TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Bovin Steak House

We had the most delightful dinner at a restaurant at Simpson Bay Resort called Bovin. The space itself is very pleasant, sophisticated too without being pretentious. Service was top notch. Our waiter Isiah was great!!

We had really not heard very much about the place and we really had no great expectations. Boy, were we wrong!

We began with libations. A delightful red wine and a perfect martini. We were served a warm crusty roll with 3 different butters, thyme and rosemary, coffee, and lightly salted. This was followed by our chosen appetizer, calamari with arrabiata sauce. Yummy!

For our entrées we chose the filet mignon and a New York strip. They were served perfectly medium rare as requested. The seasoning was excellent!!! They brought salt and pepper mills but they were totally unnecessary. Wonderfully tender as well. Couldn't have asked for better steaks. For sides we selected creamed spinach and grilled asparagus. Both were excellent. The asparagus has a great char and was wonderfully seasoned.

We were really blown away.

Now, truly, the prices are not at all cheap, but we really felt it was worth it.

Good review. We may have to try this restaurant. The last time I had calamari on island I was a little disappointed but that picture was what I thought it should look like. I would definitely include calamari with my dinner at Bovin.

We were there last year on our last night on the island and again this year for Valentine's and BOTH times the food and service were wonderful. Last year we dined outside and this year was inside. Like you said the prices are not cheap but as is the at home too, if the food is great and the service too for that matter, it's well worth it. We will definitely be back next year and highly recommend this place if you want to treat yourself to a fine upscale meal.

Glad you were blown away by your Bovin experience. Will definitely be on our list for next trip.

Thanks for the review. The beef certainly does look wonderful. What time did you dine, as the restaurant looks empty. I haven't looked at the menu recently, but that was always the 'rub' about this place, from when they opened, that the prices were out of whack with the island.

Carol, we ahd reservations at 6pm. We were the only inside diners which was great. no noise and very nice soft piano music. By the time we left every outdoor table was full. The waitstaff was Great. We interacted with a number of them.We even got to talk with the chef and thank him for an excellent meal.

Total priec wasn't actually that bad. With 1 appetizer, two mains, two sides, 3 martinis and 3 glassed of red wine, the bill was just under $300. Service was not included.

OK, that is earlier than many people eat, so not a surprise that it was empty. Glad you enjoyed it.

That looks really good. I took a look at the menu when we did a trip out of Aquamania. I need to give them a try, but it is hard to get away from Jax. Very convenient for your location. Thanks.

That bone in New York looks like the ones I cook at home. Glad you enjoyed your meal.

Good pictures; thanks for the report.

Tread drift: aren't you in California now?

Yes, we moved there in October. I guess I should edit my profile! LOL

Thanks for the report on Bovin! We're planning to dine there on our upcoming trip. I wanted to ask—were the martinis served in traditional stemmed martini glasses? A lot of restaurants these days serve them in short, stemless glasses. Just asking for a friend!

Louise--I'm not a martini person, but I certainly can see where that would not be good. I loathe those fat water glasses that some places serve wine in.

Thats how a lot of small places in Italy serve wine.

...but not high end places. I want my wine in a wine glass.

Correct, me too but the small café's in Tuscany would bring a carafe of their local wine and water glasses to drink it out of.

I’m a bit more flexible than David when it comes to martinis. He insists on having it in a stemware glass, which I also prefer, but I’m fine with drinking it from any glass if that’s all that’s available.

Although I agree with Carol when it comes to wine, I absolutely need it in a stem wine glass.

Having never been there or heard little about it, I’ll put that in the too steep category.

We will lay down the drought for Bistrot Caraibes, Moulin Fu and some others.

We have recalibrated our value-ometer for dining at home as well. With prices going wild, it better be incredible to get us out for your establishment.

Too many places have cranked the prices and cut the product quality and quantity at the same time.

Some weekly habit go to’s have become once in awhile visits or lost us altogether.

A few have kept everything exactly the same with only modest cost differential, we appreciate that.

I'm a dirty martini on the rocks guy. Any glass will do.

I'm laying to rest the question of the Martini glass and the wine glass. I had to look it up. As my lovely wife pointed out, I am a snob when it comes to my Martini,( dry two olives up ONLY, NEVER dirty!) and my Manhattan in a stem glass if not it's just an over sized shot glass!! This is NOT my idea of a Martini glass, but it will do!!! I think Louise likes these interesting wine glasses!!!

Louise, the martinis were served in a traditional stemmed martini glass and, Carol, the wine was in a traditional stemmed wine glass. I also prefer stemmed glasses.

Leagle--thanks.

Thank you.