TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin The Palms Review

Sometimes it is nice to try a new restaurant and usually rely on numerous reviews to help me make my decision. While the service from Greg & Jo was very friendly and attentive, the food quality was not equal to the service. Nothing was jumping from the limited menu to order, so we selected hummus and chicken wings. Unfortunately these were just standard starters. While I did enjoy the house specialty of drunken ribs, better ribs are found at many more places on the island. My wife's special of salmon was dry and without any sauce to bring it back to life. A medium sized mug of sangria for $30 seemed a bit over priced. The renowned carrot cake for dessert was unavailable since Mom was off the island on vacation. Maybe the food was uninspired by the lack of Mom's cooking in the kitchen. I truly wanted to enjoy a great meal that others seem to enjoy here.

We've eaten there only once and we were not impressed with the food either. And the location I found horrid. We will not back any time soon.

I agree with Carol. Don't know what the hype is about at this place. It's like sitting on the side of the road.

I guess it's a good thing that we don't all like the same places, or we'd never be able to get a table. Greg's drunken ribs are one of my favorite things, along with his spicy lasagne. Mom is back on the island now, so I would order the Pao for an appetizer, although we usually share three or four apps with a large group, and the hummus is always one of those. The tabbouleh is also excellent.

The location is right in the middle of things, and I find it fun to watch the traffic. Is it a fine dining restaurant? Definitely not. But the fact that it's been awarded Best Local Food for several years in a row says something.

Thanks for your review. I kind of agree with Georgia. I love the Palm's lasagna and have enjoyed their ribs on the couple times I ordered them. The Pao app and a couple other non-standard ones are excellent. It'd a fun place and Greg and Jo are wonderful, attentive hosts. Everyone has their own tastes and that's the value of this Board in letting them express their opinions.

Georgia,

I know the "NovemberCrew" really loves this place, but like the OP, I'm inclined to agree - the apps are pretty good as is the service, and the hosts are pleasant, too, but the location just doesn't do it for us.

We've tried it several times now, the first being a few years ago at a gathering hosted by the NovemberCrew, I think, but I just can't seem to make it a go-to destination. Between the noise, the traffic and the somewhat limited though very tasty menu, it doesn't work for us and we sure don't have extremely high dining standards.

But as we both have said so many times, if we all liked the same places, some of us would never get dinner!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

We have been there twice and were not happy. won't go back.. took friends both times and they were not happy either.. and we are not picky

Been there twice also, once pretty good although they forgot an entree for one in our party. Second time there it was not as memorable.

One of our favorites. Spicy lasagna, drunken ribs and Pao!! I agree also with Georgia, lots of places around to go after your meal if you wish, close to casinos, and fun to traffic watch. Great local hangout!!

We have always enjoyed the food and hospitality at The Palms and Greg always tries to please his diners, but the location especially when dining on the deck leaves a lot to be desired. I keep hoping they will move to a place on the water. The former location of Waterfront Restaurant across the road would be an excellent location. It has been vacant now for a few years. Dining on the water is always our first choice!

I really enjoy The Palms, one of the places we will go to several times per trip. Lal's being the other regular place for us. Both are places that we relax at and feel like family when there, and you just can not beat that feeling.

The food is good, somethings are great, and yes some items are much better when "Mom" is there.

Ribs are subjective, the Tabouli Salad there is the best, love the Pao and if Greg has his burger on special it is one of the best on island.

Cheers,
Todd

This reminds me of when a question is asked about Andy & Cheryl's or Marty's Dream Bar.

When an opinion is contrary to the loyal followers it is very predictable as to the responses.

Not everyone likes the same place, food, bar or help at any said place.

Yes, but the loyal following is earned and not just given. There is a reason why places have loyalty, they create it.

"Where everybody knows your name", there is a line. Is not some of this loyalty why we keep returning to SXM? Some people go to SXM and really dislike it, with good reasons. We happen to have fallen for this island and the people.

Cheers,
T

While I will agree, not everyone shares the same loyalty and will voice an adverse opinion.

We tried it last trip. Service was very good. Had the ribs. Was expecting to be wowed but was not. They were good but so are other places that have great ribs on the island. We might go back but not certain.

I too recently tried it with a friend that loves it. I am not a fan. I couldn't wait to finish so I could order the raved about carrot cake. They could offer it to me for free and I wouldn't take it again. But that's what makes the world go round. Different folks, different likes

I'm not sure I understand your comments. None of us who loves the place has criticized anyone who has a different opinion, nor have we suggested that other opinions are "wrong". We've simply expressed ours. Isn't that what public forums are about?

Georgia,

I apparently took a very different read in that I interpreted the poster to mean - more or less - que sera, sera - or in other words, some will like it and some won't but I didn't pick up a sense of criticism or negativity to other posters or to their opinions, but that's me. I merely accepted the statement for what it seemed to be to me - one more opinion added to another thread where we may or may not all agree on the same thing.

So I guess in the end, just like opinions and the fact we all have them, we can all draw conclusions and they, too, can all be different. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Correct pat. Not everyone feels or shares the same "loyalty" to this place or any other place that may be a favorite of one person but not another.

It goes back to my original point that a less than glowing review of certain places will bring out the loyal followers. I gave a couple of other examples as well.

" When an opinion is contrary to the loyal followers it is very predictable as to the responses."

Funny, I didn't like the carrot cake either. Not that it was BAD, but I like my carrot cake SWEET, SWEET, SWEET, and this wasn't that sweet. I think that's probably why a lot of people really like it, because it's not that sweet. The location is a whole nother problem..

Can we all sing Kumbaya now?

Kumbaya...
We love The Palms and will return with the November crowd.
Momma, please be on island, I love your carrot cake!

Poor Mahokid - bet he never expected his review to go this route. Isn't it time to say goodnight, Gracie, to this one yet? Just sayin.....<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

we were there a couple of years ago....and at the time they were out of a lot of things....but what we both ordered we enjoyed. I am sure we will end up going back one day...but it isn't on the ''must do'' list.

the only complaint I have with the palms is parking. it is so limited...and very hard to come by. We did try to go there in march...but there was no place to park...so we kept going. While we were there a couple of years ago, a patron ran out of the restaurant. Luckily he was sitting by the street, and as he looked down the start, he noticed a tow truck about to take his car away!!!

Yes Pat, I think it's about time!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />

Ya the parking is bad. When we went to the Palms we tried to park next door. The waiter came out of the Palms seeing us walk towards the Palms and said it is best to move the car as the person next door has been known to through cooking grease on the hood if they park there and go elsewhere. And that's the truth.

I go there more than most of you, I stop by there many times over a week if only for a cocktail and eat there around once or twice a week while there over three weeks. I have not once had a problem parking, often down by the bank which I would estimate at about 100 feet. Zero problems compared to many other spots in Simpson Bay, or Grand Case, or Maho. Certainly not worthy of a complaint.

Yes Pat, time to put this thread to bed.
Cheers,
T

Parking certainly not worth a complaint?? The (lack of) parking hadn't really been mentioned in the thread before, nor the 'charming' fellow next door. Speaking as someone who had the 'honor' of meeting that fellow, that is a service to those deciding whether to try the place, who hadn't in the past, to be careful especially of that fellow next door, and to park down the street, versus risking his wrath.

last March it was impossible to find parking...even down the street!!!! It just isn't worththe chance of the guy next door (which i heard about before), or having the car towed away while dining!!!!

Too funny, Carol. The last time we were there we were meeting someone, (which is a whole other story since I actually had written down the wrong meeting place, right Norm?) and we arrived fairly early and we were able to snag one of the few parking spaces out front.

As we pulled in We noticed a guy sitting out front of the place next door (almost in front of where we parked...) sharpening a machete and watching us. As we got out of the car and started to enter The Palms the guy got up and walked in front of our car.

Being as naive as I can sometimes be, I thought he was extending a greeting to us so I wished him a good afternoon and headed into the Palms. DH, having taken a slightly different read of the mans intentions than I did, immediately asked the owners if we were parked in the wrong place and he assured us that we were fine and he really had two spaces out front and we were in one of them.

Once we were seated we kept watching and the guy next door kept checking out our car as he continued sharpening his machete. I'm sure it was our own preconceived sensibilities and I'm sure the man meant us no harm but it made for a very uncomfortable hour and quite truthfully, I couldn't wait to leave when our hour of wait time was up.

But again, the apps we had were good.

We had good apps too Pat, while WE waited at SMYC.

Go ahead, Norm - rub it in. While the apps weren't bad at all, we had no view, no other guests to chinwag with and a guy with a machete keeping an eye on us. I think you definitely got the better end of that deal! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />