PeterLynn
Senior Insider
Back home settling in and attempting to post the previous week before it all blurs together. Normally, we arrive mid-May and maybe catch the "Junies" at Le Select for a day, but the later arrival meant much socializing and finally getting to spend time with those who have only met a time or two or through reading forum posts. Looking over the calendar and photos it appears that while we ate lunch out all but one day of our second week, dinners were the reverse. Certainly, good on the credit card!
Villa afternoons. Nothing to add.
Prior to leaving and while the Uber waited outside, I grabbed a couple of ribeye steaks from our freezer, but in my haste, one turned out to be a pair of chicken and feta sausages. Ugh. Stopped at L’Épicurien for some fresh pasta. Very nice people. They didn't have pesto, so we picked up a jar at the L'Oasis next door. Sausages (from Central Market for you Texans) and pasta were excellent, but the "pesto"....
Sunday was Fête des Mères and we splurged on lunch at Sand Bar. Excellent food, service and of course atmosphere. Lunches have always been great. Based on negative comments I've read, it seems the stumbles have been at dinner?? Loved the tartare and the shared lobster roll, which actually had chunks of lobster in it. Swag bag for our children's "maman" was a nice touch.
Monday, we stopped in town and met up with Carol and Dave at Le Select and were soon joined by the always delightful Betty and Charles.
Lunch was Pearl Beach and a fancier lobster roll for Lynn and a fish burger for me. Very good but still prefer the more basic one at JoJo's notwithstanding the road noise and exhaust fumes. Even Johnny (Halliday) would agree the view is MUCH better.
Afterwards, we headed to Pointe Milou to pick up a friend and headed to an arranged visit to Roger Moreau's studio off Grand Fond. Lynn has been collecting a carved heart each trip at the Teck store in Gustavia but never had a chance to meet the artist. Highlight of the trip and we chatted with him for a couple of hours. Amazing person and equally amazing stories. The heart she left with is an excellent addition to the growing collection.
Tuesday, we headed into town and met up with Toni and Gary for a celebratory ti punch (sans glacons) at Le Select, before meeting up with other friends at Nyama as Tuti and Clement had returned from vacation the day before. Great to see the two of them and the ageless Juju.
Wednesday involved a glass of rosé or three at Le Select before heading around the corner to La Cantina for lunch and a relaxing view of the harbor. A stop at the "U" for dinner (grilled pork chops and fresh brussels sprouts), which was preceded by the necessary end of the trip drawdown of wine stocks.
Morning recovery in the villa (see above), followed by organizing and some packing before a sunset cocktail hour with the "Junies" and then meeting up with friends for a last dinner at Nyama. Normally we do the stroll to La Langouste as a finale, but this was so much more fitting being around familiar faces. Much end of the vacation conversation and planning for next year but managed to snap a picture of what I refer to as "Orega's Sea Bass". So good and glad Clement continues to offer it.
Looking back, this may have been the best trip ever. The first few years could be characterized as one beach a day followed by different restaurants for lunch and then dinner, with villa time in-between. As faces became familiar, we started connecting with others and the days became "less structured". Now we reserve a couple of "must haves" and then see where things go when we get there. Frequently, on-island made reservations were changed from two persons to four or more. Another way to look at it is that for the first time, I didn't video any of the arrivals or departures. Hmmm.
Epilogue: Don't want spoil the good vibes by venting about the return trip that degenerated from the moment we bid our SBC pilot adieu. Definitely going to revisit Tradewind. Donations welcome.
Villa afternoons. Nothing to add.
Prior to leaving and while the Uber waited outside, I grabbed a couple of ribeye steaks from our freezer, but in my haste, one turned out to be a pair of chicken and feta sausages. Ugh. Stopped at L’Épicurien for some fresh pasta. Very nice people. They didn't have pesto, so we picked up a jar at the L'Oasis next door. Sausages (from Central Market for you Texans) and pasta were excellent, but the "pesto"....
Sunday was Fête des Mères and we splurged on lunch at Sand Bar. Excellent food, service and of course atmosphere. Lunches have always been great. Based on negative comments I've read, it seems the stumbles have been at dinner?? Loved the tartare and the shared lobster roll, which actually had chunks of lobster in it. Swag bag for our children's "maman" was a nice touch.
Monday, we stopped in town and met up with Carol and Dave at Le Select and were soon joined by the always delightful Betty and Charles.
Lunch was Pearl Beach and a fancier lobster roll for Lynn and a fish burger for me. Very good but still prefer the more basic one at JoJo's notwithstanding the road noise and exhaust fumes. Even Johnny (Halliday) would agree the view is MUCH better.
Afterwards, we headed to Pointe Milou to pick up a friend and headed to an arranged visit to Roger Moreau's studio off Grand Fond. Lynn has been collecting a carved heart each trip at the Teck store in Gustavia but never had a chance to meet the artist. Highlight of the trip and we chatted with him for a couple of hours. Amazing person and equally amazing stories. The heart she left with is an excellent addition to the growing collection.
Tuesday, we headed into town and met up with Toni and Gary for a celebratory ti punch (sans glacons) at Le Select, before meeting up with other friends at Nyama as Tuti and Clement had returned from vacation the day before. Great to see the two of them and the ageless Juju.
Wednesday involved a glass of rosé or three at Le Select before heading around the corner to La Cantina for lunch and a relaxing view of the harbor. A stop at the "U" for dinner (grilled pork chops and fresh brussels sprouts), which was preceded by the necessary end of the trip drawdown of wine stocks.
Morning recovery in the villa (see above), followed by organizing and some packing before a sunset cocktail hour with the "Junies" and then meeting up with friends for a last dinner at Nyama. Normally we do the stroll to La Langouste as a finale, but this was so much more fitting being around familiar faces. Much end of the vacation conversation and planning for next year but managed to snap a picture of what I refer to as "Orega's Sea Bass". So good and glad Clement continues to offer it.
Looking back, this may have been the best trip ever. The first few years could be characterized as one beach a day followed by different restaurants for lunch and then dinner, with villa time in-between. As faces became familiar, we started connecting with others and the days became "less structured". Now we reserve a couple of "must haves" and then see where things go when we get there. Frequently, on-island made reservations were changed from two persons to four or more. Another way to look at it is that for the first time, I didn't video any of the arrivals or departures. Hmmm.
Epilogue: Don't want spoil the good vibes by venting about the return trip that degenerated from the moment we bid our SBC pilot adieu. Definitely going to revisit Tradewind. Donations welcome.
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