We had another wonderful trip to SXM. It was our 20th time.
We stayed in a villa in Jardin d'Orient which was new to us. it was a perfectly good villa however the management company left much to be desired. LAN line didn't work and we had given the number to our family in case of emergency, it didn't have an oven, maid service was iffy, practically had to beg for loo paper, etc. Enough griping about that.
The beginning of our time there had iffy weather, some rain/ some clouds, some sun, but we made it to the beach during those days. Starting on April 24, we had glorious weather, nice breeze, warm water and the seaweed was gone.
We tried some new restaurants as well as some old favorites, however, we ended up being disappointed with many. Last year, we loved Little Italie and Le Piment in Orient Village. This year, Little Italie changed its menu, the service was spotty and we didn't return. The pizza was fine at Le PIment on a night we didn't feel like eating much, but we returned for pasta carbonara and it was just okay.
We tried our much loved Le Tastevin and we will never go back again. They have changed owners/ management and the food is sub par. Don't ever try the cioppino. Tasteless and fishy. Someone complained at another table and then they acted surprised when we complained at our table. I just had French onion soup and a salad but my friend has mahi mahi that looked like it had been run over by a truck. We didn't even drink the complimentary homemade rum. They screwed that up as well.
We tried a new restaurant to us and really loved it, L'effet Mer. Food was excellent, prices not exorbitant, we could watch the chef and sous chef create magic. The amuse bouche was excellent. I cannot figure out why such a good restaurant was literally empty and Tastevin was full. Both are on the water side in Grand Case.
We went to Spiga twice and weren't disappointed. We tried the rack of lamb, filet of beef, short ribs, seafood risotto, cioppino, the duo of pasta, the tomato mozzarella salad and can't say enough about all of them. The service is wonderful and the ambience is great. Just don't go on Monday and Tuesday. It is mobbed.
We tried Jam Rock in the FRench Cul de Sac based upon recommendation on this site. We truly didn't mind the wait however the food was almost unedible. l ordered stuffed crab back which I love and it was watery and tasteless. We ordered stuffed christophine for an app and it was like having warm chicken salad stuffed into it. Even though I don't like the lolos, I have to admit their christophine is much better. I dumped all of my food in the dumpster across the street. My husband had jerk chicken. Who knew chicken had that many bones. My friend was a fish combo. They were out so she it was suggested that she have the hard snout. Just the name should have been the giveaway. It was claimed to be a cross between mahi and tuna. Nope. She moved her food around and finally covered it with a napkin. Her husband has the jamaica medley. It looks like much. Cross Jam Rock off our list.
We had great breakfasts at Good Morning in Orient Village and Paradise View above Orient Bay. We went to Aloha once. It was fine, nothing outstanding but we had a lovely server from Liverpool.
As for Papagayo, they have really stepped up their game. Expanded menu, quality and consistency. Waitstaff is great. Loved talking with Christine, Ronald and Karine. Lots of fun.
Despite some blips with the food the vacation was wonderful. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" />
