Mario's Bistro Moving!

Mario's Bistro in Sandy Ground is moving to Porto Cupecoy in the near future. A different view but hopefully better parking. Looking forward to trying the new location on our next visit.

Good to know. We really enjoy the Porto Cupecoy area.

That is a great move for this quality restaurant. The location was their main issue/problem.

I agree. I think this will be a good move for them.

Guess that means we venture to the Dutch side of the island to have Mario's food. Does anyone know if Didier will be back? <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" />

R they moving to the marina area ?

OMG!!! BEST news ever! This is my favorite place but hubby not a fan of the atmosphere!!! We are both so excited to go to port o cupecoy for one of the best meals on the island!!! Will they be open there in Oct???

If you know, is it going into the old LeMoulinFou spot on the end past Ernst and Fidel's.? We enjoy all the different dining venues there but we absolutely loved that spot in particular. What a nice addition Marios will be. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

I'm excited - great news. I love the location.

Fantastic, we got to stay at Porto Cupecoy for a few nights last year and loved the place and location. This is a quality add to the Dutch side.
Cheers, Todd

We've never been to Mario's despite their great reviews, mostly because of the location in Sandy Ground.
If they are in Porto Cupecoy next Feb, we'll go for dinner.

it's been years since we have been to mario's also. i just haven't felt ''safe'' driving to sandy ground at night...so we haven't. Definitely will add it next March when they move to Puerto Cupecoy.

Yippee, we may actually get to eat there in November. Porto Cupecoy is much closer to us and parking couldn't be easier!

As a twice a year dinner at Mario's, I hope the new location is on the water. The drive for us will be longer as we stay in Grand Case.

The new location, Porto Cupecoy, is on the lagoon with the best view.

Does anyone know with absolute certainty which location in Porto Cupecoy will actually be the new home of Marios? I'm seriously hoping it will be the same location that was once Le Moulin Fou and later Aux Quatre Ventre - my favorite dining spot in all of Porto Cupecoy. Any word yet?

I was hoping it would be the location of Aux Quatre Vents too because of the beautiful outdoor balcony that overlooks the lagoon.

Not an absolute certainty until the doors open, but that is a strong possibility! I'm sure Mario will relocate on the water.

Susan,

IMHO, for whatever that might be worth, that corner is the absolutely best dining location of the entire property. I've described dining there in each of my trip reports during its tenure as Le Moulin Fou as well as dining their under AQV, and just thinking about the food and the setting, I want to be there. NOW! November seems a lifetime away.

We we also enjoyed it thoroughly as Aux Quatre Vents, but IMO, the food didn't quite measure up to that of LMF. But let's face it, as good as AQV was, Le Moulin Fou is really a tough act to follow although I'm sure Marios will have no problem in that department. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Did Aux Quatre Vents close? I didn't know that.

Linda,

I read that quite a while back, and we didn't find it open when we were there in April, which is why I gathered this was where Mario's might be going. I hope I haven't been spreading misinformation, and if I have, I offer my most sincere apologies to all concerned. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Blush.gif" alt="" />

Aux Quatre Vent was closed last November when we were there. So we tried, and LOVED Le Bateau Ivre, in Porto Cupecoy, right on the dock area.

Marios is moving into old moulin foo/ quatra vent location, beautiful location for sure.

Amen! And thank you for the absolute confirmation. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Does anyone know when the move is going to take place?

That is so exciting. Can't wait for that to happen. Now, we just need Spiga to re-locate also!

I dug up this post from back in August. Does anyone know if Mario's Bistro has moved yet? We arrive in 18 days and was wondering if Mario's would be in Cupecoy by then?

Where do you stay in Grand Case? We will be there in November for the winter. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" />

My wife and I recently bought a condo at Porto Cupecoy, and I don't see Mario's Bistro here yet. But the following paragraph was in the minutes of our board meeting last week:
"Brasserie New York will become Shanghai Brasserie opening around October 1st. It will be operated by Jimmy Goldman, Owner of Bamboo Bernies and Sky Beach in Maho, and managed by Elisa Cohen, former Owner of Bikini Beach in Orient Beach. The theme will be a fusion of Asian, including Thai and Mongolian Grill, and French in a brasserie atmosphere. Mario’s Bistro, famous in Sandy Ground for over 25 years, has moved to Porto Cupecoy and will open about the same time. In addition, Gong Fu Tea is moving to inside the Plaza for more visibility."

So it's possible that Mario's Bistro will be in Porto Cupecoy by the time you arrive around October 15.

I think the move will prove to be a good one for Mario's, as I have not liked their location for years. Interesting, the mention of Elisa Cohen. I wonder who is managing Bajatzu now?

Ravi, is Ernest and Fidel still there?

Yes, Ernest & Fidel Cafe is still at Porto Cupecoy. It hosted a Salsa Night just a couple of nights ago (Saturday).

Ravi, do you mean that Sky Beach is still in existence?

What I wrote was a quote from our HOA, but when I go to the Facebook page of Sky Beach in Maho, I see several posts during the last week, so it appears to be open indeed.

Thanx.

Thanks for that....I enjoy their huevos divorciados....yummy sauces.

Will look forward to trying Marios in a Porto Cupecoy location as well. We always enjoyed Moulin Fou there, despite their short tenure.

We were at Sky Beach in June, did they close since then?

Am I correct that the chef at Mario's bistro is also the owner & from Canada ?
Just 24 more days until we are on westjet from Toronto!!! Yea!! Will report but dont how to send photos. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" />

Ravi,
Do you know if Didier will be back with Mario's Bistro. We loved him as much as the food. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" />

Sorry, I don't know about Didier.

By the way, at the space in Porto Cupecoy where Mario's will be, I now see a sign on the front door for "Mario's Bistrot" (note the French spelling) and I see workers inside during the day. Hopefully that means the restaurant will open soon.

Thanks Ravi for the info. We have always wanted to dine at Marios but were discouraged because of the location. Please keep us updated with any info you can. We will be on Island in Nov and hope to vistit if they are open.

I just checked their website to see if they had any updated information regarding their move but the site has not been updated. It still mentions Didier. Don't know if this is the same 'Mario' you're thinking.
Here is the information from their website.

http://www.mariosbistro.com/

"Mario trained in Québec City and became one of the youngest chefs to take a gourmet kitchen in his hands at Le Marie Clarisse. He then came to St Martin to be successively the chef at Chez Martine, Le Fish Pot and Rainbow, all of them located in Grand Case. The project of Mario's Bistro came right after. There, he adapted a concept of cuisine that suits the Caribbean and its cosmopolitan clientèle."

Ravi, thanks for the updates. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/thanks.gif" alt="" />

I'm thinking that spelling is just an error, as one would not think that they would change the name of the restaurant, after all these years?

Maybe. Now that I look more closely at the sign, it says "Mario Bistrot", without an apostrophe or an "s" after Mario.

I stopped in just now to ask the workers when they expect the restaurant to open, and they said "maybe tomorrow". So it'll be any day now!

OK, that's interesting. OK, stupid question here, it really IS the original owner moving, right? I know how some businesses in SXM tend to name businesses after other businesses. I wonder why the restaurant website has not been updated, if they are opening soon?

Ravi talked to a worker. How many times have you been told by a worker on the island what they felt is what you wanted to hear verses the actual facts.
Happens all the time.

I was talking more specifically about the wording of the sign, which I found odd. Ravi had previously reported that the following had been in minutes of a board meeting from Porto Cupecoy

" Brasserie New York will become Shanghai Brasserie opening around October 1st. It will be operated by Jimmy Goldman, Owner of Bamboo Bernies and Sky Beach in Maho, and managed by Elisa Cohen, former Owner of Bikini Beach in Orient Beach. The theme will be a fusion of Asian, including Thai and Mongolian Grill, and French in a brasserie atmosphere. Mario’s Bistro, famous in Sandy Ground for over 25 years, has moved to Porto Cupecoy and will open about the same time...

So, according to that communication, Mario's was scheduled to open around October 1 or so. Possibly the sign is just spelled wrong.

Has anyone been in contact with Mario's? Is it open now in old location? Has anyone been or will anyone go there to find out if it's really re locating?

Mario's is usually closed this time of year. They close all of September and usually re-open sometime in mid October.

Was thinking the same thing!!

On August 10 on Trip Advisor, someone posted a 5-star review of Mario's Bistro, saying that it will be moving to Cupecoy marina in late 2015. So that's a little more evidence that we are talking about the same restaurant.

Mario's Bistro Trip Advisor

All the answering machine at Mario's Bistro says is that they are closed Sundays.

I am not on island but good friends, who also are whole owners at RP (8602 for Carol & J.D.), are there & they are two or three nights a week Mario diners. She called me yesterday to tell me they are having dinner in the new restaurant Saturday night. They have moved to the Aux Quartres Vent space & Mario is really excited about it since it can seat more than his first location. He also made sure to tell my friend to let me know that he put the Tomato & Mozzarella Napoleon back on the menu which may be my all time favorite appetizer. When he knew I was coming for dinner he would make one for me so now I don't feel as special <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> but.I can't wait to get back on island & go!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" />

OK, thanks much for the confirmation! And say hi to those folks from "next door"!!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Smile.gif" alt="" />

When are you back?

11/28 <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" />

Sharon,

JB on the 28th? early or late flight?

Late of course you silly goose how could you not have guessed that LOL!! I hope we are on the same flight so let me know....

I guess we're both being silly geese, Sharon, because you should know me by now, too, and that I'm very definitely the early bird even if I have no taste for the proverbial worm.

We're on 787 - the early flight. I guess we won't share a drink and a smile at 35000 feet. But we'll see you sooner or later, I'm sure. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/handshake.gif" alt="" />

Hopefully we will get to see you before we leave in December.It seems you are late returning this November. You must be celebrating your birthday with family.