We are just back from 9 days in St. Martin and had another wonderful time. We arrived on Saturday, the 18th on CO from EWR. Plane arrived about 15 minutes early. Our friends, who arrived on Friday, picked us up at the airport. To get us in the mood, they arrived with margaritas and Caribs. As is our routine, we went to Mark's at the rotary and had great ribs. They we went to the grocery stores next door and stocked up on the essentials: margarita mix, tequila, Ma Dou Dou, Ketel One vodka and Vanilla Guavaberry. We did buy some fruit as well. Arrived at the villa we have rented for 10 years right above Orient Beach, bought a phone card (what a bargain) and called home to check in. Took at ride to the beach, jumped in the water, and had the sun, sand and sea sink in. First night, L'Astrolabe at Esmeralda. Food and presentation was great, but service was very, very slow. The next morning we went to Andy's for breakfast. I love Andy's soups so I had pasta fagioli for breakfast. He always lets me have soup for breakfast. For lunch we went to Baywatch. The ribs and margarita shrimp were wonderful. We lounged on the beach. For dinner, we went to La California. The food was okay, it's not my favorite restaurant, but you can't beat the view. On Monday, we ate at the villa, had lunch at Kokomarina. Thanks to all for your recommendations. The food was wonderful: goat cheese salad, chicken and shrimp shish kebab, fish soup, and calamari and shrimp were fantastic. They left the Ma Dou Dou for us on the table. Monday night we cooked in. It was a first for us, but with the meal at Kokomarina's who could eat another big meal. We sat by the pool, ate and drank. What could be better. On Tuesday, we once again ate at the villa, ate lunch at Kakao. Thanks to Jeremy for the great service. The Nicoise salad was great. Again, Ma Dou Dou was on the table for us. Needless to say, that every day we were on the beach. Weather was sunny/partle cloudy most of the days, but windy. Not bad enough that you couldn't enjoy yourself. We tried Le Ti Bouchon in the French Cul de Sac. The food was great, but the menu is limited. Owner is maitre'd and waiter. Glad we tried it.
On Wednesday, once again breakfast by the pool, a few dips before and after breakfast. We ate lunch at Le String ( another new one for us) It is a cross between beach fare and fancier food. The guys had great burgers, salads and shish kebab was also great. Wednesday night we went to our favorite restaurant Mario's in Sandy Ground. The service is attentive, but not overbearing. It is so comfortable there. Had a table on the canal and watched locals catching shrimp under the bridge with nets and head lamps. Apparently the shrimp's eyes shine red in the water when the light is on them. They use the shrimp to catch bigger fish like tarpon, but the shrimp are also edible. Food was tremendous: gazpacho, veal marsala, rib eye, lamb shepherd's pie and lampchops, bouillabaise and more. We also at there on Saturday night. We are now up to Thursday. Will post part 2 at another time. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Cheers.gif" alt="" />