Day 1.5

Started the day off in Cleveland, scraped ice and snow off the windshield at Marriott as we spent the night to get a little extra sleep for the 7am flight to Atl and then to SXM. Flight from Atlanta may have had 30 people on it. Sad

Landed in SXM, there were a couple other flights but I would say we were through lines in about 25 minutes and out the door to meet Michael at Unity for the rental car. Quick trip to his off site location and on the road. Met Melanie at our villa. Nice and friendly. She recently sold Le Pressoir restaurant in Grand Case and says she will buy another restaurant soon but waiting for COVID to run its course. Hung out in the villa for awhile and then off to Grand Case, wanted to get some drinks at Grand Case beach club but it was gated and couldn’t figure out how to get there. If anyone knows the workings of the place let us know as we’d like to catch a sunset there.

Settled at Blue Martini for some pre dinner drinks. We were early and as such wasn’t many there but seemed like a cool place. Our waiter mentioned that they have live music every Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. Melanie said the former owner of Calmos operates this restaurant along with one in Orient. After drinks walked around Grand Case to check out the menu boards. Had no intention of eating in Grand Case that night but wanted to preplan. The only restaurant that was really busy was Le Cottage but again it was early.

Walked back to the public parking lot (no one there to “protect our car” for a small fee this time). Drove a short distance to our go to first day dinner at Al Dente. Food superb as always. Got to excited and forgot to take pic before it was half gone. Dana and I both get the chicken Parmesan hers with Alfredo. The only issue we had this year was trying to get our check at the end of our meal. We waited around 40 minutes after our drinks and food were completely gone before we saw our waitress to ask for the check. She went completely awol as other tables came and went. Very frustrating. This is the only restaurant that we’ve always hit twice every year. Probably won’t happen this time.

Great night, took a walk to Happy Bay early morning while wife slept in. Danny increased the size of his bar so there is now tables on both sides. To the left of the bar was pretty much rocks as the waves were beating the shoreline pretty good. Who knows by tomorrow may all be filled in with sand again.

thanks for the report and the pictures. The villa looks to be very close to the one we stayed at, above Happy Bay. Lovely area to stay!!

Don’t know why all the pics didn’t show up but will try to add more here

Thanks for the report. No excuse for service like you mentioned, especially at a time like this. Glad you made it, enjoy!

Carol,
We are right beside it. Canoua was booked so chose this one. Too big for just two of us but it’s very nice.

What bar in the picture with that white building on the sand?

That's Danny's beach bar at Happy Bay.

johndana--Had you stayed at Canoua before? If so, how would you compare it?

We love Al Dente also and usually hit it twice. Never had a service problem there though, so that's not good. Have a great trip!

Thanks.

We’ve never had a service issue here before either, just a lot more places we want to try. I’m sure it was just a bad night.

We’ve stayed at Canoua several times and have it reserved again in September. Where we are staying now is nice but too big for just two. This is nicer, but Canoua is more affordable.

Not as big of a deal for us but it does have multiple levels and if steps are a problem this would be an issue.

There's an intercom button at the gate to GCBC that you can push and they will open the gate for you to go to the restaurant and/or bar. There is also a walkway to the public beach access, and you can take that and then get into the bar and restaurant from the beach. Either way you need to park outside the gate.

johndana--thanks. Steps are a big problem for me.

We have been to the Grand Case Beach Club restaurant many times, wonderful food. In our opinion .We especially enjoy breakfast there. Marina is a wonderful host, The view is beautiful. We buzz the intercom at the gate and they have always let us drive in to go eat.

Thank you, I thought that might be the case but there was a car behind us and didn’t want to hold them up. We will give it another shot

Would love to see more Happy Bay pix. Danny's Bar is interesting. The area to the left has really washed away. Hope it makes a comeback.

I have not found that to be true. Despite the signs, I have always driven right up to the buzzer and then parked right by the restaurant. They don't even ask why I am there - the gates just open.