My very favorite restaurant is not necessarily "The BEST" of all the offerings from a culinary standpoint or the ritziest or the classiest either, for that matter, but based on all the above and then toss in longevity and consistency, it would most definitely be ANTOINE'S BY THE SEA on Front street in Philipsberg. We first discovered it in the late seventies or very early eighties under the management of the original owners and at a time when one of the current owners was but a young waiter serving his apprenticeship under the Captain and his Lady.

It's been there since our earliest trips to the island and it has endured over all these years through changes too numerous to list. It has survived countless major storms that destroyed its original location along with economic downturns across the island that cost many an entrepreneur to throw in the towel and call it quits, and has even managed to survive a flawless change in ownership way back when, and can boast that it's still going strong today despite the average visitors hesitancy to visit P'berg at night for dining opportunities.

Jean Pierre and Pierre get my vote because of their quality, for sure, but also because of their longevity and their resiliency, not to discount at all their friendship over all these years. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />