I am pleased to report that rumors shared in a few other posts regarding the demise of our happiest of happy places is premature. Our first 6 days here have been absolutely wonderful.
This is our 22nd or 23rd trip. My wife and I first visited for our honeymoon in 2007. We have since returned every year, sometimes twice, except for one year during the pandemic and another year due to Irma. We now have two daughters, 11 and 14, with whom we have made many special memories here. The last few years we have been joined by good friends from home (Philadelphia) who have two daughters of the same ages. We are staying this year at Villa Terre Indigo in the St. Jean hills. It has a wonderful view of the airport and of the bay that is a joy to wake up to and to come home to every day. Next week after our friends leave we move to Villa La Carette in Lorient, which is our favorite house on the island as it retains the classic French West Indies vibe and decor and is situated on a spacious footprint with beautiful gardens and a marvelous view.
The weather this week has been lovely with the breezes picking up the last few days. In our experience the end of March into the first half of April consistently bring some of the most reliably dry and sunny weather to the island.
We arrived last Saturday via an SBC charter flight through SXM. Our flight was delayed out of Philadelphia a bit but the always helpful team at Sibarth alerted SBC that our connection would be tight. I know there is a thread going in another forum about various ways to get here but we have found the SBC charter option through SXM - especially when traveling with 8 - to be a worthwhile investment. And perhaps less expensive than TW through SJ? The SBC gate agent at SXM also could not have been nicer, apologizing multiple times for a delay on their end. Once at SBH we were greeted by our friend Pablo from Sibarth. Pablo is the most responsive and committed concierge we have ever dealt with. And he's not too bad on the eyes either according to my wife.
Our first night dinner the last few years has been at La Cantina. We like to ease our way into the trip with a fun casual meal. For many years the first night dinner was at the Hideaway, and we still miss the entire experience there - Andy was the best host. The poor bartender at Cantina was the only staff outside of the kitchen for the first 30 minutes we were there but he did an incredible job despite a pretty full restaurant. The patatas bravas and Caribbean hummus appetizer were excellent, and the smashburger is a kids' favorite. They also pour the best mojito on the island.
Sunday we went to the Anglican church - I'm not a huge churchgoer back home but Father Charlie is one of a kind. He is very genuine, and his sermon always imparts wisdom that you can apply to your own life. And of course the choir is simply joyous. Following church we had lunch at Eden Rock, which we always find to be a quintessential St. Barth experience. Looking at over the bay and watching the airplanes take off and land is mesmerizing. The food was very good - especially the salads. The tomato, avocado, and mango salad with jalapeno dressing really stood out for its' flavor and freshness. The kids also were able to transition right from lunch into the water.
Monday night we tried La Casina for the first time. It was a great atmosphere filled with people who seemed to be enjoying themselves immensely. Reminiscent of Andy's in that regard. The pizzas were good and the cacio pepe was delicious and authentic. The host was also extremely attentive and even introduced me to the new proprietor of Grand de Sel.
Tuesday we lunched at Fish Corner, which has become a favorite since the pandemic. The cooking is quite exceptional. The quinoa salad appetizer is so refreshing, and the tuna tacos are fantastic. The kids love to share all of their delicious sides - the mashed potatoes always rise to the top. I had the snapper in yuzu with grilled fennel, which was devine. And their Iles flottantes is to die for. We also had no trouble finding a parking spot in Gustavia next to the harbor. Somewhat surprisingly the island does not feel that crowded this week.
Wednesday we tried the new Grand de Sel for lunch, and it was a hit. The food was excellent and the prices reasonable. It is a great addition to the restaurant scene as a more independent and local place. The smoked wahoo and hummus stood out. I had a very tasty tuna tartare in a coco curry for my entree. The mocktails were also a highlight (for both the kids and the adults!)
Yesterday we had lunch feet in the sand at Ti Corail, which was better than ever. You can't beat the setting. The chicken curry and green lentil salad were amazing. The chocolate mouse desert was everyone's favorite. We also were able to buy two shirts with their new logo - they had come in that morning! After lunch we rented kayaks and got to follow some sea turtles up close. A really special afternoon.
We've been to Gouverneur, Saline, and Colombier. There was some sargassum at the first two but it didn't bother anyone much, especially the kids. Colombier was pristine - the hike from Flamands is a tradition for us. We were lucky to spot a sea turtle on the ocean floor about 30 meters out. All of us delighted in being able to see one so close up unexpectedly including when it surfaced a few times.
Our day usually starts with a trip to La Petite Colombe in Lorient for various pastries and, if we are having dinner at home, their heavenly deserts. Seems it may have changed ownership? The quiches are a little different but everything else seems to be the same.
Will post again later next week but the streak of never having a bad day here continues. . .
This is our 22nd or 23rd trip. My wife and I first visited for our honeymoon in 2007. We have since returned every year, sometimes twice, except for one year during the pandemic and another year due to Irma. We now have two daughters, 11 and 14, with whom we have made many special memories here. The last few years we have been joined by good friends from home (Philadelphia) who have two daughters of the same ages. We are staying this year at Villa Terre Indigo in the St. Jean hills. It has a wonderful view of the airport and of the bay that is a joy to wake up to and to come home to every day. Next week after our friends leave we move to Villa La Carette in Lorient, which is our favorite house on the island as it retains the classic French West Indies vibe and decor and is situated on a spacious footprint with beautiful gardens and a marvelous view.
The weather this week has been lovely with the breezes picking up the last few days. In our experience the end of March into the first half of April consistently bring some of the most reliably dry and sunny weather to the island.
We arrived last Saturday via an SBC charter flight through SXM. Our flight was delayed out of Philadelphia a bit but the always helpful team at Sibarth alerted SBC that our connection would be tight. I know there is a thread going in another forum about various ways to get here but we have found the SBC charter option through SXM - especially when traveling with 8 - to be a worthwhile investment. And perhaps less expensive than TW through SJ? The SBC gate agent at SXM also could not have been nicer, apologizing multiple times for a delay on their end. Once at SBH we were greeted by our friend Pablo from Sibarth. Pablo is the most responsive and committed concierge we have ever dealt with. And he's not too bad on the eyes either according to my wife.
Our first night dinner the last few years has been at La Cantina. We like to ease our way into the trip with a fun casual meal. For many years the first night dinner was at the Hideaway, and we still miss the entire experience there - Andy was the best host. The poor bartender at Cantina was the only staff outside of the kitchen for the first 30 minutes we were there but he did an incredible job despite a pretty full restaurant. The patatas bravas and Caribbean hummus appetizer were excellent, and the smashburger is a kids' favorite. They also pour the best mojito on the island.
Sunday we went to the Anglican church - I'm not a huge churchgoer back home but Father Charlie is one of a kind. He is very genuine, and his sermon always imparts wisdom that you can apply to your own life. And of course the choir is simply joyous. Following church we had lunch at Eden Rock, which we always find to be a quintessential St. Barth experience. Looking at over the bay and watching the airplanes take off and land is mesmerizing. The food was very good - especially the salads. The tomato, avocado, and mango salad with jalapeno dressing really stood out for its' flavor and freshness. The kids also were able to transition right from lunch into the water.
Monday night we tried La Casina for the first time. It was a great atmosphere filled with people who seemed to be enjoying themselves immensely. Reminiscent of Andy's in that regard. The pizzas were good and the cacio pepe was delicious and authentic. The host was also extremely attentive and even introduced me to the new proprietor of Grand de Sel.
Tuesday we lunched at Fish Corner, which has become a favorite since the pandemic. The cooking is quite exceptional. The quinoa salad appetizer is so refreshing, and the tuna tacos are fantastic. The kids love to share all of their delicious sides - the mashed potatoes always rise to the top. I had the snapper in yuzu with grilled fennel, which was devine. And their Iles flottantes is to die for. We also had no trouble finding a parking spot in Gustavia next to the harbor. Somewhat surprisingly the island does not feel that crowded this week.
Wednesday we tried the new Grand de Sel for lunch, and it was a hit. The food was excellent and the prices reasonable. It is a great addition to the restaurant scene as a more independent and local place. The smoked wahoo and hummus stood out. I had a very tasty tuna tartare in a coco curry for my entree. The mocktails were also a highlight (for both the kids and the adults!)
Yesterday we had lunch feet in the sand at Ti Corail, which was better than ever. You can't beat the setting. The chicken curry and green lentil salad were amazing. The chocolate mouse desert was everyone's favorite. We also were able to buy two shirts with their new logo - they had come in that morning! After lunch we rented kayaks and got to follow some sea turtles up close. A really special afternoon.
We've been to Gouverneur, Saline, and Colombier. There was some sargassum at the first two but it didn't bother anyone much, especially the kids. Colombier was pristine - the hike from Flamands is a tradition for us. We were lucky to spot a sea turtle on the ocean floor about 30 meters out. All of us delighted in being able to see one so close up unexpectedly including when it surfaced a few times.
Our day usually starts with a trip to La Petite Colombe in Lorient for various pastries and, if we are having dinner at home, their heavenly deserts. Seems it may have changed ownership? The quiches are a little different but everything else seems to be the same.
Will post again later next week but the streak of never having a bad day here continues. . .
