Just returned last night from SXM. The weather, as as previously been noted, was not the best. We had quite a few rainy days and very high winds. One day was so windy, it tore the umbrella out of the bricks at PDP! The people on the island said this was extremely unusual weather for May.
Tried some old restaurants and some new...
Old was Spartaco's - very disappointed in both the food and the service. I had a pasta dish with lobster and the pasta was overcooked and mushy. My husband had red snapper and had the same meal at PDP for lunch (new restaurant, just opened called Le Gaiguette - where Dario's used to be) and it was much better. Service also was a little surly. I don't know if it's just me or has the service in alot of the restaurants become a little surly - same with the driving - no one lets you get out into traffic and when you let someone go - not even a nod of appreciation! This certainly has changed in what I had noted in previous years.
We also tried Don Camillo's (2 times). We never tire of the food here or the excellent service. I had a chicken rollatine one night and the veal rollatine another - both excellent. Great canoli's too!!
We tried a couple new restaurants this time out, Los Gaucho's in Phillipsburg (unfortunately, they are getting new entertainment, so none was available the night we went). The steaks were good (not great) and the service again was not so good. The waiter dropped the top to the water bottle on the floor and proceeded to replace it on the bottle. I said, no just leave it off, since it's rolled around on the floor a few times.
Another old favorite of ours is Da Livio. Very good as it has been in the past. Also, wonderful service. We had the wonderful lobster cocktail and when my husband asked wht the difference was between Maine and Caribbean lobster; the waiter brought out a huge lobster on a tray to show him.
Now, on to our 2 new favorites...
Temptation and Montmartre at Atlantis Casino. Both with excellent with excellent and professional service.
We also ate at Ric's twice for lunch and Jimbo's for lunch. I love the atmosphere at Jimbo's with the pool around it and the different levels of dining. Very good burgers at both places.
We visited the zoo for the first time this year (on a rainy day) and it was nice to a small zoo. Luckily, they provided umbrellas.
Our flights down and back were the most uneventful and smooth flowing as we've ever had. We took Continental and it was absolutely great!
Can't wait to go back in July!!