Restaurants and a rainy day

Hasn’t really let up all day, but still better then a rainy day at home. Decided to drive around the island. Went thru Marigot and Grand Case and started up the hill but the rain was so bad we decided to turn around. There seemed to be a lot going on in Marigot. Many stores were opened and a lot busier then in the evenings. We noticed that Sandy Ground is in desperate need of help, doesn’t look like anything has improved since our February trip.

Had a great dinner at The Greenhouse last night. Went to Sale Pepe the other night and had the worst experience we have had on the island since 1988. Made a special trip in the morning to make a reservation, we were the third entry in the book. We arrived 10 minutes early and noticed that there was 1 table for 2 available, saw the hostess look at the reservation book and decided to try a seat people there. I spoke up and said we had a reservation she replied that she didn’t think we were coming, I pointed out that we were 10 minutes early so she sat us and went to another table and asked them to take their after drinks inside and she sat the other couple there. They weren’t seated 5 minutes before they had drinks and bread on their table. After sitting there for 15 minutes we asked if someone could take our drink order, she did take our order but told us since they were so busy we should also order our meal and we did. She brought out our water but that was it. 40 minutes has now passed and I asked the server if it was possible to get at least a basket of bread, he sort of threw it on the table and I mentioned that we have been there for 40 minutes and before I could say another word he had this ugly look on his face and said he was just trying to help. I smiled and said I was just wondering if he could get our wine, again with the ugly scowl he told us he wasn’t our server, I looked at my husband and we both said enough and walked out. Drove down to Izi and were greeted with open arms and had a fabulous dinner from their 3 course menu special, I believe it was $25 per person. We have always enjoyed sale Pepe at least twice per trip, never again.

Sorry to hear of your bad experience. We've never eaten at Sale Pepe, were thinking of trying it when we arrive later this month; now not so sure.

As far as Izi, we go there every trip since they opened. Love the food, the service, and their friendliness. Glad the evening worked out in some ways for you.

Sorry for your experience at Sal e Pepe... What did you have at the Greenhouse?

I had a fabulous lobster tail and hubby had a filet mignon and says it was incredible,

My 2 times I tried sale pepe we had similar experiences. Never again for us too.

I also had the Lobster tail last Friday at Greenhouse and loved it. Our friends are big fans of Izi. We've never been. A large group of us did go to Sale and Pepe on our second night and had a good experience for food and wait time. We were 12 people and one in our party had reserved in advance. I'm sorry you had a bad experience.

We had less than stellar experience this trip for dinner once, but at least the servers were nice and tried their best.

Linny,

With all the other great restaurants on the island, and most with great service, i don't blame you a bit for walking out of the place. I personally don't care how good the food may be, or how busy a place is....NONE of us patrons should be treated lousy. WE are the ones keeping any establishment in business...and a lousy attitude from any establishment is the kiss of death. Thank you for your review. After seeing some decent reviews about Sale and Pepe, we were thinking of trying it in March...but now...no way. Way to many other choices where we know the food is good, and the service excellent. Over the years, most of our favorites were found by us via this forum. This one is now off the list.

If you do a search for sale and pepe you find as many unfavorable as favorable. Our 2 times were unfavorable.

Would be a good idea to send a clear message to the owners about your experience. they surely will loose business if people are treated the way you were. They happen to be on facebook. May want to speak of your experience. Just my two cents. I would leave as well, always worry someone will do something nasty to the food after the run in. but I think you should get your message across. Was going to give it a try as will be on Island this winter, but have second thoughts. Too many great food places to be treated poorly.

So sad to hear of your poor experience and read your negative review though I clearly get why you would feel that way. Wouldn’t we all under the same circumstances? We have only been there twice but each time we had great experiences both with service and food. Sorry your experience wasn’t the same.

Very strange because Chef Davide ( Owner) is our personal Italian friend .

We had been to Sale and Pepe a few times and recommended it to
many people we met. Our last visit in April was terrible.
The one waitress was so rude we could not believe it.
She spilled wine all over my husband and blamed him for having
It in the wrong place....where they had put it!!!

Never go back. We have not mentioned it on posts which were positive, but have
Heard other negative stories.. ...

Sorry to hear this; it's on our list to try.
I think the owner would welcome the feedback since he has a good reputation and needs feedback to correct the situation.

He is very popular on the Island to the point that next year he opening a second one on the water.

Lesley--it sounds like to me the problems are related to SERVICE, not to food...

Thanks Carol and will talk to him on this. His Wife works with him also.
They met way back will both were working at Maho .

Being a friend, maybe he is unaware of all the complaints. Tell him to read TTOL or Facebook. If it's service that's the problem (which sounds like it is) he should be able to handle that situation. Word gets around and could put a damper on his business.

Took the liberty to message him on facebook, and did say that he is not getting great reviews due to poor service. I did mention that two people walked out of resturant due to a waitress or waiter being rude. He asked for specifics, and I just said a message board that I look at. So he is aware. I think he should hear this from others and especially those that had a bad experience. But yes. Owners have a right to make things better, but only if they know the problem.

How can he know the problem if you don't direct him to this message board?

Kenny, We are a long time car renters from you. You need to speak with the owners.

Had a terrible experience at Sale and Pepe. The noise inside was so loud we couldn't hear each other speak and the initial impression was a bit chaotic. In spite of having a reservation, we had a bit of a wait for our table. The wait person (a lady who I thought may have been the owner) was not personable and told us our original selections were a mistake and steered us to what she thought made more sense. We should have stuck with our original choices and never allowed her to change our minds. We waited forever to receive our food and when it came, appetizers and entrees all came at once. The salads were a no-show. I did not find the food stellar and was definitely frustrated with the service. What I had hoped to be a special evening turned out to be a huge disappointment.

We were rushed to the point that I couldn't wait to leave and for the first time in my life, I forgot to pay. I realized the error that evening and went back to pay the next day and it was like I was bothering them. No thank you or appreciation whatsoever. I waited for 20 minutes for someone to be able to handle the matter. I walked out wondering why I had even taken the time to go back but knew it was the right thing to do.

There are way too many other options on the island that provide a wonderful experience for dining to put up with what we went through. If I'm going to spend $200 on an evening out, I'll spend it elsewhere.

PS. Love IZI's. Always a special experience.

Will do and so sorry to hear about the hassle you had with them.

I did tell him what I read on a message board. Not sure why I did not say the message board, but did quote from the experience of the two walking out of resturant, and the part of asking for bread as they were waiting 40 minuets to eat and the waiter or waitress was very rude... Whatever. they are on facebook, so anyone can message them... We were going to give them a try this winter, and after hearing some reviews, have second thoughts... Not sure if it matters what board, so long as they know they are getting poor mouthed...

Contrary to what many think, not everyone has a facebook account so letting them know where the discussion is taking place would help.