SXM Favorite Restaurant??

All right, folks, here it is!! Post your favorite restaurant in SXM here and why. Eventually we will move the thread to trip report archives.<br><br>And Augie is responsible for assembling the numbers of who voted for what!! Carol<br><br><P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by Administrator on 12/2/00 03:18 PM.</EM></FONT></P>

Carol- No can do.Glue only held for two weeks.Can no longer count<br>Augie<br><br>

Will Augie do a machine count, or a hand count??<br><br>Fav restaurant: Eating my way around the perimeter of Carnival Village (during<br>Carnival of course!)<br><br>I honestly don't have a favorite - they're all good! Mario's, Piccolo's, Bistro Caribes...<br><br>[color:blue]Bob!</font color=blue><br>

WOW !! A Mission Impossible ! <br><br>Breakfast: La Croissanterie for fresh baked goodies and a lovely view -Dutch Side: Chesterfields-American Breakfast with a lovely view, both al fresco<br><br>Lunch: None- Don't usually eat lunch<br><br>Supper: Big list (partial here) Cheri's cafe - light, fast and with entertainment. La Vie en Rose - On the Waterfront, excellent food and a rose for the gal ath the end !!<br>Le Perroquet - French on the Dutch side, lagoon, exotic foods, different !!<br><br>Boathouse - Seafood by the lagoon at reasonable prices, entertainment on certain nights<br><br>Lightning casino - two hot dogs + two sodas $5.00 (that's all I have left after the slots get to me!!)<br><br>.....and so mant more...Grand Case...Marigot..Philipsburg...the list goes on..... <br><br>

As of March 2000, La Rosa Too Best veal chops and clams.<br>Always go to Chesterfields for fresh grilled fish.<br>Seafood Galley and Boat House have been good.<br>Hope to add Bananas March'01<br>Augie<br><br>

L'Alabama<br><br>

I almost forgot - silly me - After this past trip, I need to get Ms. B's on the list!<br><br>Of course there's always Cheri's, Turtle Pier, Greenhouse, and Talk of the Town.<br><br><br><br>[color:blue]Bob!</font color=blue><br>

Lunch: Ribs at the Lolos<br><br>

There's probably enough of a critical mass of SXM-o-philes on this board to do "best of" voting, like the various city magazines do annually. You'd probably have to break it down a lot more than just "best resturant", maybe by category, cuisine, etc. Could also do best shopping categories, best beach (like everyone doesn't know which would win THAT category!!!).<br><br>For me, well let's see - <br><br>Best "expensive" French resturant - L'Alabama<br><br>Best less expensive - Portofino (although someone posted that it recently changed hands)<br><br>Best cheap - Talk of the Town<br><br>Best beach bar - Kon Tiki, Pedros (tie)<br><br>Best bakery - Zee Best<br><br>I know, nothing original here, but hey, I like what I like!<br><br>

Foul!!! Not fair! Only one?! I think I have to parrot what Augie said, but add the lolos, too. Good rib stickin' fare (pun intended). Also, Lee's for fresh grilled Mahi. Will also have to add Bananas (next week!). Can't believe we've never stopped there, but we'll just have to remedy that!<br><br>

Just got back.<br><br>Breakfast: Zee Best<br><br>Lunch: Bikini Beach Bar and Pedro's for ribs<br><br>Dinner: La Testavin in Grand Case,Antoines in Phillipsburg, and Jean Dupont on the Marina Royal. <br><br>

Breakfast: Zee Best<br><br>Lunch: Pedro's ribs with Baywatch cheesesteak a close second<br><br>Dinner: Bistro Caribes by a landslide!<br><br>I've only been back 5 days and I'm already homesick for Paradise! <br><br>Bill

If you're makin' me pick just one its:<br><br>L'AUBERGE GOURMAND<br><br>

I'd have to say Chesterfields, DaLivios, and the Greenhouse, , atmosphere, atmosphere and atmosphere!!!!! Ellen<br><br>

Breakfast: Da Plane! Da Plane Der Lekkerbuker (Cheap Too!)<br>Lunch: Banana's, Layla's<br>Dinner: Lee's, Turtle Pier, Chesterfield's, Talk of the Town<br>(Watch Chesterfield's We got our rental car broken into and the stole the spare tire!!)<br><br><br>

We also just got back. <br>Lunch: Baywatch..Ribs were better than Pedro's, chicken fingers were fantastic & the calamari<br>Dinner: Our best meal of the trip was pretty much a tie between Papagayos (believe it or not)and LePetite Pizzeria toward Cul-de-sac.<br><br>

Talking to myself here, but MY favorite restaurant for dinner, although not necessarily Eric's, is Auberge Gourmande. Close runner-up, Il Nettuno.<br><br>Breakfast--Croissant and coffee and mimosa at Green Cay Villas! <br>Lunch--Baywatch!! Carol<br><br>

My Wife: Le Pressoir<br>Mine: Mario's<br><br>with Auberge Gourmande a close second for both of us.<br><br>

La California in Grand Case is a very nice restaruant. It is located next to the water, has a friendly staff, a small bar and serves an excellent shish ka bab. I haven't heard anyone mention it. Has anyone else been there?<br><br>

Don't know why this isn't mentioned more often, we go several times each trip for wonderful breakfast crepes to Creperie St. Germain next to Croissanterie. The crepes are wonderful and friends have enjoyed lunch and dinner there also. This is my breakfast top pick, will do my dinner choices in a separate reply! Linda<br><br>

Our favorite restuarant for breakfast has to be Papaguyos. After a 3 mile walk to sit enjoy the view and have a mamosa. I dream about it<br>Lunch, very casual maybe just french bread, lunch meat, cheese and wine right on Orient.<br>Dinner, One of our favorite's Konga's we understand is now gone. Mario's has to rate near the top. We also enjoy the Marina in Marigot in the evening for a salad and pizza occasionally<br><br>

We have a slight difference of opinion as to our favorites:<br><br>Dinner - Expensive:<br>Mine-L'Alabama<br>His - Tropicana<br><br>Dinner - Casual<br>Mine-Portofino<br>His-Cheri's<br><br>Lunch on the Beach<br>Mine-Kakao<br>His-Pedro's<br><br>Lunch off the Beach<br>Mine-La Belle Epoque<br>His-Ric's Place<br><br>Since we are both on vacation we compromise and go to each of them - such a hardship!<br><br><br><br>MB

Favorite Eateries in SM - Breakfast at Zee Best or the Creperie or Turtle Pier.<br>Lunch on the beach at Friars Bay<br>Dinner - so many to choose from but here goes - Lynnettes - reasonable; Antoines in P'Burg - reasonable to expensive depending on whether or not you have dessert souffles - Turtle Pier - reasonable - LaVie En Rose - expensive - and LaRosas - reasonable and wonderful!<br><br>

Le Tastevin in Grand Case. If you've been here, you do understand. Ambiance, location, food and wine list.<br><br>[color:448800]Sunset Beach Bar, one continuous cocktail party!</font color=448800>

Hmmmmm. . . <br><br>I must say that Le Tastevin is pretty high up on the list . . . but Sandy and I both agree that L'Hibiscus in Grand Case takes the top honors.<br><br>They have a sense of adventure that is totally unique. <br><br>We're still discussing the others, although Talk of the Town probably wins for lunch. It has become our tradition to have our first meal there after we arrive.<br><br>peaceful_one@hotmail.com

Lunch,Friar's Bay Beach Club had very ggod ribs and a decent tuna steak. Kangaroo Court in PBurg has a great little courtyard away from the madness of Front Street, and a wonderful Shrimp, avocado, and papaya salad.<br><br>Dinner, Bistro Caraibes #1<br> Rainbow #2<br> L'Alabama #3<br><br>For cheap, Talk of the town; and in Marigot, thought not really quite worth the price, the grilled shrimp at Bar de la Mer were great!<br><br>

Lunch - Friar's Bay<br>Dinner - Rainbow and\or Don Camillo (I know that's 2 choices)<br><br>

Okay here goes:<br>Breakfast - Creperie<br>Lunch - Turtle Pier<br>Dinner - Mario's (My absolute all time fav restaurant in the world!!)<br><br>Pat<br><br>

Here's another one...<br> Lunch: Talk of the Town<br> Dinner (Expensive): Le Pressoir <br> Beach Meal: Busbys Beach Bar <br><br>

OK, can't resist anymore.<br><br>Best breakfast = St Germain (at least for crepes)<br>Best lunch = Kakaos (at least for pizza)<br>Best dinner = L'Alabama (with Sol E Luna and Don Camillios right behind)<br>Most relaxing = The BBQ outside of unit 41 at Club O<br><br>[color:blue] Chas </font color=blue>

The choices are so many!!! However, there are always a few that for a variety of reasons including ones own tastes stand out. We liked the recently reopened Poulet deOrleans, which is more local/creole foods, reasonable prices and reasonable portions.<br><br>On the other hand the restaurant we liked the least was Don Carlos!<br><br>

this is tough - can't pick just one so i'll narrow it down: fish pot, rainbow, hevea, l'alabama - also, mama's bbq in grand case & lynette's near the airport for inexpensive - 2 more wks & we're there! <br><br>

Unit 41 I think is the best bargin at Club O. (Guess maybe I shouldn't have publicized that, huh?? ) Carol<br><br>

Drove by Poulet deOrleans in March.Will try it March 2001<br>Augie<br><br>

I don't recall seeing Poulet deOrleans. Where exactly is it located? On the main road in Orleans?<br><br>

is it too late to vote? has Augie lost count?there are so many good restaurants here, but there are 3 that I go back to again and again<br>Mark's Place.. becaue I live near there and because the food is great and reasonably priced. Mark's snapper belle muniere is to die for<br>La Rosa .. in my humble opinion, simply the best restaurant on the island. everything is fabulous. everything!. of course, my husband wouldn't know that. he is in love with the osso bucco and refuses to eat anything else.<br>and 3rd but not least, Le Tastevin... for elegance ,ambience, and fabulous French food.<br> to them all!<br><br>

Augie still has plenty of fingers and toes to count with!! Carol<br><br>

Barbara-I forgot about Mark's Place. We always go 2 times in our 2 week stay.Location not like old place, but much closer now.As I told Carol I can't count any more. The glue holding my fingers and toes only lasted 2 weeks<br>Augie<br><br>

Sorry buddy, your idea, YOU'RE counting!!!!! Carol<br><br>

Dave S, Yes on main road on hill on left if you come from Dutch side. I think parking is behind.<br>Augie<br><br>

Carol-What a slave driver.OK next week we will have all the children.husbands& wifes and grand children here,so with all those fingers and toes I may be able to do it.That's 320 digits,hope that's enough<br>Augie<br><br>

Now, see, you just gave your age away! "Grandchildren" -- If you hadn't said that, I would have thought you were in your early 20's!! Carol<br><br>

St. Germain for crepes and for an all-american breakfast Stop & Shop ( has a new name now) across from the airport....great home fries...real french toast with real french bread! Super!.....La Belle Epoque ( Marina Royale) great mussels...excellent pizza, just love the<br> 4 cheese....Tutta Pasta....wonderful, inexpensive and great service ( I may kick myself for telling you all about this place..it's difficult enough to get into now!)...Tropicana ( Marina Royale) great everything...try it just for dessert, sometime...will knock your socks off! And of course Le Bistro Caraibes ( Grand Case).....oh, my gawd! Runnersup- L'Escargot, Le Petit Pizza ( Cul d'Sac),La Trattoria<br> ( Maho) and I must not forget " La Casa Contessa" for lunch....near the Perch on Orient....the best lunches in the world!!!<br> Contessa<br><br>

Been to La Casa Contessa--got to agree with you there!! Carol<br><br>

I always read the favorite restaurants comments. Sometimes I add mine, but it is so difficult, because in all the YEARS we have been going to SXM, I have only had one bad meal!<br><br>

When my husband and I were in St. Martin last February we went to - and loved - our dinner at Mario's Bistro. The food and service were amazing. We are so looking forward to our trip and dinner at Mario's in April 2000. We were wondering if anyone has any input about the bar located at the end of the street that Mario's is located on. The place was named Chili's and we went there before our dinner and had a really great time. <br><br>We wil be visiting St. Martin again in April of 2001 - during Carnival week. Please provide us with any information that you feel will help us plan our trip. We have never been to St. Martin during Carnival.<br><br>Thanks for any information you can provide. <br><br><br>

Contessa-the new name of the old Stop & Shop at the airport is Yummie Terrace. <br><br>

I must agree with Anon.<br><br>Picking a "favorite" place to eat on St. Martin is sort of like trying to pick out the most beatiful flower in a garden . . . it's almost impossible. <br><br>On an island where even an "average" restaurant is excellent, and where there exists a place like Grand Case where there are so many wonderful, special places to visit that you can't eat at all of them on a two week vacation trying to pick one that rises above all others is next to impossible.<br><br>And that's a good thing! <br><br>In 131 days, 19 hours, 33 minutes we get to try again ! ! !<br><br>peaceful_one@hotmail.com

Carole...Mario's, Mario's, Mario's. Great food and wonderful people. They really know how to make you feel welcome!<br><br>Annie<br><br>

Hard for us to pick one favorite because all have their own flavor and special memories. One that never gets mentioned but I think is very good is a german place Bavaria near the enterance to Pelican.<br>Bill<br><br>Don't Stop The Carnival

I waited to see which of our favorites would be listed. Two not listed are Mai's in Marigot. It is a Vietnamese Restaurant which moved from cul de sac (was Hoi Mai's)after hurricanes to this location. The restaurant is family run by two adult sons and their mother. The food and service are always excellent and the prices are low.<br><br>La Parilla a steak restaurant in Baie Nettle. In addition to the interior dining there are tables on the beach.<br><br>There is a price fixed dinner at La Residence Hotel in Marigot. It is located on the top floor of the hotel and has an open air area.<br><br>Mary's Boon has a different different entree each evening served family style with an honor bar. <br><br>

La Parilla is no more. We were quite disappointed when we drove by there. It is now a Thai restaurant. Is Mai's near Le Bistro Nu? Le Residence was not open when we were in SXM in October. <br><br>Ann<br><br>

That's what happens when you are only in SXM once a year. La Parilla joins Konga Kafe, Ren & Stimpys and Davids.<br>Mai's is on the main street just before the corner for Bistro NU.<br>Another restaurant I didn't mention was LeChanteclair at Marina Royale.<br><br>

Even though we live here & own a restaurant......Hope it's OK if we add our choices!!! Our Favorites are...<br>Breakfast~~~~ The Village Baker in Simpson Bay<br>Lunch~~~~~~ Layla's in Sandy Ground<br>Dinner~~~~~ Mario's Bistro in Sandy Ground (High end)<br>~~~~~~~~~~~ Bistro Caraibes in Grand Case (Mid range)<br>~~~~~~~~~~~ La Main a la Pate in Marigot (Reasonable)<br><br> Dale & Bob <br> <br><br>

It really is sad how some of those great restaurants have closed! As for LeChanteclair...we did eat there on our last trip and had a good meal. The placed was deserted that evening...we were the only ones there!<br><br>Annie<br><br>

I'm suprised that no one else has mentioed Yevettes, (not Lynettes) in Orleans just behind the cemetary. They have the best swordfish steak I have ever eaten. They also serve the best rice and peas around. Only open for dinner.<br><br>

Was SO glad to see someone mention Laylas!!! It's definately one of the best on the island!<br>And, speaking of some that have closed - do you think Guilles will ever come back to re-open A la Cabane Bamboo? We always enjoyed it. <br>Our fav's: <br>Le Pressoir<br> Le Tastevin<br> Le Perroquet<br> Le Chanticlaire<br>And, of course, Fabulous Feasts!!!!<br><br>

Sorry not on left side, right side.Another senior moment? Hell no BRAIN FART<br><br>

Simply the BEST place for breakfast on the Entire Island is the patio behind KIPP n SLIPP's place at the Cupecoy Beach Club. Eggs, Bacon, English Muffins with Jelly, Orange Juice, and Coffee. (Pssssst. She made me write this, under the threat of getting a sock full of coal for Christmas this year) LOL <br><br>KIPPnSLIPP

Le Planteur in Oyster Pond. <br><br>

My votes...<br><br>Expensive...L'Alabama<br>Casual...La Main a la Pate (best pizza on the island - IMHO)<br>Beach...the one thats closest to my beach chair<br><br>68 more days to<br><br>

I always seem to find these polls once Augie's out of fingers to use.<br><br>We just got back from our first trip, so my choice is limited ... We had some very fine meals at (pardon misspellings) Du Soleil, La California, Portofino's, La Rosa Too, L'Alabama, Talk of the Town, and L'Amandier.<br><br>If someone told me I could stay one more day, but had to return to one of the restaurants we had already been to, I would without hesitation head back to La Rosa Too. It was the best meal I had all week, and then you add the atmosphere, great service and of course, the pleasure of meeting and chatting with Enzo and it all added up to a wonderful evening. <br><br>We're hoping to get a proper trip report together, but we both mentioned that even if we failed at that, we needed to get back here to thank Enzo for being a wonderful host. <br><br>Ken & Cindy<br><br>

Ken,not sure if Enzo monitors this board or not.Glad you had a good trip and enjoyed La Rosa Too<br>Augie<br><br>

Whet my appetite! OK... add homefries and some hash and I'm there... 7:30 a.m. on 12/6. Should I knock first?<br><br>

<br> Emily wrote:<br><br>>> And, speaking of some that have closed - do you think<br>>> Guilles will ever come back to re-open A la Cabane <br>>> Bamboo? We always enjoyed it. <br><br> Does anyone have any info on when he closed the restaurant, and if he left the island?<br><br>

This is so hard. After 13 nights out in 12 different restaurants and not one bad meal, this Island is a dream. We really liked Picolo for price = value. The menu changes every week so depending on what you like to eat, some weeks are only great, others may be stupendous.<br>California is relaxed, the food and desert crepes are excellent. The service is attentive and it is the only place on the Island that will take your picture for free if you ask them.<br>IL Nettuno and La Rosa are favorite Italian restaurants.<br>The mozzarella and tomato (Caprese) salad is the best at Bikini Bar in Orient but they only have it as a special once in a while.<br>Wish we were still there!<br><br>

gelato: Ice Concept (Marigot marina)<br>local cuisine: Talk of the Town (Grand Case "shacks")<br>cheap bistro: La Main a la Pate (Marigot marina)<br><br><br>

Johnny under the tree<br>Paris Bistro<br><br><br>

Having been to SXM four times with number 5 upcoming, the following are among our favorites, all on the French side. We love Le Pressoir. The food and service are superb, people friendly and unpretentious. Another that we like is Le Tastevin, right on the water, gorgeous view of Anguilla. Service is a bit slower than Le Pressoir. We have tried Sebastiano's, Don Camillo's, Le Bistrot Caraibes, L'Hibiscus, Yvette's, Wajang Doll, none compare the aforementioned. We did love L'alabama several years ago. Le Taitu and Sol e Luna in the French Cul de Sac are also terrific. Last year went to Le Pressoir twice and Sol e Luna twice. Kontiki on Orient is great for lunch. Papagayo at Orient is pretty good for breakfast. <br><br>

love to go to Anotines on front street and make of our selves. French onion soup, lobster thermidor, and top it off with a grand marnier souffle!!!expensive, but well worth the trip into town. If we can make it in a second time, will have the filet mignon, bernaise sauce, and again cant forget the souffle!!!<br><br>

Just ret'd as well, and had to add my 2 cents. My absolute fav is La Diva in Marigot, and Da Livio's in Phillipsburg. Also love The Boathouse, casual and good food. P.S. It's under new mgmt, but it was still the same !!<br><br><br><br>

Having just returned also, have to say favorite nice resturaunt: Rainbow. Favorite casual (pizza etc): California, and favorite just to hang out in the sand and relax: Calmos Cafe or Bikini. Also loved Bistro Caraibes, Dario's, and Bar De la Mar. (spelling is probably awful) Can't say I had one bad meal in the 14 days there.(and we ate out every meal)<br><br>