Travel day (Thursday) was easier than expected. Left Miami 40 minutes late, arrived SXM 15 minutes early (2:15pm). I have no idea how that happens. There were no visible big lines in front of us. We flew American, parked close to the terminal and walked in. 30 minutes to get through immigration and about 30 more to get our bags. Met Lesley, and after a brief detour by his house to get the car and chairs, we were on our way.

My husband waited in the car while I grabbed a few groceries at the Porto Cupecoy Carrefour Express on our way to our studio unit in Terres Basses. We dumped our luggage and unpacked a little and headed to Dany’s for a rum punch and to see the sunset. Dinner was at Altro in Porto Cupecoy and was very good. I had the prix fixe menu and my husband ala carte. Both were good and reasonably priced. No service charge. (I forgot to take pictures.)

Friday we rented a couple of chairs at Baby Beach in Cupecoy. It was the only one with sand, so it was pretty crowded when we left around lunch time, but so beautiful as always. You could see Saba and Statia very clearly. Dany made us a lobster lunch and chilled our champagne for us, very good! I have made dinner reservations for most nights, because we want to eat at specific places. Tonight was Le Bistronome in Grand Case. Chantal was a delight, as usual. The food was excellent – I had the Coquille St. Jacques (scallops) and my husband a lamb “pot pie” in the Jamaican style which he enjoyed. Crab cakes to start and the chocolate mousse cake (yum!). No service charge or pictures here either.

Saturday we decided to bring chairs and walk to the quiet side of Pinel. We picked up a couple of pastries for breakfast (the chocolate almond croissant is to die for!) and a roast beef sandwich for lunch at Zee Best. A cooler packed with this and a bottle of Rose wine and water and we were set. It was a lovely day. For dinner, my husband has been wanting to try JAX for a while. I have been discouraging him because the reviews I was reading were very mixed. Finally, we decided to try it and I must say, the service and food were excellent. We both agree that it was the best meal we’ve ever had on the Dutch side in all our trips (I think this is our 6th one in 4 years). We split everything – fresh French oysters, wedge salad, Cowboy bone-in ribeye (which we could not finish), two glasses of Cote du Rhone red, and a Chocolate and Espresso Martini for dessert. We ordered Cosmos to start and they were fabulous, which is pretty unusual honestly. I requested it not sweet and it was perfection. We will probably come back here just for cocktails. We were not expecting a meal comparable to what we could get at home for a good steak, but it definitely was. No service charge here either.

Weather has been gorgeous. Because of where we are staying and the times we go places, we have not encountered a lot of bad traffic, yet. After checking with Dany to see if things were quiet in Sandy Ground at the moment, we have driven through there early, but typically come back across the causeway after dinner in Grand Case. So far has been a much needed, very relaxing trip.

Nice report and pictures - thanks!

Steak looks to be cooked perfectly.

Welcome back Folks and do enjoy your vacation while relaxing.

Nice detailed report! Thanks for posting these lovely pictures! No service charge??? In "GC"??? Cool!!! Where do you park to go to Dany's???

I am under the impression there is no sc tacked on to your check on the French side as, by French law, it’s automatically built into the menu pricing. The sc add-on is a Dutch side thing, or at least that’s my understanding. Am I mistaken?

Scuba, the steak was a perfect Medium Rare... we had dug in for a few slices before I remembered the picture lol... but you can still see it was fabulous.

Parking - When you're coming down the hill from Blue Residences toward Porto Cupecoy, there's a left turn into a little dirt road that says Dany's Beach Bar or something, right before the roundabout. If you turn in and drive up the little road, there's a parking area on the left. Best rum punch I've had here, especially if Dany himself is making it.

As far as the service charge.... I asked my husband and he didn't notice it itemized separately and no one was asking for extra tips. I'm sure he probably tipped generously - he loves it there.

Perhaps I am mistaken but I believe the mention of "no service charge here either" was in reference to their meal at Jax in Maho.

Lovely report and pictures! Love that picnic lunch at Pinel!

Best Caribbean lobster I have had on island is from Dany, and of course the best rum punch! Enjoy your trip!

No, I'm sure you're correct.. I just got overzealous checking everywhere.... However, we did have a gentleman at Orient ask us for extra tip last year.

"However, we did have a gentleman at Orient ask us for extra tip last year."
I trust you told him where he could find it.😆 Not cool anywhere.