Post tip solicitations here!

[elgreaux]

just say no...leave a tip in cash if so inclined...

 

[MichaelG]

pourboire!

 

[Max1030]

La Casina requested tonight, unfortunately

 

[cec1]

La Casina requested tonight, unfortunately

How was the request made (i.e., so many variants of asking)?

 

[Max1030]

How was the request made (i.e., so many variants of asking

The waiter leaned in and said, “Tips are not included, would you like to add to the card?” I had crisp euros ready to leave on the table, but after that request I left none.

In France and by extension on the French island of St. Barthélemy, service is legally included in the bill. So being asked for a tip felt completely out of place, almost like a setup.
It’s been a long time since anyone asked me for a tip, so I was genuinely shocked. The whole experience made me feel as though we were being treated like pigeons, and risked ruining a great evening.

 

[Amery]

We just returned from a second great lunch at Grain de Sel. No mention of tip.
Nor was there mention last night at L’Esprit which was fabulous as always. My husband said his two dishes were some of the best he has had on St B: mushroom/lobster tortellini and then medallions of veal. I had what I consider the best tuna tartar on island—it is stellar—followed by a local fish fillet (whose name I can’t recall—we joked with Christophe re:translation) served with tomatoes and fennel. Several other excellent dishes ordered and enjoyed.
Will recap more when home next week. As busy as everyone says the island is, we have thus far avoided crowds except for traffic Monday in and out of town. Happily cocooned at our beautiful villa

 

[cec1]

We just returned from a second great lunch at Grain de Sel. No mention of tip.
Nor was there mention last night at L’Esprit which was fabulous as always. My husband said his two dishes were some of the best he has had on St B: mushroom/lobster tortellini and then medallions of veal. I had what I consider the best tuna tartar on island—it is stellar—followed by a local fish fillet (whose name I can’t recall—we joked with Christophe re:translation) served with tomatoes and fennel. Several other excellent dishes ordered and enjoyed.
Will recap more when home next week. As busy as everyone says the island is, we have thus far avoided crowds except for traffic Monday in and out of town. Happily cocooned at our beautiful villa

Beautiful report!

 

[elgreaux]

As seen on Facebook - What's Going On In St Barth - definitely a menu for people who like fish, not much choice for those who don't - my daughter, who is allergic to all fish and shellfish - would not be dining here...

 

[cassidain]

Very nice

 

[didier]

The waiter leaned in and said, “Tips are not included, would you like to add to the card?” I had crisp euros ready to leave on the table, but after that request I left none.

In France and by extension on the French island of St. Barthélemy, service is legally included in the bill. So being asked for a tip felt completely out of place, almost like a setup.
It’s been a long time since anyone asked me for a tip, so I was genuinely shocked. The whole experience made me feel as though we were being treated like pigeons, and risked ruining a great evening.

I don't understand why people get upset when they are asked for a tip on st. barths,

yes service is indeed included on this island and no tips are required. but the servers are just asking, because it does help them on an island that is barely affordable for them. you don't need to give anything, but if you do I am sure it is appreciated. life is short and you really can't take it with you, share the fun if you can spare it.

 

[dadto6]

Hello Ellen,
Looks like lots of choices beyond fish for your daughter. A very expansive menu I’m looking forward to dining there very soon.
Hello didier,
Tip to your hearts content. Throw some extra Euro if that makes you happy since you cannot take it with you, share the fun since you can spare it. I am sure that is appreciated by wait staff to get beyond barely affordable.

 

[elgreaux]

Hello Ellen,
Looks like lots of choices beyond fish for your daughter. A very expansive menu I’m looking forward to dining there very soon.
Hello didier,
Tip to your hearts content. Throw some extra Euro if that makes you happy since you cannot take it with you, share the fun since you can spare it. I am sure that is appreciated by wait staff to get beyond barely affordable.

No, there are like 4 items on the entire menu - other than dessert - which are not fish - and the possibility of cross contamination is huge in a kitchen where 90% of the menu is fish based. Luckily for her, there are lots of other places she can eat when she visits!

 

[cec1]

I don't understand why people get upset when they are asked for a tip on st. barths,

yes service is indeed included on this island and no tips are required. but the servers are just asking, because it does help them on an island that is barely affordable for them. you don't need to give anything, but if you do I am sure it is appreciated. life is short and you really can't take it with you, share the fun if you can spare it.

I agree, Diana. I think that, though it’s inappropriate for servers to propose that diners might want to leave tips, it happens. Say something to explain one’s position, if it makes one feel better. Then lose the indignation. There are other, more important things to think about on St. Barths . . . where to go tomorrow for lunch? for dinner? which beach? shopping? when will the next trip be?

 

[Max1030]

I don't understand why people get upset when they are asked for a tip on st. barths,

yes service is indeed included on this island and no tips are required. but the servers are just asking, because it does help them on an island that is barely affordable for them. you don't need to give anything, but if you do I am sure it is appreciated. life is short and you really can't take it with you, share the fun if you can spare it.

do tip all the tome always make a conscious effort to bring euros with me, what i do not like is being pressured and coherhced. Fir me this is unacceptable behavior .

I don't understand why people get upset when they are asked for a tip on st. barths,

yes service is indeed included on this island and no tips are required. but the servers are just asking, because it does help them on an island that is barely affordable for them. you don't need to give anything, but if you do I am sure it is appreciated. life is short and you really can't take it with you, share the fun if you can spare it.

Obviously it is not the "tip" that is offensive it is the illegal act and lies of the request that I take personal offense. I tip well and I tip often .

 

[Max1030]

No, there are like 4 items on the entire menu - other than dessert - which are not fish - and the possibility of cross contamination is huge in a kitchen where 90% of the menu is fish based. Luckily for her, there are lots of other places she can eat when she visits!

Agreed not even a salad to be had. We would like to see more légumes on the menu.

 

[jamiem4]

I agree, Diana. I think that, though it’s inappropriate for servers to propose that diners might want to leave tips, it happens. Say something to explain one’s position, if it makes one feel better. Then lose the indignation. There are other, more important things to think about on St. Barths . . . where to go tomorrow for lunch? for dinner? which beach? shopping? when will the next trip be?

We did experience a new one this past weekend... the valet at Nao asking for a tip. Our guests utilized the valet because of an ankle injury and knew they were in for the 25€ fee. No problem when on vacation, running a bit late, having a minor injury... etc... so life is fun - pay to valet the car and enjoy the afternoon view of the planes coming and going as we discuss dinners over lunch! The part that made this not so fun at the end of the afternoon was the aggressive valet who insisted it was 'standard' to tip here (on top of the 25€ fee) and then when that didn't work, he stated he 'didn't have change' for the 50€ bill. After a good chuckle at the absurdity of those comments and repeatedly declining to leave a 25€ tip, our guests eventually received their car about 45-min later...and the best news is they received the full 25€ change and no dings/dents on the car!

Perhaps the 25€ strategy isn’t going so well for the valet at Nao… it was better for the valet ‘tip’ situation when the valet fee was 17€ and folks would just give 20€ and not bother with the change.

 

[cassidain]

We did experience a new one this past weekend... the valet at Nao asking for a tip. Our guests utilized the valet because of an ankle injury and knew they were in for the 25€ fee. No problem when on vacation, running a bit late, having a minor injury... etc... so life is fun - pay to valet the car and enjoy the afternoon view of the planes coming and going as we discuss dinners over lunch! The part that made this not so fun at the end of the afternoon was the aggressive valet who insisted it was 'standard' to tip here (on top of the 25€ fee) and then when that didn't work, he stated he 'didn't have change' for the 50€ bill. After a good chuckle at the absurdity of those comments and repeatedly declining to leave a 25€ tip, our guests eventually received their car about 45-min later...and the best news is they received the full 25€ change and no dings/dents on the car!

Perhaps the 25€ strategy isn’t going so well for the valet at Nao… it was better for the valet ‘tip’ situation when the valet fee was 17€ and folks would just give 20€ and not bother with the change.

Wow ! I would find it difficult to "lose the indignation" in that situation. No slight to our cher ami intended

25 € is really pricing to exclude. I think I'm out . . . though I was never "in" at Nao anyway

 

[dadto6]

Last year I had a similar situation at Tamarin. The valet said he did not have change for a 50. I suggested he go to the bar and change the 50 Euro bill I presented for payment for the parking. Said he could not do that. I went to the bar myself and received change and paid the attendant. Was very disappointing.... However, last time we were there last month there was no charge for parking which was refreshing.

 

[cec1]

We did experience a new one this past weekend... the valet at Nao asking for a tip. Our guests utilized the valet because of an ankle injury and knew they were in for the 25€ fee. No problem when on vacation, running a bit late, having a minor injury... etc... so life is fun - pay to valet the car and enjoy the afternoon view of the planes coming and going as we discuss dinners over lunch! The part that made this not so fun at the end of the afternoon was the aggressive valet who insisted it was 'standard' to tip here (on top of the 25€ fee) and then when that didn't work, he stated he 'didn't have change' for the 50€ bill. After a good chuckle at the absurdity of those comments and repeatedly declining to leave a 25€ tip, our guests eventually received their car about 45-min later...and the best news is they received the full 25€ change and no dings/dents on the car!

Perhaps the 25€ strategy isn’t going so well for the valet at Nao… it was better for the valet ‘tip’ situation when the valet fee was 17€ and folks would just give 20€ and not bother with the change.

That’s appalling! An interesting aside is that the valet service at Nao, as is also true at Nikki Beach, La Guerite, Shellona, etc. (all, I believe, in the orbit of St. Tropez investors), is contracted by the respective restaurants . . . which means, I suspect, that they have “plausible deniability” with respect to such conduct. That being said, I hope Nao management becomes aware of this situation . . . I expect that it certainly can assert some influence over the contractor by explaining that it’s unacceptable to them. Personally, I would add that my patience would not have extended to 45 minutes . . . in far less time, I would have been back in the restaurant, explaining to the Manager the situation & its offensive, unacceptable nature.

 

[jamiem4]

Wow ! I would find it difficult to "lose the indignation" in that situation. No slight to our cher ami intended

25 € is really pricing to exclude. I think I'm out . . . though I was never "in" at Nao anyway

I agree! We went there because of our guests who happened to be here on their opening day and thought it would be fun to go back since they recognized some of the waiters (back in the day.) We were happy to oblige but I completely agree... We drove separately and we parked across from Pearl Beach but one of our guests had a bad ankle and they didn't want to walk on it... and hence the most enjoyable discussion about the 25euro tip! I probably will never return! And never ever valet!

That’s appalling! An interesting aside is that the valet service at Nao, as is also true at Nikki Beach, La Guerite, Shellona, etc. (all, I believe, in the orbit of St. Tropez investors), is contracted by the respective restaurants . . . which means, I suspect, that they have “plausible deniability” with respect to such conduct. That being said, I hope Nao management becomes aware of this situation . . . I expect that it certainly can assert some influence over the contractor by explaining that it’s unacceptable to them. Personally, I would add that my patience would not have extended to 45 minutes . . . in far less time, I would have been back in the restaurant, explaining to the Manager the situation & its offensive, unacceptable nature.

Exactly - I asked why they stayed...but we went to our car (parked across from Pearl Beach) and we weren't around for the exchange - and keeping it calm is a skill I have yet to learn!