The Cuginis restaurant, when in Marigot, was much smaller. Sam could work in the kitchen and still be the charismatic person to all that came in. He could definitely dictate what you ordered, and say don't pay for it if you don't like it. Finally moved over to the dutch side in a much bigger restaurant, and of course he had larger groups of people coming in to see him, and that dictates a lot of time and effort to service those big groups. He is a perfectionist, was still working in the kitchen and showing people the wine collection, and didn't like the lack of service some tables had due to that. Sam is in Canada getting medical attention, I hope he comes back, literally, to the full life he had here. I am glad the restaurant reopened, I am sure it will have some glitches, working with some newer staff. I will add that we were there as a table for two, have known Sam for many years, but also just threw a friendly "hello" and would have ordered our food when those big groups are present, but it's not the same as the charismatic person at your table. Also in Marigot he was opened for lunch, we would do a big lunch group about 1:30 and that's how we got to know Sam and we had some fantastic times there. Now they are only opened evenings on the Dutch side. That makes a difference too in that people that come to see him were only able to do the dinner reservations.
Last edited by phillygirl7; 11/30/2015 03:34 PM.
