Just how bad is it on the French side?? As of now, no protests and all roads have been cleared, including Sandy Ground, which was the last blockage. Did your friends drive themselves or get a cab? If they got a cab, I am surprised that they would have seen any evidence of burned out cars between the cruise port and Anse Marcel. When did they go?

As far as Grand Case, most of the LAND side restaurants are open and great, as always, such as Bistrot Cariabes, La Villa, Le Cottage, etc. On the water side, Ocean 82 is open and wonderful. There is still construction going on in Grand Case on the streets and parking is sometimes hard to find. And there are some buildings still in a state of disrepair, especially on the water side, as a result of several factors. For ME, personally, right now, I prefer Orient Village. Tons of great restaurants there, great parking, no destroyed buildings still evident from Irma. And if you go on Friday nights, they have music and vendors in the square.