Le Café

[cec1]

. . . St. Barths’ newest restaurant-cum-nightclub, at location of the old Quartier Général (“QG”) — on a corner across from the Post Office.

Open at dinner & late into the evening, it is said to evoke the lively spirit of a “friendly French brasserie.”

“Friendly,” however, was not my experience as entry was denied to me because, wearing shorts — albeit even very nice linen — doesn’t meet the dress code.

At my insistence, the Doorman called the Manager . . . who graciously allowed me inside when I promised only to quickly take a few photos. Staying at my side — apparently to assure that I’d keep my promise — I was allowed to observe (about 11 PM) a very crowded, hip (one might even say hedonistic) scene bathed in a surreal, rose-colored light, with exuberant, highly animated patrons. Though I was not allowed to move close to it, there seemed to be live music coming out of a corner with a piano, surrounded by a large crowd of people gaily enjoying themselves . . . a gathering-within-a-crowd. The charisma of escapist St. Tropez, it would appear.

It’s with mixed emotions that I was able to see this evocation of “. . . one of the favorite spots of the Saint-Tropez natives or lovers . . . the ideal place for authentic human encounters . . ..” Mixed, I guess, because it’s with sadness that the venue‘s lurid concept of authenticity differs so dramatically from my commitment to a traditionally beautiful, refined version of SBH style and heritage.

Le Café — https://en.lecafe.fr/saint-tropez-restaurant

 

[maryella]

Hmmm! Thanks for checking it out despite the not so welcoming welcome! I might give it a try for dinner when I arrive in 10 days…..early!

 

[cec1]

Hmmm! Thanks for checking it out despite the not so welcoming welcome! I might give it a try for dinner when I arrive in 10 days…..early!

I'll look forward to your thoughts.

 

[cassidain]

Time to revise or asterisk rule #20 ?

 

[amyb]

Note...Last night visit report....extremely loud and tight and close table arrangement that required one to be yelling in order to be heard and understood.

 

[phil62]

I stopped by last night and received the same treatment as Dennis. At first, I was stopped at the door and, after saying that I just wanted to look around, had to wait to be escorted by a very lovely young woman who stayed glued to my side. I found the noise level to be almost at the point of discomfort, and the level of the music just added to that. It is definitely skewed to a younger crowd, and the place was packed.

It will be very interesting to see how this concept works here on St Barth. As Dennis said, it does not appear to evoke the laid back vibe that we have always loved. If nothing else, it clearly shows the direction that the Island is headed.

Phil

 

[cassidain]

Phil, you’re accustomed to having a very lovely lady glued to your side. Right, Amy ?

 

[cec1]

I stopped by last night and received the same treatment as Dennis. At first, I was stopped at the door and, after saying that I just wanted to look around, had to wait to be escorted by a very lovely young woman who stayed glued to my side. I found the noise level to be almost at the point of discomfort, and the level of the music just added to that. It is definitely skewed to a younger crowd, and the place was packed.

It will be very interesting to see how this concept works here on St Barth. As Dennis said, it does not appear to evoke the laid back vibe that we have always loved. If nothing else, it clearly shows the direction that the Island is headed.

Phil

Thanks, Phil, for ”taking one for the team!”

As I’ve continued to think about my visit. I’ve realized that Le Café is much like the late night bar experience at La Guerite in Gustavia. “Much like,” but magnified. Both feature a crowded space with quite young patrons, chic decor, very loud music, cigarette smoke, & weird lighting that seems to be intended to flatter the color shadings of skin tones. (Note - last time I was at La Guerite, men were allowed to wear shorts . . . and most did so.) Le Café is, I believe, like La Guerite . . . another venue in the growing number of places associated with St. Tropez investors.

Times they are a-changin’! Future of the island? Too soon to tell, I think. For the moment, however, definitely a conspicuous turn in direction for island dining & nightlife.

 

[phil62]

Phil, you’re accustomed to having a very lovely lady glued to your side. Right, Amy ?

I had actually written a bit more about that but decided it might be healthier to eliminate that part.

Phil

 

[cassidain]

the "very lovely lady" I'm referring to is Amy, of course

 

[KevinS]

Thanks for the info.

I’m not the demographic that they’re looking for, and that’s OK.

 

[amyb]

Thanks for the info.

I’m not the demographic that they’re looking for, and that’s OK.

It certainly is ok. To each his own.

 

[cassidain]

I’m not the demographic that they’re looking for . . .

moi non plus. our knees a little unsure, mon ami, for the get-down-and-boogie of that scene

 

[amyb]

my knees have trouble gettin' up and gettin' down, Cass

 

[Cwater]

Thanks for the info.

I’m not the demographic that they’re looking for, and that’s OK.

Cheryl & I agree. The contrast between new and old is interesting. Life is about change and comfort.

 

[cec1]

moi non plus. our knees a little unsure, mon ami, for the get-down-and-boogie of that scene

In my “salad days,” the youthful, carefree, evening “innocence” of St. Barths was found in Ti Punch at Le Select, dinner at Maya’s, & “after dinner drinks & dancing” at Autour du Rocher, as Jimmy Buffett memorialized:

“For five wild years in L’Orient
The party never stopped.
. . .
Then the glitz and all the glamour
Hit like a hurricane
Or maybe we just all grew up
But it never was the same”

My sense is that the island is experiencing a new hurricane of style, manners, & worldliness . . . not seen since the invasion of Wall Street “barbarians at the gate” of mid- to late-80s.

Where will it end? Fortunately, in evolutionary terms, space still is found (& valued) on St. Barths for my generation & others of a similar mindset. Vive la différence!

 

[davesmom]

So this summer, we had a reservation at the Saint-Tropez Le Café which is right on the Place des Lices. I actually canceled it because we were so in love with another restaurant there (Le Girelier) , I wanted to go twice. But Le Café in St-Tropez has a TOTALLY different vibe: first, it is historic, from 1789. It is "homey" with printed linens, no view, people in all sorts of outfits all hours of the day (I saw shorts on men), and as I walked by it every day, I saw no "scene". Sometimes the restos that are "imported" from St-Tropez are not anything like the original, even if they come from there. Not saying it isn't a "thing" to be in both places for restaurants, but I think the St-Tropez "vibe" that everyone seems to complain about is more "created" in SBH than in St-Tropez. Some of those restaurants in St-Tropez that came to SBH are really good in St-Tropez; perhaps the owners should stay with their original concept? Maybe the "St-Tropez in SBH" restos are SBH "wannabes", just sayin'!

 

[davesmom]

I stopped by last night and received the same treatment as Dennis. At first, I was stopped at the door and, after saying that I just wanted to look around, had to wait to be escorted by a very lovely young woman who stayed glued to my side. I found the noise level to be almost at the point of discomfort, and the level of the music just added to that. It is definitely skewed to a younger crowd, and the place was packed.

It will be very interesting to see how this concept works here on St Barth. As Dennis said, it does not appear to evoke the laid back vibe that we have always loved. If nothing else, it clearly shows the direction that the Island is headed.

Phil

I think this is an SBH "problem", not a St-Tropez problem. Please see what I wrote above about Le Café in Saint-Tropez. La Petite Plage is lots of fun and good in St-Tropez, as are many of the others that are "brought over".

I believe this discussion might better be titled, “The Saint-Barthization of Saint-Tropez restaurants…

 

[PeterLynn]

So this summer, we had a reservation at the Saint-Tropez Le Café which is right on the Place des Lices. I actually canceled it because we were so in love with another restaurant there (Le Girelier) , I wanted to go twice. But Le Café in St-Tropez has a TOTALLY different vibe: first, it is historic, from 1789. It is "homey" with printed linens, no view, people in all sorts of outfits all hours of the day (I saw shorts on men), and as I walked by it every day, I saw no "scene". Sometimes the restos that are "imported" from St-Tropez are not anything like the original, even if they come from there. Not saying it isn't a "thing" to be in both places for restaurants, but I think the St-Tropez "vibe" that everyone seems to complain about is more "created" in SBH than in St-Tropez. Some of those restaurants in St-Tropez that came to SBH are really good in St-Tropez; perhaps the owners should stay with their original concept? Maybe the "St-Tropez in SBH" restos are SBH "wannabes", just sayin'!

Headed to Saint-Tropez prior to our SBH trip this May. Le Café (and Le Girelier) are on my list, so glad to hear it appears closer to my expectations than the SBH outpost. At the least I can avoid packing the long pants!

 

[pascaleschmidt]

This place is for the party vacationers who visit St Barth.... the late night crowds and nightclubbers...