Astra

with only two meals to go and probably deciding not to go to Maine for a few days, we wanted some lobster as we have only had it once since arriving on the Dutch side

Astra next to Skipjacks advertises "free range" lobster for $19.95 which was less expensive than Skipjacks normal market price of $22.95
Skipjacks did drop their price to $19.95 for their final days before taking vacation
Also the appetizers on the Astra menu looked more appealing and the former bartender from the Driftwood Boat bar is a waitress here

She was the first one to see us a we entered the restaurant and gave us a big hug since we had not seen here for several years
The manager seated us and I asked if her name was Sharon as I had read some reviews to make sure we were making a good choice and many reviews mentioned how wonderful she is

those reviews are spot on as she works the floor making sure all guests are happy
when I come to think of it, it is the only restaurant that I recall that had a manager on duty
I do feel confident when the owner is also working but this adds another level in case the working owner is busy
I questioned Sharon where she is from and learned she originally was from a town 25 minutes from our home
small world and we instantly became friends

we started off with a non frozen mojito and a nice lychee martini
after ordering our appetizers and entrees, we were escorted to their "lobster area" which is a fenced in area which is part of the lagoon
maybe a hundred assorted sizes of lobster roam in the waters, tonights largest was estimated to be around 7 pounds but have had some up to 12 pounds
speaking to a lobster guy in Maine, he said they do not get tougher as they get older but the smaller ones seem to be sweeter

originally we wanted a 6 pounder and asked if we could get half grilled and half thermidor as my wife can only tolerate so much dairy
they could not honor our request but my wife thought to pick out two lobsters

her smaller 3 pound lobster was perfectly grilled
my 4 pounder was prepared thermador and as good as it gets
sorry to say but Ithink we will be choosing different entrees the next time we visit that well known Gran Case restaurant that charges $38.50 a pound
sides are additional and we ordered french fries and sauteed spinach

appetizers were a fresh grouper ceviche and fried calamari but the lobsters were the star of the show

We did notice many restaurants "closed' on our way to Astra only to learn that they had no power and Astra was working off a generator, good to know

Service was friendly and attentive while Sharon made he way many times to check on us

Looks the Asta will be our place when we have a urning for lobster

Breakfast today for our anniversary is a lobster,spinach and brie omelette

other plans for our day include filling up to gas tank and putting a lock on the bridge to celebrate our 28 years of marriage

I assume that "free range" lobster comment was in jest. They do have more space than in most places, I assume, but they are in the lagoon, after all! I wuuld assume it's Bistrot that you are saying charges $38.50 a pound? That is a big difference.

I'm not so sure I would want to eat a free range lobster or anything coming out of that polluted lagoon.

X2

That blue centerpiece in your first picture was made by Tracey at The Mail Box. She sells them with and without internal lights, and the cork in the bottle has a switch to turn the lights on. The Palms has them and the Horny Toad has put them on the tables on the balcony. While the charge doesn't last long, they are pretty and fun to look at at nighttime.

I have several of Tracey's creation. All sales go to SXM PAWS.

"All sales go to SXM PAWS"
👏👍👏🐾

That I didn't know. Good for her!