Part 2- Jan31-Feb17, 2008
Evening MealsGrand Case Beach Club - First night on SXM, dinner was here with our good friends Paul and Carol. This was our first visit to this popular restaurant. They still are doing 1 for 1. They are managed by Pascal and Karin, owners of Sunset Café and L’ Auberge Gourmande.
http://groups.msn.com/sxmphotos2/sxmjan31feb172008.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=5464. Betty had Dover Sole, $35. Norm had Grouper in a puff pastry, $24.
http://groups.msn.com/sxmphotos2/sxmjan31feb172008.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=5463 . Both were excellent. Multiple favored Rum bottles appeared after dinner and were sampled. Wonderful evening.
Halsey’s – Again, a first time experience. This time with good friends, Wayne and Louise.
http://groups.msn.com/sxmphotos2/sxmjan31feb172008.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=5469 . We walked here from Turquoise Shell Inn where Wayne and Louise were staying. While waiting for our table, “the boys” went to the bar to get drinks. Wayne and the bartendress somehow created a new (somewhat undrinkable) concoction, but by then the table was ready and Wayne is too nice to ask to have it made like he ordered. Food was great. Norm and Betty had the Articoke/Spinach Dip along with the chicken stuffed with prosciutto/spinach. Drink, soda, service charge, tip - $40. As we left, we got meet Chef Ryan.
http://groups.msn.com/sxmphotos2/sxmjan31feb172008.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=5470 We’ve partied at a Kansas City TTOL gathering with Chef Ryan’s brother, John Michael.
Certainly will return to Halsey’s on future visits.
Pizza Galley - A favorite of Betty and mine is Pizza Galley. They’ve enlarged the eating area slightly this year, but the pizza is still great. Very thin crust. A cheese pizza, glass of wine and soda -$23. with tip. No service charge.
Lido – Had a plate of ribs along with the mac and cheese, potatoes augraten,. An incredible amount of food with 2 sodas - $10. No service.
Greenhouse – Not a formal meal, but during our “get togther” we sampled chicken wings and mozzarella cheese sticks. Of course, during Happy Hour they’re ½ price. So for 2 appetizers, 4 drinks(two for one), service charge, tip and GREAT time. - $35. Hard to beat. Walked the Boardwalk home to Sea Palace where we were staying this week.
Pink Pearl - To supplement to our Greenhouse “appetizer meal”, we stopped by the Pink Pearl, which is located on the main floor of the Sea Palace and picked up an order of Sweet Sour Chicken. A little different than what we get in St Louis in that the chicken is sliced in thin strips and not small chunks. It also wasn’t breaded. It was good. $13.50. Saw Deepti stopping by here for lunch another day while we stayed at Sea Palace.
Talk of The Town – It was Harmony Night. Windy, and of course we had to sit downwind, but still an enjoyable night with good, inexpensive food. Ribs for Norm and Betty with various sides.
http://groups.msn.com/sxmphotos2/sxmjan31feb172008.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=5494.Peg Leg Pub – returned to PLP for dinner and entertainment with Wayne and Louise, Belinda, and Gary.
http://groups.msn.com/sxmphotos2/sxmjan31feb172008.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=5503http://groups.msn.com/sxmphotos2/sxmjan31feb172008.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=5502 Betty and I always have the filet. Kind of our judge of the place. It was very good. Perfectly cooked. Not as many extra things on plate as a couple years ago. Just salad and baked potato, but certainly enough to eat. They were kind enough to give each couple a check, as opposed to having to one check for the table.
Entertainment that evening was Cover Too Cover and featured Bob of Packlight as lead singer with assist from a guitar man who also sang, and worked the electronics. EVERYONE had a good time.
http://groups.msn.com/sxmphotos2/sxmjan31feb172008.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=5504 http://groups.msn.com/sxmphotos2/sxmjan31feb172008.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=5505 http://groups.msn.com/sxmphotos2/sxmjan31feb172008.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=5506 Filet, sodas, glass of free wine with coupon with service and tip - $50.
We also stopped at
Peg Leg Pub one evening for
Happy Hour. It runs 4-6pm and appetizers are ½ price as well as some beer and drink specials. We had their Nacho Grande, which is a meal in itself, three draft beers, two sodas for $14. plus service and tip of $5.
Mama Pizza - Enjoyed a cheese pizza from here which we took back to our room at OBBR. They have expanded and upgraded their seating on the patio which overlooks Oyster Pond and their menu. Also has waitresses and a bar.
Chesterfield’s - Stopped at Chesterfield’s for a couple cheeseburgers. Good as always. Our favorite waitress, Patricia again served us.
Pineapple Pete’s – A great restaurant. This time we sampled their Grilled Mahi Mahi w/lemon butter. Came with veggies, peas and rice, bread and butter. $13.95. Afterwards we had had our favorite Dark Rum Crème Brulee(6.95),…..yes one for each of us.
http://groups.msn.com/sxmphotos2/sxmjan31feb172008.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=5512 Dinghy Dock – Tried their Ribs after many recommendations from this board. Wonderful. Fall off the bone. $10./plate with small salad. No service charge. With 2 sodas and 1 Happy Hour drink and tip- $22. <a href="ihttp://groups.msn.com/sxmphotos2/sxmjan31feb172008.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=5520" target="_blank">ihttp://groups.msn.com/sxmphotos2/sxmjan31feb172008.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=5520</a>
Returned a second time with Jeff and Bonnie for ribs.
Toppers – Went to Toppers with Gary and Belinda. We didn’t make reservation, our mistake. Took over an hour to get a table even though we were told we were next several times. Service then was unforgettable. Three of us order the same Garlic encrusted Mahi Mahi special that came with a tasty rice and cooked spinach. The fourth order was for Blacken Mahi Mahi. What arrived fairly quickly from the kitchen was four Garlic Mahi Mahi. The young man who took our order never returned to the table to check on our order or see if we needed anything else. The food was good. Betty and I also had a piece of their Homemade Pecan Pie. It was good, different in that the pecans were coated with cinnamon, but not great. Two dinners, with one pie, one cocktail, one wine, one coke, one tea, service charge, tip - $73.
http://groups.msn.com/sxmphotos2/sxmjan31feb172008.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=5529http://groups.msn.com/sxmphotos2/sxmjan31feb172008.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=5530The Stone – For Valentines we chose The Stone to take our “Island Idols”, Paul and Carol.
The ladies were presented upon arrival with a long stem roses. This was Paul and Carol’s first visit to The Stone.
Betty had her favorite, an appetizers, Vegetarian Spring Rolls with a tropical fruit salsa. Norm had his favorite, which over the past year has graduated from appetizer to main course. Love their marinated flank steak and gouda on a skewer. Paul had a piece of Tuna which he said was one of the best he ever had. Carol had the rib eye special. No service charge, with tip - $124.00 including drinks.
http://groups.msn.com/sxmphotos2/sxmjan31feb172008.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=5534 Stopped by the Gelato(sp?) store for a little ice cream treat afterwards.
Marks – Had kind of a farewell dinner here with Belinda and Gary. Betty and I had a fish entrée. Forgot to take notes.
Activites, Observations, and Random Thoughts
Shortly before we left this year for SXM, we were in Kohl’s picking up some things. They had a special for a Dr Seuss book and the matching stuffed animal that’s featured in the book, such as The Red Fox. Yertle the Turtle, Horton the Elephant, etc. We picked up a couple for our grandsons and a couple for the I Can kids. Thanks to Barbara, we got in contact with Mrs Gibbs and set up a time we could stop by and drop off the books and critters. Folks, the woman does an amazing job. Unfortunately Mrs Gibbs was called into a meeting before we could see her, but one of her assistants took us around and introduced the various children and age groups. All very well behaved children. The temporary home is very well kept and neat. Hard to imagine with 24 children, but it is very impressive and a little depressing.
Anyway, we dropped off our gifts. Before we left the island, it was reported that Mrs Gibbs had finally got all the permits, and even though not all the money she needs to complete construction, she had enough to get started and they had a groundbreaking. I’m certain, if you have some spare coins, they would be greatly appreciated.
http://groups.msn.com/sxmphotos2/sxmjan31feb172008.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=5497http://groups.msn.com/sxmphotos2/sxmjan31feb172008.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=5498As always, SXM art is one of our interests and activities. We visited the shop of Roland Richardson in Marigot this year. His garden is an inspiration.
http://groups.msn.com/sxmphotos2/sxmjan31feb172008.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=5465We went back later and purchased one of his signature prints of a Flamboyant tree.
We also attended the Art Fair in the Park again. Saw Jeff and Bonnie talking with various artists. We purchased an arrangement of SXM tree/bush seeds, which had been dried, and varnished, from Veronique Soumah. Http://groups.msn.com/sxmphotos2/sxmjan31feb172008.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=5514
Visited the SXM Park or Zoo.
http://groups.msn.com/sxmphotos2/sxmjan31feb172008.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=5510Needed to get a new tee shirt. Always enjoy seeing the animals.
Visited the MaDoudou factory showroom so Betty could pickup some presents for her coworkers. Certainly could have got the liquid cheaper in Phillipsburg, but there are so many little things to look at and see in the factory store.
http://groups.msn.com/sxmphotos2/sxmjan31feb172008.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=5535We visited the casinos several times. We enjoy the Princess at Port de Plaisance and the Atlantis. Although usually fartherr to travel, the Atlantis, gives you a ten dollar match on slots or games if you get their “players” card. We also visited the JumpUp Casino in Phillipsburg to get a free CD. A little too small and underlite for our taste, at least when we went.
Enjoyed Harmony Night in Grand Case. It was crowded, but fun. Hope they’ll continue this next year.
Had a wonderful “Get Together” at Greenhouse.
http://groups.msn.com/sxmphotos2/sxmjan31feb172008.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=5480. Think I counted about 31 people in all. Thanks to Belinda for helping setup the arrangements. Thanks to all who attended. Made for a fun Happy Hour.
Did visit, several times with Deepti and DKGems. No new purchases since last September’s upgrading of Betty’s earrings. Deepti did have those smaller diamonds reset into Betty’s favorite Deepti’s necklace creations.
Traffic is definitely heavier, but with a little attention to time and knowing your alternative street routes you can get around it pretty easily for the most part. Parking along Simpson Bay Rd is probably the biggest problem.
Island is very lush. A lot of short rain showers, especially our first week.
Winds in Oyster Pond area were strong all week we were there. Water temperature locals said was 4 degrees cooler than normal.
http://groups.msn.com/sxmphotos2/sxmjan31feb172008.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=5533http://groups.msn.com/sxmphotos2/sxmjan31feb172008.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=5531. Construction at Oyster Bay Beach Resort was not a problem other than making it difficult to turn around sometimes if you parked close to the point. They were finishing pouring the first level floor in the Time share section and starting to pour walls for the first floor of the Tower condos and the TS section. April , 2009 is the target completion date. Don’t know if that’s April “island time “ or real world time.
http://groups.msn.com/sxmphotos2/sxmjan31feb172008.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=5515http://groups.msn.com/sxmphotos2/sxmjan31feb172008.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=5516http://groups.msn.com/sxmphotos2/sxmjan31feb172008.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=5522 as of Feb13, 2008.
Henny is no longer with the Resort.
Gas at Cadisco Stations in Orient and Marigot area is $1.06/liter with 1 for 1 for cash.
Gess Station in Orleans was closed several days I tried to gas up. Someone said they had closed. Someone else said they were just out of gas waiting for delivery.
Used Jake’s Laundry again. $1.10/# . Took it in on Thursday afternoon. Picked it up Saturday morn, all clean, folded, and bagged.
The old Tabba Khady building is now Eden Café. Painted bright pink with some white polka dots, so you can’t miss it if you drive by. Serves pizza. Didn’t get a chance to see menu or try it.
Disappointed that we didn’t get to visit with Philippe. Stopped by Captain Olivers, but it was a Sunday and his day off.
A couple days before we arrived, Bruno, Chef/owner of La California, fell off his roof and broke several toes. The doctors told him to stay home for four weeks. Don’t think he did or could do that in high season. Although I know he missed some days.
Speaking of breaking things. Artist Dona Bryhiel was in France during our visit, although probably back by now, after a fall that broke her arm.
It was another great vacation/visit to St Maarten. Still lots to see and enjoy. Still more restaurant to try. If I win the lottery, I’ll be back the next day. Otherwise, Jan 31–Feb14, 2009 is already booked at Oyster Bay Beach Resort.
Feel free to send any questions. It’s what I do to kill time till our next visit.
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