Trip - March 20 – April 4, 2017.

Weather - Our weather was really mixed up, more so than other years. Our first week was incredibly windy but that was a good thing because it kept the bugs away and I’m a mosquito magnet. One moment it would be blazing hot sunshine with blue sky then it would suddenly cloud up and pour, only to give way to the sun again. To tell you the truth, we really didn’t care – we were coming from snow, brown grass and ice in Canada so this was a wonderful change. The wind settled down dramatically the second week so that meant more sunshine and for me numerous bug bites. I use bug spray but forgot one night. Arrgghhhh.

Chairs - For the first time ever, we used Craig from Pack Light to rent two chairs and an umbrella. I was a little worried because my husband is tall and has lower back issues. However, I’m pleased to report that he LOVED his chair because it had more than enough support and we loved setting up our “camp” every day on a different beach.

Groceries – We’re creatures of habit and either use the Maho Market or one of the Marches for our grocery stock up. This trip I used Carrefour in Porto Cupecoy a little more and when I compared the prices I found they were a little bit cheaper on many items and their selection, especially the produce, was marvelous. One little note though…why are all grocery cashiers on the island so rude and awful? I don’t like to be negative and I recognize anyone can have a bad day but I over the years I have found them all to be extremely rude to the point where they won’t even answer your questions. Looking at you or God forbid, making eye contact, is never an option with these people. Maho Market is the big winner for rudeness. Chill out darlings! If we weren’t on your island to buy your groceries you would have a hard time finding a job – anywhere! Okay rant over…I feel better. Sheesh!

Food, Glorious Food – Listed in order of Delightfulness

Azul at Sonesta Ocean Point
I’m still dreaming about one of the meals I had there. We began with beautifully chilled martinis with darling little olives (trust me – they were darling) in their charming elevated bar that overlooks Maho Beach. After we were seated at a table near the ocean where we could hear the waves crashing below us, we began our dinner with a wild mushroom, shallot and smoked chevre tartlet. After that was inhaled and savored, I enjoyed one of the tastiest, most tender, herb encrusted racks of lamb I have ever eaten – anywhere. The vegetables were a symphony of flavor and held their own against the pungent but sweet tasting lamb. The herb crust was sheer perfection – sigh. I don’t even remember what desert was – I didn’t care, dinner was that good. The only problem with the night was the service. We stayed at Sonesta Ocean Point last year and dined at Azul many times. The food is always amazing but they continue to have problems with their servers and the night we were there they were swamped, upset and angry. We blocked them out though and enjoyed our meals to the fullest. Billed to our all-inclusive plan.

Altro in Porto Cupecoy
The former owners of Sol e Luna are back from Spain and have set up their new restaurant in the charming little village compound of Porto Cupecoy. Charlotte and her family are wonderful and their food is divine. Raj and Jeff Jhangiani from DK Gems (who we adore) joined us for dinner and we all started with their Lobster Bisque. For our Main Courses, three of us enjoyed their Crispy Duck on a bed of garlic mashed potatoes and Chianti infused grapes with seared fennel. Hubby had a pasta that was one of the yummiest I have had in ages but for the life of me I can’t remember what was in it. A peppery, full bodied Cabernet Sauvignon accompanied our meal and we were too full to enjoy desert. $275 US for four

Pineapple Pete in Simpson Bay
We enjoyed our experience there so much we went back twice. We are such huge fans of Pierre Ferland and his amazing staff. Service is always impeccable here and you can always count on the food being delicious. We had his house specialties; Lobster Thermidor and Crab Stuffed Shrimp. Both have been written about many times on TTOL and everyone always gives them two thumbs up. The Caesar salad was crunchy and tasty with just the right amount of garlic and the lobster bisque was heavenly. A lovely Chardonnay complimented the lobster and a rum infused crème brulee finished off our meal – both times! LOL. For quality of food, service, staff and overall experience you just can’t go wrong at Pineapple Pete. It’s one of our most favorite places on the island to dine. Around $100 because we had lobster and it was worth every penny.

Le Moulin Fou
Feeling in a peckish mood and not very hungry, we went to Le Moulin Fou in Maho. We started with a goat’s cheese salad that was sublime. It was “Close your eyes and swoon” – delicious. The French have a way with salad dressings and try as I might, I can never capture the herb infused olive oil confection that they are able to produce. A glass of crisp, white wine and soft, crunchy French bread was almost enough to fill us up but we had to try some of their sushi. Not used to having Japanese Sushi served in a French Restaurant on an island in the Caribbean, I was a little skeptical but I’m happy to report it tasted very good. The restaurant is expensive however…. two salads, two glasses of wine and 1 maki roll = $120 US

Karakters in Simpson Bay
Karakters continues to be a favorite of ours despite the sardine-like beach chair zone they have introduced in the past few years. We managed to score two chairs on the end of the row so we were able to enjoy a little breathing room. They’ve changed their menu but their food is still outstanding. We enjoyed their platter plate which had a little bit of everything: Crab cakes with a Thai dipping sauce, Bitterballen with a golden mustard sauce that was out of this world, big chunks of Gouda, herbed olives, Bruschetta, salmon and cream cheese open faced sandwiches, two dips; one garlic and one red pepper accompanied by French bread. We topped it off with a chilled glass of Rose then spent the rest of the afternoon swimming and running all over the beach to burn off the calories! Loved it and will always go back…$60 which included our two chairs for the day.

Serafinas in Marigot
I’m in French pastry heaven as soon as I pull up in front of this incredible landmark in Marigot. We enjoyed a creamy, cheesy Croque Monsieur for brunch and bought two baguette sandwiches, one pain au chocolat and one almond croissant for the beach. At $18 US it was one of our cheapest dining experiences and also one of the loveliest. I adore picnics on the island and buying something at Serafina’s to take to the beach was so much more satisfying and easier than making it yourself. Besides – $18 US for breakfast AND lunch!!! Woo-hoo!

Yacht Club – Simpson Bay
After years of reading about this little gem we finally made it for lunch. I had the Chicken Caesar wrap and Hubby had the Grouper Sandwich which he swears is the best one he’s ever tasted. I had a bite and I have to admit – it was pretty darn good. We had fun enjoying a few beers and googling all the mega yachts finding out how much they were worth (“oh look, that one is 100 million!”) and reading about who owned them. Limitless and Sea Owl were in port that day along with some other fabulous boats. We loved the people who came for happy hour – a cast of salty characters and a whole lot of fun! $40 US

Mary’s Boon – Simpson Bay
We hit Mary’s Boon on a Sunday and it was packed. Service was fabulous however, and the food was even better. I enjoyed a Toasted Almond encrusted Goat’s cheese salad with a creamy Balsamic Dressing along with crunchy French bread and a chilled glass of Rose. Hubby (still thinking about his Grouper Burger at the Yacht Club) ordered Mary’s “Swai Fish Burger”. We had never heard of Swai before but it was a tasty white fish encased in a crunchy coating of herbs and batter. Mary’s Boon often gets overlooked due to its famous neighbor – Karakters – but we actually like Mary’s better. They had good music playing (not too loud) and I can’t say enough about the service; friendly and fast – just the way I like it. $45 US which included a table for lunch and our two beach chairs for the day.

LOLOs Harmony Nights – Grand Case
I have to admit the drive to and from the French side is one I don’t like to make at night anymore so we didn’t dine at any of the fantastic restaurants in Grand Case this time. We really wanted to go to Harmony Nights though, so we sucked it up, drove, and had a fabulous time. We ate at Sky’s the Limit and tucked into a plate of smoky ribs while the party danced up and down the street. A great night and worth the dreaded drive.
$20 US

Along with the standouts listed above, we cooked at home a few times and also ate and cocktailed at Refuge by Alegria, Sunset Beach Bar, Greenhouse, Buccaneer Beach Bar and Donald Trump’s Villa in Plum Bay. Donald didn’t actually host us but we packed a picnic lunch and set up our chairs right beside his $20 Million dollar Villa. Things were going well until Hubby asked where the capers were for his smoked salmon. After getting hit over the head by a baguette he settled down. The Trump Grandeur can get to you sometimes can’t it? LOL

Thanks for letting me share our wonderful holiday – until next time!
Teresa

Sounds like you enjoyed yourselves and got to try some new places also.

WOW!! That's all - just WOW!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Great report! Hoping maybe for some more fabulous food pictures! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Very nice report as always Teresa.Did you stay the two weeks at Ocean Point? Sounds like a lovely time.

just as good as the first on one-very informative. Had to double check your order a couple of times at Moulin Fou

Fantastic report!!
you must be a writer!!!

Thank-you for posting and sharing your vacation..... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

A very enjoyable read! Thank you!!

Both your reports were wonderful: informative, humorous, entertaining. Thanks for taking the time to write them.

sounds fantastic!