I decided to not do chronological type reports at this point, but some general topics, so this is one..

EATING IN

When we are at Beachside Villas, we cook in a LOT. Here feels like home to us, and the kitchen is so well appointed and we often can't bear to go anywhere else, when we have everything we need and love so much, right here. I know that many will not understand why, when there are so many fabulous places to eat within a stone's throw, why we would prefer to cook in, but everyone vacations on their own pace and so long as YOU enjoy it, that's all that matters, right?



We don't go out to eat breakfast at home, and we didn't bother to go out this time either. Most mornings, we had eggs, or an omelette,



or quiche from An Pain Gourmet or La Suciere, or just some sliced ham and cheese and some fruit, etc. Many mornings, I did love me some mimosa though! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Smile.gif" alt="" /> Grand Marche sells a lovely 3 pack of mini prosecco bottles for about $5!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> Just the right size for breakfast!!

As usual, we brought down a few items of meat in a mini cooler that fit inside our carry on bag. We usually bring some boneless chicken breasts, some bacon, a couple of steaks, and this time, some shrimp. We also spend boo-coos of bucks at various grocery stores, focussing mosty on Carrefour, Grand Marche and Super U.

As usual, we bought a package of pre-seasoned baby back ribs



which we grilled and served with some potato salad that I made (which we ate on for SEVERAL days!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />) <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />


I thought we might have some ribs left, but, uhmn, no...

One night we made bacon wrapped shrimp with mashed potatoes, made with sour cream, half and half and butter!!


....obviously, there is a diet in our future when we get home!!!

One evening we grilled a steak and salad



...and served it with desserts from Au Pain Gourmet..



Eating in at night, when we can turn on the a/c in the living room and watch a few minutes on the TV in cool comfort, is such a HUGE improvement over before! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

Today it was burgers on the grill, with the BEST view on the beach!!

Great posting! Thanks

We cook in now and then so I get it, but I want you to know, I'd dine at your restaurant any time.....it all looks yummy and with that backdrop, why wouldn't it? Thanks for sharing and making us all happy for you but at the same time, jealous and hungry as well! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Pat--thanks. We never do anything elaborate, although hoping for something for this evening, if Carrefour comes through for us!!

We're not talking lobsters, are we? if yes, <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" />!!

Fingers crossed!!!!

I guess I am one of those that says a vacation should be a vacation. I never cook when on vacation as that's all I do at home. I enjoy getting dressed up and going for an excellent meal and being pampered. To me, that's a vacation. Entirely different than being at home. But then again, looking at all your photos I would eat with you every day and feel real pampered! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />

Poor Eric doesn't have a chance. "Honey, I fixed another meal".

Food looks great and the view also.

Wendell

Just curious Carol, do you think you save any money by dining in ? I doubt it but was wondering.

Do not know if we save money or not, that has never crossed our mind.

We do not do it to save money or not by not going out. And actually do not know if we do or not? That really do not figure into our decision on way or the other. Just with the location, many times we just do not want to leave.

We do go out, just seems more often that we go out for lunch, sometimes a big lunch. The other day it was 2 and 1/2 hours for lunch. But we have also been out in the evening quite a few times.... reports to come! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

There is unbelievable full service here, meaning the kitchen and available options. We eat in at home most of the time because it takes us 20-30 minutes one way to go out.

Now when I was working in DC, that was and would be different.

As a sub note:

When we moved to florida, out lifestyle changed a whole lot. Just the way it was from the DC environment. Major change for us.

She now enjoys cooking and I mean cooking restaurant quality food regularly. I enjoy cooking with her----ok I am the chopper and grill person - she will not let me toward the stove. Unless it is omelets or such in the morning! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

So being here is not about if we save or not on the food bill. We have to eat one way or the other. But we enjoy the view, and we can "cook in and enjoy our life together, which is sort of important I think", enjoy the bottle of wine and the view and relax.

Long time ago, we would come to the island and litterly go out every night of the week. Here at BSV, it is just not that important, it is more important that we have quality time for the two of us! This is not rocket science for us any more, just simple... and we love it. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

Nice note Eric. I guess that's what it is all about!

Ah, that's what it is about--YOUR vacation, YOUR way. It's all good!!

We cook in a lot when we stay at our Cul de Sac studio. It is also well appointed with an out door kitchen & a private garden. I love shopping for food in the French grocery stores & buying fresh fish in the market in Marigot. Don't get me wrong, we love to dine out, and do, but just can't keep that up every night, especially when we stay 3 weeks. For us, I think we save money eating in, but that's not the entire reason that we do so.

We only stay about 12 days max, which is what this trip is, as we have too many irons in the fire at home to be gone that long. I could never eat out every night now, even for a week. But for us, we just love being here so much, we don't want to ever leave. Saving money has nothing to do with it.

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

I suspect you do save money--especially if a bottle of wine is involved. But I understand it is a non issue.

Yes, there is a huge markup on wine in restaurants.

There is no doubt eating in is cheaper than going out, unless you are going to Burger King or getting a Pizza. When we were on the boat we cooked a lot. When we were down for a month we ate in more than 1/2 the time. Now that we are landlubbers we find ourselves eating out more. The dining options on St Martin are great, no shortage of restaurants. We still like to cook breakfast at the resort, like you guys on the balcony. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />

You make it look so perfect!!

We have spent more time eating in lately than on previous trips.
It started because of health reasons, but it is just so relaxing there at BSV!!!!
Our meals don't look like yours though... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" />

Most stuff we do here is not hard at all. We just love it here so much, we can't bear to leave.

Carol. Can I ask where you got the preseasoned ribs? and are they good? Is it a dry rub? thanks.

This time, we got them at Carrefour, but they have them at Grand Marche also. Yes, they are dry rubbed and they are always good. We always cook them in foil and then put BBQ sauce on at the end and they are wonderful! Baby backs.. We have gotten the pre-seasoned chicken which they have also and did not care for that..

Looks like fun! Did you hire a chef?

Oh man, this is great stuff! I really appreciate all photos you guys post.

Eric cooks breakfast and whatever we cook on the grill and I do the rest. What I don't enjoy doing at all is the dishes, as there's no dishwasher here. So Eric does the dishes.. The maids will do them if you want, but I feel like they do way too much work already, so we do them.

Does each unit have a grill or are you someplace else in the burger picture?

No, each unit at Beachside has it's own grill. That's one of the things that we love about it here so much!

Thanks for the great pics and report Carol & Eric. We almost always have breakfast in, it seems to make for a more relaxing morning. We will have a full kitchen on our upcoming trip and hope to cook in a bit more than before. We both like to cook and it looks like we'll have a nice balcony for dining while overlooking Orient Village. Thanks for all of the food shopping tips on our previous thread.

What's with all the construction on the beach?

LOL! You made me go back and look at the photos a second time!!

Me too!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" />

You Win! Too funny! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Rofl.gif" alt="" />