TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin 2 restaurant questions

Looking for a recommendation for a quality Italian restaurant in Simpson Bay area.

****Also if you had just one restaurant that you MUST get to for a special occasion in the Simpson Bay area, or at least on the Dutch side, which one would it be? Thx all!

How is Cugini? ****Also would appreciate suggestions for that "must -do" type restaurant on the Dutch side for a special occasion. Thanks much.

Special occasion The Stone in the Simpson Bay Resort. My favorite is Moulin Fou in Maho a little further down the road. Cugini is good, not outstanding but better than Izi in my opinion. Happy Eating!

Tutta Pasta is really good. The menu has nearly 50 items on it. Closed Saturdays, cash only. Very romantic.

Izi in Simpson Bay and Pizza Pasta in Maho. Can't go wrong with either one.

Thanks- keep the suggestions coming for the romantic place for me! Ended up at IZI just now--both Cugjni and La Rosa were closed! So far so good.

L'isola was excellent, next to the Hollywood Casino. We went twice, excellent food and service. They also had a great duo playing a pretty good playlist.

Tutta Pasta, Any full service restaurant not accepting credit cards loses my business.

Thanks all. Had a good meal at Izi. Service was good, too. Sauce was slighter sweeter than my liking but not enough to deter me. Eggplant parm, gnocchi and chicken parm were solid menu items. Chocolate molten cake was great.

Keep the suggestions coming! Seems that the higher end and romantic restaurants are on the French side, doesn't seem like many have parking, though. Appreciate all info! Keep it coming! Thx

<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" />Want a high end restaurant on the Dutch side? Try Temptation, chef Dino can match the best of them.

Agree about Temptation. Upscale, very nice, very good food, gorgeous presentation. You won't be sorry.

Sounds nice, where is Temptation located? Thx

Temptation is located in the Starz Casino complex in Cupecoy. As stated above, Chef Dino is probably the best on the island. A great upscale place right in Simpson Bay is Fusion, where Marvin is another top notch, innovative chef. My suggestion for the best in northern Italian cuisine is Luna Rossa, right across the street from Toppers.

Thanks all. Luna Rossa is closed until July 6. Was looking forward to trying it.

They all sound so good. Out of fairness, let's hear what your top -gotta go to- recommendations would be for a romantic place on the French side. Needs to be easy to access and have parking and/or valet. I'm not too familiar with the French side and have only been twice this week, both times during the day- Grand Case- (capt frenchys and rainbow). Thx

Another vote for Temptation. They're a sponsor here, go to the sponsor's list and you can get an idea of their menu. The chef, Dino Jagtiani, has won numerous "best of" awards. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" />

Thx all. Menu looks superb!

Not the most romantic of French side restaurants, but a MUST stop every trip--- Spiga and Piazza Pascal. Both in Grand Case and both very good Italian, with Spiga being a little more N. Italian, and "upscale" (IMO)and Piazza Pascal being more S. Italian and French. You will not be sorry you picked either. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" /> Phil

In the Simpson Bay area for high end; I'd recommend Chart House and also heard only good things about So French.

My wife and I had an incredibly romantic dinner recently at La Cigale in Baie Nettle which is not really far from you. It is absolutely beautiful and right on Simpson Bay lagoon. Ask for a table in the sand closest to the water. You will not be disappointed! BTW, no problem with parking.

On a previous trip to SXM we ate at the L'Isola and our experience was just the opposite. The service and the food were unacceptable; we will not dine there again - there are too many fine, outstanding restaurants in SXM.

I totally agree, maybe sail2wind hit it on a good night. In addition to what you said it took forever to get the bill & it was not correct when it finally arrived

Even on a good day, with little traffic, Baie Nettle is a long drive from Simpson Bay

Chart House is very nice and can be romantic ...my recomadation in Simpson Bay area

Charter House 1863 perhaps?

I agree Tutta Pasta!!

My wife and I really liked Tutta Pasta. We hadn't made it there until this year. Now it is a must do.

For a good quality Italian restaurant try Basilico......next to Starz Casino. Every Italian friend of mine has raved about this restaurant.


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

OP asked for suggestions on the french side and La Cigale is certainly one of the closer ones to Simpson Bay. Max evening drive of 20 minutes from bridge through Terre Basse to Baie Nettle. Enjoy the ride...and dinner!

Contessa... we tried to try Basilicao for dinner one night with Cheryl and her fiance (now husband?) Roger. We got there and surprise to us, and in spite of the sign that claimed they were open every night, they are not open on Thursday nights during the off season.