Over the last 10 or so days since my last report I am pleased to report that we’ve done as little as possible and enjoyed every minute of it. We’ve maybe added 100 klicks to the odometer. Mrs. Cruzer’s blood pressure is coming down as she’s now getting some readings in the 110s and 120s. She even had a glass of wine the other night and also managed to secure an appointment with her cardiologist the morning following our late-night arrival.

Oh, my main accomplishment was checking airfares for our October trip and scoring 2 tickets at $1075 each from DFW up front. Prices haven’t been this low in a long time. Today the tickets are a shade under $2k. Too bad I can’t resell them.

The weather has been fine, seaweed minimal, there is wind and very brief showers, and the frigid 79 degree water temperature keeps us out of the water most of the time. The pool is a bit warmer on sunny days. Yes, we’re wimps.

Every year, the Grand Case Beach Club makes minor adjustments/changes that enhance the guest experience. Small things, but nice to have. We can now exchange towels until 6 PM instead of noon. The washer/dryers are now properly working and free. The shuttle into town is now free for owners. And they created the position of Concierge and promoted Niki into that position. He’s getting me better reservation times than I can get, which is very nice during high season. Oh, and Marina dropped the price of Ti Punch by a buck which funds most of the above-mentioned plane ticket purchase.

Gluttony, um, I mean gastronomy, is a prime pursuit on this island with most of our meals having been lunches. Lunches have been at Nice SXM, Le Fleur du Sel, Yvettes, Ital’s, Le Champagne, Le Tropicana, Korner, and Sunset Cafe. Dinners were Bistrot Caraibbes, Spiga, and Villa Royale. L’ Auberge Gourmand and Les Olivieres are on tap for later this week, as is Patty Healing Hands to redistribute the fat.

Special mentions for dining pleasure this trip go to Le Champagne and Bistrot Caraibbes, a perennial winner. Le Campagne certainly wins the best parking lot eatery award, and this year substituted Duck Confit for the Duck Shepards Pie , which was no slouch. The Confit has nice crisp skin, and their beef carpaccio in a pesto sauce is excellent. Plus, Sylvain is a great host. Bistrot Caraibbes just seems to constantly excel, and is our favorite spot with our(my this trip) favorite infused rum.

I did not notice any fall off in food or service at Spiga as we had old favorites that remain favorites under the current regime. Acoustics are poor, but that’s what a full dining room does. I did not see the cat, Mr. Grey, though.

Korner was a disappointment, primarily because of price, but there was nothing special about the service. The server/chef argued with my wife that she ordered the nems, when she had merely asked about them. The bistro chair/table seating is comfortable, and the waterfront view is great, but 34 Euros for tuna tataki, a thin cut at that, was at least 4 Euros higher than the 2nd most expensive place. Nice is a better alternative.

And finally, it looks like Carl Phillips is coming along nicely on rebuilding his restaurant. It seems the damage wasn’t all that great, the kitchen almost fully intact, and there’s not an insurmountable amount of repairs that need to be made, but he had no insurance, loans or grants available, and had to self-fund the entire project. Hence, the long delay. We had dinner with them at Villa Royale, and a picture is included.

Thanks for your trip report!

Sylvain is a wonderful wonderful host. I love visiting Le Champagne and Select Wine Cellars. Its our first stop after the airport!

cruzer--nice to see that your wife is doing better. Thanks so much for the report and the pics. Carry on!

Love your report and pics. Enjoy your humor. In mentioning Spiga,you said “under the current regime.” Has the restaurant changed hands?

Brilliant. Carry on now.

I resemble that remark!!

What a great trip report. Really enjoying it. Happy your wife is feeling better.

Yes it has recently.