Reporting from St. Maarten/St. Martin - one of the Caribbean's most popular travel destinations. Read updates on all topics relevant to a visitor: new restaurants, clubs, condition of beaches, activities, events and anything else interesting.
About Me
-
- Name:Jan Thoelke
- Location:Simpson Bay, Sint Maarten, Netherlands Antilles
01/01/2005 - 01/31/2005
02/01/2005 - 02/28/2005
03/01/2005 - 03/31/2005
04/01/2005 - 04/30/2005
05/01/2005 - 05/31/2005
07/01/2005 - 07/31/2005
08/01/2005 - 08/31/2005
09/01/2005 - 09/30/2005
10/01/2005 - 10/31/2005
01/01/2006 - 01/31/2006
Wednesday, February 09, 2005
Restaurant The Wharf
Today we finally managed to check out The Wharf, a new restaurant in Simpson Bay next to the bridge leading to the Isle de Sol Marina. Michelle has been hesitant to give it a shot, because the colorfully lit plastic palm trees in front turned her off a little. She thought it looked to much like a 'tourist trap'. On the other hand, the tacky trees make it easy to describe the place as a meeting point. Nobody is going to miss it.
I was happy to see that the restaurant is run by George of Brasserie del la Gare fame (Marigot). The somewhat loud entertainment was definitely geared towards a crowd who likes to be transported into a party mood. The Wharf competes to a certain extend with Cherrie's Cafe in Maho Village. The menu though is much more refined; we didn't order any grand dishes, but my pizza was wonderful and Michelle enjoyed her rack of lamb. The view of the dining deck is spectacular, with a fleet of 300' mega yachts berthed in the background.
Bottomline: a decent place to have a meal, if you are in the mood to be entertained while eating. The prices where middle of the road, but not cheap.
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Our evening at The Wharf
#393731 - 07/07/05 11:27 AM Reply Quote
Having been given a buy 1 dinner get 1 free from a hotelier on the island, we decided to try the restaurant.
With the free coupon in hand, we introduced ourselves to Elvis, one of the owners, and proceeded to be seated.
After waiting 15 minutes for a server, we finally got our wine and ordered dinner.
Being served our dinner, the waitress and I both jumped up when I announced a baby cockroach emerged from underneath my salad.
These things happen and I wasn't that upset at the time and asked that I be served another dinner with out the added flavor,
Food was mediocre at best.
Glad I had a free coupon for it!
Bernard, the other owner came over and apologized and said that we would not be charged for my dinner.
Thank you, Bernard.
He offered us another glass of wine and dessert, which we accepted.
Got the check with my dinner cost on it.
I told the server that my dinner was supposed to taken off the check and she proceeded to call Elvis over to the table and he tells me in no uncertain terms, I was paying for the dinner.
Be reminded I had a free dinner coupon.
Elvis said the best he could do was 10% off even though he knows I am a TTOL sponsor.
With no further conversation, we proceeded to the cash register to pay our bill, not reflecting the 10% nor using the free dinner coupon.
Elvis, on our heels all the way telling us how clean the bathrooms are. DUH
As I said in the beginning, these things happen and I wasn't that upset about it.
Now, I was furious, and just wanted to get out of there without starting a scene or looking at the bathrooms. (still don't understand that comment unless they cook in there).
I did not use the free coupon and he did not deduct 10% but reminded me that I had a free glass of wine and free dessert.
Beware folks!
#393731 - 07/07/05 11:27 AM Reply Quote
Having been given a buy 1 dinner get 1 free from a hotelier on the island, we decided to try the restaurant.
With the free coupon in hand, we introduced ourselves to Elvis, one of the owners, and proceeded to be seated.
After waiting 15 minutes for a server, we finally got our wine and ordered dinner.
Being served our dinner, the waitress and I both jumped up when I announced a baby cockroach emerged from underneath my salad.
These things happen and I wasn't that upset at the time and asked that I be served another dinner with out the added flavor,
Food was mediocre at best.
Glad I had a free coupon for it!
Bernard, the other owner came over and apologized and said that we would not be charged for my dinner.
Thank you, Bernard.
He offered us another glass of wine and dessert, which we accepted.
Got the check with my dinner cost on it.
I told the server that my dinner was supposed to taken off the check and she proceeded to call Elvis over to the table and he tells me in no uncertain terms, I was paying for the dinner.
Be reminded I had a free dinner coupon.
Elvis said the best he could do was 10% off even though he knows I am a TTOL sponsor.
With no further conversation, we proceeded to the cash register to pay our bill, not reflecting the 10% nor using the free dinner coupon.
Elvis, on our heels all the way telling us how clean the bathrooms are. DUH
As I said in the beginning, these things happen and I wasn't that upset about it.
Now, I was furious, and just wanted to get out of there without starting a scene or looking at the bathrooms. (still don't understand that comment unless they cook in there).
I did not use the free coupon and he did not deduct 10% but reminded me that I had a free glass of wine and free dessert.
Beware folks!
Our party of 4 happened upon The Wharf one night when we were fully intending another destination. We spent the better part of the evening there, and count ourselves fortunate to have done so.
The meals and service were both exceptional. The specials were extremely good. Since we were there late (having to hang around the Simpson Bay area while waiting to chaffeur our teenage daughters back to the villa), Elvis stopped by our table and we soon struck up a very pleasant, lengthy and engaging conversation. We found him to be most personable and hospitable.
We closed the place down that night, and enjoyed the restaurant and his company so much, that we returned 2 more times before our inevitable departure from the island (closing it down again on the third visit). Each visit was met with enthusiastic and highly attentive service, well prepared and delicious selections, and an increasingly warm and gracious reception from Elvis.
I regret that the experience of a month ago had by someone else (the anonymous commenter of 7/7/05) might cause some diners to steer clear of this fine restaurant. For those still willing to be adventurous, don't miss this place. If your experience is like those we had, you won't regret it.
PS - Elvis confessed to us that he is still learning the ropes of running a successful restaurant.
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The meals and service were both exceptional. The specials were extremely good. Since we were there late (having to hang around the Simpson Bay area while waiting to chaffeur our teenage daughters back to the villa), Elvis stopped by our table and we soon struck up a very pleasant, lengthy and engaging conversation. We found him to be most personable and hospitable.
We closed the place down that night, and enjoyed the restaurant and his company so much, that we returned 2 more times before our inevitable departure from the island (closing it down again on the third visit). Each visit was met with enthusiastic and highly attentive service, well prepared and delicious selections, and an increasingly warm and gracious reception from Elvis.
I regret that the experience of a month ago had by someone else (the anonymous commenter of 7/7/05) might cause some diners to steer clear of this fine restaurant. For those still willing to be adventurous, don't miss this place. If your experience is like those we had, you won't regret it.
PS - Elvis confessed to us that he is still learning the ropes of running a successful restaurant.
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