Mark's Place – Stopped for lunch before going shopping at grand Marche. Gouda Burger was good..Tom had the fall-off the bone ribs. Can't remember what Judy had. Did get to use our Caribbean Card for some discount.
Karakter's – Attended Dan's Get Together at this Beach Bar. Tried a couple Tapas plates. One had Dates and Goat Cheese each wrapped with bacon. The other was pastry pillows, a couple with tuna mixture inside, the others with ground beef inside. Think each plate was $8.00.
Dinners:Bistro Nu – A typical French bistro. Small, local art covers the walls. We enjoyed this evening with our friends Paul and Carol and the owners of Tejon Perfume Store John and Cindy.
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s...10/IMGP0003.jpg . Bistro Nu is located in Marigot, across from the Stadium, where there's plenty of parking, and down a short walkway. The owner and waiter is Jean Claude. His chef is Christian.
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s...10/IMGP0008.jpg It's a fairly small place, but with a steady flow of customers.
Betty had a chicken dish.
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s...10/IMGP0006.jpg Sorry we both forgot what it was called. I had the flank steak with shallots
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s...10/IMGP0007.jpg . Paul, Carol, and John had the Coco Vin.
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s...10/IMGP0004.jpg Correctly made only with Rooster, not chicken, I was told,......several times.
Cindy had the Dover Sole.
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s...10/IMGP0005.jpg .
Norm and Betty had the Crème Brulee for dessert. John and Cindy almost fought for the last bite of their Porfiterolles.
Dinghy Dock(2) – From French Bistro one night to Dock food the next,.....but all good. Located in the Captain Oliver complex, this wonderful little bar/restaurant get's your attention with their “Pour Your Own” Happy Hour. But it keeps you there with good, inexpensive food. Their ribs, in our opinion, are some of the best on the Island. Ribs come with a small salad for $10. Add fries(enough for four) for $4.00.
La Bamba Beach Bar(3) – Located between the Atrium and Royal Palm, every Sunday has live music. Mostly Rock and Roll, but some Country, Blues, and whatever strikes the performers fancy that night. There is a core group(5or 6) including Bob from Cover to Cover and Eddie from Latin Sugar.
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s...10/IMGP0027.jpg http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s.../IMGP0099-1.jpg Various artist join in for a number or two.
Good drinks, reasonable prices. We went all three Sundays we were on SXM. They have a CrispyChicken Wrap which is quite good and a nice change from the usual grilled Chicken wrap. Chicken Tenders are also good. Burgers, Ribs, and other items are on the food menu.
Peg Leg Pub(2) – The owner may have changed, but the Steaks are still great. This is the large filet. The vegetable for the night was green beans sauteed with butter and onions.
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s.../IMGP0124-1.jpg . Went twice. Both times on wednesday night to hear Cover to Cover.
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s.../IMGP0071-1.jpg They are wonderful, especially for us old folks. Highly recommend a reservation(early) if you're going on Wednesday. Caribbean cards are homored, but not on entertainment nights. Other meals at our table were Surf and Turf
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s.../IMGP0123-1.jpg and the Red Snapper.
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s.../IMGP0122-1.jpg Also tried a dessert
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s.../IMGP0125-1.jpg Service seems a little less smooth with new owner, although Shawn keeps an eye on everything. Food is still great.
Pineapple Pete's (2) – Few will disagree that for an all round great dining experience, PP's is at the top of the list. Service is a model of what it should be. Food is tasty, regardless what you have. Our first trip was for two of our favorites. The Neptune Burger with Gouda cheese.
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s...10/IMGP0033.jpg and the Crème Brulee.
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s...10/IMGP0034.jpg .
We took friends the second time, however” sand gravity” had further clouded my brain, so I forgot to take pictures. They tasted their first Lobster Thermodor. Tom had a seafood bowl.
Mama Pizza – A favorite overlooking Oyster Pond. We ordered and took back to our room. Good pizza. Still larger that the box. Ham and Bacon $15.50.
Chesterfields(2) – Another favorite place. Had their grouper both times. First trip was Pan Fried.
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s.../IMGP0091-1.jpg It was fried. It was great. One plate with two teas, service charge, and tip $30.00. Second trip with friends, we had the grilled grouper.
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s.../IMGP0140-1.jpg Tom had their French Onion soup
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s.../IMGP0139-1.jpg as well as their grouper. Judy had the Seafood Platter.
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s...10/IMGP0141.jpg Lee's - Haven't visited here for awhile and it always smells so good driving past. Made this the first stop with our friends. Food is still ok. Service is still ok. It's a nice setting with live music. We had the rib/chicken combo. There is no service charge at this restaurant.
Cheri's – Another oldie that we hadn't visited for a few years. We usually sit at the bar and have Cordell take care of us. But with friends visiting for the first time, decided a table would be better.
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s.../IMGP0104-1.jpg After a starter drinks, I had a burger.
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s.../IMGP0106-1.jpg Betty had a chicken sandwich.
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s.../IMGP0107-1.jpg Each sandwich came with a choice or fries or caesar salad. So I choose the fries and Betty took the salad. I had a chocotini for dessert. To Mango Coladas, two sandwiches, and the chocotini came to $48.93. There is no service charge at Cheri's. Tip was $10.
The show is still amusing, but even with two new singers, it's lost a little.
Pizza Galley – With a coupon for a free glass of wine we stopped by The Pizza Galley. Enjoyed a ½ pepperori/half cheese pizza and small caesar salad. Tried the home-made pecan pie. It was ok.
Pizza, soda, free glass of wine, and slice of pie $21.00. enjoy their pizza. Thin crust. Sharon Harris also stopped while we were there.
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s.../IMGP0146-1.jpg http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s...10/IMGP0147.jpg IZI's – First time at this place, last dinner for this trip. Ate with Deepti.
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s...10/IMGP0158.jpg Modern deco inside, but too many hard surfaces to baffle the noise. The owner is aware of the problem and working on it.
Food is very creative. Started with bruschetta
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s...10/IMGP0158.jpg Betty had the Cheese Raviolis
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s...10/IMGP0161.jpg . Enjoyed the sauce which was very light. I tried the Lasagna.
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s...10/IMGP0160.jpg It was very meaty with a lot of cheese on top, but lacked the ricotta cheese inside that I was expecting or maybe the meaty inside overpowered the ricotta.Good. Deepti had a chicken breast with sauce and cheese baked on top. Looked great. It was huge and she almost finished it.
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s...10/IMGP0159.jpg For dessert, Betty and I had the Molting Chocolate Cake
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s...10/IMGP0162.jpg Deepti had the Tiramisu.
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s...10/IMGP0163.jpg Both dessert were wonderful.
Activities and Thoughts -
The Island is hurting. There are not as many people this year. A lot of closed stores, both sides.
Weather was almost perfect especially after the first week which produced some heavy waves on Dawn Beach.
The Round-abouts seem to be working, especially at the bottom of Cole Bay Hill.
Took friends to St Maarten Yacht Club for Happy Hour and boat viewing. Wasn't Disappointed.
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s.../IMGP0126-1.jpg http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s.../IMGP0127-1.jpg http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s.../IMGP0130-1.jpg http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s.../IMGP0133-1.jpg http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s.../IMGP0133-1.jpg A special thanks for Belinda and Gary for inviting us to see the view from their villa overlooking Phillipsburg and for the snacks.
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s.../IMGP0088-1.jpg http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s.../IMGP0087-1.jpg http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s.../IMGP0086-1.jpg http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s...10/IMGP0085.jpghttp://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s.../IMGP0089-1.jpg Enjoyed the Art in the Park again. It's always the second Sunday of February.
Picked up a unique piece of art done by Lisa
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s...10/IMGP0092.jpg . She's at the Marigot Market and paints on coconut bark.
Got to enjoy a tour of the Tijon perfume Store/Lab as well as a glass of wine with the owners Cindy and John.
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s...10/IMGP0001.jpg http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s...10/IMGP0002.jpg By the way, John is a member of the SXM Rotary Club. The Rotary is collecting for Haiti relief.
Tijon has a collection box on their counter. For every dollar donated, John is matching the donation.
Stop by and get 2 for 1 on you money.
It was another great trip. Can't wait to go back.
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