I finally got around posting our restaurant reviews on our 'food' page [
gobeach.com]
Here they are, some are familiar to many, other places might be (hopefully) new to some:
# Restaurant Reviews by Gert and Annemariek [November 9, 2008]
"This summer we spend three weeks on St.Maarten, having 2 six-year olds limited our restaurant experience, resulting in more take-out. Finally finished writing up some of our highlights, not in a specific order:
Big Fish, Oyster Pond - the food is very nice. Excellent seafood. We only had take out but we heard that the service is not that great.
Captain Oliver's, Oyster Pond - the restaurant has been here for years, but now has a new manager, Philippe (who is also a moderator on the Friendly Island Forum). He told us in August that a new exciting menu will be introduced soon. We had lunch here and it was very tasty. Nice place to sit on the water. It is also great for kids since they have a turtle, some sharks and lots of fish swimming around.
Mama Pizza, Oyster Pond - Local pizza place. Very nice outside restaurant (there are no awnings or anything, so don't go on a rainy night). Good thin crust pizza but also have some non-pizza dishes. Great for kids as long as they know that they have stay away from the road.
Surinamese Food Truck, Pond Fill Road, Philipsburg. This is one of the food trucks on the Pond Fill side of Pond Fill Road in Philipsburg. It is located close to the Heineken plane. The food is excellent, esp. the sate with peanut sauce. It is more a take-out place for lunch. They usually close by 3 or 4 depending on when the food has run out.
Safari Grill, Orient Square, French - Surprisingly one of our best meals on the island. I had a 'prime rib' which was cooked like a steak, very tasty. Very nice sauces and great wine. On the Square are many other restaurants, some French, some pizza, some mixed and a 'Thai' food place. No problem to bring kids, they can just run around on the Square while you enjoy your gourmet dinner. On the same square Cote Plages and La Chapelle were also recommended.
Lal's Indian Food, opposite the Airport. If you have a graving for Indian food this is the place to go. They also have some nice Belgian beers (don't drink them like Heinekens or Presidentes!.
Mullet Bay Beach. Local Food. There are two beach bars at Mullet Bay. We visited the green one a couple times. Great barbeque. Very good ribs. Not expensive.
Lolo's Grand Case. Local Food. Most of the food is 'a la carte' so a great opportunity to try some local food like Johnny Cakes, Acras, plantain (banana), crab backs. Or for a great local sitdown dinner Yvette's in Orleans is also great.
Toppers (formerly Banana's), Simpson Bay. We had lunch and dinner take out. Good food. Nice prime rib and good brisket. The waitress adored our kids :-)
Pineapple Pete, Simpson Bay. Tasty food, burgers, wraps, salads. We went there for lunch. Kid friendly (they can keep the 'plate').
Buccaneer Bar, Simpon Bay, next to the Atrium. Nice hangout for happy hour. Friendly people behind the bar. Live music saturday night. They serve food as well, ribs, fish, burgers and pizza. Kid friendly.
Saint Severin, Marigot. Traditional French food, off the beaten track, when you drive into Marigot from the Dutch Side, turn left at the first roundabout and you will find it on your right, across from the Pharmacy. There is a new owner but the food is still really tasty. Although they don't have a kids menu they can whip up some food for them. You can sit outside next to the kitchen windows if you like, and talk to the chef directly.
Madinina, Nettle Bay. Excellent local food, excellent curries. If you are nice he might let you try some of his best rum! (Ti-Punch)
Uncle Harry's, Airport Road. If you like lobster/seafood, this is a fun place to bring kids as well. It is local, not Maine, lobster, cooked in Uncle Harry's special 'secret' way, which makes the meat just cooked right! It is on a boat in the lagoon and Uncle Harry will be more then happy to show the kids the Lobster pots that are hanging overboard."