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ST. BARTS DINING
Dining is as much
an adventure on St. Barts as watersports or hiking. An activity
that's the deciding factor for many vacationers, the fine dining
found here often features French cuisine, so much so that the
island has earned a reputation as the "French cuisine capital
of the Caribbean." Expect these meals to set you back at
least $50 per person in most cases, and sometimes much more.
Since on this island
a meal is more than just food but close to an investment, you
might do a little research before hand. Stop by the Tourist
Office in Gustavia for restaurant brochures and a copy of Ti
Gourmet, a free guide that includes several bonus coupons. Another
source is Sibarth, a villa rental company on rue Général
de Gaulle in Gustavia. The offices have menus from most island
restaurants.
Cheeseburger in
Paradise
Gustavia
Dress code: casual
Reservations: no
$-$$
Named for St. Barts regular Jimmy Buffett, this casual eatery
is located in a garden right in the heart of Gustavia. A favorite
with yachties, it's a fun place to grab a brew and a burger
and watch the parade of activity in town.
Carl Gustaf
rue des Normands
Gustavia
590-27-82-83
Dress code: casually elegant
Reservations: suggested
$$$
Fine food served in a beautiful atmosphere brings diners to
Carl Gustaf for a memorable meal. Typical dishes include Caribbean
lobster tail and green papaya salad, Oriental prawn risotto,
Fricassée of Shellfish with fresh pasta, noisettes of
monkfish seasoned with herbs, or breast of duck served in its
own juices. If you can't spare the kind of change required for
a meal here, drop by the piano bar for a drink and a spectacular
sunset.
Francois Plantation
Colombier
590-27-78-82
Dress code: casually elegant
Reservations: recommended
$$$
Located in Colombier, this terraced restaurant features lobster
gazpacho, cold or hot fois gras, Jamaican roasted tournedos
of ostrich in cajun spices, jumbo shrimp sautéed with
citronella and ginger, and more. Save room for one of the desserts:
crème brulée flavored with candied ginger and
lime or banana and coconut tarte tatin. An extensive wine list
is also available. Open for dinner only.
Hotel Le Toiny's
Restaurant Le Gaiac
Anse le Toiny
590-27-88-88
Dress code: casually elegant
Reservations: recommended
$$$
Located in the main house of Hotel Le Toiny, this restaurant
is named for the rare gaiac trees found on the property. Gourmet
dishes include cold caviar soup with anise and beetroot, medallions
of lobster with a passion fruit vinaigrette and candied sweet
peppers, gateau of roast boneless pigeon layered with red cabbage
and sweet potato, anymore. Stop by on Sunday afternoons for
a poolside buffet luncheon.
La Paradisio
rue du Roi Oscar II
Gustavia
590-27-80-78
Dress code: casually elegant
Reservations: suggested
$$-$$$
With indoor and outdoor dining in a garden terrace, this restaurant
offers a good list of French wines followed by dishes such as
squid creole style on a bed of macaroni, mahi mahi with creole
sauce, filet mignon with grey pepper sauce, or pink salmon over
French lentils.
La Sapotillier
rue du Centenaire
Gustavia
590-27-60-28
Dress code: casually elegant
Reservations: optional
$$$
Dine beneath an old sapodilla tree or inside in the dining room
at this downtown restaurant open for dinner only. Dishes include
pan fired dover sole, cocotte of fishes with anise flavoring,
or filet of duck. Save room for the creme brulee.
Restaurant le Bistrot
des Arts
rue Jeanne d'Arc (far side of harbor)
Gustavia
Dress code: casual
Reservations: optional
$$-$$$
Decorated with artwork, this bistro offers up pizzas prepared
in the brick oven including a pizza la créole with pineapple,
spicy West Indian sausage, and crab. Parisian onion soup, Caribbean
fish soup, and other specialties served as well. This restaurant
boasts a good view of the harbor.
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