The Food: We had lunch on Wed. at L‘Escargot having decided we didn’t want to do Phillipsburg at night. It’s a cute place with a lot of island Kitsch. The waiter was very pleasant and efficient. We started with a tomato mozzarella salad. It was stacked like a napoleon. Nice presentation but the tomatoes were pretty tasteless. We also had an order of abalone fritters. Not bad but nothing to write home about. I had the Duck in a guavaberry orange sauce. It was tasty. John had the Veal scaloppini in a lemon caper sauce with he enjoyed a lot.

Friday we had dinner at La Belle Epoque at the Maria Royale in Marigot. I had hoped to have the mussels which have always been wonderful, but someone else got the last order. I had the Mahi Mahi with a creole sauce. It was delicious. I had a side order of fries. Why is it that you can’t get fries that that that good in the US? I dream about them LOL. John had a pizza. We think they have the best pizza (I know I know – its’ so very subjective, but that’s our opinion).

Monday night we paid a visit to the Bistrot Caraibes in Grand Case. It’s one of our very favorite places and it did not disappoint. I stated with the warm goat cheese appetizer with duck and John had the Endive salad with blue cheese. We both had to restrain ourselves form licking the plates. I had the Rack of Lamb and John the Beef Filet. What can one say? Wonderful. We shared the molten chocolate cake for dessert. YUM!

Thursday evening we tried something new for us: Anantika. What a hidden gem. The look is sophisticated. We began with fresh rolls. Very pleased. The wrappers were not at all rubbery which can often be the case. The dipping sauce was very tasty. John had Pad Thai with Chicken. It was very, very good. Lots of chicken and vegetables. Tasted fresh a light. I had the Creamy Coconut Curry with chicken. I enjoyed it a LOT. Spice level was perfect and it was redolent with Lemon Grass. We’ll definitely be back.

Friday night we tried a new pizza place. It's called Pizza Italy and it’s in the plaza where Jimbo’s is. The waitstaff was great . Seating is outdoors and pleasant. We were not impressed. The mushrooms on the pizza were canned. I can’t remember when I’ve last had a canned mushroom. So many better places. Ah well…

The trip home was interesting to say the least. United Flight 1631 on Sunday developed a mechanical (electrical) problem before we took off. The eventually deplaned us back to the B ages. After several hours they cancelled the flight. We were told they would eventually take us to baggage claim for our luggage and then bus us to a hotel (Thee Mecure in Nettel Bay) and would tell us eventually at the hotel what the plan would be for tomorrow. After a while we saw the flight crew walk up the ramp to immigration. Soon they came back down the ramp and got back on the bus. After a bit the announced that the mechanics thought they had found and fixed the problem but that the Pilot had to make sure. He concurred so back on to the plane we went. We left 5 hours late but everyone was elated to leave. I’m sure there were a lot of missed connections but since we were overnighting anyway we were all set.

All in all, another wonderfully satisfying trip. Simpson bay Resort was busier than we’ve seen it in years and in very good shape. The few minor maintenance issues we had were all taken care of speedily. The island was busy but traffic was not ever too bad. Looking forward to next year!

Wow, that trip home does sound interesting, for sure. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Sick.gif" alt="" /> You sat in the airport for 5 hours??

Sounds like a wonderful vacation! We loved Avantika as well.

We'll agree with you on the pizza at La Belle Epoque - it is our favorite.

Thanks for the report. Five hours waiting is a bummer way to end a trip. Glad he rest was good.