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

[Risa]

There are bottles of wine "worth" $12000, or more, much more. (Assuming you can afford it.) But no matter how much money you have, guzzling a bottle on the beach with loud music blasting is simply just not how they should be savored - anyone doing that is just showing off that they CAN spend that money, not that they know how to taste it. Sorry for being a prig. One day in my life, I would love to drink a bottle of Romanee-Conti, or Petrus, or a 2001 Sassacaia, or even the best vintages DP. I really really would - bucket list. But I can assure you, if life gives me that gift, it won't be when I'm all sandy on the beach with salacious servers hanging all over me.

I suspect that if they put supermarket champagne into that 42,000€ bottle, half the people ordering it wouldn't notice. And, frankly, I wouldn't trust that they didn't.

 

[didier]

My thoughts, if the champagne had been offered to me at over 40 thousand, I would have had a good laugh, most likely the rolling on the floor kind of laugh. I would then thank the guy for the funny thoughts and funny memories, and move on. my guess is, a young person would not have over 40 thousand available on his credit card anyway. don't understand the indignation, unless no is not in your vocabulary. you don't like, then don't come back...its simple and if they lose enough customers, their prices and their manners will change. why not go to Eddy's ghetto, the most amazing and reasonably priced restaurant on the island. its a memory that will stay with you which won't break the bank and they won't even ask for a tip.

 

[thomasj]

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.

Seriously, when I read $42,000, I had to reread it a dozen times to check that my eyes weren't broken. I am so sorry this literally is insane level gouging. Speechless.

I just finished 2 weeks on SBH, (I will update my other post with thoughts), however this time I intentionally avoided all the traps, which thanks to this board, are pretty well known. I walked by Nao one day while having lunch at Pearl, and def the worst crowd on the island can be found there.

thanks for sharing

 

[hydraaa]

Seriously, when I read $42,000, I had to reread it a dozen times to check that my eyes weren't broken. I am so sorry this literally is insane level gouging. Speechless.

I just finished 2 weeks on SBH, (I will update my other post with thoughts), however this time I intentionally avoided all the traps, which thanks to this board, are pretty well known. I walked by Nao one day while having lunch at Pearl, and def the worst crowd on the island can be found there.

thanks for sharing

 

[hydraaa]

This SBHONLINE site is a fantastic resource for all things St Barths and at all price points too. The guidelines are helpful, like a Scout handbook for newbies and even senior insiders.

It was great meeting the famous Phil and Amy one day at lunch at Santa Fe...this is when Manu ran the restaurant...we had spent the morning at Governor's beach and then had lunch...you guys were so cordial...and friendly...I enjoy reading your exploits on this site and dream of the days of spending more time on SB...but not during the Holidays!

 

[Risa]

"Maybe if Beach Nao has no business besides Xmas...they go out of business..."

There is a regular stream of people who come to the SBH forum on Trip Advisor asking about the beach clubs and which day to go where to get the best party scene. The regulars all try to discourage them from going to St Barth for that reason, but the instagram and tiktok phenomena cant be put back into the toothpaste tube. I suppose we created a monster somehow.

 

[hydraaa]

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.

KevinS...thanks for your comments...I've spent some time playing a little golf in Myrtle Beach...a very solid restaurant there is Fire & Smoke...chef owned...if you like meat, get the elk chops...Jim

 

[hydraaa]

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.

bkeats...thanks for your comments and support....what firms did you work for? I made my "bones" at the Bear...great firm..knew Ace well...so sad...

 

[hydraaa]

"Maybe if Beach Nao has no business besides Xmas...they go out of business..."

There is a regular stream of people who come to the SBH forum on Trip Advisor asking about the beach clubs and which day to go where to get the best party scene. The regulars all try to discourage them from going to St Barth for that reason, but the instagram and tiktok phenomena cant be put back into the toothpaste tube. I suppose we created a monster somehow.

unfortunately true...and so much crazy wealth out there because of the irresponsible behavior by the Central Banks...unfortunately those with deep investment insight...these times end up with with a major economic collapse and eventually another World War...a perfect parallel...we are in the 1920's right now...the only question is...is it 1923 or 1928?

"Send lawyers, guns, and money...Dad..the shit has hit the fan..." Warren Zevon

 

[PeterLynn]

There is a regular stream of people who come to the SBH forum on Trip Advisor asking about the beach clubs and which day to go where to get the best party scene. The regulars all try to discourage them from going to St Barth for that reason, but the instagram and tiktok phenomena cant be put back into the toothpaste tube. I suppose we created a monster somehow.

Main reason I check out TA. Usually good for a laugh or two.

 

[hydraaa]

Main reason I check out TA. Usually good for a laugh or two.

TA? sorry, missed this one..

 

[PeterLynn]

TA? sorry, missed this one..

Tripadvisor

 

[hydraaa]

Got it...yes...TA is basically useless...and all the NY magazine article over the years are stupid too...sure, it.s always been a place of the elite and Hollywood...met Jon Bon Jovi at lunch one day...very nice...signed my son's Ipod...Russell Simmon in a jacuzzi...Paulina Porzikova at the Guanahani beach.l..and many others...alll of them very nice...and just wanted to be regular people...but the real magic has always been the local people, plus the chic vibe and great food...as I told my son...all I need is a little beach shack there and a moke to get around...lunch at Pearl...a afternoon cuban with Sandrine...seeing a playful, beautiful, young french girl on the beach full of life and I'm a happy man...and all the family dinners..will always remember first and last night at the Hideaway with Andy...a family tradition...

Yes...I'm getting older...and reminiscing...

 

[Risa]

Hey, I've been posting regularly on TA for a decade...and I've made some truly incredible St Barth-loving real friends on the site. (3, to be exact, who I've met multiple times in person, off island), so not useless!

 

[hydraaa]

Hey, I've been posting regularly on TA for a decade...and I've made some truly incredible St Barth-loving real friends on the site. (3, to be exact, who I've met multiple times in person, off island), so not useless!

I'll correct my statement...sorry...lots of worth in TA and other sites...if you make personal connections...and find people that you have the same interests and values with...you.ve got to do the work like you did...cannot take at face value...for that matter, you can't do that anwhere...so much misinformation and conflicts of interest these days...

 

[PeterLynn]

Hey, I've been posting regularly on TA for a decade...and I've made some truly incredible St Barth-loving real friends on the site. (3, to be exact, who I've met multiple times in person, off island), so not useless!

Definitely not useless as it's a good place to get started.

I just laugh at the posts assuming for everyone it's seven (or more) days of beach club lunch parties and dinners with dancing on the tables for a night cap! My best memories are of the quiet drive back to the villa from a relaxing dinner at L'esprit and enjoying a glass of champagne listening to the waves crashing on Flamands beach. As Amy says, ahhhh st barth.

 

[Cwater]

"...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.

We had one bad experience at Bonito. We were rushed by an inexperienced waiter. It is one of our favorite go to places. We don’t do the walk anymore though. We love sitting at the bar.

 

[cassidain]

sitting at the bar eating dinner or sitting at the bar just having an adult beverage ?

 

[cassidain]

wow ! I just looked at Bonito menu. are they perhaps THE most expensive restaurant on the island?!?!

 

[Jim A]

Wow. What a crazy story. Thankfully he mentioned the price (or your son was savvy enough to ask) and didn't try to sucker him in and then hit him with the bill. That would have been borderline criminal and disgraceful. But, it seemed he only asked and your son rightly said no. Not sure how horrible that is even if a little rude and presumptuous? We love Nao and unless it has changed in the last year find it pretty reasonable all things considered. They have a Premier Cru Chablis we always get that is pretty cheap actually and we find the service to be great but of course it's year to year at places like that. Hopefully your story is more a one off than a new MO for Nao. Perhaps your son should be flattered that they thought he looked so "well to do"

My main question is what the heck was the bottle exactly that they would charge that price for even if he requested it and they didn't try to sell him on it? It couldn't have just been a "regular" recent vintage of Dom Perignon could it? Was it a classic vintage? That's an absolutely insane price for just a regular old bottle of Dom.