is there a restaurant or LOLO that serves good conch and ceviche ? don't want to break the bank. so any suggestions ?

Yvette's, Rosemary's in Marigot, or Hideaway at La Vista!
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Dreams has a "Conch Three Ways" and one of those preparations was ceviche... (If I remember corrrectly) Very good dish and nie to try the three different ways of cooking conch.

The conch salad at Yvette's is wonderful.

I was sticking with the OP's request to "not break the bank", and offered homier and affordable options. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" />

When you consider that Dreams meals come with free beach chairs and umbrellas, it's really not overly expensive. Not cheap, by any means, but well worth the money, in my humble opinion.

is it legal to take conch from the ocean floor, we make a killer fresh conch

Try Le Ti Coin Creole in Grand Case. Delicious conch salad!

Hideaway at LaVista has wonderful ceviche. Sometimes we get a double order of the appetizer for dinner.

I'll second Le Ti Coin Creole. The ceviche-style conch salad is great, and you can also get it in a stew.

No, it is illegal.....

Not legal on either side of the island to take conch from the sea. They have finally made a come back from near extinction about 10 years ago.

I was really irritated to see some of the tourists letting their kids take live conchs out of the water last time on Pinel. Told them it was illegal and they just ignored me and told me to mind my own business. Some people are just plain ignorant.

the Hideaway is a bit pricey, but I almost had a stroke eating their seviche. I've had good at other places but theirs really was crushing.
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I find the stewed conch at the Lolos is merely good, and there are better places to eat conch. But, if you don't have a lot of time, their conch will satisfy the urge.

My top three places for conch/ceviche are: L' Escargot has an excellent conch salad, but it is pricey at over $20. The also do a mean conch chowder, that is more bisque-like and has lots of minced conch; Villa Royale does a good job with tempura style conch, and their mahi mahi tartar is especially tasty; And, Yvettes for sure, but my favorite conch dish is stewed conch with dumplings.

I would have told the authorities about it.

You mean right after you caught the ferry back to the dock, got in your car and drove to a Gendarmere and learned to speak French or found a bi-lingual Gendarme? It's not like there is anyone on Pinel to speak to about the illegal taking of conch....

Or let one of the business owners know about it because I'm sure they have phones or other ways of contacting the authorities. The gendarmes do patrol some beaches.

I don't understand your comment about the ceviche at Hideaway. Do you mean it was expensive, or was their something about the preparation that was unpleasant? I love ceviche, and since we stay at La Vista, I was considering trying theirs.

It's kind of an odd turn of phrase, but I think he loved it.. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Smile.gif" alt="" />

OK, now that you say that, I get it! Went right over my head though <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />

my Hideaway meal was a bit pricey, but the seviche appetizer was so incredibly good,, I guess I over react. I stroked out because it was sooooo gooooodddd... really, whole shrimp and scallops.. mmmm it's the best I've ever had
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Thank you for the explanation! As I said, we stay at La Vista, so we'll try the ceviche the next time we're there!

i want everything on the menu: http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserRevie..._St_Martin.html

[/quote] i want everything on the menu: http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserRevie..._St_Martin.html [/quote]

Ooh, those pictures look so good! We'll be staying at La Vista Beach Resort in June and I'll definitely try the Ceviche this time around. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" />

Where do the Island restaurants obtain their conch?

they teased me with wonderful tortellini in my side of stewed conch. beautiful