SXM Anniversary Trip

My husband and I are returning to St. Martin to celebrate our 2nd anniversary in just a few weeks(we were married on Saba). We stay at LaVista and rent a car from Leslie. We are only there for a week this visit and are coming off of a tough NE winter and a hetic work schedule so we certainly looking to relax, but we also get a little antsy for some activity once in awhile.

Wanted to run my rough guide by you all and see if you thought there is anything we should think of adding/subtracting - particularly since we haven't been there in two years.

Lunch @ Lee's (love the fish there), Greenhouse happy hour (2 for 1 and shrimp bang bang!), Karakter's (always a favorite), Fusion, Breakfast at LeSuciere, Dream's (never been this would be my first time - thoughts on when to get there?), day at Baie Rouge snorkeling, dinner at Le Moulin Fou, Happy Bay, Crave, Pinel and thinking about the zipline at Loterie Farms (I am motivated, but a bit out of shape and a little scared).

Lastly, I am thinking of doing our anniversary dinner (4/23) at a restaurant on the French side - maybe Grande Case? First and foremost we love good food - we had been to Le Bistro Nu and loved it and we're adventuresome eaters.

Thanks in advance for your help and we are starting to get really excited with our trip so close! Wish us luck with our JB connection through JFK - hope we don't get delayed.

If you are going to Moulin Fou and are wine drinkers, DO ask Sylvain Pereira about a really good wine for your anniversary. Tell him what you like and he will choose the perfect wine for you.
Also, he has a shop called Select Wine Cellar in the Orange Grove marketplace.

If your love good food go to Le Cottage in Grand Case <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" /> , you will be pleased with the place, the food and the wine !!! Ask Stéphane to pair your wine with your meal ! He is the best !

I'll comment on two things, Dreams and your anniversary dinner in Grand Case.

We get to Dreams around 10 in the morning, so as to spend the entire day on the beach there and have a nice, relaxing lunch. Generally on our Dreams days, we have our main meal there midday and just have wine, cheese, and fruit on our balcony (at La Vista Beach) for dinner that evening.

Not knowing your taste in food, if you like really innovative French cuisine, I highly recommend L'Estaminet in Grand Case. Ina, the chef, does amazing things with food, and it will be a meal you won't soon forget.

Happy Anniversary! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/circle.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/circle.gif" alt="" />

I love the bang bang shrimp at Greenhouse!! You should try Charter House for dinner. It's in the former Saratoga location. Very nice dining on the water. Great food, wine/martini menu and very good service. Happy Anniversary!! We celebrate # 39 in May in SXM and have every year for the past 29!!

Thank you so much for the well-wishes everyone!

lcote - thank you for the recommendation @ Moulin Fou - we are most definitely wine drinkers!

extreme and Gakaye - Le Cottage and L'Estaminet were two on my list for some time - I think I might have to do two French dinners in Grand Case! I get a little on edge about parking in Grade Case in the past - are they close to the two parking lots on the main drag?

RoryS - congratulations on so many anniversaries in SXM! We are just getting started :-) I am not familiar with Charter House or the former Saratoga location but looks like its walking distance which is always a plus.

L'Estaminet is almost at the complete opposite end of Grand Case from those parking lots, but they have plenty of security in Grand Case now, and I wouldn't be concerned about walking along restaurant row to get there from parking.

Congratulations on the anniversary!! Your meal choices sound good! Regarding your anniversary dinner, if you like French cuisine, I would suggest Ocean 82, which is on the water in Grand Case. Lovely setting with a view of Anguilla, wonderful food and service!

Enjoy!!

When are you going to be at LaVista Beach?
<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" />

We'll be in SXM April 18-25.

Our timeshare is actually at LaVista, not LaVista beach, although last time we were there we were actually upgraded to LaVista beach because we were repeatedly having issues with no water pressure. I would come back from the beach and not be able to take a shower. Half-way through the trip they switched us to this huge place in LaVista beach (during the honeymoon portion of our visit after getting married) - we had a blast. I will miss being right on the ocean but the views from LaVista are really great as well :-)

We will be celebrating our 40 year wedding anniversary while we are in St. Martin this May 10!!!!!

Will be there the May 2nd for a couple of weeks to enjoy LaVista Beach.It is a small resort and always nice to meet new people staying at the same location.
<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" />

We also will celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary this October with a 15 day visit. Very much looking forward to the extended time since we normally just do 8 days.

I think you guys must be my alter ego. As far as I am concerned, Crave and Fusion are two of the best restaurants anywhere on the island. Le Sucriere for breakfast, Karakter for a day at the beach, and the Greenhouse for Happy Hour can't be beat. And while Bistro Nu also used to be one of my favorites, be aware that it has changed ownership and been remodeled, so it will not be what you remember.
Just to throw a couple of new ideas your way, consider Luna Rossa for some fine Northern Italian cuisine, Cugini for some Southern Italian comfort food, or the Palms for eclectic favorites like drunken ribs or spicy lasagna and some plain ol' conviviality. All are located in the Simpson Bay area.
Finally, for your special anniversary dinner in Grand Case, please also consider L'Effet Mer. It doesn't get much mention here, but chef Stephane is one of the best chefs on the island and the food is remarkable.
Enjoy your trip and your anniversary!

Congratulations!I can't believe how quickly the years have gone by. Being able to spend that special day in such a beautiful place has been a blessing.

VitaMan - thank you for those recommendations in Simpson Bay - there are getting to be so many options I think we'll have to create extra meals somehow :-) My husband loves ribs so the Palms seems up his alley and we have never been there. Lunna Rossa and Cugini also sounds fabulous - I do love Italian and would never have thought to have in SXM.

I am thinking of taking the three French Grand Case suggestions here and leaving it to my husband to decide One of things I have learned so far in marriage :-)

So great to hear of all the anniversaries!

Here is another one. Paula & <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />BigBobThib will be our 45th. June 6th we will be on the island for two weeks.

Since this has become the anniversary string: We will be celebrating our 40th on the island May 16 - 23. Can't wait!

42 years for us starting this Saturday!

45 years starting for us June 6th at the Westin. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />

I agree with Carol on the recommendation of Ocean 82. We have dined at many restaurants in Grand Case over the years and Ocean 82 rates excellent in food, service, ocean view, ambience and friendliness. Le Cottage and L'Estaminet are a close second minus the view and ambience of Ocean 82. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" />

One more recommendation for Ocean 82 and I can't thank Carol enough for the tip.
For us, it's currently one of the best, if not the best in Grand Case
Awesome food, great service, perfect location right on the water and their prices are very reasonable for what you're getting.
Overall a perfect place for a romantic upscale dinner.
Make sure you get a table directly above the water, it's a big plus.