a new place but his old one was unique. Paris in Maho. Crocodile at the Pelican. Saratoga, Le Pirate, Tap 5, Boo Boo Jam and Peg Leg Pub.

Just remembered. I forgot my favorite for great French food with a local clientele and good prices, La Brasserie de Marigot.

Peg Leg Pub, at the first location, when Neil was there, and at the beginning, Sean was great..

Maybe Laguna? Ate there quite a few times, then the owner retired and went back to Italy. I thought there were 2 guys who owned the restaurant, and that one left a couple of years before the other. Or I could be way off. Phil

Is Peg Leg Pub still around? The last I knew, it was at PP Casino. We went there a couple of weeks ago, but the casino sucked away our money so fast that I didn't have time to look around the place to see which restaurants were there. Phil

No, it's gone. Been gone maybe a couple of years?

Fangdango on Front St in P'burg. Went in the late 80's on our first trip and the next year it was closed, kinda. The entrance was still open but the inside was dust covered with trash blowing around. Of course just down the street to the east was the aforementioned Sam's Place and the West Indies Tavern, their St Paddy's Day deal was a blast.
The New Amsterdam Store was a nice place to shop as well. In those days we walked from Divi to town, now we drive with ac on.
Also, the casinos at Divi and Belair are history.
Here's link from SXM's own Ku-J that I use in one of my classes that deals with tourism in the Caribbean:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znySFD3ju5o

Warning some of the lyrics really hit home in relation to the sad event of the past days. This video is at least 5 years old.