Restos22 Changes

[KevinS]

I'm certain that I've never before published a draft version of my Resto List this early. Usually, I expect a percentage of the restaurants to still be be closed, but almost all are open, with the notable exception of a few hotels which will be opening in the coming weeks. I'm not traveling very far from home this year, so personal observations/experiences won't happen. Instead, I've worked the Internet, and used the recent images which Saint-Barth Tourisme has published to do a little cleanup for Restos22.


So, 2020.


Tough year for us all, especially for those who are in any way involved with the restaurant business, including the owners, staff, suppliers, and diners.


Amazingly, while I have noticed pre-COVID restaurant closures on St Barth, and COVID-related closures at home, I have only seen one COVID-related restaurant closure on St Barth. Le Ti will not open for the 2020/2021 season, but expects to reopen in November of 2021 for the 2021/2022 season. The requirement to close at 23:00, and the prohibition on standing in restaurants, is not conducive to their business model.


For new adds, I've added the soon-to-open 'Ti Corail, opening date TBD, but which is hiring. They will be selling “beach snacks” in Grand Cul de Sac. I don't know the connection, if any, between O'Corail and the new 'Ti Corail, what the menu will be, or exactly where it is located.


Another new one is Kaz'a Pizza, operating out of Le Glacier in St Jean. Is Kaz'a Pizza Creole slang for Pizza Hut?


Villa Marie has set a December 12 opening date for Gyp Sea, their new beach restaurant in St Jean, on the Pelican Beach side.


Hôtel Barrière Le Carl Gustaf has reopened with a new restaurant, Fouquet's.


Yummy, a new vending machine restaurant, has been added near the gas station in St Jean. It's a new concept for the island, selling sandwiches, salads, paninis, etc.


I've also added Le Petit Deauville, the ice cream and sorbet shop in Gustavia, to the list. I have no clue why I didn't add them years ago, but that oversight is now corrected.



As to the Robuchon restaurant, I have no news.


Soon to come is a storefront from Foodland, one of the island's major food purveyors to restaurants and yachts. They will be opening a boutique on Rue du Bord de Mer, on the left, after Entracte, and just before Victoria.



And that's all of the news that I have for now.

 

[amyb]

While driving through Gustavia yesterday, I was able to observe a worker exiting the newly constructed ROBUCHON. THE FURNITURE WAS ALL IN PLACE AND LIGHT FIXTURES WERE WORKING. THE EXTERIOR STONEWORK IS STUNNING. Sorry, for all the caps, but that is my eyewitness report to date.

 

[didier]

foodland is located at anse des cayes, anyone can go in and purchase things. they had fresh turkeys for thanksgiving from the usa.

 

[KevinS]

foodland is located at anse des cayes, anyone can go in and purchase things. they had fresh turkeys for thanksgiving from the usa.

Yup. Just like Franck and his partners at Chef’s Market in Public, cash is king - anyone can go in and buy anything.

 

[elgreaux]

The new Foodland is a very upscale place which I assume is aiming to compete with American Gourmet....


Note to Kevin for the list:
next door to the new Foodland is the best new place yet, a fabulous pastry shop called SIN GARDEN - created by the cool Serbian floral decorator VARDA (which explains the giant tree in the center) whose concept store is in the upper street side of the same building.. the Belgian pastry chef Marine Urbaine is known for her trompe l'oeil creations... she was at Cheval Blanc before opening Sin Garden with Varda...

 

[Jim Kelly-Evans]

Interesting information Thanks, Kevin.

 

[KevinS]

Foodland's "La Boutique" has opened, and their hours are now listed in the updated Draft Resto22 doc in the first page of the Restos22 Draft thread. Looking at what they offer, it recalls to me the old days of a gourmet shop called La Rotisserie, back before La Rotisserie became a bakery.

Also, thanks to the update from Ellen, Sin Garden has been added to the list.

Gyp Sea, Villa Marie's beachfront restaurant, has been variously reported to open either today, or on Monday 12/14. I look forward to a report from someone who dines there.

 

[elgreaux]

Foodland's "La Boutique" has opened, and their hours are now listed in the updated Draft Resto22 doc in the first page of the Restos22 Draft thread. Looking at what they offer, it recalls to me the old days of a gourmet shop called La Rotisserie, back before La Rotisserie became a bakery.

Also, thanks to the update from Ellen, Sin Garden has been added to the list.

Gyp Sea, Villa Marie's beachfront restaurant, has been variously reported to open either today, or on Monday 12/14. I look forward to a report from someone who dines there.

Gyp Sea is now saying Tuesday, the 15th, apparently there have been some delays as one of my favorite embedded reporters has ascertained...

 

[KevinS]

A few more changes, courtesy of Ellen:

As noted elsewhere, Victoria has been sold, and will reopen as La Petite Plage.

The former Le Carré has been acquired by Bagatelle, and will reopen as Arawak Café.

Le Tamarin is also reported to have been sold, with no word on any upcoming changes. There is a new chef at the restaurant this year.

 

[Jim A]

Tamarin sold??? I hope to a very hands off owner. If it isn't broke, don't fix it...