Ti' Corail Today

[le_reve]

Just got back from lunch at Ti' Corail - it was a windy, cloudy and a little bit rainy - but they dealt with the weather fine - the beach tables were moved indoors and covered up just out of the wind and rain. This was the first time I have been back since they implemented the new 1.5 hour seating schedule, and I have to say that I am not a fan. Even though we are typical Americans that eat quickly as compared to our European counterparts, to me it still felt a little rushed, especially at the end of our meal.

We opted not to get dessert, and were still rushing to leave for the next group who were standing around staring at us in the rain, so I can't imagine how it would have been if we had gotten dessert. The team is still charming and the food is always good (the portion sizes have always been small and seemed a little smaller today than I remember) - I had a grilled snapper filet with green vegetables and dog sauce which was very nice. My husband started with a cold soup that I can't remember what was in it, but it was like a dixie cup tiny!

Anyway, still love this place and it was super busy, but not a fan of the new seating schedule, and of course the constant parking debacle.

 

[dadto6]

The prices are still reasonable, they also make a good Pina Colada. We have always enjoyed the meals there. Love the staff, I know it is trying when they are busy during the winter. I believe after the busy winter season they will return to 2-seatings if I am not mistaken. Dennis will pipe in with accuracy of my assessment. By the way, you have a very lovely Villa

 

[le_reve]

The prices are still reasonable, they also make a good Pina Colada. We have always enjoyed the meals there. Love the staff, I know it is trying when they are busy during the winter. I believe after the busy winter season they will return to 2-seatings if I am not mistaken. Dennis will pipe in with accuracy of my assessment. By the way, you have a very lovely Villa

Why, thank you!

 

[cec1]

The prices are still reasonable, they also make a good Pina Colada. We have always enjoyed the meals there. Love the staff, I know it is trying when they are busy during the winter. I believe after the busy winter season they will return to 2-seatings if I am not mistaken. Dennis will pipe in with accuracy of my assessment. By the way, you have a very lovely Villa

Don't know about returning to the old schedule of two seatings when "the season" ends. The schedule of 11 / 12:30 / 2 seatings began, as I recall, last October / early November. I think it has been good for Yann & staff . . . though they clearly are working their "tails" very hard in that time.

I also find the 90 minute slots to be rushed . . . there's no time to be wasted! I'm happy to be there, nonetheless. It's a unique slice of "Old St. Barths." If one wants a great, leisurely lunch, I highly recommend Al Mare at the neighboring Le Sereno Hotel . . . though it will be closing mid-April to mid-November for renovations.

 

[cassidain]

I haven't decided if we will return there in March. My experiences there have been somewhat mixed, though in many ways we enjoy it very much.
What's going to happen when our 1.5 hours is up and we're still enjoying our meal and/or our wine ? What's going to happen if our 1.5 hours is up and we're not finished because the service or the kitchen has been slow ?
In my opinion, this is a very poor decision from the point of view of the customer. And, my point of view is that of a customer.

 

[marybeth]

What's going to happen when our 1.5 hours is up and we're still enjoying our meal and/or our wine ? What's going to happen if our 1.5 hours is up and we're not finished because the service or the kitchen has been slow ?

I had the same questions come to mind when reading the original post. We love the food and feelings of old St. Barth, but on our last visit we experienced some awkward moments. The group checking in before us apparently showed up a day late for their reservation and the conversation was…tense…on both sides. After all that, our table wasn’t ready so we stood around, out of the way as best we could. Finally we were seated at the large table near the kitchen where another group was already dining. While that total fits with the “food truck“ vibe I think they’re going for, it doesn’t go with the strict reservation and dining time rules IMHO.

 

[GMP62]

Don't know about returning to the old schedule of two seatings when "the season" ends. The schedule of 11 / 12:30 / 2 seatings began, as I recall, last October / early November. I think it has been good for Yann & staff . . . though they clearly are working their "tails" very hard in that time.

I also find the 90 minute slots to be rushed . . . there's no time to be wasted! I'm happy to be there, nonetheless. It's a unique slice of "Old St. Barths." If one wants a great, leisurely lunch, I highly recommend Al Mare at the neighboring Le Sereno Hotel . . . though it will be closing mid-April to mid-November for renovations.

Oh, Dennis…say it ain’t so!!!! I’m beyond sad to learn Al Mare will be closed beginning in mid-April for reno. We are coming down for 10 days on April 23rd and Al Mare was at the top of our list. I know there are plenty of great alternatives, but we so enjoy dining there, especially for lunch with the lovely view,

 

[Cwater]

Oh, Dennis…say it ain’t so!!!! I’m beyond sad to learn Al Mare will be closed beginning in mid-April for reno. We are coming down for 10 days on April 23rd and Al Mare was at the top of our list. I know there are plenty of great alternatives, but we so enjoy dining there, especially for lunch with the lovely view,

Agreed. We are coming down mid May for 2 weeks. Love that resto, the view & the memories. Cheryl & I honeymooned there when it was called El Sereno.

 

[Cwater]

I have no problem with the 1.5 we get there for the 1st seating & parking is better at that time as well.

 

[cassidain]

what parking? does the food truck sans roues have parking ?

 

[CarolinaSC]

We had time for appetizer, fish and chicken, and dessert within 1.5 hrs, without feeling rushed. Would surely return. The parking was not great even in the morning. A muddy mess on the side of the road.

 

[dadto6]

We had a group of 7, had no problem enjoying Pina Colada's, starter and main course as well as desert and a rum shot in the allotted 1.5. Always on our rotation. Went there 5-times in 2024. Our favorite day is Sunday at the first seating.

 

[elgreaux]

We just had lunch there today with a table of 9 on the beach. there was like a 5 minute wait for our 2.30pm reservation and we left at 4.45pm. Yann and Camille doing a great job as usual....all food very good!

 

[cassidain]

We just had lunch there today with a table of 9 on the beach. there was like a 5 minute wait for our 2.30pm reservation and we left at 4.45pm.

...so, if you're the last seating you have 2 hours and 15 minutes rather than 1 hour and 30 minutes ? Hmmm

 

[elgreaux]

...so, if you're the last seating you have 2 hours and 15 minutes rather than 1 hour and 30 minutes ? Hmmm

They were cleaning up, we had already paid and were dawdling at the table with those who partake enjoying the rhum vanille... but I do think there is more wiggle room at the last seating as no one is waiting for the table...

 

[cassidain]

Aside from other considerations, it’s very unFrench

 

[cec1]

We just had lunch there today with a table of 9 on the beach. there was like a 5 minute wait for our 2.30pm reservation and we left at 4.45pm. Yann and Camille doing a great job as usual....all food very good!

Fantastique!

 

[elgreaux]

Aside from other considerations, it’s very unFrench

what do you mean?

 

[Cwater]

Aside from other considerations, it’s very unFrench

Greetings my friend…with all due respect that is an absurd statement. With the French flair slowly leaving the island, this resto stands alone with regards to food & service. For all those saying they might not go back, there will be a line of people waiting to take their place.

 

[cassidain]

greetings to you as well !

the French are accustomed to waiting an hour and a half just to get the serveur/serveuse to bring l'addition to their tables

personally, I find the island culture to be genuinely French. when that ceases to be the case I'll probably move on. but, I don't think that's going to happen.

I'm generally appreciative of Ti Corail. Though I have had both good and poor experiences with both food and service.

I wish Yann no ill will, but I consider his decisions to require CC guarantees and to wedge 3 services into lunchtime hours to be poorly taken. when I text him for a reservation next month, if he insists on a CC guarantee I, like Dad and others, will decline.
if I do go in march and if there is a problem with the timing then your line of people waiting to take my place are welcome to it.