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Trip Report. Part 2. 6/11-6/13 #258475
06/17/2021 08:39 AM
06/17/2021 08:39 AM
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 687
Lake Texoma, Texas
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cruzer Offline OP
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Lake Texoma, Texas
Friday, we went to Champagne Bistro, hoping maybe bouchot mussels were on the menu. We had preordered a bottle of Pinot Blanc to be put in the cooler awaiting our arrival. Stopped by Select Wine Cellar first and talked for a while with Sylvain. Like many others, he’s been getting by on locals for business. As he was preparing for an afternoon wine tasting, we ordered 3 bottles of wine to pick up after lunch so we wouldn’t interrupt his tasting, and then headed next door to the restaurant.

No bouchot today, nor duck confit. He had duck shepherd’s pie. It sounded weird and intriguing enough, so I ordered it. Not really what I was expecting—far better. The duck was done in a cream sauce, topped with mashed potatoes, with a crispy-ish top. Very tasty. I’m sure I’ll have it again. Shirley, ever in pursuit of beef bourguignon, had to settle for braised beef instead, and enjoyed it. Sylvain was assisting with the table service, probably more than he wanted, as he couldn’t fully tend to his wine tasting.

Saturday was Marigot Market day and we preselected conch chowder at Rosemary’s. We had stopped there briefly on Wednesday after an aborted trip to see Sir Roland Richardson. I managed to get us lost in the Samana compound. Drove all over figuring there would be adequate signage for the hotel. Uh uh. Stopped at a guard house by Cupocoy and asked directions. Followed the directions and ended up where we initially entered, so going to be 40 plus minutes late, we decided to go to the Market. As it was later in the day, we didn’t spend much time, but decided to come back Saturday.

There are at best 50% of the goods sellers, and most now only come Wed and Sat. Many of the arts and crafts stands we remember were there, and there were also some new faces. Having way too may Secret Spot Tshirts, and not needing any more, I stopped by the stand and promptly bought this year’s model. I also saw a Tshirt that read F*** mosquitos SXM, and bought a muscle shirt on a whim. It’s beachwear. Shirley picked up some nice gifts for our cats’ care takers.

The Lolos are now in a newly built “restaurant row” where the produce vendors used to be. Very nice and pleasant, yet missing the character of the old place. Now I see the other lolos whereas before I just went out the archway, turned right at Rosemary’s, and never noticed another place. The fish mongers are still there, but had left by the time of our late arrival. Most of the produce vendors are gone, and those remaining are more into spices, herbs and limited produce. And, Miss Ebby’s stand was there.

(an aside: it’s around 4 am, and I’m in the breezeway doing this report so as to not disturb Shirley. The 3 male cats are sitting behind me, waiting for me to go to the room so they’ll get fed. I ‘ll have to battle them shortly to make coffee and get back to the task at hand)

Miss Ebby was a charming lady who passed away around 7 or so years ago. Her children now run the place. We tend to refer to her in the present tense, for some strange reason. As it was past 11, most items were sold out. There was a salt fish patty remaining that I ordered. Shirley was eying the bread pudding and I was eyeing the sweet potato pie. Since I rule the roost in this household, we got the bread pudding. Then I remembered boudin. They were out of the conch, but still had salt fish, so I ordered 3. The other night when we ate them, I found 4. Nice touch, a little lagniappe.

Now for a bite to eat at Rosemary’s where we had supposedly pre-ordered conch chowder. Oops just sold the last bowl. No big deal, as I figured she thought we were no shows. She responded that she did have conch ceviche and as I prefer ceviche to chowder anyway, I was happy. We ended up splitting an order of accras, a conch ceviche and goat curried goat The goat came with salad, provisions, plantains, and maybe one or two other items. I really enjoyed the ceviche, especially since unheated conch isn’t that common here. The accras were outstanding—crisp fried on the outside, and tender inside, similar to the way I like my fries.

That evening, we weren’t all that hungry so decided to head to the lolos for a bite around 7. Got there, ate, finished around 7:40 grabbed an ice cream cone next door and were back at the room before 8. Not a fan of quick bites like that.

Sunday was essentially a do-nothing day, bookened by meals. Bakery run for breakfast and Bistrot Caraibes for dinner. We chose a godawful 5:45 time, as the 6 O’clock at L’ Auberge earlier in the week didn’t leave enough time to fully enjoy the meal. For maybe 10 years now, we eat only appetizers, the apps having won the battle for gastro intestinal capacity over mains. They didn’t offer mussels—tasty little morsels that Bistrot excels at. We had their outstanding (Island Favorite for us) smoked salmon, goat cheese pastry, French onion soup, and snails in garlic butter. All very good. For some strange reason, I wasn’t too hungry, so I didn’t consume copious quantities of bread sopping up the garlic butter. Oh, and they changed the wrapper on the pastry to be more of a burrito than a puff pastry.

We shared a crème brulee for dessert, another of our standard practices. We have now had crème brulee at 4 different places. They are all similar in taste, but very different in texture and consistency. Bistrot’s is the richest, creamiest, luxury mouth-feel of the lot. I think the appropriate term, which is generally overused, is unctuous.

In addition to the food, we each had a Kir Royale, glass of house chard, and a decaf cappuccino to wrap up another great meal.

Another 3 days has passed. Next up will be Ital’s and Phillipsburg, Tropicana, Hercules and a revisit to Sunset Café. That’ll bring me current through yesterday if I don’t fall too much further behind.

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Re: Trip Report. Part 2. 6/11-6/13 [Re: cruzer] #258479
06/17/2021 08:52 AM
06/17/2021 08:52 AM
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,864
Portland, OR
jazzgal Offline
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Excellent!


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Re: Trip Report. Part 2. 6/11-6/13 [Re: cruzer] #258481
06/17/2021 09:03 AM
06/17/2021 09:03 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,474
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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Central Florida!
Wow, what an amazing gastronomic report! Just wish it came with pictures!


Carol Hill
Re: Trip Report. Part 2. 6/11-6/13 [Re: cruzer] #258489
06/17/2021 09:17 AM
06/17/2021 09:17 AM
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 687
Lake Texoma, Texas
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cruzer Offline OP
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cruzer  Offline OP
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Carol, just imagine if I had to post pictures how long it would take me to get out a report. Still, that's something for me to look into. I'd probably be posting pix this week on a "recent" meal at L' Estiminet .

Re: Trip Report. Part 2. 6/11-6/13 [Re: cruzer] #258492
06/17/2021 09:34 AM
06/17/2021 09:34 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,474
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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OK, looking forward to it!


Carol Hill
Re: Trip Report. Part 2. 6/11-6/13 [Re: cruzer] #258496
06/17/2021 09:55 AM
06/17/2021 09:55 AM
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,408
Yonkers, NY
fabila Offline
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Great report. Thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

Re: Trip Report. Part 2. 6/11-6/13 [Re: cruzer] #258508
06/17/2021 10:37 AM
06/17/2021 10:37 AM
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Ahhhh, Le Champagne, his obsessive commitment to French cuisine at this mostly undiscovered bistro is a frequent lunch spot for many locals. If you’re fortunate you’ll catch him with seared foie gras on the daily specials board.

Re: Trip Report. Part 2. 6/11-6/13 [Re: cruzer] #258510
06/17/2021 10:51 AM
06/17/2021 10:51 AM
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 7,132
St Louis, MO
SXMNorm Offline
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St Louis, MO
Thanks for taking time to post this report and take time away from the cat's meal.


Next SXM visit -November 2023. Also January 2024.
Re: Trip Report. Part 2. 6/11-6/13 [Re: cruzer] #258575
06/17/2021 05:48 PM
06/17/2021 05:48 PM
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Carol and Cruzer, try if you can to visit Be Kool for Lunch, really outstanding.

Re: Trip Report. Part 2. 6/11-6/13 [Re: cruzer] #258576
06/17/2021 05:53 PM
06/17/2021 05:53 PM
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bran Offline
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I just cannot believe the amount of times I have tried to find Le Champagne and always get lost or held up in traffic and turn back. I go over the causeway, coming from Maho direction and turn right at the roundabout and just keep going.....one day I will find it, if not see someone for a cranial problem.

Re: Trip Report. Part 2. 6/11-6/13 [Re: cruzer] #258577
06/17/2021 05:53 PM
06/17/2021 05:53 PM
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I just cannot believe the amount of times I have tried to find Le Champagne and always get lost or held up in traffic and turn back. I go over the causeway, coming from Maho direction and turn right at the roundabout and just keep going.....one day I will find it, if not see someone for a cranial problem.

Re: Trip Report. Part 2. 6/11-6/13 [Re: bran] #258578
06/17/2021 06:03 PM
06/17/2021 06:03 PM
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bran Offline
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dear me, apologies for the double post.....now I know I need to see someone sorry

Re: Trip Report. Part 2. 6/11-6/13 [Re: bran] #258590
06/17/2021 07:47 PM
06/17/2021 07:47 PM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,474
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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Carol_Hill  Offline
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bran--I really doubt we will get the chance, as we are down to the last days..


Carol Hill
Re: Trip Report. Part 2. 6/11-6/13 [Re: cruzer] #258594
06/17/2021 08:27 PM
06/17/2021 08:27 PM
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bran Offline
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That was fast? You usually go for longer than a week.

Re: Trip Report. Part 2. 6/11-6/13 [Re: bran] #258599
06/17/2021 10:10 PM
06/17/2021 10:10 PM
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,864
Portland, OR
jazzgal Offline
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Portland, OR
Originally Posted by bran
I just cannot believe the amount of times I have tried to find Le Champagne and always get lost or held up in traffic and turn back. I go over the causeway, coming from Maho direction and turn right at the roundabout and just keep going.....one day I will find it, if not see someone for a cranial problem.


It's right in the corner of the Orange Grove shopping center, and his wine cellar is next door. Just look for the Orange Grove shopping mall - it's on a corner in an "L" shape.


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Re: Trip Report. Part 2. 6/11-6/13 [Re: cruzer] #258605
06/17/2021 11:32 PM
06/17/2021 11:32 PM
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bran Offline
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Will do.. thx.

Re: Trip Report. Part 2. 6/11-6/13 [Re: bran] #258610
06/18/2021 05:11 AM
06/18/2021 05:11 AM
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 687
Lake Texoma, Texas
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cruzer Offline OP
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cruzer  Offline OP
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Lake Texoma, Texas
Bran, as we are only 10 nights into our 21 night stay( I do reports on island time), we're still here for a while. Be Kool was on our hit list, but they are closed during our stay. I was really looking forward to eating there.

As for Le Champagne, just look for the big ACE hardware store and take a right just after the rubble heap that was, I believe, the old Harley shop. The Center is immediately on your left.

Last edited by cruzer; 06/18/2021 05:15 AM.
Re: Trip Report. Part 2. 6/11-6/13 [Re: cruzer] #258614
06/18/2021 07:08 AM
06/18/2021 07:08 AM
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bran Offline
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Thx Cruzer, now finally I know what to look for. Passed Ace many times and that will be my lookout. Can’t believe Be Kool closed in June. Funny how things work out, normally would be there now and ate there in 2019 on at least 4 occasions. Trust they are just closed for vacation. Enjoy the rest of your trip. Envious of you all who are there. Hoping now for Nov/Dec.

Re: Trip Report. Part 2. 6/11-6/13 [Re: bran] #258616
06/18/2021 07:20 AM
06/18/2021 07:20 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,474
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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bran--we are on island for 11 days. That's about our usual stay.


Carol Hill
Re: Trip Report. Part 2. 6/11-6/13 [Re: bran] #258668
06/18/2021 03:41 PM
06/18/2021 03:41 PM
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 687
Lake Texoma, Texas
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cruzer Offline OP
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Bran, we just had another excellent lunch at Le Champagne, and so I paid close attention to the landmarks so that you can't possibly miss the turn. After you pass ACE, therei is a tall Sol gas sign and station on the left. About 100 feet beyond the sign you turn right. The shopping center is on the left. BTW, you can buy a nice bottle of wine in the wine shop and drink it at the restaurant. My go to wine for our lunches there is a bottle of Pinot Blanc.


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