Le Ti.... ?

[le_reve]

So, I have not been to Le Ti in many, many years. Like probably 15 years or more. We have some friends coming and they had heard about it and asked about going while they are here... Has anyone been lately? I know Carole is no longer the owner, so wondering if it is still the same setup with the cabaret show and dinner? Is it still fun, or am I going to be hit up with the $42,000 bottle of Dom and other upsells? lol. Anyone have any opinions? TIA

 

[cec1]

So, I have not been to Le Ti in many, many years. Like probably 15 years or more. We have some friends coming and they had heard about it and asked about going while they are here... Has anyone been lately? I know Carole is no longer the owner, so wondering if it is still the same setup with the cabaret show and dinner? Is it still fun, or am I going to be hit up with the $42,000 bottle of Dom and other upsells? lol. Anyone have any opinions? TIA

I don’t know many people who have gone to the “new” Le Ti, but some young visitors to the island recently shared with me how much they enjoyed eating there & the late night partying . . . though they reported that there weren’t many people when they were there. The place, BTW, may still be owned by Carole, but is “managed” — I’m told — by the couple who also manage Sella Restaurant. (A connection to the island’s investors who are identified with St. Tropez.)

 

[Max1030]

We have been told the cabaret is going well and includes men now, no mention on the menu.

My two pennies’ worth:
We called to make reservations recently and explained that we are strictly vegetarian (sans viande). We also mentioned that we were happy just ordering a few sides, with no special off‑menu requests. They informed us that everyone at the table was expected to order a full meal (to cover the show). We reiterated that there were no full plate options available for us. When they insisted, we in turn insisted on canceling.

Under Carol’s time, we were never told what we were required or expected to order.

 

[lczopur]

My husband and I are younger and often, but not exclusively, are part of the party crowd. We use to love le ti. On our last visit we ate a full meal (app, salad, main) had cocktails with dinner, and got a bottle of champagne afterwards. Despite that we were constantly hassled to purchase a second bottle (it was just the 2 of us, we wouldn’t have even been able to drink another). As it came time to leave the staff kept offering us shots, which we declined. When the bill came the second bottle, which we never purchased, was on our bill. After 10 mins of arguing, the server relented and agreed to take it off the bill after insisting we had ordered 2 bottles instead of 1. They were clearly trying to get us drunk with the pre-bill shots hoping we wouldn’t notice the extra bottle on the bill. Despite loving the party, we have sworn off le ti.

Ps, the show was great but the dancers now come around the crowd with garter belts asking for tips.

 

[le_reve]

Thanks for the info - that definitely does NOT sound like my cup of tea. I think I will try and steer my friends to alternative night out somewhere else.

 

[Risa]

There was a time I loved Le Ti, even if it was a little goofy and contrived. But this doesn't sound fun. It's funny that there was a time that islanders resented Americans for coming in and imposing our tipping culture on the island, now it seems like the restaurants are setting new standards of tipping on visitors.

 

[Max1030]

There was a time I loved Le Ti, even if it was a little goofy and contrived. But this doesn't sound fun. It's funny that there was a time that islanders resented Americans for coming in and imposing our tipping culture on the island, now it seems like the restaurants are setting new standards of tipping on visitors.

We’ve noticed increasingly aggressive sales tactics at some establishments on St. Barth, especially with the influx of restaurateurs from St. Tropez. We’ve experienced this more than once, and it feels like the practice is spreading across the island, which is disappointing.

I enjoy being generous with tips, but when Americans are singled out and pressured with extra requests or comments, it feels less like hospitality and more like exploitation. Local patrons and visitors from the metropols don’t face the same treatment.

 

[dadto6]

Not a good report, thank you Iczopur for posting your recent experience.
Anita and I enjoyed the food there maybe 12-years ago, it was delicious and service was excellent, was no pressure placed upon us. However, we always dine early, I believe was 7:00pm. We did not stay for the show, did not have any interest in the show. Sorry to hear what the establishment has become, guess I will not be back

 

[PeterLynn]

Strangely, we spent almost a week in Saint-Tropez this past fall and were never hit up for tips.

 

[davesmom]

It has been years since I have been to Le Ti and being a person who still likes Sundays at Nikki, I never really thought Le Ti was that great. (Maybe it was the company..some people from here I knew were there also and a couple of them were not my cup of Ti... ) So I never had a great impression of the place and never had a desire to return. I remember we put on some costume-y props, I think. I thought it was "cheese-y" at the time. But as for pressure anywhere, to quote somebody, "Just say NO!"..I would add a "thank you" to that...

 

[le_reve]

Well, I decided to forego Le Ti and was asking about a reservation for 4 for the Thursday Night Beach Party at Toiny, and received an email from them this morning that said,

"I have one table left in front of the fire show with a minimum bottle spend. For four people, it's a magnum of Dom Pérignon, for example, or whatever they prefer."

So, my next question to them was exactly what is the "minimum spend" since I don't know what a magnum of Dom goes for at Toiny. I'm hoping it's not the same bottle of Dom for 42,000 that was floating around during the festive season!

I have not received a response, I have a feeling that my "last table" may have suddenly disappeared... lol.

So, is every establishment on the take now? So gross.

 

[davesmom]

Well, I decided to forego Le Ti and was asking about a reservation for 4 for the Thursday Night Beach Party at Toiny, and received an email from them this morning that said,

"I have one table left in front of the fire show with a minimum bottle spend. For four people, it's a magnum of Dom Pérignon, for example, or whatever they prefer."

So, my next question to them was exactly what is the "minimum spend" since I don't know what a magnum of Dom goes for at Toiny. I'm hoping it's not the same bottle of Dom for 42,000 that was floating around during the festive season!

I have not received a response, I am thinking that my "last table" may have disappeared... lol.

So, is every establishment on the take now? So gross.

Seriously pitiful. I am sorry to hear that this is occurring. Very mercenary...cost: $800-$900/magnum in the store, if it is not a special edition Luminous or a vintage. Can't imagine what the mark up might be. (It's good, but not that much better than many other Champagnes..) If Nikki made me do that, I would be saying "Au revoir"..they are only overcharging me for Rosé.. for $42K, take a vacation in Hawaii for a fire show...

 

[Cwater]

Had a negative experience back when they first opened. Never returned. Always an abundance of other wonderful restos to choose from on the island.

 

[KevinS]

I liked it best when it was a bakery .

 

[le_reve]

Well, as I thought, suddenly my "last table" option has disappeared and I was put on a waiting list, which I promptly declined. I never did get an answer on what a magnum of Dom goes for at the Beach Extravaganza, I am assuming whatever it was it was Extravagant.

Oh, well - probably for the best.

 

[MichaelG]

appalling

 

[dadto6]

le_reve
Consider yourself lucky. Now you can attend a restaurant which you know you love and will be appreciated
Thank you for sharing. I was considering the Thursday beach show but since it has transitioned to a noise show, save me the ensuing headache, you saved me

 

[amyb]

le_reve
Consider yourself lucky. Now you can attend a restaurant which you know you love and will be appreciated
Thank you for sharing. I was considering the Thursday beach show but since it has transitioned to a noise show, save me the ensuing headache, you saved me

Good to have toes in the sand reporting on this forum

 

[cassidain]

I was considering the Thursday beach show but since it has transitioned to a noise show, save me the ensuing headache

Toiny Beach needs to stick with the Zen vibe they do well.