TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Bistrot Caraibes

Finally got to Grand Case for dinner!!
We went to Bistrot Caraibes for dinner and it was excellent <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" />.
We both had onion soup to start----then our dinner came-- and then the lobster didn't want to go back in his tank and sprayed our table. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" />!!!!
We had to have everything replaced on our table! I don't know how happy they were about it, but I wasn't going to take a chance of eating it. It's kept clean, but they are in and out of the tank picking out lobsters for people.
It was a very good meal. Rit had the scallops (always) and I had the scallop/shrimp appetizer which had as much food as Rit's dinner and more than enough for me.
We ended the meal with a crème brulee. Their homemade ginger rum was excellent and ginger is good for your stomach. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />
We stopped at Starz Casino and had fun playing for a few hours. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />
Way past my bedtime.

That's funny, as many times as we've eaten there, never have seen a mishap like that with a lobster! I almost always have the scallops or the rack of lamb. Those scallops are lovely. Love their rum drink also!

I usually have the rack of lamb also.
It was a great meal and we will be sure to go back. We paid in euros, since we had them. I really felt funny not leaving our usually 20% tip, but I guess we have been paying more than we needed to.
BTW there was some kind of tax added on the check---I think I may have heard something about that??


Today was another gorgeous day at Mullet! I Just can't
believe it.
I haven't been able to get in the water at BSV <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/drown.gif" alt="" /> BUT I love staying here.

We rent our unit at Mont Vernon from Amaury at the Bistro, so we always have dinner there one night during our stay. Always a great meal and love the rum drink!

Tax?? I don't know, I hadn't heard that.

Why haven't you been able to get into the water at Beachside?

Carol, It's just a little too rough for me.
There are others who are swimming, but I'm a big chicken
after a few bad experiences in SXM.
I may try again. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Crazy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Baby.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/boohoo.gif" alt="" />

The tax(?) is listed as TGCA on the bill.

Ok, I get you on the ocean. I actually don't do a lot of swimming myself, unless it's dead flat calm.

Don't know on the tax..

TGCA is their sales tax, 4% I believe is on meals
Some things are 2% and some things are exempt - drugs?

Others on this board may be more up to date

J&B

Correct its a tax on sales and services There is a section on it, by the government of SXM on this link about doing business in SXM http://www.com-saint-martin.fr/PressRele..._UK_06_2014.pdf

Weird, we ate in Grand Case and at Dreams in December 2014 and maybe we were charged tax and I didn't pay attention.

I thought there had been a discussion on it at one time. That was why I posted the info.

As far as the lobster incident, I also thought maybe someone had had an experience with that happening. We ate there almost every year and never did. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" />

In fact the last time we ate there was with my sister (who passed in February)and my niece and sat at the same table.
They loved BC--my sister's favorite while staying here.