Forums39
Topics38,666
Posts312,559
Members26,569
|
Most Online2,218 Jan 21st, 2020
|
|
30 registered members (JeanneB, VirginGordaResident, road3682, GeorgeC1, Husker, lbksxm, BaardJ, bbeach, SeeDiver, sxmpete, PnPinNC, Alltech63, MrEZgoin, knitsoftwear, CaribbeanCanadians, Ifeltlikeagringo, 14 invisible),
1,188
guests, and 120
spiders. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|
Another two days…..
#308352
11/06/2023 09:12 PM
11/06/2023 09:12 PM
|
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,649 Brookfield, CT.
pat
OP
Traveler
|
OP
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,649
Brookfield, CT.
|
Sunday was a pretty low-key day for us. Breakfast at the Yacht Club and lunch out on the pool deck compliments of Jeannie and ShopnDrop. Dinner was a return to Dinghy Beach Bar and an instant replay of our first time there. We started out heading to Fat Tony’s for the pizza we failed to get on BarCode night but when we got there they were packed and no convenient parking to be found so we decided to head back to BSV and planned to graze. But when we got almost home, we changed our mind last minute and decided to try Dinghy’s again and give them the opportunity to redeem themselves.
We ended up doing an instant replay - same cute waiter, same yummy chimmichurri steak with fries and same 20% service charge. I questioned them and basically were told we were wrong and that’s the way they had to do it. So bdeeley, thank you for your attempted intervention on my behalf but I think they gave you lip service or else they need to better train their staff. And in honesty, our check wasn’t that high so we’re talking principles and not big bucks. I also paid closer attention to the entire dinner experience and as good as the steak was there were several shortfalls - no bread and butter, not that we needed it, no salad and no garnishments on the plates. I’m not a very picky or demanding diner and both the steak and fries were excellent but this establishment is definitely a Diamond in the rough. Turn down the very loud music and pay attention to the little things, peeps.
Monday was breakfast in the villa - coffee/and - this time pastries from ZeeBest Bakery and lightly warmed here at home in our kitchen. We were meeting a very special and long time friend for lunch so really didn’t want to have a big breakfast. Drove into town and it took us a full fifty minutes to go from here to Chesterfields. We enjoyed the company and the food, particularly the deep fried coconut shrimp. And yes, they do include a 15% sc on the check and will validate your parking stub for an hour or two - not sure which. Thank you, Barbara, for spending part of your birthday with us. We enjoyed every minute of it.
By the time we finally got home and visited briefly with some new arrivals here, there was barely enough time for a short nap and some plane departures before my DH aka Hungry Hannah wanted to leave for that same elusive pizza. Third attempt was the charm. The pizza was a thinner crust than I remembered from past trips but was still enjoyable and for the whopping huge sum of thirty dollars we enjoyed dinner for two and reheats for tomorrow’s lunch.
And now for some tv time.
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
|
|
|
Re: Another two days…..
[Re: pat]
#308357
11/06/2023 09:50 PM
11/06/2023 09:50 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,824 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,824
Central Florida!
|
Pat--thanks for the report. A definite TWO strikes, and basically three in my mind--LOUD music (??) and 20% service charge. No thanks.
These people need to figure things out, or they won't survive very long.
Carol Hill
|
|
|
Re: Another two days…..
[Re: Carol_Hill]
#308359
11/06/2023 10:01 PM
11/06/2023 10:01 PM
|
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,649 Brookfield, CT.
pat
OP
Traveler
|
OP
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,649
Brookfield, CT.
|
Carol,
I don’t think the music was obnoxiously loud away from the actual property but it was way too loud for my taste when it comes to dinner music. We didn’t hear it in their parking lot and we don’t hear it on our balcony but we are at the extreme other end of the building here at BSV.
Lesley,
I’m sure they’ll figure it out but in the meantime, as cute and charming the personalities of the staff may be, it takes more than that to make a place so far off the beaten path into a successful operation. I wish them well as the young man we’ve dealt with each time has been great.
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
|
|
|
Re: Another two days…..
[Re: pat]
#308366
11/06/2023 10:30 PM
11/06/2023 10:30 PM
|
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,649 Brookfield, CT.
pat
OP
Traveler
|
OP
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,649
Brookfield, CT.
|
Fat Tony’s at Jordan Village.
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
|
|
|
Re: Another two days…..
[Re: pat]
#308382
11/07/2023 10:10 AM
11/07/2023 10:10 AM
|
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,824 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,824
Central Florida!
|
Pat--Even if it's not noticeable off property, I too have NO desire to have loud music during dinner. How many tables were occupied?
Carol Hill
|
|
|
Re: Another two days…..
[Re: pat]
#308384
11/07/2023 10:16 AM
11/07/2023 10:16 AM
|
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,539 Ohio
ruralcarrier
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 17,539
Ohio
|
Chesterfield's, like Mark's Place, is not to be missed.
Sounds like things are going pretty well.
Sounds like a lot of confusion and/or misinformation with regard to the 20% SC. I wonder if the "staff" are implementing this on their own?
J.D.
|
|
|
Re: Another two days…..
[Re: pat]
#308385
11/07/2023 10:18 AM
11/07/2023 10:18 AM
|
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,649 Brookfield, CT.
pat
OP
Traveler
|
OP
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,649
Brookfield, CT.
|
Scuba,
The pizza was not as good as we remembered it but still,good enough to enjoy. John did reheats about 11:30 last night and said he still liked it.
Carol,
Re the music with dinner - I truly don’t care what they play as long as I can hear the person next to me without leaning in to him or yelling to him. As far as how many tables - maybe five? Maybe……….
Last edited by pat; 11/07/2023 10:21 AM.
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
|
|
|
Re: Another two days…..
[Re: pat]
#308387
11/07/2023 10:28 AM
11/07/2023 10:28 AM
|
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,824 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,824
Central Florida!
|
Pat--young people these days don't listen to conversation during dinner, as they are always on their phones. Maybe that explains it?? Anyway, if I walk into someplace for dinner and there is loud music, I generally turn around and walk back out. The only exception in recent memory was Fat Tony's, when they have their steel drum player. Even though it's loud, that music is very enjoyable to me. Surprised that there were five tables occupied. Perhaps locals, checking it out??
Carol Hill
|
|
|
Re: Another two days…..
[Re: SXMScubaman]
#308411
11/07/2023 05:06 PM
11/07/2023 05:06 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,824 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,824
Central Florida!
|
Now, I don't care for a runny yoke egg ever, let alone on top of a pizza!! ![sick sick](/images/graemlins/default/sick.gif) I don't recall the name of it now, but there used to be a restaurant in Orient Village (may still be there, for all I know!) that a fried egg was one of the toppings you could choose.
Carol Hill
|
|
|
Re: Another two days…..
[Re: pat]
#308419
11/07/2023 09:08 PM
11/07/2023 09:08 PM
|
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,649 Brookfield, CT.
pat
OP
Traveler
|
OP
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,649
Brookfield, CT.
|
Scuba, please don’t be offended but that sounds disgusting to me. I’m anlso one who abhors anchovies on pizza. Remember, no foodie here. But to each his own, right? 😧😧
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
|
|
|
Re: Another two days…..
[Re: pat]
#308431
11/08/2023 05:49 AM
11/08/2023 05:49 AM
|
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,313 RI
jomarc
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,313
RI
|
Very nice report, Pat! Chesterfields’ food and service is always consistently good.
We’ve gotten used to the 15% service charge add on in St. Maarten, but adding 20% is a bit presumptuous on the part of Dinghy Brach Bar. And loud music is definitely a problem for both of us.
I would never eat a runny egg 🤢, but love anchovies on pizza 😊
Jo-
A smile is a curve that sets everything straight.
|
|
|
Re: Another two days…..
[Re: Jim_Laraine]
#308469
11/08/2023 05:41 PM
11/08/2023 05:41 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,824 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,824
Central Florida!
|
Jim and Laraine--Unfortunately, you just proved my point--"I doubt that many other diners request loud music". The workers are jacking up the music for THEIR enjoyment, not for mine. This shows a total lack of interest in serving my needs. I don't waste my time at such places.
Carol Hill
|
|
|
Re: Another two days…..
[Re: pat]
#308478
11/08/2023 07:21 PM
11/08/2023 07:21 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 645
foreversxm
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 645
|
Sunday was a pretty low-key day for us. Breakfast at the Yacht Club and lunch out on the pool deck compliments of Jeannie and ShopnDrop. Dinner was a return to Dinghy Beach Bar and an instant replay of our first time there. We started out heading to Fat Tony’s for the pizza we failed to get on BarCode night but when we got there they were packed and no convenient parking to be found so we decided to head back to BSV and planned to graze. But when we got almost home, we changed our mind last minute and decided to try Dinghy’s again and give them the opportunity to redeem themselves.
We ended up doing an instant replay - same cute waiter, same yummy chimmichurri steak with fries and same 20% service charge. I questioned them and basically were told we were wrong and that’s the way they had to do it. So bdeeley, thank you for your attempted intervention on my behalf but I think they gave you lip service or else they need to better train their staff. And in honesty, our check wasn’t that high so we’re talking principles and not big bucks. I also paid closer attention to the entire dinner experience and as good as the steak was there were several shortfalls - no bread and butter, not that we needed it, no salad and no garnishments on the plates. I’m not a very picky or demanding diner and both the steak and fries were excellent but this establishment is definitely a Diamond in the rough. Turn down the very loud music and pay attention to the little things, peeps.
Monday was breakfast in the villa - coffee/and - this time pastries from ZeeBest Bakery and lightly warmed here at home in our kitchen. We were meeting a very special and long time friend for lunch so really didn’t want to have a big breakfast. Drove into town and it took us a full fifty minutes to go from here to Chesterfields. We enjoyed the company and the food, particularly the deep fried coconut shrimp. And yes, they do include a 15% sc on the check and will validate your parking stub for an hour or two - not sure which. Thank you, Barbara, for spending part of your birthday with us. We enjoyed every minute of it.
By the time we finally got home and visited briefly with some new arrivals here, there was barely enough time for a short nap and some plane departures before my DH aka Hungry Hannah wanted to leave for that same elusive pizza. Third attempt was the charm. The pizza was a thinner crust than I remembered from past trips but was still enjoyable and for the whopping huge sum of thirty dollars we enjoyed dinner for two and reheats for tomorrow’s lunch.
And now for some tv time.
Was that the new Dinghy Beach Bar on Simpson Bay that adds the 20% service and loud music? Can image anyone could stay in business doing that. I think its true the employees play the music and volume they like when the boss is away. I have no problem asking them to turn it down. Really mixed reviews for that place.
Last edited by foreversxm; 11/08/2023 07:23 PM.
|
|
|
Re: Another two days…..
[Re: SXMScubaman]
#308524
11/09/2023 09:35 AM
11/09/2023 09:35 AM
|
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 18,577 St Maarten
BillandElaine
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 18,577
St Maarten
|
Absolutely LOVE the Fat [censored] pizza at Fat Tony! Really thin crust, just how we like it.
Elaine ********************************* God Bless the broken road....
|
|
|
Re: Another two days…..
[Re: pat]
#308526
11/09/2023 09:47 AM
11/09/2023 09:47 AM
|
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,649 Brookfield, CT.
pat
OP
Traveler
|
OP
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 14,649
Brookfield, CT.
|
We miss you, Elaine and Bill, as I’m sure all those who know you do. I’m sure you’re happy in Newtown and will be even happier once you’re in your house. 🙂🙂
Respectfully,
pat
"Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them."
|
|
|
Re: Another two days…..
[Re: taraavo]
#308529
11/09/2023 09:55 AM
11/09/2023 09:55 AM
|
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,824 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,824
Central Florida!
|
Nope. Not happening. They deny they are doing it online, but in fact are doing it in person. Owner denied it and now a server is denying it. I guess I will never check this place out, unless and until they change their policy. And maybe not even then. I don't like deception.
Carol Hill
|
|
|
Re: Another two days…..
[Re: pat]
#308552
11/09/2023 12:21 PM
11/09/2023 12:21 PM
|
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,313 Vancouver, WA
Todd
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,313
Vancouver, WA
|
Not intended to be a direct reply to Pat.
We usually tip 20% plus or minus on the Dutch side, and minus any listed service charge or any other extra charges the place adds to the check. Not an issue for us and we pay attention to this better than we used to. I think it would be better if they did 15 to 18% but really doesn't change our decision to go there or not. From the sounds of it they clearly state it on the check and don't try to tell you that it isn't a tip or service charge. I just don't see a problem with this considering how many nationalities frequent the island and how different tipping is done across the world.
We will be visiting this place when on island, looking forward to trying it. T
I prefer the Isle seat
|
|
|
Re: Another two days…..
[Re: Todd]
#308559
11/09/2023 02:02 PM
11/09/2023 02:02 PM
|
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,824 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
|
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,824
Central Florida!
|
Todd--IF!!! the service is good, we always tip around 20% regardless. What happens if the service is NOT good? The matter of tipping in general, worldwide, is out of control. We're supposed to tip now for self-service? But I digress....
I resent auto-tip in general. And I surely resent them charging 20% and then the owner and a server denying it online, other than for large parties. I cannot conceive how one server could charge an auto-tip for every check, even though it's not allowed, and the owner not become aware of it.
Carol Hill
|
|
|
|