Trip Report Jan31-Feb18, 2014 - Part 2

Dinner :

Cafe de Paris – Marigot Marina. [i216.photobucket.com] As is our custom, our first night back on SXM we have dinner with friends Paul and Carol. This year Cafe de Paris was the choice. Chef /Owner Alex [i216.photobucket.com] is in charge of the kitchen. His wife Chantal is waitress. A cocktail to set the mood , Ti Punch. [i216.photobucket.com]
We started with an appetizer of Accras or Salt fish fritters. [i216.photobucket.com] They tasted as good as they look.
Paul and I had the Curry Chicken w/pineapple. 14E [i216.photobucket.com]
Betty had their Grouper. 16E [i216.photobucket.com] She said was the best she has ever had on SXM including some of our favorite places.
Carol had a Rib Eye steak. 19E [i216.photobucket.com] That came with a blue cheese sauce.
For dessert, if you know Betty and I, Creme Brulee. 6E [i216.photobucket.com] The BEST we had on this trip.
Dinner was followed by Cafe de Paris' special [i216.photobucket.com]
Wonderful dinner. Would highly recommend. Conversion rate $1.30/1 E Here's the rest of their menu.
[i216.photobucket.com]
[i216.photobucket.com]
[i216.photobucket.com]
[i216.photobucket.com]
They serve pizza. [i216.photobucket.com]
[i216.photobucket.com]

Dirty Des' - [i216.photobucket.com] [i216.photobucket.com] Just had a burger to try the place out. [i216.photobucket.com] Here's their menu. [i216.photobucket.com]

Dinghy Dock – After snacking all afternoon at our SXM Lovers Get Together in the Iguana Bar, we stopped at Dinghy Dock for a light meal. Cheese Sticks - $9. [i216.photobucket.com] and Rib Tips - $9. [i216.photobucket.com] Sorry I started on the ribs before I took the picture.
There is no service charge at Dinghy Dock as it says on their menu, unless you cause trouble.
On another night we had their Fish and Chips, comes with fries $14.00 Sorry no pic. Here's their menu
[i216.photobucket.com]

Piazza Pascal - This a great place for dinner in Grand Case. We always go on Harmony night. They've expanded the balcony area. You can see the parade and people [i216.photobucket.com] , but it's a little more quiet so you talk. They built a little bridge which spans and connects the old upstairs seating area with a new similar size area. [i216.photobucket.com]
There are always a couple specials [i216.photobucket.com] for he night. I had the Jerk Mahi Mahi. [i216.photobucket.com] This was Betty's chicken dish [i216.photobucket.com]
Judy had the clams in a white wine and garlic sauce over linguini. [i216.photobucket.com] Tom had the seafood w/Alfredo sauce.
[i216.photobucket.com] .
Here's some of the other meals, but I can't remember what each was.
[i216.photobucket.com] [i216.photobucket.com]
[i216.photobucket.com]
[i216.photobucket.com]
Here's their menu if you want to try to figure out what everyone ate.
[i216.photobucket.com]
[i216.photobucket.com]
[i216.photobucket.com]
Desserts - Tiramisu [i216.photobucket.com]
Panna Cota - [i216.photobucket.com]
Brownie - [i216.photobucket.com] for Betty and I.
Donna and Pascal do a great job here. They do $1=1E if you're paying cash.

Buccaneer Beach Bar - Located next to the Atrium and next to Kim Sha Beach, you can't beat their Cheeseburger along with a BBC and coke. The bill was $20. There is no service charge here. Another favorite here is pizza. Tom and Judy enjoyed their Hamburger/Mushroom/Goat Cheese Pizza. [i216.photobucket.com] .

Dean's(Dino's) Steakhouse – Sign over the door says Dean's, Menu says Dino's. We went on a Thursday evening because Cover 2 Cover was preforming starting at 7pm. There's also a coupon floating around that says if you get seated by seven, you're second entree is 50% off. So it was a crowd and mass seating in that fifteen minutes before 7. This caused meals to be delayed, in our case, around an hour. Betty and I split a 10oz filet. [i216.photobucket.com] It was cooked like we like it. [i216.photobucket.com] Since the chef here was from the old Peg Leg Pub, I expected the steak to taste pretty much like the old PLP filet. It was close. Tom had their RibEye Steak. [i216.photobucket.com] It was good, but as you can see, much thinner than usual steaks. Judy had the scallops. [i216.photobucket.com]
It was several days after our visit that we heard Dean's had closed for a few days. Seems there was a dispute between the owner and the chef. Don't know present status.
Here's part of their menu. [i216.photobucket.com]

Lagoonie's - Found this place again after trying it in November. Went on Friday, since this is Fish and Chips night. Got there a little before 7pm. Well, HH was just winding down, so luckily we were able to grab a table. The menu is limited and we came for the fish and chips. [i216.photobucket.com] Everyone really enjoyed the fish again. Very light batter. $14. with no service charge. Parking is tight. Live band starts around 7:30pm.

La Bamba - They have a food menu of about six items and a German Chef. I had the German Bratwurst $6. Tom had a Gyro w/pork loin.

Island Pizza - Located just outside the gate to OBBR and on the parking lot side of Mr Busby's/Daniels by the Sea, Island Piazza serves a very thin crust pizza that's pretty good. Here's what's left when I remembered to take a picture of our Sausage/Cheese pizza. $14.75. [i216.photobucket.com] Jeff Berger's site has a free beer coupon with purchase.

The Palm's – Located on Airport Rd in Simpson Bay, next to the Subway Shop, Owner Greg and staff serves up some great food in a very relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Wayne and Louise joined our group tonight. [i216.photobucket.com] Tom and Betty had the drunken ribs. [i216.photobucket.com] Voted later the best they had this trip.
I had my usual Lasagna. It might have been the last piece of the night, but was great as usual. [i216.photobucket.com] Judy had the chicken breast wrapped with bacon. [i216.photobucket.com]
Love this place. Kind of has the”Cheer's” atmosphere. Also there, were Bill and Elaine, Sharon, Lotsan and her guy.

Pizza Galley - I had won a $25. Gift Certifcate on Erich Kranz's SXM Info – Newsletter (esk@sxm-info.com) site for the Pizza Galley. We probably would have visited anyway, since JR has been on Welfare Rd for a long time and we enjoy his pizza, but $25. guaranteed we'd stop. Betty and I had a hamburger with provolone cheese pizza. [i216.photobucket.com] Tom and Judy did a four cheese with mushrooms. [i216.photobucket.com]

Pineapple Pete's – Always have to stop here. This stop Betty and I had the Caesar Salad, [i216.photobucket.com] and coconut shrimp [i216.photobucket.com] . Tom had the Lobster Thermadore, [i216.photobucket.com] . Judy had the Scallops in garlic sauce. [i216.photobucket.com]
Of course we always have the Creme Brulee to finish. Sadly it wasn't up to the usual. My bill was $38. with service charge added.

Rancho - [i216.photobucket.com] We made 25 or so trips to SXM. Have passed this place on Airport Rd a gazillion times. Maybe from reports years ago or whatever we never stopped, but we walked across from Turquoise Shell Inn and checked their menu and it looked good plus we had one of those coupons that if you seat before 6pm the second meal is 50% off. So we were only diners for a short time. [i216.photobucket.com]
Here's their menu - [i216.photobucket.com]
[i216.photobucket.com]
[i216.photobucket.com]
Betty and I split their 14 oz filet. It costs $46. but for two meals that pretty reasonable. It was tender, no fat , cords or grizzle, and cooked perfectly.
[i216.photobucket.com]
Tom and Judy shared the “Best of Both Worlds” for $64. They got filet, strip loin, and ribeye steaks.
[i216.photobucket.com] They ate every bit.
Our waitress was Gee. She said that their beef now comes from New Zealand. We will return.

StMaarten Yacht Club (SMYC) – One of our favorite meals and places is Happy Hour at SMYC. They have a Happy Hour Bar Bites and Happy Hour Appetizers menus. You can choose 3 Bar Bites for $15.00. For $25. you can choose 3 appetizers. Tom and Judy picked the coconut shrimp, ribs, and grouper fingers. [i216.photobucket.com] Betty and I had the beef cappaccio, grouper fingers, and ribs. [i216.photobucket.com]

Skipjacks – Tom was determined to do a 5# lobster this year. This year it was priced at $19./# here's Tom getting ready to take a picture of Timmy(Named his lobster). Our waiter Kelvin did the real work and actually replaced Timmy with another 5# with a bigger tail and more meat. Here's what it looks like split and grilled. [i216.photobucket.com] [i216.photobucket.com] Using my $50. gift certificate from Erich's web site, Betty and I had a pan fried grouper dinner [i216.photobucket.com] . We finished our meal with a piece of Key Lime Pie. [i216.photobucket.com]
There is service charge added in, but we voted Kelvin our best waiter for the trip, and made sure he got extra.

Carousel(3) - One of our favorite places is Carousel for an ice cream to end a great night. The place is immaculate. The ice cream choices almost overwhelming. But such a fun place to enjoy a nice ice cream and then watch maybe a couple kids ride the Carousel or walk around the outside and see the wonderful pictures of others eating their ice cream. [i216.photobucket.com] (3)

Things we did, Thoughts, and Ramblings

Super Bowl – Watch the game at a small party of SXM residents in the home of John from Tijon.
Won $62.50 in the Super Bowl “square” pick at OBBR.

SXM Lovers Get Together - Most of you know, that I have a SXM Lovers get Together the first Monday of February, assuming I'm on SXM. This year was no exception and we had a wonderful turnout. It's was held in the Iguana Bar which is at the far end of the Captain Oliver restaurant. It overlooks the Oyster Pond marina with OBBR across the water. On a clear day we can see St Barts through the channel opening. [i216.photobucket.com] .
Somewhere around 50 people showed up and we had a lot of good conversations and snacks courtesy of Captain Olivers We also had a short presentation from Linda Cocks, who is one of the directors of the “Be The Change” organization on SXM. This group helps lesser known groups, and /or services on SXM to raise money for their activities. We made a free will collection for the Group. Linda also sold a few Be the Change t shirts.

Harmony Night - As in past years, Harmony Night in Grand Case is a must do venture. Many local artists line the streets as well as residents selling their own special food/drink items. At least once in the evening a band with dancers makes it way down the street. If nothing else it's a tremendous people watching night. We usually reserve a time at Piazza Pascals for dinner. You can have a great meal without the crowd starring at what you're eating. [i216.photobucket.com]

Visit to Dave and Britt's – We were invited over to Dave and Britt's condo in the Belair Resort for an afternoon of snacks, drinks, and views of the SXM seaside. A great afternoon. No wonder it's hard to trade into the place. Nice accommodations and views.

La Bamba(2) – This is the place to be on Sunday evening from 7 to 10:30 or so. The Category 5 Band with Bob lead singer really rocks! [i216.photobucket.com] Other Island musicians sit in on occasion, like Connis and his Sax. [i216.photobucket.com] Almost impossible not to tap your toes in the sand or want to get up and dance. [i216.photobucket.com] At moment they're running a special, 2 for 1 on Mt Gay Rum drinks and 5 beers for $10.
They have a German Chef working the small kitchen, hence the food menu is only 6 or 7 items. I tried the German bratwurst which overlapped the bun by an inch or two at both ends. Came with onions already applied. It was $6. Tom tried the gyro which was also $6. made with Pork Loin. Think one night we were there a bacon cheeseburger was on the menu, some pasta dish, and maybe one other item.
Eat first, then go enjoy the music.

Visit to Bernadine and Friends(2) – We stopped by Paradise View [i216.photobucket.com] to see Bernadine, [i216.photobucket.com] and some of her friends, including this camera shy kitty. [i216.photobucket.com] Besides having a wonderful view , [i216.photobucket.com] , Bernadine also takes care of a lot of unwanted cats and dogs. We also were carrying a package for her from her friends, Jim and Judy from Canada, because it's cheaper and faster to send things to St Louis than SXM. Package delivered, we bought several bottles of Ma DouDou for gifts and made a donation for animal food. On a second trip to buy one more gift bottle, I saw one way to recycle a box into a bed. [i216.photobucket.com] . I also picked up a letter to mail to Jim and Judy upon my return to St Louis.

Art in the Park – Second Sunday of February every year is the Art in the Park event in Emilo Wilson Estate, which is just down from Grand Marche in Cole Bay. It's a great gathering of artists and crafts people displaying and selling their work.

SXM Cooks – One pf the highlights of this years SXM visit was being invited to dinner at Lucille Frye's home. Luci still teaches her SXM Cooking class, but on a very limited basis. She also write food articles and restaurant reviews in the Daily Herald. She is a fascinating woman with many stories to tell including the ones concerning her family(husband, Peter, two teenage daughters, and five year old daughter, getting on their 46 foot sailing yacht, leaving South Africa, and winding their way to SXM.
Won't try to describe what she prepared for us because I can't remember all the items, although there was a shrimp dish and a pork dish. Salad was from her garden. The only dish I can tell about were the slices of watermelon, covered with crumbled feta cheese, a few dried tomatoes from her garden, and a sprinkle of balsamic dressing. It was outstanding.
Here's a picture of “the ladies” of the evening. [i216.photobucket.com] The fore mentioned watermelon slices awaiting final prep on the counter. And the dessert [i216.photobucket.com] It was a totally unforgettable evening.

JAPEC Hotel International Chinese Swim Club – As mentioned before, another tradition of our visits to SXM is an afternoon visit to our friends, Paul and Carol and their pool. Also part of the tradition is that we pick up Chinese food for lunch. Paul and Carol have named and refer to their place as the JAPEC Hotel, although it's a hotel by invitation only. They have a wonderfully relaxing view of Anguilla and Friar's Bay. [i216.photobucket.com] They also have a nice pool made for relaxing in SXM. [i216.photobucket.com] The past couple years we have met Paul's friend Mike, his wife, Diane, and his 90 year old Mother, who has started visiting, from England at this time. [i216.photobucket.com] Mike repairs antique clocks and lives in the Simpson Bay area. ( www.antique-clock-repairs.com ).

Visit to Jeannie's – As some of you know, I helped Jeannie get her new, broken I-phone repaired a couple weeks ago. As pay back, Jeannie took us on a “behind the gates” tour of the the Simpson Bay Yacht Club residences .[i216.photobucket.com] This is the area where our friend, Rob from Kansas City, will be hosting his son's wedding in a couple weeks. [i216.photobucket.com] Also got to see Shop n Drop SXM Headquarters(no pictures were allowed). Thanks Jeannie. Unfortunately for Tom he still couldn't get too close to the big mega yachts.

Shopping in Phillisburg(2) – Went to P-burg the day before Valentine to get a special perfume for our daughter. Walked in the wrong shop and Betty saw a pair of Italian evening sandals that called to her. One pair calling was in white, one on black. Our course the shop keeper was besides himself telling her how good each looked. Well they did and she said they were comfortable(a key point). We haggled a little and got both for $60. on my credit card, which gives me 1.5% back.
Then had to stop by and say “hello” to “the boys” at DK Gem. In a method I'm sure taught to him by Deepti, he let Betty try on some diamond rings, easily worth more than our house. Thankfully he didn't send her out on Front St to see them sparkle in the sun. Changing the subject I asked about reasonable, everyday watches. That got the rings back in the case. He showed us a new line of reasonably priced watches, some of which we both liked and looked good on her thin wrist. So Happy Valentines to Betty.
Kamal and his wife are expecting their first in June. So Deepti will be an Aunt again.

Select Wines Cellar- (http://www.selectwinecellar.com/) Another of the gift certificates I won on Erich Kranz's site was for a wine tasting and bottle of wine. As I walked in, Sylvain(owner) [i216.photobucket.com] was helping another couple choose wines so I just followed along and tasted also. I selected a 2012 Petit Chablis. Not an expensive wine, but I liked it and that's what matters. Even bought a couple extra bottles to take home for my kids.

Casinos – Our little group [i216.photobucket.com] likes to visit the casinos. Since we were at OBBR for two weeks, the closest large casino is Princess at Port d'Plaissant where we played 8 times. Played once at Atlantis.

Other info to pass on - The Gess gas station in Orleans next to the turn-off to Yvettes is reopening as a Delta gas station.
Price of gas at Cadesco in Orient area is 1.31/Liter where they do 1E=$1. For the 19 days spent $130. on gas.

Here's the bridge opening times [i216.photobucket.com]
And a huge boat leaving. [i216.photobucket.com]
[i216.photobucket.com]
Another yacht getting cleanned [i216.photobucket.com]
Lots of boats. [i216.photobucket.com]
Lots of planes. [i216.photobucket.com] [i216.photobucket.com]
Lots of sand in front of Beachside Villas for Carol. [i216.photobucket.com]
Work going on [i216.photobucket.com]
Looking down Simpson Bay Beach(less sand at drawbridge end). [i216.photobucket.com]


Here's some landing and flyaway pics.
With a little rainbow. [i216.photobucket.com]
[i216.photobucket.com] [i216.photobucket.com]
[i216.photobucket.com]
[i216.photobucket.com]
[i216.photobucket.com]
[i216.photobucket.com]
[i216.photobucket.com]
[i216.photobucket.com]
[i216.photobucket.com]
[i216.photobucket.com]
[i216.photobucket.com]
[i216.photobucket.com]
[i216.photobucket.com]
[i216.photobucket.com]
Arrived with a rainbow, leaving with a rainbow.
[i216.photobucket.com]
[i216.photobucket.com]
[i216.photobucket.com]

It was a great trip. Can't wait to go again!