Staying in the village in February. Any one eaten in the village recently

Haven't been there since last february, and won't be there again until next feb., but I read on facebook that La Playa announced that they will serve dinner tuesday thru saturday. With Bruno's reputation for food, and now an ocean-side dinner view on Orient, we're looking forward to trying it!

Yes, La Playa is serving dinner, and based on our experience there for lunch several times during our last visit, I can whole-heartedly recommended it! Everything you would expect from a Bruno operation!!

In addition to LaPlaya, check out Bruno's other restaurants, Yellow Sub and Macaroon, on the village square, for breakfast and much more casual fare, like burgers and rotisserie chickens.

We were there last week and ate at Le Piment. Always serves
a wonderful meal and Chrystal is so friendly and warm.

I can second the recommendation for Le Piment. We ate there twice in November; both times with large groups. They were very accommodating (gave each couple separate checks) and the food as always was superb.

We also love Le Piment and Yellow Sub. I think Yellow Sub is closed Tues evenings.

<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />On our last stay in the end of november we ate at Le Piment, La Voile Blanche, Côté Plage and they were all good and on our to do list again next april !!
We also did Thai Chi and it was ok but not a must-visit resto.
We can not wait to try La Playa at night since it was so great for lunch ! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" />

I am a Cote Plage fan if they are still doing Mussel night on Thursday it is really good.

Any concerns about LaPlaya at night? Safety? Not getting any younger!

You can park in the hotel parking lot and walk through the hotel property to get to the restaurant, so I would imagine it to be safe. I wouldn't walk along the beach to get there at night.

We were there in mid November, he was finishing a brightly lit walkway from the parking lot.
I have a photo, but not good at posting them. Check "Fabila's" trip report for the entrance photo.

Is that walkway from the parking lot behind Yellow Sub? The walkway itself was completed while we were there, but we were only there during the day, so I didn't pay any attention to lighting.

Had both pizza and burgers at Yellow Sub, in November. Both were pretty good.

Yes , that's the one ! It's well lighted at night with beautiful colored lights on the trees and on the walkway leading to the restaurant!

It's really hard to make ourselves go over that way in the evenings, with so many great dinner spots on the Dutch side now. Maybe next year. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Has anyone ate at LaPlaya at night? Reviews........Thanks Everyone

A great casual pizza is the trailer at the Cadisco station right outside Orient Village. When you need a break from the rich filling meals.

3 Months..... can't wait!

Mbrott

I'm not as well informed as most here. Over the years since we've been going to SXM, we've heard often about Bruno's restaurants, bungalows, and more, and comments are always favorable. We're very much looking forward to going to La Playa for dinner in April based on this post, so thank you!

This post describes his Orient Village interests; what else does he own? Others in Grand Case?

Bruno owns Dreams in Nettle Bay. The Yellow Sub, Macaroon and Le Petite Casino and LA Playa in Orient are owned by him and previously Le Cottage in Grand Case. Bruno is a great businessman and is always successful in everything he does. He also owns Paradise Bungalows and Villa Margot in Orient which many here have rented over the years.

Thanks Islandgem - Do you think Bruno will bring LaPlaya to Dreams level? Thanks Steve

I think it's pretty close already.

Thanks, Elizabeth!

It's already almost there, and he's working hard every day! We enjoyed our days at La Playa every bit as much as our days at Dreams.

The advantage of LaPlaya is the beach is much better. The disadvantage is that Dreams is much closer to the Dutch side...

As past renters of Paradise Bungalows I will chime in and say anything Bruno has been a part of has been exceptional. We enjoyed our 4 stays at his Bungalows as well as countless dinners at Le Cottage.

Dreams was excellent, food, service but beach is so-so. As others have said La Playa has it all in our opinion. We have no need to go to another beachfront on Orient now that Bruno has taken over.

We've only done take away from Macaron and Yellow Sub but each time it was fab.

As newbies that are staying at LaPlaya hotel (we know that it is separate ownership), we feel that we have lucked out on the location lottery. We are beach people and plan to spend our vacation checking out beach bars. Sounds like we have one of, or perhaps the best, in the La Playa Beach Bar right outside our door. How awesome is that?
This thread has helped us take note of some restaurant names in the village as well.
Thank you for all your advise and suggestions.

Thanks everyone - Very helpful!

Actually, I was told by a long-time island resident that Bruno also purchased the hotel. I haven't verified that with Bruno, but I do trust the person who gave me that information.

We went to Little Italy tonight. My suggestion would be to stay away from it. We would have gone to La Playa, but it was closed, as was Le Piment (our usual go-to place). Service at Little Italy was disappointing, the food lacked flavor and, while not the restaurants fault, the uncontrolled children made for a less than relaxing dinner.

We weren't impressed with Little Italy two years ago and didn't even bother going last year. They were out of our first two menu selections and the service was not the best. I highly doubt we would go back unless maybe we started to see better reviews.

Yeah. Little Italy is awful. Wasn't thinking straight after a long early(2am) day of travel. Wife and I ended up there at about 8:30pm--exhausted. Horrible service and took advantage of us on the euro exchange. Charge was either 72 euros or 82 usd--I had too choose. I feel bad about not arguing with them. Both orange fever and yellow sub have awesome service, food, and one to one exchange. I'll fill you in on that later.

The food at little Italy was good but not even close t
o being good enough to overcome the other issues.

One of the advantages of tuning in to this board is that the information you get is current and within fair reason, accurate.
Even though I am not a great fan of Italian (allergic to garlic) I appreciate the candid feedback from folks that have dined where we are considering eating.
We have our usual favorites (Antoines, eager to see if there are any changes, Chesterfields, never been disappointed, Marks Place, locals choice can't be wrong!) but will try Bavarian and Mexican options this time if we can.
Will be nice to start our vacation New Years Eve this year.

We have been to SXM many times on cruises but tomorrow we arrive for a 10 day stay. We are staying in a private Villa right behind Waikiki beach. Can we walk to Orient Village? All these amazing restaurants I am reading about in this thread are they within walking distance?

Waikiki is just north of La Playa, which is right at the end of the "main street" of the village, Avenue des Plages. The area behind Waikiki seems very residential, and well lit. I would think you'd be just fine walking the streets from your villa to the village. It'll be, maybe, 2 or 3 blocks? General council is not to walk the beach alone at night, but you should not have to take to the beach to reach the village center. I predict you'll be fine. Enjoy!

I don't know about Waikiki right now, but I hear that La Playa is open at night now, so obviously the beach area is much safer if the restaurants around are still open.

Enjoy! And do write a trip report upon your return!!