Memories tarnished..but I'm calling out this outrageous behavior...

H

hydraaa

SBH Insider
My son took his girlfriend to SB last week to propose to her...we love her and her family and are so excited to have them...He took her there because for 20 years, I took our family there on spring break to get away as a special family place...in the beginning (1995), no cell phones, no internet...just family time...many memories have been made there...Andy at the Hideaway, the Guanahani, the many villas, the Wall House, Dad kissing the ground when the plane landed not because of the landing but because I always thought we were "home"...even meeting the famous Phil and Amy one day at Santa Fe...Dad taking him to Casa de Habano and meeting Sandrine to smoke his first cigar, the wave runner tour around the island...meeting Jon Bon Jovi at the Guanahani...and so many others...

Now, here's the good, the bad, and the ugly...

Here's the good...

My son used Sebastien for photos...he did a great job at a reasonable price at Shell Beach where my son got down on one knee and proposed to her...the photos are amazing and they Facetimed her parents an hour later and us after that...many tears were shed...thank you, Sebastien!

Here's the bad

After Shell Beach....he took her to dinner at Bonita...he let them know days ahead that it would be their first meal after they were engaged...nothing was expected in exchange...except a nice mention and congratulations would have been certainly appropriate. The wait staff and the manager spent the next hour aggressively trying to get them to order overpriced champagne, truffles, and caviar. At the end of the meal, they again were asked to order "caviar ice cream"...they declined...mind you, they ate a complete meal and I think it came to $500 for the 2 of them. Once the "caviar ice cream" was refused...the manager approached my son and told him that they "needed the table"...he was insistent...the restaurant was half filled...really?

Now, here's the ugly...

The next day, my son takes his new fiance to Beach Nao for lunch...lunch was mediocre and overpriced. I've been a wine collector for many years and know something about prices. The sommelier or manager takes my son aside and says something to the affect..."I heard you just you got engaged...don't you want to buy this magnum of Dom Perignon for your future wife...doesn't she deserve it..." and promptly tells my son, it's $42,000. Now a magnum of Dom will set you back here in the states, $600, maybe, retail...so let's say the restaurant wants to put a high mark-up of 5x...then we are talking $3000...NOT $42,000. The only thing I can think is that the guy was trying to take advantage of an love-blinded young man and that's exactly what my son thought...thank God, all the lessons I've put into him over the years basically took over...His response...F*CK OFF!

I wish I knew his name so I could post it here...and no, my son didn't get the price wrong...$42,000 for a magnum of Dom!

It pains me to say that the ridiculous amount of obnoxious, new money has corrupted the island even beyond comprehension...I worked on Wall Street for 30 years and can tell you some tales of over the top behavior...but the stories he told me were even beyond that...my son had several conversations with island people that we've grown to love over the many years of going there...they all said the same thing...they can't afford to live there...and the bad behavior is out of control.

So.....my Dream Island is dead...was were hoping to bring the grandkids some day...don't mind expensive prices, but this is ridiculous and I would probably end up with the gendarmes if I met the sommelier from Beach Nao...probably won't go there again as I want to keep the memories intact. It was a magical place...yes, magical for many years for my family...but now, time to find a new place.

Posting this in the hope someday things change...maybe the island can start making some positive changes on housing for islanders...I don't know if the wait staff are local people and just totally desperate of if they are from Europe and trying to take advantage of the situation...unfortunately, the "easy money" of the Central Banks for the last 20 years has fueled this behavior.
 
I've re-read this twice. I'm really sorry this is what your son experienced.

There is no question that the island has changed. It was never exactly a bargain island. I remember my first two times there, and remember what seemed outrageous prices at the Lafayette Club for lunch. I had a bad experience at La Guerite in 2017 and would never return there, nor would I go to their beach club (which, I was told, is also the worst offender in trash disposal in violation of environmental rules). I have never gone to Nao, and had that kind of suspicion about it. I think they must have seen a kid who had the sophistication to take his new fiance to St Barth and figured he made so much money he didn't care. The average young kid doesn't get engaged at Shell Beach. Not justifying it, it's disgusting, but they thought they had a fair "mark."

I'm more distressed about Bonito. It's been my favorite for quite a number of years. I never had a problem there, but have had a sneaking suspicion that things have been changing. I have a reservation there in 2.5 weeks. We're old enough to withstand pressure, but I won't like it either if it happens.

Like you, two of the 6 of us who are going are pretty knowledgeable about wines (and are likely to compare menu costs with retail cost before ordering, looking for the sleeper bottle. Not the cheapest, but rather, the best value/lowest markup.) But we won't be seduced into something stupid.

I hope your son and your new daughter in law to be had a wonderful time otherwise and these unpleasant moments didn't ruin it. Congratulations to all of you.
 
Risa said:
I've re-read this twice. I'm really sorry this is what your son experienced.

There is no question that the island has changed. It was never exactly a bargain island. I remember my first two times there, and remember what seemed outrageous prices at the Lafayette Club for lunch. I had a bad experience at La Guerite in 2017 and would never return there, nor would I go to their beach club (which, I was told, is also the worst offender in trash disposal in violation of environmental rules). I have never gone to Nao, and had that kind of suspicion about it. I think they must have seen a kid who had the sophistication to take his new fiance to St Barth and figured he made so much money he didn't care. The average young kid doesn't get engaged at Shell Beach. Not justifying it, it's disgusting, but they thought they had a fair "mark."

I'm more distressed about Bonito. It's been my favorite for quite a number of years. I never had a problem there, but have had a sneaking suspicion that things have been changing. I have a reservation there in 2.5 weeks. We're old enough to withstand pressure, but I won't like it either if it happens.

Like you, two of the 6 of us who are going are pretty knowledgeable about wines (and are likely to compare menu costs with retail cost before ordering, looking for the sleeper bottle. Not the cheapest, but rather, the best value/lowest markup.) But we won't be seduced into something stupid.

I hope your son and your new daughter in law to be had a wonderful time otherwise and these unpleasant moments didn't ruin it. Congratulations to all of you.
Click to expand...
Thank you...appreciate your thoughts and agree with your comments...Lafayette Club...yes, one of the most sublime experiences there...Bonito...we were there on last trip and it was good...Island expensive? Yes...no problem with that...but seems like it's gotten out of control...but the thing that irks me is the behavior of the restaurant staff...much has been written about the aggressive behavior of the waitstaff going after tips when it's a "european style" island and tip has been included in pricing...

BTW...you sound like a guy I would enjoy dinner with....I don't like to pay crazy restaurant prices...I look for the sleeper too...probably like yourself, I have a few of the legends in my cellar...but bought them for a pittance...I came to Wall Street a poor kid and did Ok...but haven't forgotten my humble days...

Enjoy the Holidays and open up some Krug, maybe?
 
I just looked at the Bonito menu - it's quite a bit more expensive than it was a about 6 weeks or so when I booked it. I know there were some items that were less expensive...I wonder if it will change back after New Years.

Also, I'm female. ;). One of the friends I'm traveling with is a big collector (over 1400 bottles). I'm a much smaller collector and mostly Italian wine (he's French and Australian and Sonoma). But I passed WSET 3 and he failed. :cool: We can hold our own. The tip pressure is super annoying.
 
When Nao was Lil’ Rock, I loved the place. It was family-owned and operated, and a pleasure to be at. For private reasons, it became necessary for the family to either shut it down, or lease it out. I haven’t been back since, and I have wonderful memories from Lil’Rock, including gracious and welcoming treatment by the staff (some of whom I keep in touch with) and photos with the family.

I’ve been dining at the Bonito location for many years, going back to when it was Hotel L’Hibiscus, and there was a swimming pool in the middle of the dining room. I continued to dine there when it was Le Vieux Clocher, operated by Remy de Hainen’s daughter. I continued to dine there when Boubou ran it as La Mandela. I went once when it was Bonito’s watch, and I wasn’t wowed. Then, when they went to timed table limits, I struck them from my list. Still, I have decades of fond memories.

As to price gouging. I am happy that your son told the Nao Beach manager to eff-off. Oddly, retail/wholesale Champagne prices are sometimes lower in the US than on St Barth, but not that much less. I looked up the price of a magnum of Dom at Total Wine in Myrtle Beach. $850, a far cry from $41k, and still a far cry from a typical restaurant 3X markup.

As to “Festive Season” restaurant pricing, yeah you won’t see those prices again much after New Year’s Day. The Festive Season price gouging can only survive for a short period.
 
I've reached the point in my life where, recognizing which restaurants are known or suspected pigeon traps, I'm no longer tempted to give them a try.
I still have a list long enough and exciting enough to satisfy our winter getaway "needs" on our favorite island.
 
I am sad about your sons and daughter in laws experience. No matter the experience their love is not predicated on what happened yet I wish it was a better time. I wish that everyone would experience the St.Bart that Cheryl & I have enjoyed since 1987. The love, compassion, graciousness, and happiness of the island is still there. We just have to dig a little deeper. I can’t condone the feeling of taking advantage of. We will return in July.
 
"I’ve been dining at the Bonito location for many years, going back to when it was Hotel L’Hibiscus, and there was a swimming pool in the middle of the dining room. I continued to dine there when it was Le Vieux Clocher, operated by Remy de Hainen’s daughter. I continued to dine there when Boubou ran it as La Mandela. I went once when it was Bonito’s watch, and I wasn’t wowed. Then, when they went to timed table limits, I struck them from my list. Still, I have decades of fond memories."

I remember when it became La Mandela but didn't remember the name before it. I remember the pool well - largely because it was the reason I always got badly bitten by mosquitos there. I remember they used to keep OFF at the concierge desk, but it didn't matter, I always got bitten. One year, it was so bad that I called my dermatologist when I was changing plans (I recall that it was Puerto Rico, but I don't know why I had such a crazy flight) because I had this rash all over my arms. The Derm said it was because my legs were so badly bitten that the toxins had caused a reaction that spread to my arms. I was not sorry one bit when they filled that pool in!

Boubou was fun, I loved his restaurant on Grand Cul de Sac - wasn't it called BouBou's? I remember the beds, and of course, I loved Do Brazil. There was a dish there, I think it was Mahi Mahi on a potato fritter or something, with some kind of coconut cream. I took photos of it and brought them to a restaurant in the Hamptons to try and recreate, but no such luck. So good!

Good memories. Lots of good memories.
 
hydraaa said:
My son took his girlfriend to SB last week to propose to her...we love her and her family and are so excited to have them...He took her there because for 20 years, I took our family there on spring break to get away as a special family place...in the beginning (1995), no cell phones, no internet...just family time...many memories have been made there...Andy at the Hideaway, the Guanahani, the many villas, the Wall House, Dad kissing the ground when the plane landed not because of the landing but because I always thought we were "home"...even meeting the famous Phil and Amy one day at Santa Fe...Dad taking him to Casa de Habano and meeting Sandrine to smoke his first cigar, the wave runner tour around the island...meeting Jon Bon Jovi at the Guanahani...and so many others...

Now, here's the good, the bad, and the ugly...

Here's the good...

My son used Sebastien for photos...he did a great job at a reasonable price at Shell Beach where my son got down on one knee and proposed to her...the photos are amazing and they Facetimed her parents an hour later and us after that...many tears were shed...thank you, Sebastien!

Here's the bad

After Shell Beach....he took her to dinner at Bonita...he let them know days ahead that it would be their first meal after they were engaged...nothing was expected in exchange...except a nice mention and congratulations would have been certainly appropriate. The wait staff and the manager spent the next hour aggressively trying to get them to order overpriced champagne, truffles, and caviar. At the end of the meal, they again were asked to order "caviar ice cream"...they declined...mind you, they ate a complete meal and I think it came to $500 for the 2 of them. Once the "caviar ice cream" was refused...the manager approached my son and told him that they "needed the table"...he was insistent...the restaurant was half filled...really?

Now, here's the ugly...

The next day, my son takes his new fiance to Beach Nao for lunch...lunch was mediocre and overpriced. I've been a wine collector for many years and know something about prices. The sommelier or manager takes my son aside and says something to the affect..."I heard you just you got engaged...don't you want to buy this magnum of Dom Perignon for your future wife...doesn't she deserve it..." and promptly tells my son, it's $42,000. Now a magnum of Dom will set you back here in the states, $600, maybe, retail...so let's say the restaurant wants to put a high mark-up of 5x...then we are talking $3000...NOT $42,000. The only thing I can think is that the guy was trying to take advantage of an love-blinded young man and that's exactly what my son thought...thank God, all the lessons I've put into him over the years basically took over...His response...F*CK OFF!

I wish I knew his name so I could post it here...and no, my son didn't get the price wrong...$42,000 for a magnum of Dom!

It pains me to say that the ridiculous amount of obnoxious, new money has corrupted the island even beyond comprehension...I worked on Wall Street for 30 years and can tell you some tales of over the top behavior...but the stories he told me were even beyond that...my son had several conversations with island people that we've grown to love over the many years of going there...they all said the same thing...they can't afford to live there...and the bad behavior is out of control.

So.....my Dream Island is dead...was were hoping to bring the grandkids some day...don't mind expensive prices, but this is ridiculous and I would probably end up with the gendarmes if I met the sommelier from Beach Nao...probably won't go there again as I want to keep the memories intact. It was a magical place...yes, magical for many years for my family...but now, time to find a new place.

Posting this in the hope someday things change...maybe the island can start making some positive changes on housing for islanders...I don't know if the wait staff are local people and just totally desperate of if they are from Europe and trying to take advantage of the situation...unfortunately, the "easy money" of the Central Banks for the last 20 years has fueled this behavior.
Click to expand...
The "bad" is not surprising . . . the "ugly" is shocking. I'm very sorry for the experience. I would counsel you, nonetheless, about writing off SBH as a "Dream Island." The Dream may suffer a lack of luster, but the Old St. Barths is still there. You only have to go "a block off the main street," as my wife says, to find it . . . or, in other words, find spirit in the venues that, as you can read here, aren't going to seek -- or succeed in an effort -- to rip you off.

In addition, keep in mind that the island is about more than its reputation for fine dining
 
cec1 said:
The "bad" is not surprising . . . the "ugly" is shocking. I'm very sorry for the experience. I would counsel you, nonetheless, about writing off SBH as a "Dream Island." The Dream may suffer a lack of luster, but the Old St. Barths is still there. You only have to go "a block off the main street," as my wife says, to find it . . . or, in other words, find spirit in the venues that, as you can read here, aren't going to seek -- or succeed in an effort -- to rip you off.

In addition, keep in mind that the island is about more than its reputation for fine dining
Click to expand...
I agree...thank you for all of your comments...you are talking me off the ledge...yes...I know the pidgeon traps...the main reason we spent so many years there...
1) The island people..wonderful...
2) The vibe....and culture...Europe...not Caribbean...
3) Safety...I wanted to go to someplace where I felt safe for my family..
4) The relaxed environment...still there just harder to find...
5) A place where my family could reinforce their time and values together for a short time in this crazy world...

My son made a comment yesterday to me...he said "Dad...why post, it's not going to do anything...the restaurants, businesses don't want your type of money anymore...they want the big flashy money"...

I didn't believe that yesterday when he made the comment...and I don't believe that today with all of your support...

Thank you!
 
Sad to read what happened. But your son’s experience reinforces why I stay away from certain places. I too loved Lil Rock. I was sad when they closed. Went to one lunch at Nao. Never saw a reason to go back. We’ve avoided going to the island around the festive season as the worst of the worst comes out. The time after Thanksgiving and before Christmas high season used to be great as you could get low season pricing and the holiday decorations were up. It seems that’s no longer the case. I still go back but as others have said, you just need to be mindful of where you go. @hydraaa I am like you. Have had a long career on the street working sell side BB and I can afford pretty much anything I care to spend my money on. Very different than the modest background I come from. But just because I can afford it doesn’t mean I want to light my money on fire. Congrats to your son and I hope both you and the new couple return to the island but no need to ever go to Nao or Bonito or their ilk. There are other places to go and it’s even better when you skip the fine dining options.
 
"...but no need to ever go to Nao or Bonito or their ilk."

Bonito used to have this tuna dish that smoked when you lifted the lid. Normally, I'm not one for big pyrotechnics or showy food, but this was outrageously delicious. In its first years, it was a very welcoming place, it's definitely evolved. They still treat me well...but we'll see this trip. I'm also not one for picking a place based on the view, but Bonito is also my exception on that one too. I've got a little trepidation about it this trip. I may have to become a subscriber to the "only restaurants with a view of the parking lot" club.

I also used to go for Thanksgiving...low rates. And I liked the vibe, it was low(er) key people, not big family splash, sophisticated. I used to dance all night at the Yacht Club and it didn't matter whether it was a wealthy tourist or the guy who worked the Avis counter. All of that has changed.
 
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This is all very sad though also depressingly not shocking. Festive "worst of the worst" seems to only get worse?
As mentioned in my recent recap, we gave up on Bonito years ago for all reasons mentioned though did go for cocktails in November. Crazy drink prices, in fairness they were excellent, we went early and our 20-somethings enjoyed a chess game. Interesting how many young families were dining; I couldn't help thinking: if you dine at Bonito at 5, what do you aspire to?!
Re: NAO, this does not surprise me at all. I agree about Lil' Rock, it was one of our favorites. We have dined at NAO on and off since it opened 3 years ago. We used to enjoy occasional lunches up front--first seating only when it's quiet--as the view is outstanding and some of the menu interesting. We were last there in Nov 2024 and have not been back. They added so many more tables it felt cramped and the food lacked finesse.
We had also previously been in June 2024. We had friends visiting who hadn't been back to St B in several years and thought they would enjoy the view. Thinking is would be less crowded and mellower being June, we decided to give the second seating a try. As predicted, it was not busy though the music level high. There was a party of 6 couples celebrating 40th birthdays seated strategically below the DJ booth. We watched as staff paraded out a magnum of champagne (can't recall the label but was likely DP) and tried their best to persuade. The party did not take the bait. Afterward, my friend and I chatted with some of the couples down on the beach. They were college friends from Chapel Hill and lovely--told us the bottle was (I think) 12k? We couldn't believe it, neither could they. That was low season 18 months ago and it's now (festive) 3.5X? The insanity continues. I am not sure who finds it enjoyable to be there during this time and hope the madness stays confined to this period. Thank goodness so many of us know where to go, where not to go, and when to go ; )
Congratulations to the happy couple💍🥂
 
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