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Brief review #121865
02/25/2017 11:46 AM
02/25/2017 11:46 AM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,250
sxmsandbum Offline OP
Traveler
sxmsandbum  Offline OP
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,250
Just back from 26 days on island...here are a few thoughts and observations. JMHO!

WEATHER: Very rainy the first few days but after that extremely clear and saw more green flashes this trip than anytime in 28 years of going. You could see details on Saba and several islands often difficult to see. Also thought mosquitoes were not as bad this year but still sprayed everyday as the little buggers love me. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" />

TRAFFIC: Still there! Crazy as we thought the island was much quieter up until our last week which is always busy as it is Presidents week.

CRIME: Didn't see any or feel unsafe. But we are not out super late and very careful.

BEACHES: Orient water was a little rough the day we were there and not very busy, I was amazed how quiet it was. Mullet we hadn't been for awhile...it was nice but 1 of the chair guys has a bit of attitude as to where their sand starts and ends with the next chair guy. Silly dispute and we probably won't go back as I prefer beaches with bathroom facilities. Karakater enjoyable as always. Spent most days on our resort beach.

FOOD: We have so many favorites hard to try new places but wanted to make sure to do that this time. Here are the new ones we hit. Bar Code neat little place and the Kimchi Reuben was very good as was the burger we tried.Pizza & Co good pizza at a good price Pizza Italy had the pasta and did not care for it. Was told the pizza is very good and it did look like it so will give that a try next time Vesna Taverna We had grouper which was very good and their prices were very reasonable! Also went for breakfast one day. Avantikah good Thai food in a nice setting though no view And the big winner was Sale and Pepe Went twice! Love the Carbonara and chicken Parmesan and they give you this spicy spread for your bread that is delicious. Nice menu. Reservations are suggested as not a lot of room. Shout out to some old favorites still good and must stops for us Chesterfields and Bavaria. There are couple old standbys that disappointed this year and we will take off our list for the future especially with the new ones we found this trip. Too many great places to eat. I know everyone has different likes and dislikes when it comes to food, so JMHO. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" />

BARS: Went by Sunset to see all the changes and I must admit they did a great job on it. A bit too crazy for me when they dump the cruise buses and miss the old days when it was small and more of a local flavor. SMYC was always busy when we stopped to see the ships. A side note disappointed with the grouper fingers at SMYC. They seemed to have changed them this year the breading/batter seems different and they were mushy. Gave them two tries same result. Really bummed as these were a big favorite with my family...JOHO. We still love it there and their food so will go back just miss the old grouper fingers toast: Red Piano so nice now that non smoking!

OVERALL: Power outages were way to frequent for this day and age. Island was much quieter this year and locals said not much of a season. Weather was hot and clear for the majority of the time and the ocean warm. Another great trip and good to see old friends and make some new. Sorry to see some favorite restaurants close but discovered some new ones. All in all another fabulous, low key, relaxing trip...time flew by and can't wait to go back!

SXM Sponsors
Re: Brief review [Re: sxmsandbum] #121866
02/25/2017 12:55 PM
02/25/2017 12:55 PM
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,635
Brookfield, CT.
pat Offline
Traveler
pat  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,635
Brookfield, CT.
Very, very nice and TY for sharing your thoughts and experiences. We were there for a brief time in January and thought the traffic was still crazy but overall, we also felt things were a little slower. Wasn't it wild to be able to see Saba with all that detail?

Mullet is our home base beach and I have to agree. The nonsense between DaLeos and Roseys chair guys is crazy. We get our chairs through the Towers now but one time way back when wanted to get a full set-up from Rosey and they told us we couldn't move our chairs and had to stay in the sardine can. Not my idea of beaching but we still love Mullet.

Again, TY.

pat
<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />


Respectfully,

pat



"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat
them."
Re: Brief review [Re: sxmsandbum] #121867
02/25/2017 01:44 PM
02/25/2017 01:44 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
Thank you for sharing your trip with us. Always fun to try new places and still enjoy some of the favorites. It seems everyone is saying the island is quieter than usual for this time of year. Sad for the local merchants.




Re: Brief review [Re: sxmsandbum] #121868
02/25/2017 03:32 PM
02/25/2017 03:32 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,469
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
Traveler
Carol_Hill  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,469
Central Florida!
Thanks for the report. I went to Sale and Pepe and wasn't super impressed, but guess I need to try to it again, as most people seem to really like it. Where do you stay, as you said you spent most days at your resort beach.


Carol Hill
Re: Brief review [Re: sxmsandbum] #121869
02/25/2017 05:33 PM
02/25/2017 05:33 PM
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,301
Upstate New York
Cheryl_Ted Offline
Traveler
Cheryl_Ted  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,301
Upstate New York
Thank you for such a great trip report, however it wasn't exactly a brief review! But it's the kind of review that we all enjoy reading!

Our favorite Italian restaurant by far is Sale and Pepe! Tried it in November and loved it! Isn't that dip for the bread amazing! Our son hogged the entire thing!

Avantika is another favorite. Agree with the view, but it's open air and the food is wonderful! Love their Massaman curry and the two different types of spring rolls. My mouth is watering just thinking about it! Just going to have to wait a few more days to try it again!

Glad you had a great time!

Re: Brief review [Re: Carol_Hill] #121870
02/25/2017 05:42 PM
02/25/2017 05:42 PM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,564
Auburn, WA
SXMScubaman Offline
Traveler
SXMScubaman  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,564
Auburn, WA
I'm with you on Sale & Pepe Carol. Went there last May and wasn't impressed. My wife thought it was OK but nothing special about the atmosphere or food. We went back but after trying it out two times we decided there are other better places to spend our time and money. Looking forward to trying out the new place just above them. We went up the side stairs and the decor and menu looked rather interesting.

Re: Brief review [Re: Cheryl_Ted] #121871
02/25/2017 05:43 PM
02/25/2017 05:43 PM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
ruralcarrier Offline
Traveler
ruralcarrier  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
Might have to try Sale & Pepe but I also want to get Izi.


J.D.
Re: Brief review [Re: pat] #121872
02/26/2017 12:53 PM
02/26/2017 12:53 PM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,250
sxmsandbum Offline OP
Traveler
sxmsandbum  Offline OP
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,250

Mullet is our home base beach and I have to agree. The nonsense between DaLeos and Roseys chair guys is crazy. We get our chairs through the Towers now but one time way back when wanted to get a full set-up from Rosey and they told us we couldn't move our chairs and had to stay in the sardine can. Not my idea of beaching but we still love Mullet.

Again, TY.

pat
<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> [/quote]


That is exactly what happened to us. We got there early and only Rosey's was set up and we chose some chairs. We were on the end and I moved my chair some to get the sun. He came up to set his chairs up and told me I couldn't move my chair and that it had to stay on the other side of umbrella and proceeded to set his chairs up right there. I moved but it left a bad taste to our experience.

Re: Brief review [Re: Carol_Hill] #121873
02/26/2017 12:56 PM
02/26/2017 12:56 PM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,250
sxmsandbum Offline OP
Traveler
sxmsandbum  Offline OP
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,250
That is why they make chocolate and vanilla. We liked Sale Pepe a lot but totally understand not everyone's tastes are the same. There is a very popular restaurant that gets high praises that I will not go to again. We have given it several tries and have been disappointed with quality every time.

Re: Brief review [Re: sxmsandbum] #121874
02/26/2017 06:00 PM
02/26/2017 06:00 PM
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 95
Pennsylvania
B
Beachnut82 Offline
Traveler
Beachnut82  Offline
Traveler
B
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 95
Pennsylvania
Sorry to hear about the grouper fingers at SMYC That is one of our favorites. Hope they fix it. Was planning to meet our family staying at BSV there even though we will be on the French side near Grand Case

Re: Brief review [Re: Beachnut82] #121875
02/27/2017 11:08 AM
02/27/2017 11:08 AM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,250
sxmsandbum Offline OP
Traveler
sxmsandbum  Offline OP
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,250
Just to clarify again on the fingers. They are not bad just seemed different than before. Also think the mushy could be how they were cooked. You might not see a difference. Just everyone in our group did notice. We went back and tried again thinking off night and got the same result. I will try them again on the next trip for sure. Grouper is my favorite. Go and enjoy!


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