Our tenth trip to St Martin took place in early August. Despite my procrastination, as I enjoy TTOL so much, I'd like to put down a few thoughts of my own. These thoughts are almost exclusively about food and restaurants. The reason being that the gravitational pull of the sand was insurmountable for the majority of our stay and we therefore were prevented from doing pretty much of anything.
We're at the point now where we can't eat at all our favorite restaurants because: there are to many; there are not enough evenings; and we like to try a couple of new ones each time.
On this trip, to our dismay, American Airlines cancelled our connecting flight from SJU to SXM and we wound up arriving to late at night for dinner. The cheeseburgers at SJU (courtesy of AA) just didn't do it and made us yearn for Grand Case even more. I'd like to note that despite our late arrival, Unity Car Rental was waiting for us at the terminal.
In any case, our first full evening, Friday, we had dinner at Le Cottage, a perfect way to begin our vacation. To us, Le Cottage is the standard-bearer, the restaurant we compare all others to. Bruno was in France but Stephan took care of us and selected perhaps the best wine we have ever tasted. Food and service were excellent and I can still taste the tilapia. Although we didn't get over there, Bruno & Co. now operate La Veranda at L'Habitation.
Saturday night was spent at Le Chanteclair on the Marina in Marigot. They have expanded since our last visit but to no detriment to the overall eating experience. I always seem to order the special lobster dinner and their dessert "with no name". Next time, I'll order it again.
Sunday was back to Grand Case and Spiga. Aside from the delicious appetizers and main courses, their sinful chocolate dessert was the best we had during our stay.
Monday evening took us to our first new restaurant, Sol e Luna in Cul de Sac (between Grand Case and Orient). The decor was beautiful and the food outstanding, well worth the trip off the beaten path. Sol e Luna has immediately become one of our favorites. If you're keeping score, it was the most expensive dinner we had on this, or any other St Martin trip.
(Not complaining, just stating the facts.)
Back to Grand Case on Tuesday and L'Auberge Gourmande. Aside from the superb food and service, on our first trip to the island about 15 years ago, this was the first "real good" restaurant we visited. We just wouldn't feel right about going to St Martin and not seeing Christof at L'Auberge Gourmande. We've been there every vacation.
On Wednesday, another new restaurant for us, La Petite Auberge Des Isles in Marigot. Finally, a good restaurant where you don't have to check your credit lines first. A terrific prix fixe menu with very friendly owners. We particularly enjoyed chatting with Bruno and Francoise about their trips to the states.
We continued on Thursday with our last new restaurant, Le Cigale on Nettle Bay. In addition to the great food and service provided by Oliver and his parents, the restaurant is located just off the sand and the well-lit palm trees reminded us of a movie set. The warm goat cheese salad was to die for.
Our final dinner was at Temptation, next to the Atlantis Casino. This is the only conventional "indoor" restaurant we spent time in although they have some tables outside. The restaurant is decorated magnificently and speaking of magnificent, so was our dinner. A sister restaurant, specializing in steak and lobster, will be opening next door by year end.
We did manage to escape from the sand and venture out twice for lunch. Our first visit to Friar's Bay will not be our last and going to the lolo's is now almost obligatory.
Our ability to do less and less in St. Martin on each subsequent vacation (other than eat, drink and sunbathe) marvels even us. We have vowed to meet this challenge and do even less next time, which can't come soon enough.
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