Restaurant update- St Thomas

Since it is dinner time and I am thinking about food...

Off the Grid: The food truck at the overlook at Sapphire is going to be open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday 11am-5pm this summer. This is a whole lot better than last summer when they were closed from April to October! Great BBQ, if you are wondering.

Tap and Still: Stop me if I have already talked about this place. Great burgers, beer on tap and Bullit bourbon. It is in the old Burrito Bay Deli space in Red Hook. Oh, sure they've got a few other things, but save room for the funnel cake.

Revelry: In the old Coco Blue space. Fun Happy Hour with inexpensive apps, but the menu is kinda pricy.

Fresh: Finally opened in the old Wikked spot at Yacht Haven Grande. Pat La Corte of Grande Cru and Oceana runs it. A bit more comfort food than fancy food- fresh ingredients- she is working with local farmers.

Bollicine: Milanese food in Randy's old spot on Raphune Hill. They bring ingredients and chefs from the old country to prepare some of the best food on St Thomas. Truffle risotto, panne cotta, even the veggies were sublime. Italian wines. Best new restaurant here in a long time. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Thumbsup.gif" alt="" />

Okay, now I'm really <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/hungry.gif" alt="" />

Tap & Still has Rogue beers on draft, "5 Guys" style burgers and "Bon Chon" style KFC (Korean Fried Chicken) - NoVa stye. It's a pretty good place.

Cheers, RickG

I was so disappointed that Café Amici was closing. Any insights on what "Fine Dining" flavor they are looking to create. Are the new owners new to the island or folks that have been around just looking for a new project?

Thanks for the update

Thanks Nutmeg!!!

Can you tell me what became of Craig and Sally's in Frenchtown?

I loved that place, but we have not eaten there in years, and the way things come and go it would be good to get an update. Thx!

Craig and Sally closed their restaurant in July 2012. After many years in that location they did not renew the lease and retired as owners.
Two former employees renovated the space and opened 'The Twisted Cork' and are doing a good job. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" />

Thanks Nutmeg. Does Randy still have Carigas in the boatyard? Has he reopened Randy's in a new spot or simply decided to close it down? The new place sounds great. No trip for us this year. Going to Italy!!!! But will be back down in 2015 for sure. Hope y'all are well. It's starting to heat up here in Texas.
Thanks,
Chip

Cariga's is definitely still in the Independent Boatyard, we were there on May 18 for a good dinner. That place delivers great value for us. Not sure of ownership.

Cheers, RickG

Thanks LocalSailor!

Randy and Sally are the owners of Cariga's and have really upped the menu since the closing of Randy's.

I was just there the other day enjoying lunch with some people. For de Life of me I can't recall their names. They did just recently get a very nice sailboat. I think you'd like them RickG!!!

Kimber, you're funny! I think I can see our boat from that bar stool.

Cheers, RickG

Chip! Yes, Randy has Cariga's. And as Kimber says , he has really brought the quality of the food and wine up. Some of his Randy recipes such as lasagna, grouper picata, etc. have found their way on the menu. I want to hear about your Italy experience. We are planning that for next year! My summer vacation is going to be to Oklahoma...

Tom: I didn't know about Cafe Amici. Maybe they decided they had too much on their plate?

Kimber, we are going to Spain and Italy in October

Thanks Nutmeg. I'll be sure to reach out after we take our trip. If you've got a minute in DFW on your trip let us know we'd love to hook up with you if you have time. Best to you and T.
Chip and Crisa

Ok. Slightly confused as to why you felt compelled to tell me on TTOL since we don't even know each other but have a great time. What dates will you be gone so I can check on your house for you? <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

You may think I was living de Life last weekend but I was busy teaching sail trim, boat handling, suggesting improvements, troubleshooting some minor quirks and discovering equipment that surveyors and an experienced technician missed!!! I barely had time to rehydrate with adult beverages at the proper pace...

Kimber: I think sail2wind may have meant to respond to me, or Chip? I want trip reports from all!!

So it was just like a three day briefing with rum. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> Oh yeah and New York Strips, and omelettes and lobsters and roti's. Come to think of it really wasn't much like a briefing at all. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/toast.gif" alt="" />

...and CaptainJay & Kimber ended up at Carigas (tie back to restaurants!). Now I know who (K)imber is. You can both see your boats from that your stools.

Nutmeg, how are the price points at Fresh? Sounds like a good spot to hit with crew before a sail.

Cheers, RickG

Nutmeg and Chip,

If you have not finished your Italian itinerary, I would highly recommend the Liguria region. This area does not get the notoriety of Tuscany, Umbria, or Vento, but Liguria is a magical place on the sea. The Cinque Terre is part of this region and well worth a visit, albeit tourist can overrun it in the summer. Small towns like Lerici and Portovenere are just like a post card. If you are on a tighter budget, La Spezia is a small city with very reasonable rates and very close to all the areas mentioned above. Quick ferry, bus, or train ride – your choice.

Here is a great blog from a few years ago written by a couple that spent a 65 Days in Italy Lots a great info in the blog and hints for your visit.

And if you are into wine... Make sure you hit the Piemonte! Barolo, Barbaresco, Alba, and Asti all await you. This is a great area to get a B&B.

Enjoy!

Thanks Tom!

Rick: Fresh is fairly pricy. Probably $14 or so for a sandwich? But they have some smaller plates- quiche, soup, salad that are pretty good for sharing. They have a separate dinner menu, but haven't been there for that.

Tom: Thanks. Still working on the itinerary, but will include Rome and Venice, since I missed them my first time there. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/cry.gif" alt="" />

Nutmeg, sounds tourist class. Maybe Hook Line & Sinker and Cariga's won't loose our business. Still, the setting and convenient parking have a lot going for it.

Cheers, RickG

<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" />Northside Bistro...what a gem !!! Beautiful view before sunset, screened in dining room is like an old Southern Plantation...THE BEST Caesar Salad on this island ! My love is the apple stuffed pork chop, good to the last tender gnaw of the bone ! OMG, I could eat here every night !

Rick: It is interesting. You see more business people and local "ladies who lunch" there than tourists. Probably because it is so close to the cruise ship dock and they want to run to the buffet... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />

Pooh: Northside Bistro is too far away. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> I rarely get to the north side. Do you have a review of the "new" place at Magen's Point?

Poohwear is right on, Northside Bistro is excellent. We could walk there from my son's house on the north side.

I'm a huge fan of Simply Italian at Magen's. Great food, awesome nightly specials and fair pricing. Despite the name, I've have some phenomenal steaks there as well.

I love Simply Italian at Magens Point...I go early while there are still inside tables because the knots and mozzies want ME for dinner. My fav of all is the Blue Cheese Cheesecake appetizer. It is generous, think share, with so many additions on the plate to spread on the toasted flat bread. Also the kitchen always offers each diner a shot of the mojito of the day as well as an "amuse bouche" taste. Portions are very generous, love the alfredo sauce and the meatballs are genuine italian. Chicken park makes 2 meals for me...read carefully, some entrees come with risotto so if you are thinking pasta ask it.