Must eat restaurants?

[cassidain]

Hi @Juliemango , why would you skip Isola and Tamarind? Have both on our list for next month.
Well actually have all 3 lol but I get NB isn’t for everyone!
Thanks,

L'Isola is hands-down our fave restaurant on SBH for combination of cuisine, scene, fun, etc.
We've just been to NB and Tamarin once each, but both experiences were very nice, and we'll be back to both in a week or so.
Been visitors to the island since 1988.

 

[Juliemango]

Enjoy!

 

[elgreaux]

Tamarin, our favorite thing to there is sit in the garden for beverages and tapas - skip dinner - lovely setting !

 

[Cutiger72]

Espirit and La langoste

 

[Juliemango]

L'Isola is hands-down our fave restaurant on SBH for combination of cuisine, scene, fun, etc.
We've just been to NB and Tamarin once each, but both experiences were very nice, and we'll be back to both in a week or so.
Been visitors to the island since 1988.

Then you remember Vincent Adam! Was fab!!

 

[amyb]

Then you remember Vincent Adam! Was fab!!

It certainly was, Juliemango

 

[NancySC]

We loved going to Vincent Adam, sitting outside, twinkling lights in the distance ! So many long ago places, but not forgotten, just like Andy's too.

 

[episcopal405]

Years ago we would go to Le Sapotillier, Adam would great you by name year after year. My friend and I would order three to four entrees just to taste as much as possible. Absolutely the best restaurant ever in St Barths. Close second was Castellets (spelling)

 

[cec1]

We loved going to Vincent Adam, sitting outside, twinkling lights in the distance ! So many long ago places, but not forgotten, just like Andy's too.

. . . always great soufflés, too!

 

[Gables]

This Board is filled with many great recommendations from superb, long-time members. However, I do not understand the fascination with L’Isola. I found the food unimaginative and overpriced for Italian fare. The wine list is comprehensive but incredibly overpriced (not unusual for the island). I also believe Tamarin provides a stunning atmosphere with less than stunning food. My wife loves to dine outdoors and Tamarin is hard to beat; but it isn’t the cuisine that keeps us coming back.

I recognize these are controversial opinions and represent the minority of SBH members, but worth sharing nonetheless. On the other hand, I find L’Esprit (another Board favorite) to be charming, worthwhile and a “must visit” every time I return to the island.

We are headed to paradise again this May and will be trying La Casina, Nyama, and Sella for the first time, plus return visits to L’Esprit, Gyp Sea, Sand Bar, Ti’ Corail and La Guerite.

One final note, there are few “bad” restaurants on the island. It is incredibly difficult to have a “poor” dining experience. There are just different levels from “good” to “great.” My recommendation is to try and mix in different restaurants every time you visit.

Bon appetit!

 

[cassidain]

I’ve never thought the cuisine at L’Isola intended to be imaginative or novel. But rather beautifully executed classics from pristine ingredients.
And it’s certainly priced to exclude. I find it very clubby.
More ambitiously creative (and delicious) Italian cuisine can be had at Al Mare’s chic Christian Liaigre designed dining space.

 

[amyb]

Years ago we would go to Le Sapotillier, Adam would great you by name year after year. My friend and I would order three to four entrees just to taste as much as possible. Absolutely the best restaurant ever in St Barths. Close second was Castellets (spelling)

You have reminded me of 2 old favorites. Gone! But not forgotten.

 

[dudleydog]

The little tower of desserts at Vincent Adam.

 

[cec1]

This Board is filled with many great recommendations from superb, long-time members. However, I do not understand the fascination with L’Isola. I found the food unimaginative and overpriced for Italian fare. The wine list is comprehensive but incredibly overpriced (not unusual for the island). I also believe Tamarin provides a stunning atmosphere with less than stunning food. My wife loves to dine outdoors and Tamarin is hard to beat; but it isn’t the cuisine that keeps us coming back.

I recognize these are controversial opinions and represent the minority of SBH members, but worth sharing nonetheless. On the other hand, I find L’Esprit (another Board favorite) to be charming, worthwhile and a “must visit” every time I return to the island.

We are headed to paradise again this May and will be trying La Casina, Nyama, and Sella for the first time, plus return visits to L’Esprit, Gyp Sea, Sand Bar, Ti’ Corail and La Guerite.

One final note, there are few “bad” restaurants on the island. It is incredibly difficult to have a “poor” dining experience. There are just different levels from “good” to “great.” My recommendation is to try and mix in different restaurants every time you visit.

Bon appetit!

Re: La Guerite, will you be going to lunch at the beach restaurant or dinner at the Gustavia locale? Both are quite expensive, but I like the restaurant at the beach. The food is very good . . . the setting very pretty . . . and excellent service, in my experience. The Gustavia venue, on the other hand, is -- I believe -- even more expensive. It also seems to have had, when I've been there, a very lax attitude toward smoking . . . and the decibel level, high in any event, is ear-splitting after about 9 PM.

Lots written here about La Casina and Nyama (latter is a great favorite for me) . . . some commentary about Sella (comments have dissuaded me, so far, from going there . . . though I'll have to try it sometime to form my own opinion).

L'Esprit . . . best food on the island right now, with sophistication and subtlety in ambiance that is as close to "old St. Barths" as one finds in SBH fine dining. Service can be slow (which fits my dining style just fine!). Wines are very reasonably priced.

Ti Corail . . . a great luncheon hit. Charming, "toes in the sand," old St. Barths territory . . . with an excellent, very limited menu. Lovely beach setting. Parking is difficult. Reservations required.

Tamarin . . . I think that Ellen (elgreaux) said it best -- go for appetizers & cocktails in the garden. Gracious and stunning setting. Dinner in the traditional format -- i.e., under the roof (the "Colonial garden house") or at a table in the nearby garden of palm trees and lush vegetation -- can be very nice and very good. Every time I go there, however, I leave with a lingering feeling that the "package" is "corporate" . . . almost Disney-esque.

L'Isola . . . I think that Cass has "nailed it" in his above commentary. Priced to exclude and very clubby. Nonetheless, if one gets a seat there (a difficult order!), the food is simply and very well prepared . . . with fresh ingredients, in a traditional Roman style. The candlelit setting is lovely, and the vibe is lively (if you're noise-sensitive, request seating in the "back room".)

 

[Juliemango]

This Board is filled with many great recommendations from superb, long-time members. However, I do not understand the fascination with L’Isola. I found the food unimaginative and overpriced for Italian fare. The wine list is comprehensive but incredibly overpriced (not unusual for the island). I also believe Tamarin provides a stunning atmosphere with less than stunning food. My wife loves to dine outdoors and Tamarin is hard to beat; but it isn’t the cuisine that keeps us coming back.

I recognize these are controversial opinions and represent the minority of SBH members, but worth sharing nonetheless. On the other hand, I find L’Esprit (another Board favorite) to be charming, worthwhile and a “must visit” every time I return to the island.

We are headed to paradise again this May and will be trying La Casina, Nyama, and Sella for the first time, plus return visits to L’Esprit, Gyp Sea, Sand Bar, Ti’ Corail and La Guerite.

One final note, there are few “bad” restaurants on the island. It is incredibly difficult to have a “poor” dining experience. There are just different levels from “good” to “great.” My recommendation is to try and mix in different restaurants every time you visit.

Bon appetit!

Amen to what you wrote brother!!!
You will love Nyama! After 37 years has become one of my favorite restaurants. Far from fancy but definitely St. Barths. Awesome food!! Chic and fun!

 

[Gables]

Re: La Guerite, will you be going to lunch at the beach restaurant or dinner at the Gustavia locale? Both are quite expensive, but I like the restaurant at the beach. The food is very good . . . the setting very pretty . . . and excellent service, in my experience. The Gustavia venue, on the other hand, is -- I believe -- even more expensive. It also seems to have had, when I've been there, a very lax attitude toward smoking . . . and the decibel level, high in any event, is ear-splitting after about 9 PM.

Lots written here about La Casina and Nyama (latter is a great favorite for me) . . . some commentary about Sella (comments have dissuaded me, so far, from going there . . . though I'll have to try it sometime to form my own opinion).

L'Esprit . . . best food on the island right now, with sophistication and subtlety in ambiance that is as close to "old St. Barths" as one finds in SBH fine dining. Service can be slow (which fits my dining style just fine!). Wines are very reasonably priced.

Ti Corail . . . a great luncheon hit. Charming, "toes in the sand," old St. Barths territory . . . with an excellent, very limited menu. Lovely beach setting. Parking is difficult. Reservations required.

Tamarin . . . I think that Ellen (elgreaux) said it best -- go for appetizers & cocktails in the garden. Gracious and stunning setting. Dinner in the traditional format -- i.e., under the roof (the "Colonial garden house") or at a table in the nearby garden of palm trees and lush vegetation -- can be very nice and very good. Every time I go there, however, I leave with a lingering feeling that the "package" is "corporate" . . . almost Disney-esque.

L'Isola . . . I think that Cass has "nailed it" in his above commentary. Priced to exclude and very clubby. Nonetheless, if one gets a seat there (a difficult order!), the food is simply and very well prepared . . . with fresh ingredients, in a traditional Roman style. The candlelit setting is lovely, and the vibe is lively (if you're noise-sensitive, request seating in the "back room".)

I walked over and had lunch at La Guerite last year. I’ve always enjoyed La Guerite just off Cannes so wanted to give the St. Barth spot a try. Lunch on the beach did not disappoint.

I agree on L ‘Esprit especially your comment on the wines. Feel free to pass along any recent recommendations.

I’m actually double booked with Sella ad L’Esprit so gonna cancel Sella.

Ti Corail reminds me of favorite joints in the Florida Keys. Always a must visit.

Tamarin - 100% in agreement.

L’Isola - well it’s unreasonable to think we will agree on every restaurant

 

[dadto6]

Smart move to cancel Sella and go for L'Esprit!

 

[cassidain]

Ti Corail . . . a great luncheon hit. Charming, "toes in the sand," old St. Barths territory . . . with an excellent, very limited menu. Lovely beach setting. Parking is difficult. Reservations required.

« Charming » ditto
« Lovely beach setting » ditto
« Parking is difficult » i might have gone for non-existent
« Reservations required » double ditto

Definitely one of the relatively recent « luncheon hits »

 

[davesmom]

I’ve never thought the cuisine at L’Isola intended to be imaginative or novel. But rather beautifully executed classics from pristine ingredients.
And it’s certainly priced to exclude. I find it very clubby.
More ambitiously creative (and delicious) Italian cuisine can be had at Al Mare’s chic Christian Liaigre designed dining space.

I must say that when you are in the “Phil & Amy Club”, L’Isola is a different experience

 

[JEK]

I must say that when you are in the “Phil & Amy Club”, I must say the L’Isola is a different experience

Amen!