TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Revisit Best Restaurant on Island

web page web page web page web page web page web page web page With so many very good restaurants to visit in two weeks, I find it difficult for a return meal and missing out on another restaurant. Last night L'Effert Mer out did itself and confirmed our choice of being our favorite for food, service and tops for presentation. It was a breezy night and one of our most enjoyable. Once again we were seated along the rail over looking the narrow beach with a Moorings catamaran docked off shore. I was surprised that this was the last of the two tops available and shortly there after all 28 seats were full. The locals certainly have discovered this hidden gem. Gwen was definitely in the weeds, but continued with her beautiful smile and attentive service. I was amused the locals seat themselves and not wait to be seated. We drank an off dry Riesling as my wife prefers to drink lighter wine in the warmer climate. A lick the bowl of celery & truffle soup was offered from the chef. I wished it was served by the gallon. With still plenty of good choices still available, it was a difficult decision. My wife enjoyed the house smoked salmon with salted "cheese cake" off the ala carte menu. Another work of art. You could taste the smoke from the salmon and not oily at all. It was also served with small scoops of lemon-basil sorbet. My starter off the prix-fixe menu was a medley of heirloom tomatoes with mozzarella and petite olive oil balls. It was simple in theory, but delivered in taste. For the entrees, my wife's red snapper filet was served on a hot stone accompanied along with eggplant burlee, vegetable risotto, and marlin rillettes, and a light curry sauce. Portions are just right but leave you wishing for more. My prix-fixe entrée, grouper was a moist filet of grouper topped with a stunning crab mixture and a small twirl of carrot ribbons. My dessert choice from the prix-fixe was a cheese course which was delivered with a complimentary glass of Bordeaux. My wife reordered the lemon dessert special enjoyed earlier in the week. I still had room and had to have the flaming ball of chocolate filled with fresh fruit and passion fruit mousse with a side of pineapple sorbet with the surprise of pop rocks bursting in my mouth. For such a wonderful meal, the addition was only $144. To enjoy the best on the island this is a bargain. The locals know, now you have the word as well. This is my first time adding pictures and apologize in advance that the pictures are not added in the text. On my grouper plate is my wife's ramekin of risotto.

Thanks for all your reviews, well done. And well dined, may I add. L'Effert Mer will be on our list in December!

Oh pooh!! None of the links worked! Thanks for the descriptions though!

Thank you, thank you, thank you. The reviews were wonderful and greatly appreciated. I can't wait for February to try a few new restaurants.

No pictures on those web page links, but the food was aptly described in words. Glad you enjoyed it.

Great review! Where is L'Effert Mer located?

You are a very talented writer. Thanks for this great review.

You will never have a bad meal at le Taitu on mont Vernon road. Jean serves excellent food. Great ambience. We have eaten there many times in 18 years & never a bad experience. Always have his homemade soup even when its hot out. His prices are reasonable as well!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />

Waterside of Grand Case, near free north parking lot, north of lolos and south of Le Pressoir. If you enter Grand Case and travel through the neighborhood, follow the split to the right, when you hit the main drag, the free parking lot will be directly to the right, L'Effert Mer will be to the left a few doors down. This is assuming that you do not enter from Esplanade road.

Thanks for all the reviews. Sadly, they made it a really long time till February.