10 great days of weather staying in Orient Not sure we would change much Glad we got to Friars Bay and Pinel as we usually just lounge pool side
Not much traffic going to Maho at 930am and we checked in upon arrival Staying in our unit entire stay since we add on at beginning and end Just missed Carib Lee who was checking out across the street
Royal Islander La Plage looks well kept as usual and are now offering lite pastries at the usually unused bar in the lobby
Unpack and meet up with week 34 friends Pool is empty as usual, maybe 25-30 people around a good size pool
The beach between Tortuga and Sunset is packed with them crazy cruise people taking pictures of the landing planes
Lunch was at Driftwood (boat bar) starting off with frozen strawberry mojitos
We shared a xl meatlovers pizza (leftovers for lunch today) and a pretty good chicken Swharma The sandwich was good but they certainly can't put Little Jerusalem out of business Service was friendly and attentive with 15% gratuity added Just a great local - touristy place to hang There was a nice breeze keeping us comfortable
A few more hours hanging in the pool and head over to Carrefour in Cole Bay Traffic was fine until the end of the bridge where it was bumper to bumper for the next mile to supermarket
Carrefour offers some different things than Super U included a good meat selection with very reasonably priced tomahawk chops, whole lobes of foie gras if by chance you are entertaining and a much better fish selection including some freaking huge shrimps probably 4 ounces each 4 shrimp to a pound where the normal xl shrimp are about 16-20 per pound
I do think prices are slightly higher than Super U but enjoy seeing some new things although they have a smaller cheese selection
We did pick up some black truffle potatoe chips
The supermarket was clean and a nice young man packed our bags and placed them in our truck for a small gratuity I appreciate he is working and doing something else to make money
Not too hungry after a nice lunch we headed over to Altro restaurant in Cupecoy. Maho is a great center location as we were there in less than 10 minutes.
The marina was fairly quiet but there were atleast 5 restaurants open. Been going to Altro for years going back to their $27 dollar prix fix which is now up to a whopping $39
Ala carte items are bigger and just a bit more costly. It is a pleasure to always be greated by Sami who is charismatic and busts his but when necessary to provide attention service. He works together well with the other female server who is just as pleasant
There are enough interesting choices on the short prix fix to warrant a revist maybe latter next week
For those with smaller appetites, the three courses are just right but prepared properly
The menu doesn't change much from year to year but the menu choices come and go and change up just a bit
My wife's appetizer was several thin slices of pristine tuna while I selected the rich lobster
Main course choosen was a tasty risotto with 3 shrimp and medallions of beef with a morel sauce Not sure on the cut of beef but it was excellent and tender better than a filet. And I'm a rib guy kind of guy
A warm baked gooey chocolate cake with vanilla slice cream was my choice I also finished off most of my wife's coffee tiramisui
A easy to drink (pound) small carafe of passionfruit rum wad left for us to enjoy
Dinner for 2, 2 cocktails and 2 glasses of wine without gratuity wax less than $125.00
Altro remains on our list for next year and still offers a great bang for the buck as most restaurants are now becoming more expensive
The casino (slots only but got drinks immediately) is now closed, so we made a petite donation to casino royale in maho Casino fairly quite
Gotta chuckle to watch what guests from the sonesta wear out on the street. I have seen ladies of the night (hookers) were more
So thankful for the internet on the dutch side
In Orient the average to download a picture was 2.5 minutes
At RI La Plage 3 seconds Unbelievable saving a lot of vacation time
Thanks for the report. I do love the pizza at Driftwood! And it seems to be much cooler there than at Tortuga! Nice breeze. I got a (regular) frozen mojito there last time and it was the BOMB--after the brain freeze moment..
I love Altro also. Nice selection and I appreciate the smaller portion sizes, so that I am actually able to eat three courses. I just can't eat three large courses anymore.
Try rendez vous too stmartinfan. Former F & B manager Belmond. Driftwood is fine - until you need to use bathrooms. Not seen such a thing on island ever.
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