Could St. Barth ever have a restaurant worth of a Michelin star?

[stbartshopper]

Besides many other virtues, as we all know the island is a haven for foodies. We wondered if an owner or chef aspired to receive a Michelin star, could it be done in St. Barth?
Maybe with all of the challenges of being a little tiny island with the labor and food import difficulties, it can never be accomplished. People don't generally hang around long enough to be trained and achieve the standards needed to even be considered. We are curious about other Forum member opinions- which restaurants could have a chance if they really tried or is it an impossible dream? The island of Mallorca has six restaurants with a total of 7 stars but it is really part of Europe.
Our opinion is it could never happen in St. Barth!

 

[amyb]

A St Barth chef won Relais and Chateau grand chef award. No small feat! Chef Stephan Mazieres is no longer at Toiny, but oh what dining delights the Le Gaiac kitchen turned out with him at the helm.

 

[elgreaux]

several of the chefs who were here for the Taste Of Saint Barth Festival in November have Michelin stars, yet the results were rather mixed ....

 

[Rascal]

based on what I've seen the last two years, the answer is no.

 

[amyb]

If I had to pick, I would say Jean Claude Dufour has a very good shot at getting a star.

 

[Rascal]

ate there last night, it was good, but not that good.

 

[andynap]

I thought the Michelin star was given to the restaurant not the chef.

 

[amyb]

Sorry you are not having any GREAT dining experiences this year. Don't give up on your quest just yet.

 

[elgreaux]

I thought the Michelin star was given to the restaurant not the chef.

yes but the chef at those restaurants is usually referred to as a one-, two- or three-star chef...

 

[Rascal]

so far L'Espirit and Santa Fe have been good.
Everything else, mediocre (and overpriced)

IMO

 

[Bart -my real name-]

Have you tried Tamarin yet?

 

[Rascal]

Have you tried Tamarin yet?

No, I'm afraid we haven't.

 

[Reed]

Have you tried Tamarin yet?

Not is anyway worthy of a star Bart. Although the manager was lovely and was seriously asking my opinion of what could be done better. I like the location which is very peaceful but it in no way was a foodie experience no matter what anyone says. Simple OK food, nice wait staff, hot owner and nice folks all around but not a culinary expedition sort of place IMHO. kr

 

[Bart -my real name-]

Not suggesting it's worth a star, just wondering if Rascal ate there. We had a great lunch and dinner there in Dec and would go back in a New York minute.


But, damn?!?!? When did all of the restaurants on the island turn to crap?!!??!? :nightmare: Lots of BAD reviews lately.

 

[Reed]

Not suggesting it's worth a star, just wondering if Rascal ate there. We had a great lunch and dinner there in Dec and would go back in a New York minute.


But, damn?!?!? When did all of the restaurants on the island turn to crap?!!??!? :nightmare: Lots of BAD reviews lately.

I hear you Bart……….I am not an overly nit picky person but I do know good food and I greatly respect the work that goes into successfully running a resto anywhere. There are a few decent places to eat on SBH but this is certainly not a foodie mecca island. Anyone who would say so is delusional. We pick places based on price and what you get for what you pay for or if we have house guests and thing our friends would enjoy an outing like Nikki Beach or somewhere of that ilk. Other considerations are friends that like to go to places that we would NEVER spend the $$$ but they treat and we in kind have them to our place for a great home cooked meal. Many long term winter residents do not cook down here and so appreciate something as simple as Kona's ribs and my potato salad. I would be hard pressed to come up with an even one star rating on the island and I am in no way trying to be judgmental but just stating the simple facts. Kona and I went to Andy's today for lunch and he had a bavette kind of thing with good fries and bleu cheese sauce. I had a pizza which we will be having the leftovers tonight. Great service and the food was pretty good. Kona's plat du jour was 12 Euro or something like that. Spending $$$ here is easy to do. Spending it wisely is a little more difficult IMHO. kr

 

[Bart -my real name-]

I hear you Bart……….I am not an overly nit picky person but I do know good food and I greatly respect the work that goes into successfully running a resto anywhere. There are a few decent places to eat on SBH but this is certainly not a foodie mecca island. Anyone who would say so is delusional. kr

I hear you too! But you are kind of picky........not in a bad way, but being in the industry, you notice things that I probably wouldn't notice (or care about). [I remember you once commenting to me about the cheep/cheesy serving platters at some place a while back. That's something I probably wouldn't have give a second glance]

I'm curious to know what you think are the foodie-mecca islands around here? Not that this means it's accurate, but it seems every article or even blurb about SBH makes some comment on the gourmet food served here.

 

[Reed]

Bart, the place you are referring to with the cheesy plastic serving vessels was Toiny. The kicked it up a notch and it was your fine reporting and pictures that made us go back there for another brunch that was well serviced and not overly banquety which I can't stand. All the new folks were holding court and it was a lovely day. I have only eaten there for dinner one night and I had a chef and friend in attendance and we were some of the only folks there. Wasn't feeling the love IMHO but that was 3 years ago. Not sure of foodie mecca islands around here as that is not how we would decided to travel. I think we have been to 80 % of the Caribbean islands and I couldn't really have positive comments about which one would be foodie oriented. As I have stated, most of our best meals are made at home. Not trying to be a jerk about this but simply stating the truth. The idea of spending 150-200 euro a night on nothing special would never happen with us. Bon Appetite. KR

 

[noel]

Bart, the place you are referring to with the cheesy plastic serving vessels was Toiny. The kicked it up a notch and it was your fine reporting and pictures that made us go back there for another brunch that was well serviced and not overly banquety which I can't stand. All the new folks were holding court and it was a lovely day. I have only eaten there for dinner one night and I had a chef and friend in attendance and we were some of the only folks there. Wasn't feeling the love IMHO but that was 3 years ago. Not sure of foodie mecca islands around here as that is not how we would decided to travel. I think we have been to 80 % of the Caribbean islands and I couldn't really have positive comments about which one would be foodie oriented. As I have stated, most of our best meals are made at home. Not trying to be a jerk about this but simply stating the truth. The idea of spending 150-200 euro a night on nothing special would never happen with us. Bon Appetite. KR

If you've been to Barbados we'd be interested in your impressions of the restaurants there.
Thanks.

 

[nicholas]

to get Michelin stars cheap and cheesy gets you tossed out.no place in st barts is up to any stars.its not just the food,but the room,glasses china cutlery,wine list bathroom,whole 9 yards.i asked the chef at tru in Chicago what it took to get them and this was his answer.

 

[JEK]

And, the "judges" would have to travel to the island to, well, judge. I'll stick with my favs and enjoy what I enjoy (read what she enjoys) and not worry about being starstruck.