TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Karakter

Maybe I missed it but has anyone been to the new Karakter and if so any impressions. Did they go up scale? Or are they even open?

They are open, and posting some pretty good looking food photos on their Facebook page.

What is there facebook page? Thanks.

K - sxm Facebook page below

K - Facebook page link

Looks like upscale French food.

Tim--where are you seeing the menu? The menu I'm seeing kind of looks the same as it was.

The current menu for K (karakter) is shown below.

Too spendy for me to want to go there for a beach day and lunch. 22 for a cheese burger and 26 for a club. WTH? Orange Fever here I come.

I agree, too expensive for me. I'd rather go to Mary's Boon next door, cheaper.

I really hate Facebook pages. I don't see that menu there anywhere.

But, not to bring up a sore subject, but it says "All prices are service charge included. Tips at your convenience" What the heck does that mean?

In fear of more people going and losing my favorite beach spot at Marys Boon I agree, and more and more have discovered it too. Lots of new things going on, I think they a real good mix of cooks and Chefs now and over all great staff. Nice menu , fair prices better than most and the food portions are very good. All of the fish dishes they have is good but they have about everything is good. My husband loves their Tuna Tartar. Plus the overall property is just a treat to walk into. Service charge included but you can TIP??!! Huh? We are not going to pay crazy prices so I am hoping more stay at Karakter.

That menu is not on their Facebook page but was sent to me earlier today by the manager.


I would think that it means that they are trying to copy the French side and including all service charges/fees in the cost of your meals. If you so desire to leave a little something extra than that is at your discretion.

That will work as long as the servers don't pressure you for that "something extra".

Thank you.

That's interesting, if in fact that's what they do, as compared to servers begging for more. That would be refreshing.

I like the menu idea of inclusion of the service like the French side in theory does. Kudos to them and it is clearly printed on the menu. I also like that it seems to be up a notch from what it was, it needed to be up a notch or three. How some of you figure what a menu item is worth is beyond me, very short sighted in my as you know not so humble opinion. Sure there is some place I am sure you can get a $9.99 dollar steak, but I would rather have a good steak and pay the extra. Ribs, burgers, and most food has different quality levels. Even the inexpensive burgers are in the $12 - $15 plus range by the time you add fries or anything. I did think that Krave has a good burger in the lower cost range, felt it was the winner if compared to Tap and Still or The Burger Bar but those were also good. On our last trip I had a burger that was $22 that was fantastic at the Palms, homemade bun and Greg grinds his own burgers. I also had a burger that we close to $30 at LTC which also was fantastic. Very different levels of burger and I am ok with all the price points. Not one of those did I feel I did not get what I paid for.

I have yet to hear one complaint about K's service charge or any issues regarding asking for more, so I would suggest not assuming they would do otherwise. That is not fair to the establishment and their staff. I would add that this happens on the French side as well.

Foreversxm, wow we did not realize that you like Marys Boon! Is there any other place on your liked list?

It kinda makes sense to add the service charge (no amount mentioned) to the prices on the Dutch side. Some will not see that it was added and add an additional 18-20%. I guess eventually THAT will be the standard and those who do not add a tip to the bill will be addressed by the staff.....but...time will tell

I have no issue adding an additional 5% if the service was fine

Exactly as I see it being treated.

Carol I clicked on the sunset photo of the place then used the arrow to go thru their photos until menu came up in a blue circle.

Rondon--I can't really follow what you mean. I bumped around and found a menu somewhere, but it wasn't the one that bdeeley posted. I just don't understand why FB pages for restaurants generally don't have a link for their menu. Makes no sense.

[quote=Todd]I like the menu idea of inclusion of the service like the French side in theory does. Kudos to them and it is clearly printed on the menu. I also like that it seems to be up a notch from what it was, it needed to be up a notch or three. How some of you figure what a menu item is worth is beyond me, very short sighted in my as you know not so humble opinion. Sure there is some place I am sure you can get a $9.99 dollar steak, but I would rather have a good steak and pay the extra. Ribs, burgers, and most food has different quality levels. Even the inexpensive burgers are in the $12 - $15 plus range by the time you add fries or anything. I did think that Krave has a good burger in the lower cost range, felt it was the winner if compared to Tap and Still or The Burger Bar but those were also good. On our last trip I had a burger that was $22 that was fantastic at the Palms, homemade bun and Greg grinds his own burgers. I also had a burger that we close to $30 at LTC which also was fantastic. Very different levels of burger and I am ok with all the price points. Not one of those did I feel I did not get what I paid for.

I have yet to hear one complaint about K's service charge or any issues regarding asking for more, so I would suggest not assuming they would do otherwise. That is not fair to the establishment and their staff. I would add that this happens on the French side as well.

Foreversxm, wow we did not realize that you like Marys Boon! Is there any other place on your liked list? [/quo

I see a lot of people repeating their favorites here over and over but I assume some new people do read this site as well. Just wish it had not become so popular but yes The Boone is our favorite on Simpson Bay but I have said Buccaneers can be good too and couple favs on Orient. Karve in town and definitely The Palm. Greg and Jo an amazing job. Oh that Pollo chicken brothers place good to on a budget night.

I just hope that any newbies who read your posts have a good decoder ring. It's Mary's Boon, Krave, and The Palms. BTW, I agree with you about Krave and The Palms; both are excellent.

Carol,
That is an easy answer. Facebook does not require a website developer to put the menu on their website. So many businesses only update their facebook pages instead of having a real working website. As a website developer, I suppose I understand. They don't want to pay the money. But I hate trying to find stuff on Facebook.

lcote--The primary reason I go to a website for a restaurant is to find the menu. I could be wrong, often am, but I would think many or most other people are the same. FB pages are easy for the business, I guess, but for many, there seems to be zero organization of info on them. And you're right, many businesses use them because they are too cheap to pay to keep their real website updated, if they even have one.

Carol, EXACTLY. I want to go to a website, find Menu and be able to look at it. I don't want to go looking all over social media to find it.
Bu then again, I am a web developer. So, I guess I am biased.

Im a chump, so please do bear with me.

Whats there to do at Marys Boon and karakters besides eat?

Let sand gravity take hold.

Exactly....it's a beach...with chairs, food and drink...

Many Facebook pages have a link to their website, which usually includes their menu.

Was a little disappointed that they didn’t have the usual New Year’s Day festivities. Does anyone know if that has been relocated or if it is just no more?

Doubt you will see that anymore there on New Years Day. That is a Dutch thing and the new owners are very French , menu, food , wines, prices , staff, etc.

I think the new “K” is like the new Coco Beach, Kalatua and Indigo Beach. Not every day beach destinations but occasionally when you want something special. I’ll have to check it out.

I was there for lunch yesterday. The menu specifically states that the service is built into the pricing and tipping is in keeping with that. They are trying to get a French vibe. So the 22 dollar cheese burger is really 17 nor 18 with a 20% tip. I gave another 15% for great service.

billy--I'm sure the service was good, but no way I'm tipping 35%.

I think THAT's exactly what they want to happen...tipping normally on a bill with the SC included....perfect example...$18 cheesburger becomes a $25 item

I guess they feel people will be fooled by this.
It's whatever you feel comfortable with.....

Ladies and gentlemen get used to the 15% service charge on the Dutch side and tip accordingly.

Tim--I think your post kind of doesn't address the current drift of this thread.

I disagree, it hits the heart of it. Tips being included either stated on the menu like K or a line item.

The speculation of what the intent is of their policy is in my opinion wrong, and to assume is unfounded and unfair. What ever happened to innocent until proven guilty, or benefit of the doubt?

Be educated about tipping policy, pay attention, pretty simple.