Papillon Ivre

[Bart -my real name-]

We checked out this place in St. Jean for the first time last night. It's a beautiful spot both inside and out and the staff couldn't have been nicer. The name means Drunken Butterfly!!

The food seemed more French than a lot of places, and by that I mean it seemed a lot less tropical and less Caribbean than many other restaurants.

It was beautifully presented and very good, but I think we made a few mistakes in ordering and got some dishes that we good but I wouldn't order them again (just based on personal preferences).

I'll post some photos in a bit, but I'm doing this write up on the laptop and the photos are on the phone.

We started with Black Truffle Pecorino with some sliced meat. Great cheese!

Next was an artichoke dish that was just ok. An ordering error.

Next was eggplant, tomato and burrata. This was really great and beautifully presented. Note the little flowers as garnish.

A stuffed Piquillo Pepper dish was next and it was stuffed with mascarpone, garlic and herbs. I thought the mascarpone overpowered everything else. To me, it would have been better with less cheese and more other stuff in the stuffing.

We finished with Belle de Lyon which was a salad from Lyon. It was very good and also beautifully presented with more flowers. It was a very meaty and hearty salad and we were a little too full by this point to finish it. Definitely ordered one dish too many! (Probably two too many!)

And they have a unique and creative way to present the bill. See the photos below.

 

[Bart -my real name-]

Menu



Cheese and meat



Artichoke



Eggplant





Piquillo



Lyon salad



Le check (adorable!)

 

[amyb]

Have not visited there, but am looking forward to your food photos, Bart.

 

[Bart -my real name-]

Have not visited there, but am looking forward to your food photos, Bart.

Look up! I think our posts crossed like ships in the night!

 

[amyb]

Bart, they did not disappoint. Loved the bill and the plate upon which it is presented. Charming end to a unique dining experience.

 

[Bart -my real name-]

Bart, they did not disappoint. Loved the bill and the plate upon which it is presented. Charming end to a unique dining experience.

It was a really nice and charming surprise. At the start of the meal they asked for my name "for the tab" and I was a little surprised. Why didn't they just list us as Table 3 or whatever our number was?!?! Now I know why!

It will be traveling home with me!

 

[cec1]

Great info, Bart . . . thank you!

 

[GramChop]

Very charming, indeed! Those food photos just jump off the screen, Bart. You and Amy must employ the same techniques. Thank you for this review; the Drunken Butterfly has been added to my rotation!

 

[Cwater]

Where in St. Jean?

 

[KevinS]

Papillon Ivre is on Route de Saline, the road which runs from Le Piment in St Jean, over the hill to Saline. It is more or less across from Le Glacier, on the left as you go from St Jean towards Saline.

 

[Bart -my real name-]

It’s on the Route to Saline. Just down the hill and across the street from the Surf shop. A couple doors down from the Sea and Spice shop (home of the friendliest store owner on the planet!).

For or perhaps a better known landmark, it’s above and behind the Hideaway.

 

[stbartshopper]

We are fans of the Sea and Spice shop principally because of the owner. They have many placemats and replicas of the tile beach signs throughout the island we enjoy. Also his spices are very good as well.
Papillon Ivre has been added to our dining list!