TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin The best meal I ever ate..

There is this show on the Food Network Channel... There are various versions of this show, but mine for today is The Best Meal I Ever Ate....

And it was at..



If you've seen the show, they go into great detail about the setting and how the food tastes and why it was the best "whatever" they ever ate. With apologies to the Food Network, here's my take on it...

We've been coming to SXM since 1987 on cruise ships, 1995 on land. Over the years, we have grown to love the French side, and French food, and have a real appreciation for good friends that we have made at several restaurants over the years. Primary among these, we count Thibauult and Amaury from Bistrot Cariabes, and Bruno, from LeCottage, and now from Dreams, Petit Casino, Yellow Sub and Paradise Bungalows...



For those of you not familiar with Dreams, it's on the beach in Nettle Bay. Truthfully, the beach at Nettle Bay isn't the best, but that's not why people go to Dreams. They go for the FOOD!

Bruno's chef recently competed in the Taste of the Caribbean competition and will be representing SXM soon on the national team. I believe it's in Miami.




Anyway, we didn't need that affirmation to head there for quite a memorable meal..

The meal started innocently enough with the bread with a lovely dipping sauce.



Despite my having 'chosen poorly' with a bottle of French rose, I convinced Eric to try the beef prime rib for two.. Since the prime rib would take a while, Bruno sent us out some complementary appetizers




...and then the main event arrived...


We should have known something was up when they said that they would need to transfer us to a BIGGER TABLE!!!



And then there were the sides! These are just my sides. Eric had the same amount.




We took one look at the sheer amount of food and just burst out laughing!!!

And then we tasted the succulent medium rare prime rib, served with three different sauces, accompanied by the most perfectly cooked pomme frites you EVER teasted in your life, and a side salad for good measure!! We did have to break down and order a couple of glasses of Cote d Rhone though, as one couldn't have such splendor with only a rose!

Oh my GOODNESS! The prime rib was amazing, the sauces were fabulous, and there was enough to feed FOUR people!! Prime rib for two??? I guess if the two people were Fred Flintstone and Barney Rubble!!! Take a look at what we had left OVER, once we had eaten all we wanted!



I felt so bad, leaving behind those lovely pomme frites, but there is no way they would pry the leftover prime rib out of my hands!! There's definitely going to be some leftover prime rib for sandwiches or whatever tomorrow! This is what we brought home!



My mother always said that if I didn't finish my meal, that I couldn't have dessert! Well, thank goodness she wasn't along today!!!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Cr�me brulee has always been my favorite French dessert and since Eric was such a wimp and had gorged himself on beef, I got to pick the dessert all by myself!!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />

Oh my goodness!!! Cr�me brulee with strawberries!!!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/circle.gif" alt="" />



And any good French meal has to end with coffee, served in those French coffee cups, that no one over the age of FIVE could get their finger through the hole in the coffee cup!!!

[img]http://www.info-res.com/ehill/ttol/bsv2016/dreamscoffee.jpg[/img]

What's up with that?? <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />

Anyway, that was the Best Meal I Ever Ate, served on a beach, on my favorite place in the world, with my best friend forever. Life is good..

Looks fantastic!

Absolutely fabulous! I see steak and eggs for breakfast tomorrow, with hash browns made from those pommes frites!

Carol it is great you and Eric are having a great time. Love the pics and really enjoy your vacation.

SXM?? Wendell

Yep! Absolutely fantastic!

You are doing such a fantastic job sharing with us!!
<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/thanks.gif" alt="" />
Left Dreams a couple of times because of the windy beach--now I know better!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" />

Prime Rib has always been my all time favorite. Have to say, i never saw it prepared like that!!!! and wow....does it look scrumptous!!! And cooked the way i love it too.....can you send me the leftovers?? Will have to make it to Dreams this coming March...keep saying it, but for no reason whatsover we never have made it there. Curious..how much does he get for that entree?

That is one very incredible meal but no surprise there. And like Wendell, I, too, am thoroughly enjoying your trip right along with you and Eric and hundreds of other readers here, I'm sure. Thanks for the efforts in posting with photos... They really do add so much! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Was this lunch or dinner?

Whatever it was, it seems fabulous <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/circle.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

Lunch! ....and dinner, as it turned out! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" />

Sorry, the leftovers will probably get eaten here! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Smile.gif" alt="" /> I think it was 59 Euro...

Our last few times there, we just go for lunch. It was windy when we got there, but they put down the wind blocks, but the wind then died down and it was pretty calm..

Thanks Wendell. Regards to Deisy!

Didn't think to bring those home to do that with them! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" /> They were GREAT though!

Good food, good friends,hope this vacation never ends! We have been dining with Bruno since he first started Le Cottage and now we always enjoy our dining experiences at Dreams. There is no better host on the island and the food and service is always excellent!My taste buds are emitting tantalizing vibes; luckily we have just finished dinner!

Elizabeth--thanks, but I think all good things do have to come to an end, eventually..

So true Carol, but we all can dream! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" />

We are so going to Dreams next March! We keep saying we are going but never make it over there. Big mistake from what your pictures & descriptions.

Awesome, that is the best way to spend an afternoon in SXM. Food looked great and the hospitality was spot on. Thanks for sharing.

It was on our list but now i really want to go. But we are visiting in July and I think they are only open for breakfast and lunch in July. Thanks for the trip updates, great pics. Enjoy!

Fabulous pictures. Great report. It's a lovely testament to what Bruno has built.

Looks like a great meal <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />

No problem on the lunch, that was lunch for us yesterday! I actually think that they are open for dinner year round, just possibly not every day. We actually have never been there for dinner. We find it good to go for a wonderful lunch with a beautiful view, and then have a light dinner, as we did last night, at home.

Carol, what can one say? Amazing pictures of an amazing feast. We've GOT to get there next time!

I think during off season they are open for dinner only on weekends. I know we wanted to have Thanksgiving dinner there last year, and Bruno told us he wasn't open for dinner on Thursdays during the low season.

<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" />
Looks fantastic........... if you don't mind my asking......how much was the bill for that feast.

Something like 115 Euro. The wine was an inexpensive wine though.

Wow! That looks amazing. We have eaten at Dreams several times but that has not been one of the specials. Hopefully next trip. Thank you for taking time out of your vacation to post your reports and beautiful pictures.

Great pics. The Food Network should hire you for some freelance reports. Looked SOOOOOO good!

Actually, that feast is on the regular menu at Dreams! We often have the special, regardless of the restaurant, but didn't see anything we wanted this time on the specials menu--thank goodness! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for bringing us along for your lunch!! I am "Dreaming" of returning on our November trip.

Looks absolutely delicious! Went to Dreams last November and it was windy and the beach did not look that great so we left. Will have to give it another try on a better day. Food looks amazing!! Thanks for sharing your trip it is really making me want to book another trip soon and we were just there in April. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />

Our experience at Dreams was equally spectacular last fall. From start to finish it couldn't have been any better. We love Bruno and anything he's associated with. I'm looking forward to spending another day at the restaurant because it's a wonderful dining experience not to be rushed.

Thank you. I guess we have not looked at the menu in detail as we usually order one of the specials. We will know better next time.

No problem. I usually order the bo bun nem salad every time and decided this time I would HAVE to order something different.

I think it would be interesting if posters shared their best meal ever. Of course, that could be a tough call, but mine was in Tours, France.

Mine was in mom's kitchen!

Looks perfect - the food, the setting, the island. Actually, we have a French rose in the fridge, to take to our fav Italian BYOB. Sometimes, we love "choosing poorly". Thanks so much for your updates.

What I meant is that a rose isn't exactly what one would think of, in connection with a big honkin' piece of beef! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> I have actually begun to really appreciate French roses' down here..

One of our favorite places to spend a day, looking forward to November!

Cheers,
Todd