cassidain
Senior Insider
It had been 2-1/2 years since our last venture down to the island, and I was feeling the need to test my interest in the place, to reconnect before too much time had passed. We had previously been in January, February, and the second half of April. We decided to try the very end of March/first of April.
We have stayed in Vitet, Gouverneur, St-Jean, La Pointe, and Merlette, but wanted to try les Hauts de Saint-Jean this time.
I studied the current restaurant scene for months and made a few reservations before coming down.
So, first, what is our interest in returning? From December thru February, about 30%. To escape our mid-winter weather we will mainly choose Naples but will work St-Barth in every few years. The remainder of the year we will go elsewhere to get our annual French fix. Better. Cheaper.
As for les Hauts de St-Jean, we enjoyed the convenience of its central location. The views encompass a broad sweep of the island. The activity of the airport is a daily source of entertainment. But, as always, make sure your accommodation's outside living areas are not sheltered from the cooling breezes.
Restaurants, etc. We dined at Le Grain de Sel 3 times (2 lunches, 1 dinner). Le Piment at the bar 3 times (dinner). L'Isola 2 times (dinner). L'Esprit 1 time (dinner). La Gloriette 2 times (lunch). Le Bouchon 1 time (dinner). Le Sereno 1 time (lunch). At our appartement numerous times for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Every single experience was everything we wanted it to be. We were not solicited for a tip a single time. We left on average 10% in cash to our server or for l'èquipe. For efficient and charming effort beyond the standard. We discovered that we were tempted by La Guérite but at too late of a date to make it work. We had Orega and Tamarin on our maybe lists but couldn't get motivated to give them a try. We had François Plantation and Le Toiny on our maybe lists but finally decided their tariffs would feel too punitive. Boulangerie Choisy was disappointing to us this trip. Scoring fresh fish or langouste at la Poissonnerie was challenging even waking up at dawn.
On a general level. We were not bothered by any construction noise, nor did we see a level of construction activity beyond our expectations. The nature of the island and its people remains constant with the way we recall it in the not too distant past.
It was was a fun trip. And we finally met Dennis Carlton.
We have stayed in Vitet, Gouverneur, St-Jean, La Pointe, and Merlette, but wanted to try les Hauts de Saint-Jean this time.
I studied the current restaurant scene for months and made a few reservations before coming down.
So, first, what is our interest in returning? From December thru February, about 30%. To escape our mid-winter weather we will mainly choose Naples but will work St-Barth in every few years. The remainder of the year we will go elsewhere to get our annual French fix. Better. Cheaper.
As for les Hauts de St-Jean, we enjoyed the convenience of its central location. The views encompass a broad sweep of the island. The activity of the airport is a daily source of entertainment. But, as always, make sure your accommodation's outside living areas are not sheltered from the cooling breezes.
Restaurants, etc. We dined at Le Grain de Sel 3 times (2 lunches, 1 dinner). Le Piment at the bar 3 times (dinner). L'Isola 2 times (dinner). L'Esprit 1 time (dinner). La Gloriette 2 times (lunch). Le Bouchon 1 time (dinner). Le Sereno 1 time (lunch). At our appartement numerous times for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Every single experience was everything we wanted it to be. We were not solicited for a tip a single time. We left on average 10% in cash to our server or for l'èquipe. For efficient and charming effort beyond the standard. We discovered that we were tempted by La Guérite but at too late of a date to make it work. We had Orega and Tamarin on our maybe lists but couldn't get motivated to give them a try. We had François Plantation and Le Toiny on our maybe lists but finally decided their tariffs would feel too punitive. Boulangerie Choisy was disappointing to us this trip. Scoring fresh fish or langouste at la Poissonnerie was challenging even waking up at dawn.
On a general level. We were not bothered by any construction noise, nor did we see a level of construction activity beyond our expectations. The nature of the island and its people remains constant with the way we recall it in the not too distant past.
It was was a fun trip. And we finally met Dennis Carlton.
