Tuesday morning we headed out, intending to go to Friar's Bay to escape the seaweed. I remembered on the way that the Cafe is closed on Tuesdays, but we went anyway to check it out and be sure my memory was correct. It was gorgeous there, but closed, and we had no chairs, so we headed on. (I know there are other restaurants, but I had my heart set on the coconut ice cream with hot fudge sauce they serve!) We checked Captain Frenchy's, but we can never figure out where to park so decided to just go on to Orient. Several have recommended Orange Fever, so we went there and had a lovely day. Front row, comfortable chairs and a delightful lunch. Cheeseburger and pineapple salad... which was so good, I'm planning to try to replicate it at home. It was really pineapple and shrimp stir-fry over lettuce, but it was excellent! They were by far the busiest spot on the beach - I think maybe busier than they expected due to the seaweed over here maybe. Stopped by the Super U at Hope Estates and a wine store for some wine, cheese, chocolates for a light dinner here a few nights. For dinner tonight, we headed to Mark's finally... I can't believe we haven't made it there before. As we've heard, it was very good - Ribs and Grouper. (I brought some grouper back for a cat that comes to visit us in the afternoon and it turned it's nose up!! My husband says that's one well fed cat! Ha!!!)

Wednesday we went to Reveil Matin for breakfast. We got egg and omelet dishes to hold us over, as we'd decided to skip lunch and have a big dinner. I asked for my spinach omelet to be separated from the French toast, so I had savory and sweet... both of our entrees were great, as always. Then, we headed over to get some chairs at Cupecoy at the Ocean Club Beach. Even though there were 2 large cruise ships in port, there were very few people that we saw. Beautiful day - a little sargassum, which was raked away from the chairs and cleaned up while we were there. Had a rum punch before heading back to the room to rest. We watched the sunset here then headed over to the Palapa Grill, which has traditionally been one of our favorites. I suppose it was inevitable that we would experience the bad service that so many on this board refer to... You'd think that with only 3 tables occupied in the whole restaurant you'd get good service, but that was not the case. It was horrid and a long story, but we spoke with the manager. He tried to give some explanations, none of which were really acceptable, but said he understood what happened and he'd fix it. Maybe it will be better for others.... we will probably give them another chance at some point... but not the priority for us that it has been. We got a rib eye and hanger steak, and both were very good, as were the cocktails.

The weather has been beautiful but HOT! We find we cannot stay nearly as long at the beaches as we do in the winter. We assume since it's summer, but maybe the Sahara Dust has something to do with it as Pat suggested? I did notice while standing in the water at Cupecoy, the sky near the horizon was the most gorgeous shade of violet due to the dust... I've never seen anything like it! The camera would not capture it. It seems odd to us to have so few people here, but I guess that's just how it operates in the Summer. There is a small amount of sargassum here at Mary's Boon this morning, but we noticed that yesterday they had cleaned it up, so we are planning to hang out here for the day and head to Grand Case for dinner.

Thanks for the lovely pictures! Reveil Matin sure makes some great breakfast! Glad the seaweed is abating at that end of the beach.

Lovely trip report and photos. TY for sharing and I know you know how much we all appreciate thrm. I hope you are staying weeks more so we can enjoy more of your trip with you!

Sad to read such very mixed reviews on Palapa Grill. I guess we’ve been fortunate in that each time we’ve gone it’s been great. My DH still says the best steak he’s ever had on the island was from there.

Again, thanks for your post.

If you're at Mary's Boon, I presume the cat is MJ? We found she prefers kibble and some milk, and a soft mattress to spend the night on.

Yes, we're at Mary's Boon.... we typically sit outside and enjoy the view and have a glass of wine in the late afternoon and she shows up. Very sweet cat (and we're not really cat people) - we've enjoyed her company, might be able to find the kibble and milk....but I don't think we can accommodate the soft mattress lol....

I am all in for 3 of your choices, Orange Fever, Mark's Place and Reveil Martin, all favorites of mine. I will pass on Palapa Grill, inconsistent at best and some of the smallest pours of wine I have ever experienced.

Thanks for the reports and hope it continues to go well.

Sounds like a great few days. Going to miss doing the same. Did the pizza oven at Orange Fever get fixed? They were waiting for parts to show up every time we were there.

Scubaman... unfortunately no I guess - we tried to order a pizza and they weren't available.

I’m really enjoying your trip reports as we’ll be staying at Mary’s Boon for the first time on our upcoming trip in September.

The food at Orange fever is fantastic and the pineapple/shrimp dish is amazing!

Jomac...we have stayed at Mary's Boon a few times now over the last couple of years. We check in on Thursday, and move to LaPlage for three weeks. We have never been disappointed with the Boon. Location is wonderful, steps to the beach. Accomodations are decent, not elegant, but very clean and well kept. Staff is top notch. The restaurant food is good, and the staff are a lot of fun. They also pour a nice drink. We have met quite a few great people there. You will love it. We already have our reservation in for next March!!!

Thanks for the information Ed.

We’ve dined at The Boon many times in the past. The Veal Dijonnaise night was one of Marc’s favorite dining experiences! I’m sure this stay this be just as great.

We’re booked in a Deluxe Beachfront Studio. Can’t wait!

We always loved the Veal Dijonaise ‘back in the day’ when the Boon still offered their daily fixed menus with the ‘all you can eat’ option. Having stayed in a deluxe beachfront studio there I think you’re gonna love it. Enjoy!! 👍👍