Traveltalkonline.com Forums


SXM Cruise Schedule TTOL Sponsors SXM Travel Calendar
Forum Statistics
Forums39
Topics38,430
Posts310,044
Members26,538
Most Online2,218
Jan 21st, 2020
Top Posters(30 Days)
RonDon 115
pat 42
jazzgal 41
Todd 40
Member Spotlight
Posts: 89
Joined: May 2001
Show All Member Profiles 
Today's Birthdays
ecco, OceanDrop, vincent
Who's Online Now
41 registered members (camview, luvtotravel, cabokid, Ackman, crsxm, CaribbeanCanadians, KirkB, UncleLuff, lcote, davidandsusannj, eightzerobits, RickinAtlanta, hokiesailor, jagmansr, SXMScubaman, Kennys, George1234, Kmon, Brian&Andi, JeanneB, Manpot, WLE, taraavo, ColoBoater, RonDon, Whale Tail, jazzgal, ohstate, NoelHall, lbksxm, foreversxm, MrEZgoin, 9 invisible), 954 guests, and 64 spiders.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate Thread
Top spot for daytime fine dining on Orient? #119284
01/30/2017 12:23 PM
01/30/2017 12:23 PM
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 148
T
thebowl Offline OP
Traveler
thebowl  Offline OP
Traveler
T
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 148
I am a long time annual visitor whose wife enjoys the long lunch on Orient, with food to make you scale back the dinner plans. We were Kon-Tiki people for many years, then switched to Kakao. Something seems to have happened at Kakao. We ate there at least once and maybe twice last year, and there was a very noticeable drop-off in quality. I may have posted some specifics on here, back in March. I can't recall all of them, except the Pepperidge Farm croutons are seared into my memory. Has Kakao recovered its mojo? What is Kon-Tiki like since it re-opened?

SXM Sponsors
Re: Top spot for daytime fine dining on Orient? [Re: thebowl] #119285
01/30/2017 12:53 PM
01/30/2017 12:53 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 298
Maine
D
davew Offline
Traveler
davew  Offline
Traveler
D
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 298
Maine
Our go-to fine dining choice on Orient is Palm Beach. As of last March they were head and shoulders better than anything else on the beach. Free chairs and umbrella if you have lunch either on the beach or in the restaurant. Off the beach, Bachuss has a wonderful lunch but that's another story.

Re: Top spot for daytime fine dining on Orient? [Re: thebowl] #119286
01/30/2017 01:02 PM
01/30/2017 01:02 PM
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,141
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
islandgem Offline
Traveler
islandgem  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,141
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Palm Beach as mentioned is very good and always a great place to spend the day. The newest beach restaurant is LA Playa located not far from Palm Beach. It opened recently and has received rave reviews from everyone who has dined there.




Re: Top spot for daytime fine dining on Orient? [Re: islandgem] #119287
01/30/2017 03:16 PM
01/30/2017 03:16 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,059
Maine, USA
Chuck_Morton Offline
Traveler
Chuck_Morton  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,059
Maine, USA
Palm Beach! Just there on the 12th for my wife's birthday (OK, she insists on Birthday lunch there every year) and both the food and service were outstanding!

Re: Top spot for daytime fine dining on Orient? [Re: thebowl] #119288
01/30/2017 03:26 PM
01/30/2017 03:26 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,472
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
Traveler
Carol_Hill  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,472
Central Florida!
We haven't been to Palm Beach for a couple of years. Many regulars had reported a loss in quality there in recent years. I am looking forward to checking out LaPlaya soon. We thoroughly enjoyed our lunch at Kakao in June of 2016.


Carol Hill
Re: Top spot for daytime fine dining on Orient? [Re: thebowl] #119289
01/30/2017 03:47 PM
01/30/2017 03:47 PM
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 415
Quebec, Canada
extreme Offline
Traveler
extreme  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 415
Quebec, Canada
Just came back from SXM, and enjoyed a few meals at la Playa and they are just great !! Good food, good service and great ambiance !





Re: Top spot for daytime fine dining on Orient? [Re: thebowl] #119290
01/30/2017 04:47 PM
01/30/2017 04:47 PM
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,408
Yonkers, NY
fabila Offline
Traveler
fabila  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,408
Yonkers, NY
I'd recommend LaPlaya. Bruno has elevated the beach area with several dining spots, an open air dining room, individual tables with thatched roofs on the beach close to the dining room and above the bar is a dining area (our favorite) which has beautiful views of the beach as well as comfortable and chic in appearance. Food is wonderfully good. There are specials in addition to their regular menu. Service is spot on.

[img][image]http://i213.photobucket.com/...layplaya%20pillows_zpspahmbogt.jpg[/img][/image]

Last edited by fabila; 01/30/2017 05:03 PM.
Re: Top spot for daytime fine dining on Orient? [Re: fabila] #119291
01/30/2017 08:34 PM
01/30/2017 08:34 PM
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 140
milo911md Offline
Traveler
milo911md  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 140
It appears that La Playa is the place to go as far as the food is concerned.
But I was wondering how does it compare to the Palm beach as far as the beach activity (such as loungers, beach depth, calmness of the ocean directly in front, music and atmosphere)
Thanks
Nick

Re: Top spot for daytime fine dining on Orient? [Re: milo911md] #119292
01/30/2017 08:50 PM
01/30/2017 08:50 PM
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,408
Yonkers, NY
fabila Offline
Traveler
fabila  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,408
Yonkers, NY
In my opinion all amenities are comparable, comfort, service, facilities, music. Since they aren't very far from each other the calmness of the ocean or not is equally comparable.

Palm Beach was very nice but after awhile the food became inconsistent and we got a bit bored with the menu so went back to Waikiki. Now that LaPlaya has reopened with Bruno and business partner operating it is our Orient beach choice. There are fans of all different beach areas on Orient.

Re: Top spot for daytime fine dining on Orient? [Re: thebowl] #119293
01/30/2017 08:52 PM
01/30/2017 08:52 PM
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,398
Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
GaKaye Offline
Traveler
GaKaye  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,398
Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
It's no secret that we're long-time Kakao fans, and remain so after our trip this past November/December. They do have a new chef, but with the exception of the vegetable preparations, I find the food there to be just as good as it was before.

That said, La Playa, since Bruno purchased it, is probably better, from a food point of view. I still love the little cabana-style tables at Kakao, though. We tend to split our Orient time between the two now.

Re: Top spot for daytime fine dining on Orient? [Re: fabila] #119294
01/30/2017 09:01 PM
01/30/2017 09:01 PM
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 140
milo911md Offline
Traveler
milo911md  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 140
Thanks
Are there any Cabanas for rent at La Playa or strictly lounge chairs/ umbrellas .
If so, what are the charges.
Nick

Re: Top spot for daytime fine dining on Orient? [Re: GaKaye] #119295
01/31/2017 12:21 AM
01/31/2017 12:21 AM
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 24
D
dkwolos Offline
Traveler
dkwolos  Offline
Traveler
D
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 24
We love orange fever!!!!

Re: Top spot for daytime fine dining on Orient? [Re: dkwolos] #119296
01/31/2017 07:49 AM
01/31/2017 07:49 AM
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,348
Rhode Island
RonDon Online content
Traveler
RonDon  Online Content
Traveler
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,348
Rhode Island
My vote goes to LaPlaya too.

Re: Top spot for daytime fine dining on Orient? [Re: thebowl] #119297
01/31/2017 08:27 AM
01/31/2017 08:27 AM
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 63
Greenport, NY
vmacchirol Offline
Traveler
vmacchirol  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 63
Greenport, NY
We also love the Palms for lunch, ate there most recently in Nov and it was very good. We will eat there many time this trip and will try Laplaya for the first time. We will be there for the month of Feb.

Last edited by vmacchirol; 01/31/2017 08:28 AM.
Re: Top spot for daytime fine dining on Orient? [Re: vmacchirol] #119298
01/31/2017 08:46 AM
01/31/2017 08:46 AM
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,398
Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
GaKaye Offline
Traveler
GaKaye  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,398
Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
Quote
vmacchirol said:
We also love the Palms for lunch, ate there most recently in Nov and it was very good. We will eat there many time this trip and will try Laplaya for the first time. We will be there for the month of Feb.


The Palms is a great restaurant in Simpson Bay. Palm Beach is the (also great) restaurant on Orient beach. Two completely different places.

Re: Top spot for daytime fine dining on Orient? [Re: thebowl] #119299
01/31/2017 11:31 PM
01/31/2017 11:31 PM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 572
New Jersey
JoeC047 Offline
Traveler
JoeC047  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 572
New Jersey
All of the afore mentioned are good, however I always enjoy Sun Beach. Try it, you'll like it!

Re: Top spot for daytime fine dining on Orient? [Re: thebowl] #119300
02/01/2017 09:05 AM
02/01/2017 09:05 AM
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 141
PGH. PA
DPD1968 Offline
Traveler
DPD1968  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 141
PGH. PA
We just returned from SXM and I have to say since Kon Tiki reopened a few years ago I believe it sets the standard for Orient beach. Palm beach is still great but needs a little TLC, La Playa is great as Bruno and Thomas always do things top notch and Bikini is also very well done. I did extensive research on all those mentioned and was not disaapointed with any <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" />

Re: Top spot for daytime fine dining on Orient? [Re: JoeC047] #119301
02/01/2017 09:35 AM
02/01/2017 09:35 AM
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,398
Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
GaKaye Offline
Traveler
GaKaye  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,398
Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
Does Sun Beach fit the op's criterion for fine dining? I've never eaten there, but based on the setting, it seems more casual to me.

Re: Top spot for daytime fine dining on Orient? [Re: GaKaye] #119302
02/01/2017 09:57 AM
02/01/2017 09:57 AM
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 148
T
thebowl Offline OP
Traveler
thebowl  Offline OP
Traveler
T
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 148
Thanks to all who posted. I will try to report back. We will probably only make it to one of these. There is a strong sentimental pull toward Kon-Tiki. Our first trip, a wonderful couple, no longer with us, who are the reason we found the island. That will also pull us to Lee's, even though we will not be in Royal Palm this year.

Re: Top spot for daytime fine dining on Orient? [Re: thebowl] #119303
02/01/2017 10:24 AM
02/01/2017 10:24 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,472
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
Traveler
Carol_Hill  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,472
Central Florida!
We have a strong sentimental pull to Kakao, as many years ago, maybe in 95 or so, they were doing clothing optional parties in the evening there, and we had a simply wonderful anniversary dinner there. Having a sentimental attachment to someplace can't be bad..

Regarding Lee's, I hope you're going soon, as supposedly he may be gone by around the middle of March..


Carol Hill
Re: Top spot for daytime fine dining on Orient? [Re: Carol_Hill] #119304
02/01/2017 11:49 PM
02/01/2017 11:49 PM
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,225
Middle Tennessee
T
TravelHat Offline
Traveler
TravelHat  Offline
Traveler
T
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,225
Middle Tennessee
It is all about memories and the anticipation that they live up to expectations. The fun part is finding new and hoping to get back to relive. Keeps us all wanting to come back.

Re: Top spot for daytime fine dining on Orient? [Re: thebowl] #119305
02/02/2017 08:00 AM
02/02/2017 08:00 AM
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 103
Oakville Ontario Canada
sxmpete Offline
Traveler
sxmpete  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 103
Oakville Ontario Canada
My wife and I like Kon Tiki.
The food is excellent, lots of attentive staff, above average hygene (in kitchen and out) cigar and brandy selection... just a cut above everywhere else.

Re: Top spot for daytime fine dining on Orient? [Re: sxmpete] #119306
02/02/2017 09:36 AM
02/02/2017 09:36 AM
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 475
Bangor, Maine
PattyB Offline
Traveler
PattyB  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 475
Bangor, Maine
Sun Beach's atmosphere is very nice, open, airy and the decor with white curtains & chairs makes it feel like fine dining. The food is great too.

Re: Top spot for daytime fine dining on Orient? [Re: milo911md] #119307
02/09/2017 12:18 PM
02/09/2017 12:18 PM
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 520
New York, New York
G
gracie105 Offline
Traveler
gracie105  Offline
Traveler
G
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 520
New York, New York
Looks beautiful! Where is La Playa located on Orient?

Re: Top spot for daytime fine dining on Orient? [Re: gracie105] #119308
02/09/2017 04:06 PM
02/09/2017 04:06 PM
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 173
Nebraska
J
joyfully Offline
Traveler
joyfully  Offline
Traveler
J
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 173
Nebraska
La Playa is just north of where Avenue des Plages (the street that Petit Casino is on) meets the beach.

Re: Top spot for daytime fine dining on Orient? [Re: fabila] #119309
02/09/2017 05:30 PM
02/09/2017 05:30 PM
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 357
SeaStar Offline
Traveler
SeaStar  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 357
Does LaPlaga serve dinner when there is entertainment or is it just the bar?
Would it be safe walking in the village after dark?
Thanks

Re: Top spot for daytime fine dining on Orient? [Re: SeaStar] #119310
02/09/2017 06:28 PM
02/09/2017 06:28 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,059
Maine, USA
Chuck_Morton Offline
Traveler
Chuck_Morton  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,059
Maine, USA
We stayed in the Village at Blue Bay Beach apartments a few weeks ago and felt perfectly comfortable walking around the village at night. If you're there then I can't help but recommend Cote Plages in the village for dinner. That was one of my favorite restaurants on this visit. The service and food were both excellent and the night we were there there was a singer in the square for entertainment.


Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.6.1