In need of expert restaurant advice -- the new and not so new

[TPunch42]

Putting together my list of places we've been meaning to try, are new and want to try or are curious about... Without the kids this trip means the budget can handle a few more dinners/ lunches out. You all are my favorite restaurant reviewers and usually are spot on and honest.

1. La Grain de Sel -- Is this better for lunch or dinner? which menu do they serve during there "after the beach" hours from 4-7.

2. La Table de Jules -- remember seeing a review after it first opened under its new name. Is it worth a visit for dinner?

3. La Carre -- lunch? cocktails? dinner?

4. Le Piment-- always mean to try this place as it seems popular with the locals.. are the tapas good or is this a better lunch spot?

5. On the Rocks -- anyone been there recently... we used to go there all the time for sunset and a meal. I believe I had my first ever "Mojito" there back when no one knew what a "mojito" was. lol...in other words it has been many years... thoughts?

6. Isle de France for Lunch and Spa treatment or Hotel Christopher for lunch and spa treatment? both run summer specials...I have wanted to do this for years and never have.

 

[Eve]

We did the 80e day package at Christopher. It was great. We got there at 9 and left at 4. Love that place!

 

[TPunch42]

Thanks, Eve!

Does that pkg include a spa treatment or just lunch and access to the lounge chairs?

 

[Eve]

Chair, lunch and drink. But we had a few drinks and burgers, for 80e, so I think it is more like 80e minimum. There is a spa package it is on the website.

 

[cassidain]

1. We adore le Grain de Sel and have tried to love it as much for dinner as for lunch but can't quite get there. Lunch for us.

4. We like Le Piment too. A dinner place for us. Usually tapas, but more traditional menu entrées et plats are well done too. Ideal after a best-dinner-on-Saint-Barth-is-a-lunch-at-(you name the place) lunch.

 

[TPunch42]

Yes... Grain de Sel seems like folks always talk about it for dinner, but when I look at photos it seems like it is perfect for lunch. Someone once mentioned the stars there at night. Is it lacking in breeze for lunch though? July when still is almost unbearable.

 

[KevinS]

I think of Le Grain de Sel as a lunch restaurant. Others enjoy it for dinner.

If the weather is too still for you to enjoy it then consider one of my favorite ambidextrous (good for either lunch or dinner) restaurants, Le Vietnam in Gustavia. It's good, inexpensive, and air conditioned.

Why my mind made the leap from Le Grain de Sel to Le Vietnam I can't say, but it did...

 

[MantyPam]

We had dinner at On the Rocks last night. Spectacular meal! Our best of the island this trip. Pricey, but worth the splurge for the terrific food and beautiful night views of Eden Rock and St. Jean. My husband had the seafood pasta special (lobster, shrimp and mussels) and he couldn't stop raving over it! We also hit Le Repaire (so-so), Santa Fe (great as always), Wall House (great lunch), Sand Bar (twice - a can't miss lunch for us), and Pa Cri, which was a disappointment for us this time.

 

[tim]

I prefer Grain de Sel for dinner.

 

[LindaP]

After our April visit, I would say, Table de Jules was just OK, but we won't be returning there on our next visit in November.
On the Rocks, on the other hand, will definately be revisited, I agree with Manty, pricey , but very worth it.

 

[TPunch42]

Great advice folks. I think we will scratch Table de Jules from the list. I always thought that location was a bit hot and sticky with little breeze. On the Rocks sounds great.... maybe that's a good one for a special evening. Le Grain de Sel will make the either lunch or dinner list. Just sounds like a great place either way. But it is a definite must next trip as we tried 3 times last year to go there and each time it was either closed or had a private party.

Kevin, I would love to try Le Vietnam but Vietnamese food is not something that agrees with the hubby so we will have to pass on that glorious air conditioning. (But our villa has air conditioning in the living room/dining/kitchen, so we are covered for those really unbearable July nights and Chef Jeff is always game to cook in!) We do want to go to L'Entracte this trip also. So Le Piment will be on the maybe list. Since it is right down the hill from us, thought we should find out the scoop.

Eve thanks for the advice on Christopher. It sounds like a good deal. We will probably skip the spa treatment. Jeff said he doesn't want anything on the list with a specific appt. Has too many appts for his regular calendar. NO appts in Sbh allowed. Poor guy... I've seen his calendar and totally understand.... so lazy days... all day...is all that is allowed.

Shh.. don't tell him I made a ToDo list of restos...oh yea.. he reads the forum...sorry honey.. just research... just research... ;D

 

[TPunch42]

Any comments on Le Carre?

 

[jeffbg]

Chair, lunch and drink. But we had a few drinks and burgers, for 80e, so I think it is more like 80e minimum. There is a spa package it is on the website.

Not sure I follow -- so for less than 80E you got all of this, and so long as you paid 80, they didn't care?

 

[KevinS]

I've been to Le Carré for breakfast, lunch, cocktails, and dinner. It works for all four, but I prefer to visit for lunch.

 

[TPunch42]

Thanks Kev... good stop for a shopping day! It makes the list...

 

[Andi]

For a special meal (anniversary) any thoughts on Eden Rock or La Gaiac? Not sure which one to choose??

 

[DaddyLeCool]

Both are very good choices, I would add also La Table de l'Isle for such a special event. Of course, as far as I am concerned, the best "chef" of the island is undoubtedly Jean-Claude Dufour who is running L'esprit.

 

[JEK]

Of course, as far as I am concerned, the best "chef" of the island is undoubtedly Jean-Claude Dufour who is running L'esprit.

:up::up:

 

[Eve]

Not sure I follow -- so for less than 80E you got all of this, and so long as you paid 80, they didn't care?

We had a drink at the chair, a drink or two at lunch, but only had burgers, and I was curious how he was going to calculate it. He just charged us 240e for 3. Not sure how they would have calculated it if anything expensive had been ordered. But they were very, very nice. One of my favorite days.

 

[Eve]

:up::up:

I was hoping we would have seen him, but unless he came in late, he wasn't there.