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Anniversary Dinner #258389
06/16/2021 10:21 AM
06/16/2021 10:21 AM
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,093
CaribLee Offline OP
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CaribLee  Offline OP
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For the first time, my wife and I will be in Sint Maarten for our anniversary in August. Where do you suggest we go for our anniversary dinner on the Dutch side. We are staying in the Maho area and food favorites include seafood, steak and italian. Give me your recommendation and tell me why it is a favorite of yours. Thanks in advance.

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Re: Anniversary Dinner [Re: CaribLee] #258399
06/16/2021 11:34 AM
06/16/2021 11:34 AM
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 933
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SammyM Offline
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I'll give you two suggestions. Since you are staying in Maho I would probably opt for the JAX Steakhouse on Rhine Road. You could walk there which would be very convenient. Menu should be online, and making reservations is usually recommended. If you feel like driving into Philipsburg, my wife and I love dining on the tiered deck at the Ocean Lounge at Holland House Hotel. Really nice and serene as it looks out over Great Bay and the cruise port. Can't go wrong with either choice., IMO.

Re: Anniversary Dinner [Re: SammyM] #258401
06/16/2021 11:45 AM
06/16/2021 11:45 AM
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 190
Hamilton Ont
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George1234 Offline
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Hamilton Ont
Moulon Fou is our favorite, great service and food.

Re: Anniversary Dinner [Re: CaribLee] #258407
06/16/2021 02:41 PM
06/16/2021 02:41 PM
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,295
Vancouver, WA
Todd Online content
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Le Moulin Fou, best in Maho in my not so humble opinion.


I prefer the Isle seat
Re: Anniversary Dinner [Re: CaribLee] #258436
06/16/2021 05:54 PM
06/16/2021 05:54 PM
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,635
Brookfield, CT.
pat Offline
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Another vote for Le Moulin Fou. The food is awesome and the service excellent. The indoor setting could be better but we usually hope for a nice evening with a gentle breeze and dine outside. No breeze blowing or high humidity will chase us inside where the ac keeps us comfy.


Respectfully,

pat



"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat
them."
Re: Anniversary Dinner [Re: CaribLee] #258440
06/16/2021 06:55 PM
06/16/2021 06:55 PM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
ruralcarrier Offline
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I don't think you can go wrong with what has been suggested and I would also consider Isola and Izi if you want Italian.


J.D.
Re: Anniversary Dinner [Re: pat] #258448
06/16/2021 10:12 PM
06/16/2021 10:12 PM
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 568
Bucks County, PA
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snuba Offline
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Funny how it works. We went there 3times and all 3 times it was great disappointment for us. So we stopped trying.


Life is short, travel the World.
Re: Anniversary Dinner [Re: CaribLee] #258449
06/16/2021 10:16 PM
06/16/2021 10:16 PM
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,253
Boynton Beach, FL
EdB Offline
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A vote for Moulin Fou, or Jax. Both places will have the ambiance of a fine restaurant, with great service and Excellent food.

Re: Anniversary Dinner [Re: snuba] #258450
06/16/2021 10:16 PM
06/16/2021 10:16 PM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,565
Auburn, WA
SXMScubaman Online content
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SXMScubaman  Online Content
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That's the way we felt about Sale and Pepe. I think it depends on who you're with sometimes. With a local it's good. Not, not so much.

Re: Anniversary Dinner [Re: SXMScubaman] #258451
06/16/2021 10:27 PM
06/16/2021 10:27 PM
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 568
Bucks County, PA
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snuba Offline
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The first time we just didn’t care for our meal, second time there was issue with service and the third time this never happened to me anywhere else. They brought my husband dinner out, said mine is coming and that was it. I never got my diner. While later some one came over and ask how our dinner was and I told them I never got mine, by that time my husband was done with his so I told them to forget it.


Life is short, travel the World.
Re: Anniversary Dinner [Re: snuba] #258452
06/16/2021 10:35 PM
06/16/2021 10:35 PM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,565
Auburn, WA
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Sounds about normal for what we experienced at one of our three times there. Other two weren't any better. We wrote Sale and Pepe off a few years ago. Haven't tried new location but can't expect it's changed much,.

Re: Anniversary Dinner [Re: CaribLee] #258455
06/17/2021 05:29 AM
06/17/2021 05:29 AM
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,989
Westchester /NYC
Colour1 Offline
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If we're talking a little more on the up scale side. Try Frenchy Ludo's!! (Airport road) Our friends had a great steak, we had fish dinners. Sat outside, lovely view of the marina. Drinks were to perfection. You're looking at $$ to $$$ all the way around. It was really nice. None of that we'll serve you when we are good and ready, or never bring out dinners at the same time. And OPPS we forgot, can we get you anything? NOT!


Sand Gravity, got to love it!
Re: Anniversary Dinner [Re: CaribLee] #258460
06/17/2021 06:15 AM
06/17/2021 06:15 AM
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 180
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erb923 Offline
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Haven't had Marios Bistro since it moved around a bit but is now inside the Cliffs. Always seemed nice, imagine the new location is very pretty too.

Re: Anniversary Dinner [Re: snuba] #258465
06/17/2021 07:50 AM
06/17/2021 07:50 AM
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,635
Brookfield, CT.
pat Offline
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snuba,

So sorry you had that experience, and not once but three times. LMF is one place we enjoy every trip at least once and have ever since they first opened there. You’re a better patron than I because, while I believe any restaurant can have a bad night and deserves a second chance, a third is beyond my level of patience.Thankfully we haven’t ever had that experience and will keep it near the top of our must-do list.

erb,

With regard to Mario’s at the Cliff, we were there in April and while it was nice, IMHO, it just didn’t measure up to other evenings we’ve spent at his different locations over the years. At first I thought it was just me but in chatting with the group we were with after the fact, it seems we were all somewhat disappointed. The food was good but not at the level we’d come to expect there and while the service was adequate, again, it just wasn’t at the level of past visits. The setting is nice but again, not incredible. The one thing that remained consistent was the pricing.

And on another note, since the OP specified a place on the Dutch side, he might also try the Palapa Grill in Simpson Bay. We have eaten there several times and each trip has been a pleasure.

And to the OP, it is so difficult to rate the best of anything since all our experiences can be different on any given night. Wherever you ultimately end up, I hope it’s a perfect evening and happy anniversary wishes to you and your spouse and many more to follow.

Last edited by pat; 06/17/2021 08:16 AM.

Respectfully,

pat



"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat
them."
Re: Anniversary Dinner [Re: CaribLee] #258469
06/17/2021 08:14 AM
06/17/2021 08:14 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,471
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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Last evening was our anniversary and we chose Astra. It was very good.


Carol Hill
Re: Anniversary Dinner [Re: Colour1] #258477
06/17/2021 08:47 AM
06/17/2021 08:47 AM
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,864
Portland, OR
jazzgal Online content
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Originally Posted by Colour1
If we're talking a little more on the up scale side. Try Frenchy Ludo's!! (Airport road)


Closed permanently.

My recommendation to the OP would also have been Le Moulin Fou. I am very surprised and sorry about OP's bad experiences; I have never had a bad meal or bad service there. JAX would be a good choice.


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Re: Anniversary Dinner [Re: pat] #258478
06/17/2021 08:48 AM
06/17/2021 08:48 AM
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 568
Bucks County, PA
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snuba Offline
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I second the Palapa Grill, we had a marvelous meal there last time on the island, great ambiance, service and food. Definitely will go there again.

Luda


Life is short, travel the World.
Re: Anniversary Dinner [Re: CaribLee] #258499
06/17/2021 10:07 AM
06/17/2021 10:07 AM
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,553
Manhattan
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weeks5051 Offline
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Manhattan
I say that either Bistro Mario or Emilio's (car needed for this) would be my choices but Le Moulin Fou would also be a good choice.

Re: Anniversary Dinner [Re: Carol_Hill] #258522
06/17/2021 12:02 PM
06/17/2021 12:02 PM
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,093
CaribLee Offline OP
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CaribLee  Offline OP
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Posts: 1,093
Thanks for all the responses. In the interest of full disclosure, we have been traveling to Sint Maarten for 26 years and have been to most of the places mentioned but I wanted to hear other opinions and experiences in the hope that it would help me make a decision. Carol.....Astra is the one place we haven't been to so I would like to hear what you have to say about it. It was on my list this past April (I even ran off a hard copy of their menu before leaving for Sint Maarten) but we never made it. Their prices seemed to be on the high side although I thought their steak prices were reasonable. Not so worried about the cost as long as the food and experience matches the prices.

Re: Anniversary Dinner [Re: jazzgal] #258526
06/17/2021 12:13 PM
06/17/2021 12:13 PM
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,476
Ohio
ruralcarrier Offline
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Originally Posted by jazzgal
Originally Posted by Colour1
If we're talking a little more on the up scale side. Try Frenchy Ludo's!! (Airport road)


Closed permanently.

My recommendation to the OP would also have been Le Moulin Fou. I am very surprised and sorry about OP's bad experiences; I have never had a bad meal or bad service there. JAX would be a good choice.

Frenchy Ludo's is closed? Any idea when this happened? Tried it a few years ago, sewage smell from the lagoon and a less than memorable meal was enough for me. One and done.

Never a bad experience at Le Moulin Fou, actually good experiences and the same at Jax.


J.D.
Re: Anniversary Dinner [Re: CaribLee] #258529
06/17/2021 12:24 PM
06/17/2021 12:24 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,471
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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Carol_Hill  Offline
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CaribLee--It seems like prices EVERYWHERE have gone way up. Astra is not cheap, for sure, but it was good. Will try to get that report posted this evening, maybe...


Carol Hill
Re: Anniversary Dinner [Re: CaribLee] #258535
06/17/2021 01:06 PM
06/17/2021 01:06 PM
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 180
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erb923 Offline
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Did the Bavaria location become anything else since they have closed?

Re: Anniversary Dinner [Re: CaribLee] #258537
06/17/2021 01:20 PM
06/17/2021 01:20 PM
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 721
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bran Offline
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bran  Offline
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1. Truth. Not conventional, but go in a few nights before, around 5ish and tell them its your anniversary. Ask to see the Manager/Owner. Pick your table, and state even though others have reported a few issues, plus you do have choices elsewhere, you want them to make it special for you and your partner for obvious reasons. The food is mostly good at Moulin Fou but the service can be "off" and impersonal depending who looks after you.

2. White lie(ahem). Failing that and here where it does get unconventional. You are doing a write up(aren't you grin) for a leading food magazine/paper(which actually was what I professionally did for many years) and heard good things, so prove it. Just take plenty of pics, frown a lot, feel if the plate has been heated, dunk nose into food, swill the glass, etc, it looks more convincing(plus we can see those pics). That should do it and might get a free cake and candles joy

3. Its your special day. No disappointments allowed. Do what it takes to make it perfect, not always easy but achievable........tongue in cheek here for any purists, but hope you get the pic.

Re: Anniversary Dinner [Re: erb923] #258542
06/17/2021 02:44 PM
06/17/2021 02:44 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,471
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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Carol_Hill  Offline
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Not sure how it's relevant to this topic, but the former Bavaria location is now a Mexican place.


Carol Hill
Re: Anniversary Dinner [Re: CaribLee] #258580
06/17/2021 06:42 PM
06/17/2021 06:42 PM
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 705
South Coast of MA
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SXMBND Offline
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Another vote for Jax, impeccable meal and service every time. Also wonderful after dinner drinks at the bar.

Last edited by SXMBND; 06/17/2021 06:44 PM.
Re: Anniversary Dinner [Re: bran] #258585
06/17/2021 07:13 PM
06/17/2021 07:13 PM
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,398
Peaceful Eastern North Carolin...
GaKaye Offline
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That reminds me of someone on this forum who went to multiple restaurants during their visit, telling each one it was his birthday to get a free dessert. I have too much self-respect to pull such stunts.

I suggest Astra for your anniversary dinner. The setting, food, and service, are all special occasion worthy.

Re: Anniversary Dinner [Re: CaribLee] #258592
06/17/2021 07:53 PM
06/17/2021 07:53 PM
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Posts: 5,258
Kennys Offline
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Sale and Pepe in Simpson Bay next to the Texaco Gas Station. Italian.

Re: Anniversary Dinner [Re: CaribLee] #258593
06/17/2021 08:26 PM
06/17/2021 08:26 PM
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bran Offline
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Chill Gakaye. It’s their anniversary and as I said was tongue in cheek.

Re: Anniversary Dinner [Re: Kennys] #258598
06/17/2021 09:25 PM
06/17/2021 09:25 PM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,565
Auburn, WA
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I know they are friends of yours but food and service is inconsistent at Sale and Pepe.

Re: Anniversary Dinner [Re: CaribLee] #258600
06/17/2021 10:17 PM
06/17/2021 10:17 PM
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,864
Portland, OR
jazzgal Online content
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Yes, Frenchy Ludo is closed permanently. I think it happened within the last couple of months. I ate there just once and had a fabulous meal with no smell. I am sorry it's closed.


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