TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Big anniversary event - need advise!

We are going to be on the island at the end of February next year and planning a very big events- the 50th bday (yep, time flies!) and a 20 wedding anniversary for our cousin family. There are going to be 15-20 people including children age 3 to 18...
Both events are on a same day! SOOO.... We are thinking of the following setting as per family request: fine dining on a beach under the white tents/canopies, candles, mood lights, etc - something very romantic! The gourmet food is a must!
I can only think of one place that more or less is applicable -The Dreams. But I don't think the food there is at par with what we expect.
Please guys, any suggestions will be appreciated!

Just my personal opinion on this, but if Dreams can't provide you with food that meets your expectations, you're probably going to want to find another island. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

My suggestion is Dreams as well. It is a beautiful venue right on the beach and they are all set up to do weddings, anniversaries, and parties of all types. This is the best spot for your occasion. We have had a few anniversary dinners there and highly recommend the food and service.

For sure you would want a reservation regardless of where you decide to go.

For me though, I would treat it as a catered occasion rather than 15 - 20 people ordering off a menu - even with a reservation.

If you like Dreams location - I would email, explain what you had in mind for the meal and ask what could be done / suggestions. Maybe a fixed menu with some main choices, or platters / apps to start, special dessert? and so on
Pretty sure Bruno can arrange what you want.

Another thought, depending where you are staying, a private chef and staff for a meal of your choice?


Regardless of where you chose, I would want the meal details nailed down in advance

Best of luck
J&B

KGB,
I've never eaten at Dreams, but given their pedigree, combined with proper planning, I can't imagine it being any less than spectacular.
My only other suggestion would be La Cigale in Nettle Bay, right on the lagoon. I'm sure they could set up to your specifications.
Pozdravleniya!

Rent a large villa for a night or two and have it catered.

I agree completely! I also agree with the idea of talking with them about a special menu for your group, rather than trying to have that large a party ordering from the usual menu.

And one other suggestion: Anse Marcel Beach. Their restaurant provides food on a par with Dreams. They are also right on the beach, and the sand is much nicer there than in Nettle Bay. However, I agree with the others: if you contact Bruno and mention TTOL, you likely will get a top-notch experience.

Dreams website

And it looks as though Anse Marcel finally has their website up and running although I couldn't add it in the same way as Dreams above: http://www.ansemarcelbeach.com/index.html

I am puzzled, as some others are, if you wouldn't be happy with the food from Dreams, where do you normally dine on island? A private chef might be a good idea, but I have no idea where you would be able to do that, that it would be on the beach, unless you rent a villa that's on the beach. True villas on the beach in SXM are fairly expensive, although I'm guessing your budget for this event must be fairly substantial..

Have you eaten at Dreams? The food is wonderful, service is impeccable and the ambience is very chic.

Bruno has done many weddings at his current location so he can accommodate parties.

Unfortunately, the menu says "coming soon".. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/cry.gif" alt="" />

DREAMS for sure. If you go to their web site they have a video of a recent wedding held there.

Get in touch with Capt. Neil and charter his boat. Check with him about food................... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

That wouldn't be on the beach though? And frankly, if the person wouldn't be happy with Dreams, I don't think there's any way they would be satisfied with food from Neil. He does a great job, but it's not really gourmet, certainly not more gourmet than Dreams.

Thank you all for your suggestions. As for Dreams, we ate there once in 2015 and it was ok but wasn't great. Our favorite restaurant is Tropicana... We will be eating there a few times for sure but for the special occasion the families wanted to do the beach settings.... As for the private catering - again, we are renting a very large villa and will be using the chief most likely. But.... Special occasion HAS to be on the beach.... Please don't judge me on that, I know it's kind of tacky But it was a request!

OK, seriously, I really don't see Tropicana as being above Dreams in quality..

And I don't see being 'on the beach' as a tacky request... I think I don't get where you're coming from.

I hope you are correct and we just "missed" the goodness of the Dream's food. I am willing to give it a try.
Where am I coming from?- from the need to try and please 15 people! Lol!!

Are you looking for a private affair and closing the restaurant or just all 20 of you sitting down? You could do Marys Boon, Dreams, LeSand, Anse Marcel. But if you want to be alone and casual but on the beach, I stand by renting a villa for the night and hiring a private catering company and get what you want.

No we are not looking at closing the place down, just a nice setting to accommodate us. We don't mind other people been around us.
What is LeSand? I don't remember this place.... Is it in Nettle Bay Area?

Next to Dreams- but Dreams I think is much higher end food. Another thought would be Antiones in Phillipsburg. Could accommodate that many, would be a long evening I'm sure, and it is on Great Bay - there is beachside access and you have a great view - especially at night when there are boats lit up in the harbor

People have suggested catering services on this site before. I am sure that they could set-up in an open area on Simpson Bay and do a great job.

I have to agree with Pat on this, and also as it was also stated Anse Marcel may be another option. The beach is nicer but in my opinion Dreams has as better food but they are close. La Samanna may be an option, do not know much about the place as it is above my price point.

I would suggest talking to Bruno and discussing potential menu items you would like to have and what you are hoping for. I am confident you will get an honest response from him.

Cheers,
T

What about Palm Beach on Orient Beach? Beautiful setting and the food is excellent.

I certainly wouldn't agree with that assessment. I have been to Dreams a number of times and the food has been excellent. However, I was on Neil's fun cruise last November and the food for lunch may have been the best meal I had my entire trip! Certainly up to par with Dreams. And a nice sunset cruise through the lagoon with a private charter? And with Neil? That would be hard to beat!

OK, glad you enjoyed your meal, but I think I will agree to disagree with you on that one.

As far as a cruise, I personally think that would be very nice, but the original poster said that the other people involved were pretty insistent about dinner on the beach.