Hi everyone. We arrived on Saturday and love our VRBO located in Orient Village. The weather is beautiful, mostly Sunny, with brief shower early evenings and we had one on the beach earlier in the day on Sun and Mon as well. Very brief. The island needs rain. It’s pretty windy and most of the beach has sargassum, but I have to say it doesn’t smell and really, so far, hasn’t taken away from an enjoyable beach experience. There are many areas where it’s been removed. Slight cut in the sand going south from Bikini toward Orange Fever. We decided not to rent a car and used Wilfred Brooks (TTOL sponsor) to get us here from the airport. He is a kind and friendly guy. He waited while we picked up a few thing from the market on the way over. I use CPAP and found the market did not have distilled water nor did the Pharmacy next door. Our VRBO host, in response to a conversation we had when we arrived, gave me a liter or so he had on hand, and then this morning Wilfred called as he had picked up 2 liters and would dropped them off this morning. Amazing people all around. Bruno and Patricia, our VRBO, host met us when we arrived and gave a tour and thorough overview of our studio. They are super people and their studio is so comfortable, new, clean and the location is perfect for our needs.

Saturday early dinner was at Bikini Beach Bar where we had fish and chips and Caribs. It was very, very tasty and service was friendly and prompt. We found out the restaurant closes at 4pm and bas is open until 8pm. Bikini is a 3 minute walk from our studio so we will most probably have sun downers there on most evenings. We have also eaten in a lot as there are so many choices ready made to enjoy here in the village and Le Petite Casino is our go to for miscellaneous food items and other need (Caribs, wine, rum). Fresh baguette, peppers and eggs were our first dinner on our balcony overlooking the village. Gorgeous evening skies each day from our view. We purchased lasagna at a deli called On Derait le Sud, as our host mentioned how good it was. The aromas when you walk into this deli are mind blowing. It’s fun, though a very small establishment, to just linger and look at all the offerings on shelves and in the counter where main courses, antipasto and desserts are located. Everything is made on site and you can look back and see the kitchen prep area. The lasagna didn’t disappoint and the antipasto was equally delicious, all enjoyed with half a baguette which we shared and a bottle of French red wine. We’ll certainly try another deli called Bona Mama as we stopped in and found it very tempting for another dinner option. It seems they make one main course a day and have salads to accompany. I’m pretty sure they have pizza to choose and I’ll report back when we get a meal later in the week.

RECOMMENDATION NEEDED: We want to take in a restaurant or two or three here at the village and wanted to ask what would be a “never disappoints” place to go? If that’s too narrowing, maybe some of your favorite recommendations. They all look good. My wife wanted to try the Chinese restaurant, but could use your perspectives on that. We both like french cuisine but the menus were overwhelming, in a good way, as we walked around one afternoon to see what the options were. Thanks in advance for you insights.

Today we head down to Le String for chairs, umbrella, lunch and sand gravity. Beautiful weather again. Windy, but not unbearable so. Our evening plans haven’t been made yet. We are mostly living in the moment with about an hour advanced planning. I’ll try to post some photos with this report.

Thanks for the report. Spectacular day here so far, cooler than it has been the past couple of days. Zero seaweed here. I guess maybe when it left here, it went over there to Orient. Hard to go wrong in Orient Village for dinner. Enjoy!

Like Carol said, hard to go wrong in Orient Village. Sao, the Asian restaurant is fabulous with wonderful sushi and noodle dishes. Le Piment is always a favorite, their hanger steak is amazing. For French fare, Maison Mere is a lovely dining experience. Hubby had sole, filleted at the table, served with a buerre blanc sauce that was excellent.

Your “live in the moment” strategy sounds like a great way to enjoy SXM! We haven’t stayed in Orient Village—had a place booked but Irma intervened—but think we'll have to try again.

LaPlaya has a fantastic menu!!!! We have had some of the best Sushi and drinks there for lunch not sure about dinners!!! They use to dinners before Irma .

We spent a week in the Village in late April and dined in 3 or 4 of the Village restaurants.
Our favorite by far was L'Atelier.

I second LaPlaya for their sushi. Crazy good.

Thanks for the restaurant recommendations. It does look like “you can’t go wrong” with any of the restaurants here. We’ll plan to do La Playa for sushi on day while here.

We dined at LaTratoria. Very good and inexpensive too.

Plan to spend your day on the beach at La Playa. Julien and his beach staff are excellent, and be sure to shoot the bull with GP at the bar. Tell him Georgia said hi, and recommended his excellent caipirinha.

La Playa is on our list. We almost went there yesterday but opted for Orange Fever. I’ll let GP know Georgia says hi