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Arriving Friday--need info please #263457
09/06/2021 06:54 AM
09/06/2021 06:54 AM
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 15
St. Louis, MO
J
JBSTL Offline OP
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JBSTL  Offline OP
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J
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 15
St. Louis, MO
We are arriving Friday and I have seen a lot of info regarding curfews, border closing, etc...hoping to get the most updated info so we know what we are coming into. Thanks to all who can provide a current update!

Also looking for a great restaurant to celebrate our 35th anniversary next weekend....all thoughts appreciated.

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Re: Arriving Friday--need info please [Re: JBSTL] #263465
09/06/2021 08:19 AM
09/06/2021 08:19 AM
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 574
mahokid Offline
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mahokid  Offline
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 574
JBSTL

to the best of my knowledge
French side curfew 9:00 PM (better than our 8:00 PM a week ago) most restaurants will stop seating 45 minutes prior but who wants to eat in 45 minutes.
It sucks but we just adjusted our schedule to eat breakfast and lunch earlier with no snacking
You are to back to your place and off the road by curfew
almost everywhere we went were observing the curfew
an establishment can stay open later if it is in a resort
I believe the sunset cafe at GCBC stayed open later but we never took a look over when returning home
Not sure how the Grandame handle a late road driver as the latest we got back was about 8:10
we did see them driving through Grand case before curfew

Dutch side business's must close by 11;00 although you do not need to be "home" by curfew
We got "kicked" out of the casino twice

Stayed tuned as changes are usually announced on Friday for the French side

No boarding closing unless there is a protest

For a special meal in Grand Case I would recommend Le Pressoir which is extremely overlooked. This is more like michelin presented food. they also offer a lunch prix fix if you wished to not spluge as it is a little more than the others
Again not sure what has closed in the last week as I wasn't concerned but La Villa has recently closed along with Spiga. La Cottage is also closed
I also believe L'Aubegre Gourmand has also closed leaving Bistro Caribes for the celebratory lobster thermidor ( we had a 5 pounder, too big but we finished it)
We did celebrate every night and Astrolab (Orient) was awesome dining alfresco around the pool. They have special nights with music (curfew may change schedule) and surf & turf or just lobster (Fridays & Mondays)

For dining on the Dutch side
Sublime delivers very good food and service although we only enjoyed 6 appetizers
Most places I would recommend are on holiday including Jax and Mario's
If casual is okay, Altro is a great value
Sale e Pepe has very good food and a beautiful setting while the service lacks

Happy Anniversary

Re: Arriving Friday--need info please [Re: JBSTL] #263466
09/06/2021 08:21 AM
09/06/2021 08:21 AM
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 574
mahokid Offline
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mahokid  Offline
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Posts: 574
Oh you guys are young, check out Le Pressoir if you appreciate fine dining
No insults to the mature folks who seem to be a bit more conservative
I'm fairly mature but live for food, it's my life

Mahokid

Re: Arriving Friday--need info please [Re: JBSTL] #263479
09/06/2021 09:23 AM
09/06/2021 09:23 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,482
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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Carol_Hill  Offline
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Posts: 82,482
Central Florida!
JBSTL--Mahokid has described the situation re curfew well. Dinner on the French side is more possible now, with 9 PM curfew--unless as he said, they change back again to 8. 8 PM was what we had in June, and I was very uncomfortable, trying to get in a meal and get back over the border in time. We dined at Ocean 82, and enjoyed it immensely. It is on the water, so that makes a nice view, especially with an earlier meal. I don't know whether they are closing for vacation or not. Best to make a reservation for your anniversary, to confirm they are open, as much as anything, and if you choose a waterside restaurant, to ensure an oceanside table. Congrats on the anniversary!


Carol Hill
Re: Arriving Friday--need info please [Re: mahokid] #263524
09/06/2021 05:51 PM
09/06/2021 05:51 PM
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 15
St. Louis, MO
J
JBSTL Offline OP
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JBSTL  Offline OP
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J
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 15
St. Louis, MO
Thanks for the suggestions from those who responded so far--and for the additional info. I guess some of this really depends on the curfew timing and how things look a few days from now.

We typically stay in Orient Village when we are there (2X/year), but are staying at Royal Palm this trip. We don't know a lot about the Dutch side restaurants, but are open to any other recommendations as well.

I appreciate Mahokid and Carol's input and will look forward to any others who want to jump in or throw anything else my way.

Thanks!

Re: Arriving Friday--need info please [Re: JBSTL] #263541
09/07/2021 02:39 AM
09/07/2021 02:39 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 179
East Tennessee
lhbsurf Offline
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lhbsurf  Offline
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 179
East Tennessee
Our favorite spot on the Dutch side our last trip was Palapa Grill. It's a quirky, tented type place. The bar was fun for a before dinner drink and the steaks were wonderful every time we've been!


Laura
Re: Arriving Friday--need info please [Re: JBSTL] #263542
09/07/2021 06:06 AM
09/07/2021 06:06 AM
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,864
Portland, OR
jazzgal Offline
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jazzgal  Offline
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Posts: 4,864
Portland, OR
For a high-end dinner on the Dutch side, I am partial to Le Foulin Mou in Maho. Have had an excellent meal every time I've been there.


[Linked Image]
Re: Arriving Friday--need info please [Re: JBSTL] #263543
09/07/2021 06:20 AM
09/07/2021 06:20 AM
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,989
Westchester /NYC
Colour1 Offline
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Colour1  Offline
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Posts: 1,989
Westchester /NYC
Hey JBSTL!!! It's not real high end dinning. But for the bang for the buck. I'm giving Greenhouse there lobster night or there Prime rib night ( should book in an advance) a BIG two thumbs up!!! Get there for "HH" and be seated for dinner. You won't go wrong! You can walk it!! [/font]https://www.thegreenhouserestaurant.com/greenhouse_simpson_bay.html


Sand Gravity, got to love it!
Re: Arriving Friday--need info please [Re: JBSTL] #263551
09/07/2021 09:40 AM
09/07/2021 09:40 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,482
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
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Carol_Hill  Offline
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,482
Central Florida!
JBSTL--Since you're staying at Royal Palm, you may want to try out Roxxy, if it's open. I don't know whether they are closed for vacation now or not. It's literally next door to RP. It's very high end. I haven't been there myself, but you can always walk over for Happy Hour and see whether you like the menu and the ambiance or not. For French cuisine, I would echo Jazzgal's recommendation of Le Moulin Fou. For a toes in the sand experience, you may want to check out either Karakter or Mary's Boon. Neither is high end food, but it's a lovely stretch of beach there.

I will be interested to hear when you arrive if the restaurant at Royal Palm is open or not. IF it's open and you go there, don't expect much. Historically that restaurant has been VERY bad.


Carol Hill
Re: Arriving Friday--need info please [Re: JBSTL] #263562
09/07/2021 10:54 AM
09/07/2021 10:54 AM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,571
Auburn, WA
SXMScubaman Offline
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SXMScubaman  Offline
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 18,571
Auburn, WA
Another thumbs up for Greenhouse. Any night is good.

Re: Arriving Friday--need info please [Re: JBSTL] #263575
09/07/2021 11:53 AM
09/07/2021 11:53 AM
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 705
South Coast of MA
S
SXMBND Offline
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SXMBND  Offline
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Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 705
South Coast of MA
IMO For a special occasion dinner, Jax can not be surpassed for cocktails....food and service.

Re: Arriving Friday--need info please [Re: JBSTL] #263580
09/07/2021 12:09 PM
09/07/2021 12:09 PM
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,288
P
PelicanPirate Offline
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PelicanPirate  Offline
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Posts: 2,288
Bistrot Caraibes on French Side, Le Moulin Fou on the dutch.

Roxy Beach is modern and very hopping/loud both times we visited. Felt like the only people over 30 .

Karakter food/service was really very good for multiple dinner meals with no complaints from our large groups.

Marys Boon food, unfortunately, I would recommend only to people staying at the Boon and dont want to leave for breakfast or dinner. Lunch burgers and fare are pretty good as is the bar.

Re: Arriving Friday--need info please [Re: PelicanPirate] #263585
09/07/2021 01:16 PM
09/07/2021 01:16 PM
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 18,561
St Maarten
BillandElaine Offline
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BillandElaine  Offline
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Posts: 18,561
St Maarten
Mary's Boon just got a new chef last week. Getting rave reviews so far, you might want to try again.


Elaine
*********************************
God Bless the broken road....
Re: Arriving Friday--need info please [Re: JBSTL] #263588
09/07/2021 01:58 PM
09/07/2021 01:58 PM
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,297
CT
pony600 Offline
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pony600  Offline
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,297
CT
I'm not that familiar with the Dutch side, but I highly recommend Le Champagne Bistro for a wonderful gourmet lunch. I'm not sure if they are open yet for dinner. It is owned and run by Sylvain who also owns the wine shop next door- Select Wine Cellar. It is in the corner of the Orange Grove Shopping Center in Cole Bay. If you are familiar with where the Harley Davidson shop used to be, it's just across the street on the same side.

UPDATE: I just saw the the wine shop will be closed for 2 weeks from Sept 11-27. Trying to find out if the restaurant will be closed as well...
UPDATE #2: The restaurant will be closed the same dates. Sorry

Last edited by pony600; 09/07/2021 02:53 PM.

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If life hands you a lemon, just squeeze it on a lobster!
Re: Arriving Friday--need info please [Re: BillandElaine] #263589
09/07/2021 02:19 PM
09/07/2021 02:19 PM
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,288
P
PelicanPirate Offline
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PelicanPirate  Offline
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,288
Lets hope they do well as it would be nice to just bill a good breakfast/dinner on the water to the room rather than get in a car.


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