TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Wednesday March 3 in paradise

Shopping at the marketplace in Marigot. Bought a table runner from the French lady. She had a limited stock and said did not expect more until May. Bought a handmade bracelet watch

Asked around the Lolo’s if Rosemary’s place was still operational but we only found a padlocked place. Years ago went there because it was my namesake. Had great snapper there every year except this one.

Stopped at a place across from ferry to have a refreshing drink and discuss where we’d have. lunch. Hubby wanted BeCool again and I wanted a place in the middle of town or Oplongoir across from yacht club. Tropicana won. I dislike that Marina now that it is in ruins Lunch was light and forgettable. Perhaps since their chef left to open his own place Be Cool across the way, it,s not the same.

Dinner with our neighbors in unit 10. Delightful conversation then off to bed. An early night.

I imagine to some my reports are boring. This visit so far has been totally different from years past. Even my usual focus on food has waned. But watching waves undulating and relaxing at BSV remain the same.

Rosemary,

We did two weeks at BSV Nov/Dec and our trip pretty much echoed yours to date. Different daily activities and restaurants but the sound of the waves at BSV, particularly at night, never disappoint and the very low-keyed no agenda trip was lovely. Is this your first stay at BSV? I know we’ve both done GCBC but the waves there are different snd at BSV, they just work better for us. It’s that sweet and easy feelin’.............

Rosemary--I didn't realize the chef from Tropicana left. Be cool is also in the Marina? So, at this point, your personal recommendation would be to go to Be Cool and skip Tropicana?

Carol, Be Cool for sure. Carole of Lestimet recommended and told us who he was. Opened about two years ago. He cooks two sons help wife seats another young woman serves In the evenings one of the sons will walk you to your car.

Pat, this is our fourth visit BSV sometimes two weeks here and other years we split a week at Gcbc and that is because we now hate to drive at night but want to eat in Gc .

Rosemary--so, it is at the Marina??

How is the sand out front of Beachside? Someone posted a picture a while ago of some huge cliffs of sand out front.

Stopped at a place across from ferry to have a refreshing drink and discuss where we’d have. lunch. Hubby wanted BeCool again and I wanted a place in the middle of town or Oplongoir across from yacht club. Tropicana won. I dislike that Marina now that it is in ruins Lunch was light and forgettable. Perhaps since their chef left to open his own place Be Cool across the way, it,s not the same.



Really surprised to hear this about Tropicana, must have been an off day as always used to be outstanding. However, I do agree somewhat(but really (nitpicking), started to notice a few little things in 2017-18 and the portions they had cut down on in late 2019 when last there, plus they also lost their pastry chef who went back to France. Also there was a really irritating waitress called Audrey who was always trying to rush you to order.Must have eaten there about 50 times and its very rare to experience a bad meal.

Regardless, if you can be more specific what was "light" you had to eat and therefore "forgettable", could understand more, but all our tastes are different and your post was interesting to me as can't remember when anyone actually said a negative thing about them, so perhaps times have changed? Be Kool really is excellent, albeit I'm not sure if you are strictly correct in saying that the Chef left two years ago as Emanuel is the Chef at Tropicana and has been there for at least 8 years(that I know of) and he is the one providing all the great food. Gilles, the Chef, was the Chef/Owner of Tropicana but this was some time ago and yes he opened about two plus years ago at Be Kool as we happened to be strolling there and it was his second night. Miss both restaurants. Also, yes, Marigot harbor area has unfortunately gone way down hill. Did you also walk around a bit and were there shops open?

Be Kool is right across the water from Tropicana. We have meals at Tropicana every year. Have never been disappointed . There IMHO is no better dessert than that Grand Marnier souffle on saturdays. Also love la main a la pate as well. Ricardo was still there last year.

Yes, I think I am reconsidering. Agreed on that Grand Marnier souffle'. We will be on island for two Saturdays next trip, so I'm thinking maybe that sounds like a good plan. I honestly have no idea what we had last time there, OTHER THAN that souffle'..

Yes Carol mounds but not so big you can’t traverse. And hubby always has trouble walking but no problem. The problem is now seaweed. Until Thursday beach was pure. This morning tons of seaweed. I wonder if all the big boats now moored out here have churned it up. Before yesterday there were very few boats.

Bran, I wasn’t being negative just not memorable like some other places have been this trip.

As to if what I say is true about chef now owner at Be Cool, I did not ask him in our conversation which was about my quest to find “Carol” (see other post). It was Carol, formally of L’Estiment, that told me that.

Rosemary--OK, sounds like the sand situation is better. Regarding the seaweed, if there is not still tons of it in the water, they will clean it up this morning with no issue. I suspect a storm at sea has churned it up though, so there could still be a ton of seaweed left in the water.

Enjoy your day!

Tropicana sole meuniere is fabulous!

One of my favorite dishes!