Send in your reviews and I will print them here.

Buccaneer Bar

Zee Best - Simpson Bay

Cherie's http://www.cheriscafe.com/

click here for menu  CHERI

Peg Leg's Pub

click here for menu peg leg

Turtle Pier Web site at:

www.turtlepier.com
 

My favorite burger at Turtle Pier   

The Royal Turtle Inn The Royal Turtle

Lobster from the Lolo's Grand Case

Tropicana - Marigot

Dessert at Tropicanna

La Vista - Hidaway Restaruant

click here for menu Dinner Menu

NEW!!!!!! - From: "Aqua Mania Adventures" <aquamania@sintmaarten.net>
Cruise to Marigot with Dinner
 

This is a very successful and highly enjoyable cruise, we would like to promote our new Dinner Cruise with Calypso.

Departing Tuesdays at 5pm from Pelican Marina in Simpson Bay, Calypso cruises Simpson Lagoon to admire the mega yachts at various marinas, the beautiful homes in the lowlands and the new Aqua Marina development. The calm waters and beautiful lights in the lagoon allow a different view of the trip to Marigot, without the traffic and parking hassles.

Calypso Delivers guests right to the tables at La Petite Auberge on Marina Royale, to enjoy delicious French cooking at this unique little Bistro.

Calypso returns to Pelican at 8.30pm.

Beers, wine and rum punch are served on board Calypso and the following menu at the restaurant is included:

Appetizers: - Petite Auberge Salad

Salad, Tomatoes, Blue Cheese, Walnuts, Croutons, or Mix Salad or Onion Soup

Main Courses: Chicken Breast with Mushroom Sauce, or Mahi-Mahi with Cajun Butter Sauce or The Day's Special

Desserts: Sorbet or Chocolate Cake or Ice Cream
Included: 1 Drink - Choice of Soda / Beer / Wine
$60pp - commissionable at 20%

Please feel free to contact me should you have any questions. Regards, Debby Lind, Aqua Mania Adventures - Your One Stop Vacation Shop!
Visit us at www.stmaarten-activities.com and www.diveadventures-sxm.com
PH: 599 544 2640 / 544 2631 Fax: 599 544 2476
 

RESTAURANT REVIEWS

Subject: Pelican Visit week 13
Date sent: Sun, 13 Apr 2008
From: george prinzo

I like to mention that the following restaurants provided very good to excellent service and very good to excellent food:

La Petite Auberge, Marina Port la Royale - husband and wife truly make you feel at home.

Zee Best, Simpson Bay Yacht Club (breakfast)
- wait staff very pleasant.

Saratoga Restaurant, Simpson Bay Yacht Club
- 'service charge' (tip) included, food excellent,
service not so.

Valentino’s Italian Bistro, Simpson Bay Yacht Club
- everything excellent.

Tutta Pasta, Simpson Bay Yacht Club
- service excellent, food very good, prices even better.

Antoine by the Sea, 119 Front Street, Philipsburg,
St. Maarten - food very good, service, owner, and
son excellent. They treat you like a long lost friend.

Date sent: Wed, 30 Jan 2008
From: Richard Mollica
Subject: Great 2 Weeks - Restaurants

Hi Judy ... We thoroughly enjoyed the first couple of weeks in January at the Upper B-Building. The weather was fantastic, services at the Pelican were outstanding, and our complaints aren't worth mentioning. My favorite surprise was being able to have wireless internet right in our room - hats off to those who made it happen!

I really think that this is one fine resort (and I'm not a rose-colored glasses kind of guy). IMHO, the Board and Royal Resorts have done a great job.

How about some restaurant reviews? First, El Gondola has the best food I've ever eaten. The service is also exquisite, and my daughter was so enchanted with the
Italian waiter's accent that she told him she would love to listen to him just read the menu (and then he did!). Fuggeddaabout going there without a reservation.

My wife and I love BBQ Ribs, so it seems like one of us tries them just about everywhere we go. Best ribs on the island, in our opinion, is the Harbor Queen in
Simpson Bay - hands down - and all-you-can-eat to boot. This is a totally unassuming restaurant near Lee's ... go for it ... the Creole Shrimp was also great. The
Hideaway at La Vista ... get a reservation ... we've loved that place for years, but got turned away one evening that we didn't have a reservation. So we headed to Los Gauchos ...

And Los Gauchos was excellent. We ate at Topper's - good-not-great. Picante (at the bottom of the hill) is good, but music from the nearby Buccaneer Bar clashes with Picante's. Jimbo's, Lee's (go for the Wahoo), and Skipjack's were excellent.

Breakfasts at Picante, La Gelateria, Cappuchino, and the Veranda were excellent. Take-out pastries from the new bakery on the Pelican were good (except for those
cheese things). Breakfast at the Bistro (near Los Gaucho's at the marina) was good, but we were very distracted by Pelican's sales people giving their sales pitches to potential customers while having breakfast at nearby tables. The restaurant at the Grand Case Beach Club is a fantastic place to start the day with breakfast ... the view and ambience are wonderful.

We go to Pasta Cafe all the time for lunch or dinner ... an unassuming place with excellent food. You have to try their vegetable lasagna, and their mixed salad is
outstanding. After dinner we often take a pizza back to the room for a late night snack or next day brunch. That reminds me, the pizza at Arahwak near the Marigot
market is exceptionally good (though nothing else there was).

The boardwalk in Philipsburg is a blast ... Food is good at the restaurants and the people-watching can't be beat.

You gotta love SXM ... after 13 years going to the Pelican, we're still saying "what a great vacation"! Rick and Pam Mollica
*****************************************

From: "Mary Cullen" <marycullen@adelphia.net>
Date sent: Fri, 21 Jul 2006

Judy, I just came back from the Pelican and the improvements were still happening there. I wanted to mention about a restaurant that I think some of the people would be interested. If you recall a few years ago, across from the Vista, was a French bakery that two fellows owned. They have moved over to Oyster Pond and have a wonderful restaurant. Service, ambience and food were excellent. The name of the restaurant is TABBA KHADY, Rue de la Flibuste - Oyster Pond. Their phone number is 06-90-58-41-53 or email them at www.tabba-khady.com for directions, etc. It is worth the drive.
Mary Cullen Weeks 21 and 22

From: "ROBERT & MARLENE BELSTOCK"
Date sent: Fri, 3 Feb 2006
Judy:we were just there for 2 weeks and decided to do things diffeent and try different restaurants. Ate at Gondola, where David is in charge and Le Montmartre at Atlantis where Karen is in charge. Both outstanding and highly recommend. Also, tried something called the Fly Zone at Lottery Park, which has been open for about a year. Great physical fun, challenge. We were told the restaurant there is outstanding. We couldn't eat there because they stop serving at 3:00 and we finished the challenge at 3:30. They also serve dinner. It is located on the French side. Bob Belstock

Date sent: Fri, 18 Jun 2004
From: Robert & Marlene Belstock
We just returned from St. Maarten. Interesting restaurant experiences. La Rosa said tip not included but, tax of 5, 10% for total of 15%. All other restaurants, tax set out at 3%. On French side, many will go 1:1 if you pay cash. Had excellent meal but worst service ever at Tropicanna, where, amazingly, tip included in price! We will NEVER eat there again. La Brasserie outstanding in food and service. Chanteclaire and Mario's, as usual outstanding. Mario's closing until August. Went on Stargazer for dinner cruise. $ 65/person but outstanding. Finally went on Rhino's-fun but they should tell you about hitting waves, bouncing and having sore tale bone for a couple of weeks. Got outstanding deal on car from Paradise, which I negotiated. Jimbo's good tex-mex. Quality of service at Mini Club has gone down from good to moderate. 

Part 2: forgot to mention that Laguna and Lagondola were excellent. Never tried Lguna in the 16 years we have been going but, the food and service were excellent. I guess the location deterred us in past altho we have eaten at Turtle Pier, which is average and the service poor. Glad to see you are going to run for board. If nothing else, you should have wide audience and much knowledge the resort and its players. Bob Belstock

Subject: RE: restaurants
Date sent: Mon, 22 Mar 2004 
From: "Anne Williams" 
"We went to most restaurants in the Simpson Bay area.(most within walking distance). We did not try any of the Pelican restaurants this year, as we have not been pleased in the past. Perhaps these have improved. We do like La Vista for a treat - the setting is very nice and the meal is always nicely served and delicious. Another place was Uncle Harry's (near the Thrifty Car Rental) across from the airport runway. We had grilled shrimp that was out of this world. It is a a small place - a floating dock - holds about 25 people. Recommend reservations." 

 

From: "Steve Ahlquist" 
Date sent: Sun, 21 Mar 2004 
Ate at Laguna Restaurant by the airport. First time in our 14 years going to SXM. It was fabulous! Sorry we waited so long! M.
 

From: "Charlene Smith"
Date sent: Mon, 15 Mar 2004 
Just back from 12 days at Pelican's (weeks 9 & 10). Had a wonderful time.No mosquitos - and I am definitely a target! Our first "week" was in our unit in the big "B" building - a one bedroom with lock off. We brought friends who were there for the first time and fell in love with the island. Our unit was all redone - new tiling, etc. Very nice. Second week at our studio in the smaller "B" building - still in the old style - tile green and white, very few items in the kitchen such as knives, bowls, etc. It is due for renovation, I think.

Wanted to pass on - the talk about euros versus dollars - we ate at Grand Case several times and one time the exchange rate was $1.15 - but the other times the rate was listed outside - on the menu sign - as $1 for $1. I think they are becoming aware that some people panic trying to figure things out. As mentioned, if you charge on the French Side, it will be in
euros - and your credit card company will convert into dollars. We had wonderful meals at Le Bec Fin, Rainbow, L'Escapade, La Vista, Tropicanna, Cheri's (the show is a total hoot, if you've never seen it - not to be missed and the greatest hamburgers on the island). Temptations was the most expensive meal - but the most delicious - we loved it! Had a terrible meal at aptain's Cove and Peg Leg Pub was OK. Had lots of fun at Buccanner Bar - at the foot of the hill - newly built on beach near
Indiana Beach. In fact, I at first thought it was part of Indiana Beach restaurant. But it isn't and it's lots of fun and great drinks.

We used Paradise car rental - and got a real junker! Got a flat tire the first full day - and we were charged $40 for it - saying it was sliced (did we do it?!?) Fortunately, we were at Bai Rouge then, and the jack did not work - so one of the parking lot guys helped us with his jack. We love the friendly people on the island. My first time writing in this
newsletter - so I apologize for length - just wanted to share information. Thanks Judy for all you do. Charlene and Jay Smith 

From: Ray Leone 
Date sent: Thu, 18 Mar 2004
Just got back on the 17th from 2 weeks. I've been an owner since '87 and I think the resort looks the best it's been in the last 10 years. The exchange rate can put a crimp in dining on the French side but several restaurants are doing a $1=E1 exchange rate for $$ cash. Favorites were still Marios and Bistro Caraibes. Had a great meal, first time there, at
Spiga. California is giving and even exchange rate so we were there a couple of times. Harmony Nights (Tuesdays through April) in Grand Case were fun. Security guards were present in GC every night. All in all another great time in paradise. Raymond J. Leone 

From: Ron Kaminer
Date sent: Sat, 28 Feb 2004
Dear Judy and freinds,
Just returned from 8 days in St. Maarten, and we had sun, sun, sun,...Some of the best ever for week 7. The resort looks great. Marina pool, Marcos's Food and drink area, all refurbished and looking great. The Island was very busy with an inordinate amount of private jets on the runway. Some noteworthy restaurants: As usual Sol Y Luna in Anse Marcel was exquisite. Dont go there if you are scared to spend as dinner can be pricey, but the food in my opinion is by far the best on the Island. For a casual dinner, Hot Tomato right down the road from the Pelican has great Pizza. Il Netuno is grand case was great as usual, and the entertainment from Matteo is always a treat. Baywatch on Orient beach, serves great lunches and Andy the proprietor is always a riot. For great Rental car prices try Unity Car rental and ask for Michael. Nice people and always fair. As usual another great week in paradise. Ron Kaminer

Date sent: Sat, 21 Feb 2004 
Subject: SINT MAARTEN
From: Miriam and Herbert Wotiz
While we don't go out to dinner too much we did enjoy the food at the Boat House and of course (our favourite) the Tropicana. Because we had a freebee we went to the Bavaria on the airport road. The food was very good and the service prompt; even the oompahpah music was muted and pleasant. Passangrahan, as usual serves very good food in very pleasant surroundings. Incidentally, the new boardwalk is a true delight. One other place to mention is the San Severin on the exit road from Marigot, their fresh French mussels and the Dover sole are excellent. 

From: Jean Smith
Date sent: Sun, 8 Feb 2004 
New restaurant at Caravanserai...Palm Court... We went the 2nd night it opened. Open air, outstanding food and service. Offer 4 sauces for meats/fish and will serve all on the side (dill, Beu Cheese, creole, pepper). Best filet mignon, fish plate with grouper, snapper and mahi-mahi, homemade pasta is 'melt-in-your-mouth'. Generous servings. This is the only place we ordered dessert all week...OUTSTANDING. Tried Hot Tomatoes based on recommendations..concur it is terrific. Noisy inside but outside dining is great. Jean 

From: Ron Kaminer
Date sent: Fri, 23 Jan 2004
Sol Y Luna is still a favourite for us...Charlotte is a great waitress,...;..(albeit she is the owners daughter)...but the food is awesome...Maybe u had a bad experience...but I have never known them to beanything but great...... Ron Kaminer 

From: "DONALD POLLACK"
Subject: 5 weeks in heaven
Date sent: Mon, 19 Jan 2004
Hi from the Pelican

Elaine and I are just back from our 5 week stay at Pelican and we were, for the most part quite pleased. The biggest problem we had was the value of the euro versus the dollar; about a 25% premium. We just did not add a tip to almost all our "luxury" meals on the French side. Now the matter of most importance, Best Places to Eat- Golden Oldies and New Finds. Mario's, Chanteclair, Tropicana, Don Camillo, Saratoga, Alabama and my newest star La Gondola reign supreme. Other favorites include: Bistro Nu, Mai's, Laguna, Temptation's, La Rosa Too, Mini Club-buffet (lobster, duck, chicken pig, etc; wines, desserts) wed, sat 40 euros. New Favorites: Peg Leg Pub (best steak on the island), O Plongeoir, Bananas, Loterie Farms (amazing menu) BEWARE OF RESTAURANT SOL ET LUNA PRICES- This former favorite of ours really slammed us. We made the mistake of not asking prices of EVERYTHING!! Water was 8 euros/bottle, coffee and tea-5 euros/ per cup and a main dish special was a staggering 35 euros. In addition, neighboring tables of French speaking patrons were treated much more warmly than us. That's our message for the year. Hope to be writing to you again next year. Elaine and Donald Pollack 

From: Pattib429@aol.com
Date sent: Mon, 3 Nov 2003
Subject: Recent return
We just returned from St Martin and The Pelican Resort (10/25-11/01/03). We are owners and are amazed at the changes that occur each year. The resort is in great shape. We ate at many of the restaurants that many of the others have already posted about. One that I have not seen mentioned is Mezzanotte Ristorante. This is located right next to the Boathouse,near Billy Folly Road. The food was great. Nice atmosphere. The staff was very attentive. My husband had a Gruppa prepared in a sauce that he said had to be the best he ever tasted. Other favorites are Turtle Pier, Boathouse, PegLeg Pub, Ric's Place, Cheri's Cafe and Hot Tomatoes. 

Date sent: Wed, 01 Oct 2003 
Subject: Re: Restaurant Review
From: Bob Fairbanks 
Some observations during our five week August-September visit to St Maarten: Restaurant discoveries: Splash, the little place just beyond Indiana, is excellent. The two owners, Bill & Phil, are running it all by themselves during the off season and do a terrific job. The grouper was outstanding and the wine list very inexpensive. We enjoyed a sauvignon for only $12.50. No credit cards accepted and I'd recommend making reservations as it is such a small place.

It joins Le Bec Fin and La Vista as the places we'd recommend to anyone at Pelican but without a car. La Vista is a favorite of ours for any meal, and we're still surprised so few people at Flamingo or Pelican realize it's just 100 yards or so up the hill from them. And we'll take a dip in their swimming pool while we wait for breakfast or lunch.

Of course, the other obvious restaurant there is Captain's Cove, which we continue to dissuade new people from attending. We still hear the same old stories: expensive, poor service, the tips go to the management, not the waiting staff, etc.

We were again happy with Tutta Pasta, across the main road in the shopping center. Portions are so large you either have enough for the next day, or maybe you should order one less dish per table.

Another discovery for us was the Loterie Farm beyond Marigot, where I had the very best Caesar salad I've ever had. The other three were happy with their selections, too. Didn't have time or energy to take advantage of their nature hiking trails.

One more: Uncle Harry's in the boatyard on the way to the airport, where we had the best steak we've ever had anywhere. No, the beef isn't from Argentina, it's from our part of the world, California !

Still one more: Antoine's in Philipsburg, right on Great Bay. It's been on Front Street a long time, moving to its present location after the original place was wiped out by Hurricane Luis in 1995. Owner is Jean Pierre who spent lots of interesting time with us - one of the advantages of going to restaurants in the off season. I had the best(and largest portion) of roast duck ever.

Went to Le Pressoir in Grand Case for our expensive dinner of the trip. $129 but worth it. However, our favorite is still L'Amandier right next door, where we not only enjoy great lunches but also the swim pool and the beach before and after lunch. We were there four times during our five weeks.

Finally, the Cliffhanger that's right across the street from the casino in Cupecoy. We had a very enjoyable sunset thanks to Richard, the owner/bartender who comes from South Africa and opened the place in January. Highly recommended.

Happy October, Bob 

From: Jeff Berger
Date sent: Fri, 11 Jul 2003
Turtle Pier reopened this week. Renovations to the kitchen were completed quickly and the restaurant was simultaneously repainted. Their website is www.turtlepier.com; it has their complete menu and quite a bit of photography. Jeff 

From: dorothy leonard
Date sent: Tue, 1 Jul 2003
Hi Judy,
Just spent a wonderful week in St. Maarten. The resort is looking good and and the Board of Directors is working very hard to make more improvements. I had a wonderful meal at Le Piccolo in the cul de sac and despite the name, the Peg Leg Pub had very nice steaks. Just wanted to thank you for your efforts in providing this web site to the owners. It's invaluable! - Dorothy Leonard 

Date sent: Sat, 21 Jun 2003
From: Bob Fairbanks
Many thanks for the special service, Judy. I wouldn't have wanted to miss this one ! By the way, I am amazed at the insistently bad reviews Pelican Reef/Captain's Cove continues to get. Overpriced, bad service, and now, the tip scam. I'm sorry when I recommend eating places to new folks at Pelican that I have to warn them about this place. I'm also sorry so many agree with me, having gone there early in the week since it is so accessible. That's why I push La Vista and Le Bec Fin and Bananas, and other places within walking distance. I get the feeling that many newcomers are too timid to rent a car, and unfortunately are limiting themselves to our island. Bob

Date sent: Mon, 16 Jun 2003
From: Bob Fairbanks 
Just back from a week at Pelican and another at Divi. First two weeks of June had more gray skies than any in the 18 years we've been going there, but there was still enough sun to come back with nice tans. Random Wind remains our very favourite boating experience. The snorkeling has disappointed us since Hurricane Luis 8 years ago, but the sailing on Random Wind is marvellous. We're back in August for almost five weeks and are happy to hear that the boat will be there that time of the year, and we'll be on it once again. For the great ride, if not the snorkeling.

Eating out: L'Amandier in Grand Case remains our very favorite beach restaurant on the island . Glad to see manager Cedric is back from convalescing in France. (Knee surgery). Bananas continues to satisfy us and just about everyone else we've talked to at Pelican. Keep hearing that Lee's service is bad, matching our last time there in 2002. Four of us had a great lunch at Le Galleon on the Marigot Marina. Tutto Pasta was excellent, and the folks we were with went to Laguna and said it was even
better. Surprised most of the Pelican crowd still doesn't know about the little secret right above Flamingo: La Vista is great for breakfast, lunch or dinner, and it's an easy 5 minute walk up the hill. We wear our swim suits and take a dip in that beautiful little pool as we wait for the first course. Perfect especially for the folks who don't rent cars at
Pelican or Flamingo.

Å word about the French. Everyone is entitled to his/her opinion, and we respect that. But in our opinion, it doesn't make any sense to take out our unhappiness with French/American relations on the French of St. Maarten. Show me the waiter or maitre d' who's responsible for the international situation, and we won't go to that restaurant. As L'Amandier's Cedric told us, "It's the sea and the sun down here - it shouldn't be the politics". We agree. Pat & Bob Fairbanks, Dana Point, CA

From: "Mary Cullen"
Date sent: Mon, 16 Jun 2003
Judy, just returned from three weeks at the Pelican and it was great as usual. The office staff is improving at the front desk. They have hired some new people and they seem to be more customer oriented. Thank goodness. Found a new restaurant that just opened last year. It is between Marigot and Grand Case in Paradis Pix (I think that is the town). It actually is a nature reserve with trails through the rain forest. You feel like you are in a tree house in the middle of the forest and the food is very good (a lot less expensive than some of the French food). You have to walk up a path to the restaurant, but it is worth it. It is called Tolerie Farm. So go hiking and then eat, not a bad combination.

Date sent: Mon, 2 Jun 2003 
From: Gary Lussier 
Just back from a week at Pelican. Wanted to let you know about a new restaurant called La Gondola--it's by the bridge in Marigot, not far from Mario's. Best Italian food we've ever had, and prices are fabulous. All the pasta is fresh made. I can honestly say they make the best tiramisu too! Fantastic! Please stop in and visit David...you'll be glad you did. He even has parking across the street behind Chez Rosie. They're closed Sundays but open every other night for dinner. He's starting a new special for $19.95 which includes antipasto, choice of ravioli, gnocchi or lasagna, or pizza, chicken or eggplant parm, and ice cream or tiramisu for dessert. What a deal! Took the Lambada trip to Prickly Pear--what a great day! Snorkelling was great as was the lunch served on the beach. Another favourite was La Belle Epoque at the Marina in Marigot--pizza to die for. Also visited Hot Tomatoes--not that impressed. Tried Temptations behind the Atlantis Casino--stop in and visit Dino and
have a "Silly Goose;" you won't regret it! All in all the resort was looking good. Rented a car from Kenny's Car Rental--met us at the airport upon arrival and departure--would definitely do that again. A great place to buy liquor (accepts cash only) is Caribbean Paradise by McDonalds on Front Street. Cheapest prices of anywhere I've seen yet. $4.95 for a litre of Absolut! 

From: Aminerelli@aol.com
Date sent: Sat, 10 May 2003
Just back from 17 glorious days in St. Martin. Great new place for breakfast, Bitta's is in the Travel Inn building in Simpson Bay on the Airport Rd. Across from Ric's. Elizabeth, the owner/operator, makes the most fabulous French Toast with a soft meringue/lemon topping. The bread is French (of Course). This is a must have!!! But take your appetite, or be willing to share. I wouldn't share, so I got three meals out of one serving. Still love Le Charolais for beef. They are moving from Simpson Bay to the new building in Maho, opening in Maho in September. Closing the old site in June. So summer people will miss out for this season. I was unfortunately ill, but luckily was referred to the Medical Clinic in Simpson Bay Yacht CLub area, (behind Top Carrot), since I did not need an Emergency Room. Dr. Tjaden (pronounced Chatten) was marvelous and very
quick. Its a walk in clinic, I was in and out in less than an hour and everyone was very pleasant. Hated to have to go, but if you do have to see a Dr. at least you'll know where to go on island. 

The Resort looks great. New business center with Pelican shirts is great.I learned that some convenience items are cheaper at Peli Deli (yougurt, coffee, crackers). Tried the Pelican Reef, good food, very slow service. Thanks for keeping us in touch! We are already planning for next year! Ann and Steve Elliott

From: Judy and Roland Proulx 
Date sent: Sun, 23 Mar 2003 
Subject: SXM Trip
Hi All-

We recently returned from a week in SXM. Pelican looks great. We're in the lovely Bouganvillia Bldg. We didn't know it was Regatta Week, but that just added to the fun. We were looking forward to walking down the hill to what was The Village Bakery, but it proved a big disappointment. It's supposed to be open from 6:30 a.m. til 10:30 p.m., but was mostly closed
when we went by. The one time they were open, there was not much choice of food. Indiana was a great place for breakfast, as was Ric's. Ric's is a good place to see the boats going in and out of the harbor while dining. The Boathouse was great, as usual. The Top Carrot, in Plaza del Largo near the Business Centre and Tutta Pasta, has great fresh natural foods. The banana nut muffins scrumptious! Tutta Pasta was typically excellent. Warren and his staff do a great job! Le Chanticlair in
Marigot Harbor was the most enjoyable of all. They have two sittings each night, 7 and 9. We highly recommend it. A highlight of our trip was a return visit to see Claudette at Paradise View on Hope Hill, which offers exotic island cuisine while ejnoying the spectacular views of Orient Bay. Claudette makes her own guavaberry liqueur, and her guavaberry
coladas are to die for! Check out SXM-Info.com for more restaurant info. We also rented jetskis on Kimsha Beach from Enzo and Veronica and had a wonderful 3- hour guided tour of the western side of the island. They're just down the beach from Indiana. Recommend that too. A week just isn't long enough! Judy and Roland Proulx

From: ALEX AND MADELINE HOROWITZ
Date sent: Sun, 23 Feb 2003 
Dear Judy,
We just got back from our two weeks on the Friendly Island and we did have a wonderful, wonderful, time. The Pelican is looking very nice. The pools were all in wonderful shape and we had a wonderful time. 

But you don't have to drop big bucks everytime you go out to eat either. The Simpson Bay Yacht Club on the near side of the lagoon bridge is a delightful drop in place where a steak for $9.50 comes with rice and a salad, and add conch chowder that is really filling for an additional $4.00. Cold beer is a bargain at happy hour and if you go by at bridge opening hour and mix with the locals off the moored yachts and smaller sailing and motor vessels as well as some of the bigger mega motor
floating palaces as they float through the uplifted drawbridge, you get a great meal as well as some great international conversation. 

Also, at 2 for $9.99 the 12" Subway sandwiches everyday special on Airport Road right before going to the movie is a great evening if you don't want to drop gobs of money at the Casinos. We had the Jason special Turkey on Whole Wheat and then went to see The Life of David Gale on Thursday night before it even opened in the US and really enjoyed ourselves. St Maarten can really be a fun place to spend a warm vacation while your friends are digging themselves out of 2 feet of snow. But
don't rub it in! ALEX AND MADELINE HOROWITZ 

From: "Jeri & Jerry Luke" 
Date sent: Sun, 16 Feb 2003 

Good news for loyal patrons (and for those of you that haven't had the pleasure), of ZEE BEST in Marigot, Dany and wife Tamela are opening a second restaurant in Simpson Bay right at the bottom of our hill !!!!! Same great croissants and pastry baskets and more!! All still made in their own bakery . Should be ready next week - leaving Pelican go down the hill, take right - quick left - into Simpson Bay shopping area ( towards Saratoga Restaurant,) ZEE BEST is first building on right
(Old Donald's Cafe location) across from Goodfellows. Stop by and wish them well and enjoy the pastry, quiches, omelets, crepes and more. As a side note , owner Dany plays in a great band, live music on the waterfronts. Every Friday at Sunset Beach 5:30 -9pm, 2nd and 4th Wed. 11-2am at Tequila above Rancho Steak, and every Sat. 8-11 at the new bar at the new marina on Snoopy Island in Simpson Bay Lagoon. (Entrance is a new bridge, between Boat House Restaurant and the draw bridge, tell the gate man you are going to the bar. drive around past the mega yachts, and head toward the music. Lots of great restaurants on the Dutch side, didn't even get to Grand Case this year! Try Temptation (by the Atlantis Casino) - Local chef, trained at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY. wonderful soothing atmosphere, great live soft piano music, food that was best of all places we've ever tried. Enjoyed Bliss, Don Camillo's, Hot Tomato's, and so many more all still excellent food and value. 

From: Betty and Milton Slabysz
Date sent: Sun, 16 Feb 2003 
Subject: Re: Just back from 2 weeks at Pelican
Hi Judy;

Left 2/01/ and returned 2/15/03. We brought some meat with us but never used it. We found fabulous meat and other items at the new The Grande Marche near Mark's Place. We will not bring anything with us next yr. We visited a co workers of mine brother, who owns a little cafe on Grand Case. The name is Michaels of Boston. (Owners- Mike and Marilyn) They are closed Sun and Mon. open for breakfast then From our unit we watched the mega yachts that come through form the new Marina. Snoopy Island at the end of Porte De Plainse is going to have a hotel built. Many great reasonable places to eat in the immediate area of the resort. Our favorites, Bananas (Love their blimp shrimp dish ) Boat House, Hot Tomatoes for lunch, Rick's Place for breakfast, Tutta Pasta above the Stop and Shop. ( Make reserv. ) Also, Pasta/Pizza behind the Cherries. ( Make reserv. ) Attented the 2/11 meeting and was very informative. Guess their not going to pursue bldg. at the marina. We all got a notice from the Captain's Cove Rest. formally the Reef Rest., stating that they were going to improve the menu & boasting of their past achievments of yrs. gone by. After much deliberation Bob Shaw said they are on their last 4 yrs. of their lease. We have always gone their for their lobster special Fridays. So we thought we would go again. What a disappointment. During the week we had flyers put in our door about the different specials it included the lobster special for Fri. I called Wed. to make reserv. for Fri. (Valentines Day.) We got there only to find out that the menu for that evening had been changed, nice-bait and switch. I ordered the lobster anyway and my husband had the prime rib. I must say the food was excellent, the service poor and the table location terrible. Having made advance reserv. I thought the table we were given should not have been given to anyone. If my husband Can't wait until next yr. when we hope to spend 3-4 weeks.  Regards to all and peace in the world, Betty and Milton Slabysz

Date sent: Fri, 7 Feb 2003
From: Clement & Sylvia MacLeod
Highly recommend Le Petit Auberge (Royal Marina - Marigo) and Bananas (Simpson Bay adjacent to RP) for low key, relaxed and reasonably priced food the match of any on the island for taste and generous portions. 

From: Barbara Singer
Date sent: Thu, 30 Jan 2003
Again, thank you for the wonderful job you do. We are just back from 3 weeks at the Pelican. The resort is in great shape and we had a wonderful time. I just want to pass along a few restaurants that have not been mentioned yet, that were great. The Loterie Farm rest. is a great place for lunch or dinner. The chef is from Toronto and has the greatest flavouring in all her recipes. Definitely try Julie's Curry Spinach Chicken and Basmatic Rice. It was really outstanding. We also had a wonderful meal at Kokomo's which is located at the Port de Plaisance. The owner Peter is a wonderful guy and really went out of his way to make our dining experience a pleasurable one. If you get a chance to go there order the Spanish Paella for 2. It was really outstanding. For dessert Peter insisted we try a cake called Arequipe. You have never tasted anything quite like it.
The usual wonderful meals were there. But it is always nice to try something new. Thanks again for the wonderful job you do. Barbara Singer

From: Charles Ticho
Date sent: Fri, 24 Jan 2003
Judy -- since people are reporting on restaurants, let me put in my two cents after three weeks at the Pelican -- wk 51 to 1.
Indiana was a disappointment not one but twice. We had our son's birthday party there and the service was slow, the waiter was typically French -- impatient and belligerent and to top it off they add a 18% service charge to the bill whether eserved or not and then -- to top it off, our French host seemed upset that we did not tip him in addition! Unfortunately, my grandchildren insisted on going back there for New Year. Big mistake. The food was served in shifts -- two entrees now, three later, then two more, etc. We did not get our desert till after midnight. On top of all this the prices are too high.

More bad news -- Rancho's -- they say they serve Argentine beef -- I've eaten Argentine beef and what they are pushing, I bet, is frozen US meat. And the music is a pain in the ears and does nothing for the ambiance and pleasure of eating.

However, Tutta Pasta deserves a very good report -- it is reasonable, large portions and at least 50 varieties of pasta entrees. Service was friendly, fast and pleasant. Also, upstairs from the Tomatoes restaurant is a wonderful new Japanese sushi restaurant. Excellent chef (though Korean), good selection and reasonable. Service was very pleasant and the decor is very pleasant and, for a change, the music enhances the experience.

Date sent: Sun, 16 Feb 2003
From: Miriam and Herb Wotiz

The usual restaurants are still offering excellent food. Our favorite is the Tropicana at the Marina Royal. Le Bec Fin also is very good and not too expensive. There is a new French bakery on the airport road near the RRBT bank. The breads are excellent, baguettes usually available all day and the desserts are great. We are already looking forward to next year.Also, thank you for the great service you render to all of us. Best regards Miriam and Herb Wotiz

From: Will McCarty
Date sent: Sun, 19 Jan 2003
RESTAURANT REVIEW
At our age, my wife and I consider pleasurable dining as one of the joyous facets of life. I usually take notes about recommendations and observations of your readers from PRC. This will be an attempt to add my observations (and prejudices) . Prices will be listed as E (expensive), M (moderate) or L (low)

Le Bec Fin- this has become one of our favorites. We discovered it two years ago and look upon it as a wonderful ecompression dinner (and it is just down the hill from Pelican). I had the salmon en papillote and significant other the mahi-mahi. Together with a demi-bouteille of Pouilly-fuse, it was great. Parking is very easy. (M+)

Citrus- although a little pricey, the presentation and menu were great. One had the dorado and the other the salmon. This time we took the house chardonnay and it was most acceptable. The creme brule is as good as Mario's! The maitre de is named Tufique (from Morocco originally where I spent nearly a year of my life). He is most knowledgeable and a joy. (E)

Boathouse- we each had two versions of scallops and both were excellent. My main complaint was slowness of service (and there were only about two other couples in the dining area). Our hostess said that she had prepared our scallops herself and I believe her. Forget the crab cake or conch soup entrees. (M)

Mario's Bistro- we made our reservation a month ahead because for us, Mario's is THE PLACE. Madame is always gracious and Didier excels. I had the usual great roast duck and wife had the salmon. (E)

Tutta Pasta- this eaterie had the misfortune of following Mario's. The pasta is good but with minimal meat components. It is on the second floor in the Simpson Bay Lagoon complex- locate it in the daytime to make your
evening search easier. (M/L)

Bananas- Close and with good service. Our choices were red snapper and mahi-mahi with crab stuffing. Food was good but not extraordinary. (M)

Indiana- after not going there for two years, we decided to try the lobster (only on Sat or Sun) and priced at $14.75 per pound. S.O. had rack of lamb. The food was good, service fine. The Frenchman who originally had Felix's years ago is now in French Canada with a souvenir shop. No more animals/birds (and I am glad). (M)

Return to Le Bec Fin- I told you that we liked this place. My duck was excellent but I prefer the larger amounts at Mario's. S.O. had the veal chop and was very happy. Their bananas flambe is not up to my wife's- brown sugar would have made it better. (M+)

Hot Tomatoes- we went there after reading about it in Judy's newsletter. It is the old Sambuca and purchased by a young man from CT. Respectable food. (M)

Return to Mario's Bistro- Significant other had the duck this time and I had Grouper in bouillabaisse complete with mussels, shrimps, etc. The crab entree was excellent. Service, etc. excellent as always. 

Note to Judy: Since I was nearly killed in a soaring plane crash some 22 years ago (with a serious consideration of having both lower legs amputated; fortunately, not done), I have a limp so if this is used by you, simply sign me as.   The Gimpy Gourmet

From: Elaine and Don Pollack
Subject: Our Five Weeks
Date sent: Wed, 22 Jan 2003

Just returned from five wonderful weeks (12/15-01/19). 

Getting on to the most important part of our vacation: The Restaurant Scene. Having 34 nights and days, we are able to cover the island pretty well and get feedback from dozens of people. Be aware that the euro is the currency on the French side. The rate was $1.06 to 1.00 euros. A meal costing 100 euros cost $106. Fair Warning to All. 

The Greats: Mario's, Tropicana, Don Camillo. 

The New Greats: Temptation, Citrus, Sol e' Luna. 

The Near Greats: Chanteclair, Saratoga, Alabama, Bistro Caribe, Laguna, Mai's Vietnamese/Marigot,.

Several other favourites rarely disappoint. Saint Germain, Ric's, The Boathouse(for lunch), Perroquet, La Main a la Pate and Village. 

Our #1New Favourite: La Gondola, about 100 yards over the bridge from Mario's. Wonderful, inventive, Italian food at very reasonable prices. If you are in love with osso buco, this is your place. Mention that you are from Pelican and David will treat you royally. Elaine and Don Pollack
 

Back to Top: