TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Mario's Bistro

Hello traveltalk friends
Tonight as per our tradition our first Saturday is always Mario's .
As you all know the restaurant has moved , I myself just found a his out days before I flew out of NJ
Well back to the review
This restaurant never disappoints . Yes, they are no less Niger on the canal but the new digs are awesome. We did sit inside so we did sit on their lovely outside deck but inside was wonderful.
The food was as usual spectacular, we started with appetizers of a crab trio, a barrata Napoleon and a shrimp tempura.
All were spectacular. Followed by Caesar salad and then the four of us had the fish specials
Two had the grouper fillet and two the sautéed Char
All plates were happy ones
He is by far one great chef...send him to Top Chef Masters
We then split profiteroles
Absolutely awesome night
Good lemon drop martinis and wine list also superb
The venue has changed but the food and service has not....
If u have not been able here...Go Now

Any idea if they are accepting credit cards yet?

Not yet, and we still have to find the space to visit; real busy.

Thanks Lesley. Never been but hoping to make it this trip.

debs, another poster claimed the acoustics were terrible, couldn't hear each other talk. Did you find that to be the case?

Rosemary,

I started to ask this question earlier but I was uncertain as to where the OP actually sat and I'm thinking mine was probably the post you're referencing and who found the place so noisy. We assumed it had to do with the addition of extra indoor tables but I am very interested as to where the poster sat and the current findings, too.

Please note, the night we had the issue we sat inside and early it was fine but as the place filled up it got louder and then the rains came and they closed the plastic drapes, which made it horrible. (We have been there on other occasions under other owners and had this happen, but it never seemed that loud.....) There was also a very busy and large bar crowd that night. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Not yet

I was fine. But someone at my table had a bit trouble. He'd trouble
But ask to sit outside if u are worried about sound
The food is worth it.

Thanks, Deb. Perhaps they've improved things since we were there since all four of us had the same issues.

Re the CCs, it's starting to sound as though perhaps they've decided not to go that route after all. Or perhaps it takes this long on the island to open a cc account? They've been open on the Dutch side for at least six weeks now and certainly could have planned ahead to have this service up and running if they were of a mind to accept them at all. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Some friends of mine was there a couple of days after New Years. They said they were now taking credit cards.

Does Marios have a bar you could sit at and eat dinner?

Yes. They also have high tables you can eat at that are comfortable. They are taking credit cards.

Ate at Marios on Monday ...food was great....credit cards accepted...Dave <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" />

Thank you, wingman and Dave.

Glad the cc question is resolved and they are currently able to accept them once more. Our December experience was that of one very incredible dinner so it's nice to know the quality hasn't changed. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Do you have the telephone number? Thanks

The name of the restaurant is Mario Bistrot. The website is MarioBistrot.com and I have just redirected the website with the old name to the new one.

The new restaurant has the same number of seats in the restaurant area, but has a bar and a few high tables in the bar area. It also has parking and security. Mario was very happy explaining this to me last night. My newsletter will have a review of the wonderful dinner we had last night.

I see on their menu it states at the bottom "turnover tax incluse" what does that mean?

If you scroll to Turnover Tax in this link it explains it.

It is basically a 5% tax that is supposed to be included in prices but some restaurants have been known to list it as a separate tax on your bill.

It is very annoying when some businesses continue to disregard the law. I wonder why nothing is done to stop this?

Good question.

Incluse means included so if the turnover tax is incluse, then it's included and not added to the bill. At least by my interpretation.

That's what I thought. Thanks everyone.

If it is included, there should be no mention of it on the bill at all.They are located on the Dutch side now, they need to write their bills so customers can understand them.

I agree and also with islandgem. There really should be no mention of it but it was mentioned so I attempted to explain not only what it was but how it is SUPPOSED to be handled.

Went for drinks and to check it out. Lovely location but as others wrote, can be noisy. Seems a bit more expensive than before (which I'm not surprised given the new location I'm sure the rent is higher). Had drinks and a bit annoyed that they added a tip. Our bill was $18 and they added $3. Diners beware so as not to add yet another tip on your bill.