SXM - Jan/Feb 2016 Trip Report - Last Part(3)

Happy Hours, Dinners, and pm Activities -
Mornings for our little travel party usually consisted of breakfast, then some pool or beach time, followed by lunch. From there the scheduled was very loose. Sometimes Bingo around the pool, usually a short nap or rest period followed by maybe casino time, or visiting, or driving around, or reading on our patio. One of our favorite Happy Hour stops, and sometimes even when it wasn’t Happy Hour was the St Maarten Yacht Club Restaurant and Bar. HH times there are 4-6pm. Besides watching the “boats” come through the drawbridge, our favorite part were their Grouper Fingers. In fact we stopped there a couple times just for the “Fingers”.
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Our first visit we ordered the Grouper Fingers, Ribs, and Coconut Shrimp(partially eaten before I got picture). $25. Great deal. http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s...zpsxkcnkq8s.jpg
We did see some “boats” come in. The last was most impressive, almost like a Darth Vader.
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Our first night, in fact, three hours after we landed, we were at Captain Olivers. We had been invited by owner Maggi for drinks and the Saturday Night Buffet and to watch her “Dirty Dancing” performance. The Buffet has changed. It used to be a big seafood buffet, now it was fish there but there’s also Turkey, Roast Beef, Ribs, as well as a bunch of other choices. The Buffet is now only $39.95 .
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Maggi and her dance partner did a wonderful job of replicating the movie dance sequence.
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My apologize for the poor pics.
We attended another Buffet, this time at Beau Beau’s. They had Cover 2 Cover performing on Tuesday evening for about three hours. Admission was the buffet meal. Their Buffet was $21.75 plus service.
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It was good to see/hear Bob and David singing together again. Many remember that they used to sing weekly at Peg Leg Pub.
Mark’s Place – Last year Judy tried Mark’s mussels. She couldn’t wait to order them again. Mussels come in on Tuesday and Friday. Since we were already committed to hear Cover 2 Cover on Tuesday we called, and they said you can reserve your mussels for the next day. Only in SXM, reserving your mussels. They were just as good and plentiful as last year.
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Here’s Mark’s Specials and menu. Plus there is no service charge.
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Betty had their appetizer rib plate. They were plenty left for next day lunch.
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Tom had the Trout Special. I had the Cheeseburger.
The Palm’s – One of my favorite places. Greg, Jo, and his Mom do a wonderful job with the food and making you always feel welcomed.
I had my usual Lasagna.
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Betty had the chicken kabob app.
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Tom had the Chicken Wings.
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Judy had their sirloin cheeseburger.
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There is no service charge at The Palm’s and it’s cash only.
While we were staying at Turquoise Shell Inn I went by after others were starting to bed-down to satisfy my sweet tooth. Nothing better to do that with than Greg’s Mom’s Carrot Cake.
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That night Greg and Jo were home “ sick”, so I was served by new waitress, Ivanta(pretty sure that not exactly correct).
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Island Pizza - Located in the parking area of Mr Busby’s, very close to OBBR. It’s good when we gamble in the afternoon and early evening and then just want to come home and put on our jammies. You order and pay for your pizza at the counter inside Mr Busby’s. Then take the recipt out to Island Pizza. Pizzas are large, thin crust. This one was $15.25. We got several snacks besides our dinner.
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Pineapple Pete’s -
Always a favorite. Very consistent quality and service. Tom had his usual Lobster Thermadore.
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Judy loves their Grouper with crab and garlic.
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Betty and I split their Neptune Burger with cheese, the coconut shrimp appetizer, and, of course, a Crème Brulee which is one of our favorites on SXM.
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Pat Roadhouse - A new place, located in front of the old Boathouse. We went there on Super Bowl Sunday.
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They seemed a little disorganized. Their menu was on a caulk board that night.
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Since burgers were their specialty we ordered one of them. It was $10.
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/sxmnorm/2016%20Jan-Feb%20SXM%20Trip/IMGP3304_zpshqyfhazj.jpg It was good. Seemed to have a little taco seasoning mixed in with the other spices. More bun than burger though.
Here’s our waiter for the night.
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Villa Royale – In Grand Case, just over the bridge, before the Lolos. They do 1E=$1.
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Owned and run by Rose
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Here’s their menu. http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s...zpsfxsnjebp.jpg http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s...zpsjqofhdch.jpg http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s...zpsvphxjvdb.jpg http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s...zpsfm7dy9hc.jpg
I enjoyed the grilled Trigger Fish for the first time. Came with fried potatoes and a salad for 15E.
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Here are some of the other dishes tried.
Grilled Tuna - http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s...zpsyclnmvrp.jpg
Chicken Kabob - http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s...zpsynuzui0w.jpg
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Nice meal. Great service. Reasonable prices.
On the way to Harmony Night we stopped by the Rui Complex in Anse Marcel to check out the public part of the beach. Beautiful setting coming down the mountain.
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Looked like a nice place. Food prices on menus looked somewhat expense.
Also on that trip we stopped by Tijon Perfumery to say hello to friends John and Cyndi. Also needed to pick up some of their Lip Balm which makes great Christmas Stocking Stuffers. We found Refillable Perfume Atomizers which will also wind up in some stockings. Cyndi has invited me to display some of my fused glass projects in her boutique side of Tijon. So starting in November this year, my first public outlet.
Piazza Pascal – What better place to enjoy Harmony Night than above the crowd at Piazza Pascal. We made reservations and Donna gave us a nice table upstairs. http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s...zpswl2tsqnv.jpg Here’s our toast with their after dinner shots.
I had the Filet Modano - 31E http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s...zpseodujppd.jpg Tom had the Filet Gorgonzola - 31E
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Judy had the Clam Liguini - 22E http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s...zpshkljajao.jpg Betty had the Spagetti with meat sauce - 18E. http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s...zpsyfjbo0uy.jpg
They do 1E + $1. at Piazza Pascal.
Here’s some of the parade as they passed Piazza Pascal.
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One of the highlight dinners of this trip was at Rancho Del Sol. I’m pretty sure most of us have driven by this place several times over the years and never stopped. What a mistake.
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We went as a party of six with Bruce and Susan. However before driving to Rancho Del Sol, we stopped by Bruce and Susan’s place in les Balcons. Here the view off the their deck.
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Back to Rancho Del Sol http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s...zps9mz7kbpp.jpg
Here’s their menu. http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s...zps2dsnsfsp.jpg
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This was Susan’s choice. http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s...zpsbt6vo22k.jpg
Bruce’s choice. http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s...zpsm0qdngvr.jpg
Norm and Betty’s choice. http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s...zpsewaxvmim.jpg
Tom’s T-Bone. http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s...zpsrafw8ip8.jpg
Norm and Betty’s Crème Brulee. Very good. Now up at top of our list. Had a little coconut favor to it.
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It was a wonderful night with good food, good service from our waitress Jennifer, and great conversation and laughs with friends.
Dinghy Dock II - Located just down the walk from Lal’s.
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Same menu as original DD. I had the Caesar Salad, Betty had the rib tips. Of course we shared.
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There are some differences however. There is a service charge here. There is also a sign which says, “Tips Suggested”.
Big Fish - Big Fish got new owners, Mike and Theresa, and chef this past year. Their chef won the Crystal Pineapple award this year.
The setting is very nice. http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s...zpsfgruygmw.jpg Bread is served while waiting with this pesto sauce.
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Big Fish features fish with cooking and sauce options. I choose the grilled grouper with garlic/dill sauce.
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Judy had the appetizer special mussels and a salad. http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s...zpskhxy1itm.jpg http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s...zpsnukcnqqq.jpg Betty had the appetizer chicken tenders, although they looked kind of strange.
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For dessert, Tom and Judy shared a Lava Cake which disappeared very quickly. http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s...zpswmevxicd.jpg
Betty and I went for the Bailey’s Crème Brulee. Another new favorite.
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We found our old waiter friend Aussie, who used to work at Canoa now working at Big Fish.
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Skip Jacks – Another consistently good place to go. Here’s part of their menu.
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I had a bowl of their French Onion Soup. Then Betty and I shared the Pan Grilled Grouper .
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This is Judy’s selection. http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/sxmnorm/2016%20Jan-Feb%20SXM%20Trip/IMGP3439_zpsgsiumnyi.jpg
Tom got the Surf and Turf…….and the big plate.
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We saved our Phillipsburg shopping trip to the last day. After parking at Bobby’s Marina Parking Lot, we strolled the Boardwalk starting at the cruise ship end.
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One stop was at the top end of Front St., almost to Sea Palace, where there’s a store that specializes in Saint Maarten made arts and crafts.
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Didn’t buy anything, but has a wide range of lace, knittings, jewelry, art, all done by local residents.
Our “last supper” was at SMYC for a Caesar Salad http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s...zpsns8gu4tg.jpg
and Grouper Fingers. http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/s...zpshffqhraj.jpg
I should give mention to The Carousel. The quality and choices of ice cream require many visits. We stopped at least three times. Here’s a pic of one of the mosaics that decorate the inside walls.
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We had an early departure so decided to try The Johney Burger place in the airport.
http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc2/sxmnorm/2016%20Jan-Feb%20SXM%20Trip/IMGP3450_zpsu4lhl85c.jpg We each had a Johnny Cake. Kind of a last goodbye toast.
Here’s our parting shots.
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I'm just not into opening a whole bunch of pictures especially of food. Maybe someone can help you learn how to download the pictures so you don't have to open each one.

You have my total agreement on that one.

I'm a computer dummy. Willing to learn.

Having a link to pictures is fine. But you could take the pictures you want to show, set them up in an album with captions on what they are and where taken. That way you just open it once to see them. Just a thought.

Thank you, Norm and Betty, for taking the time to do the reports and post the access to the photos for those who wish to enjoy them.

Like the others, I'm not so into food photos unless it's at a place that's of interest to me but I do appreciate your posting them since so many members here are really into food photos.

And also like you, I'm a computer dummy, so when it comes to trip reports - no photos here, but lots and lots of words, and I'm sure many are wishing I'd learn to post photos instead. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Again, thanks for your efforts.

Norm - Thanks for all your work on all your photos and trip reports. A second Dinghy Dock is news to me. Recently opened?

While I agree it's a lot of work, you can instead click on any one of his links, then click on the album title when you get to PhotoBucket, and see all of his photos, 24 pictures to a page.

The Dinghy Dock Two was being built when we were there in Nov/Dec. It is located where Shrimpy's and Barnacles used to be and right by the dock where Neil leaves with the Celine Too. A great location right on the water with lots of parking in the lot by Lal's. I hope it is a success as it is the same owners as the one in Oyster Pond.

Thanks Norm Plenty of useful information as usual. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

Norm,

Thank you for your reports and pictures!

I enjoy all the pictures. Each one tells "a thousand words". Keep them coming.

Great reports Norm as usual- wish we knew about Cover to Cover's new location - maybe next year.

Thanks for taking the time to post your trip report and for all the pictures. I know how much effort you put in to write this and we appreciate it very much. We also enjoyed dining with you guys at Rancho Del Sol, lets put it on the "repeat list" for 2017. Your SXM Lovers party was also great fun and very well attended. See you next February. Bruce and Susan