Changes since last January?

[loriinstbarts]

... so La Mandala is now gone? Has any other restaurants taken over this spot? I read about Bernard and his son taking over Wall House. Franck always made us feel so special -- will miss him.

Hotel Christopher -- i've actually never gone before? Should we try Mango? I'm assuming we can swim and spend afternoon there.

Any must try restaurant/lounges with kids and in-laws that is different this year?

 

[Bart -my real name-]

We didn't eat at the Hotel Christopher, but one morning we took a walk around the point and ended up down there at the dead end. The place was just waking up with a few people having breakfast and one guy in the pool when were we there but it looked fantastic. A really beautiful scene. I don't know what it used to look like, but it looks great now. If we had a couple more days, I'm sure we would have tried the place but sadly I'm back in the cold rain of Virginia.

 

[KevinS]

La Mandala is now Bonito St Barth, said to have Argentinean owners, but I know nothing about the menu.

Central Park is now Entre-Deux, and looks to have a promising future.

Do Brazil has new owners.

Au Port is still closed.

La Marine is now Le Restaurant & Sushi Bar, and is open only at night.

Jao is gone, replaced by Harbour's Saladerie, the same crew and very similar menu as La Saladerie. Terry and the team are doing well, as is the restaurant.

Wall House has a new chef, and Bernard's son Julian is now part owner.

Le Sapotillier is gone, replaced by B4. The mention of a DJ and a VIP corner did not inspire me to try it.

Caviar Island is gone (Patou is at B4).

L'Entra'cte has new owners.

The La Rotissseries have new owners and slightly different hours.

There's a new place, T Saveur, a tea shop, across from Le Glacier.

Le Christopher has repoened.

Villa Lodge 4 Épices in Grand Cul de Sac is said to be doing a reservation-only dinner Thursday through Sunday.

That's everything on the restaurant front, or 'most everything. I may have forgoten a tidbit or two.

 

[Jeanette]

Kevin rocks! :up:

 

[elgreaux]

The other restaurant news is the Le Gloriette in Grand Cul de Sac is reopening on January 2. Yay Albert!

 

[phil62]

Kevin-Excellent job on latest restaurant coverage. I am so impressed, Amy

 

[KevinS]

Jeanette and Amy,

We're doing a late Breakfast today, more like Brunch. My growling stomach has an excellent memory right now...

 

[griegle1]

I liked Bonito a lot. Fresh Cerviche, lots of fish with interesting latin american influences. The menu purports to be Argentinian, but to me is more latin american influenced st. barths so to speak.

Its not cheap. Entrees are in the high 30s and low 40s. Service very good and setting is great. Looks nothing like La Mandala. Lots of white and blue.

Do Brazil is good as ever. Great lunch and under appreciated dinner. Dinners not as busy. Menu is not that different from what it was in the past. Lots of live music in the high season.

The remade LaMArine is really just La Marine with way more sushi. Decor is the same. It was not bad, but BAZ does the same thing better.

 

[Jeanette]

High 30s and low 40s for main courses are Eden Rock and La Gaiac prices! The food would have to be fabulous to warrant that, even in St. Barths.

When I walked through the old La Marine/Yacht Club space last month with Missy, it looked like they stripped everything down to the studs and re-designed the interior.

I am thinking that Le Restaurant hired the old La Mandala sushi chef as they are advertising La Mandala's old sushi menu.

 

[griegle1]

I thought the food at Bonito was as good as the other high end places. Sort of a diversion from the more classical french. Seems like even the "less expensive" places are pushing 30 euros. It's frankly the 25 euro starters at most places that gets me. Going to try Bonito next week and see if they get it right twice. Some times the second time is the charm

I did not see La Marine during the renovation but its the same sort of white curtains and natural wood nautical wood furniture. I was one of the few that did not hate the old La Marine. If its different, its subtle. Seems to me that they are leveraging the "yacht club" upscale brand Still a nice setting by the water. Sushi was good. You can get the same setting at Harbor Saladrie for a bit less money

 

[Mike]

Thanks Kevin,

Outstanding update.

Back in 122 days.

How about a walk down memory lane re:Le Rivage? We had dinner there almost every night for the first 8 years until it got leveled. Bruno, the manager and Silvie, Head of the wait staff went back to France and married. Some of our fondest memories were of the friendships and wonderful cuisine there. Any others want to weigh in?

Mike

 

[phil62]

Mike we miss Rivage too. Visiting the Rivage chairs at Andy's Hideaway brings a lump to my throat! Amy

 

[Voosh]

I miss too much from the years. C'est la vie. So many memories, good tastes and good times. Yet, it's always a new day and new tastes. We trudge on and endure the new tastes, locations and... No complaints. Just some grumbling.

Every day is a new day. Just roll with it. Crabby? Spend your bucks elsewhere. Otherwise, just do SBH. Kinda poifect.

 

[smason3]

We too miss Le Rivage, but more Vincent Adam!

I'm so glad we are able to miss these restaurants because that means we keep returning and finding new ones!

 

[MIke R]

I miss Le Flamboyant, Au Port, Castelets, and L'Escale...

Rivage was ok....Vincent Adams was good..

 

[Bart -my real name-]

We too miss Le Rivage, but more Vincent Adam!

Wow, I thought I might have hallucinated it. My favorite meal on my previous visit (in 94) was at Vincent Adam but haven't heard or seen any mention of it since I started planning my just completed trip. Where was it located? I seem to remember being up in the hills somewhere.

 

[MIke R]

it was victim of a fire...

 

[Bart -my real name-]

Is that a common occurance there or was it just Vincent Adam and that place that burned last week?

Where was it located?

 

[tim]

Bart,

Vincent Adam was in St. Jean Carrenage. Chez Ginette was in Anse des Cayes.

 

[tim]

Kevin,

Outstanding summation!