usvi-on-line
Bad Meals ??? :(
Bad Meals ??? :(
Anyone else had disapointing meals at Lime Inn and Cafe Roma? Use to eat here all the time but this year both were really bad 
Did like La Plancha del Mar, Rhumb Lines, Banana Deck, and Waterfront Bistro
Did like La Plancha del Mar, Rhumb Lines, Banana Deck, and Waterfront Bistro
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Teresa_Rae
- Posts: 2053
- Joined: Mon Oct 09, 2006 5:44 pm
- Location: Downstate IL
We've never had a bad meal at Lime Inn and especially not Cafe Roma, but we have stopped going to Morgan's Mango after being loyal customers for several years.
First they changed my favorite thing there, the chimi churry sauce, then they were unapologetic about a bug the size of a small bird in my husband's food, then that St. John coupon site went out of business and the two for one drink coupon was no longer available, but the nail in the coffin was the last couple of times our fish was dried out and just not good. Eventually we will probably try it again but there are so many other good places that it's been a few years since we've been there.
First they changed my favorite thing there, the chimi churry sauce, then they were unapologetic about a bug the size of a small bird in my husband's food, then that St. John coupon site went out of business and the two for one drink coupon was no longer available, but the nail in the coffin was the last couple of times our fish was dried out and just not good. Eventually we will probably try it again but there are so many other good places that it's been a few years since we've been there.
Let us live so that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry.
- Mark Twain
- Mark Twain
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Tracy in WI
- Posts: 1624
- Joined: Tue Aug 08, 2006 8:39 am
- Location: Wisconsin
We ate at Cafe Roma a couple nights ago and my veal picatta was ok but veal was tougher than usual; wifey's pasta dish was excellent. Lime Inn meal was good, but my whole snapper was not as good as last trip; wife's grouper was outstanding! But we will return to both as they are among our favorites! Plancha Del Mar was great and Asolare was outstanding!
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stjohnjulie
- Posts: 570
- Joined: Fri Sep 19, 2008 10:34 am
- Location: St. John VI
Have to say, I've had a bad meal at just about every place on island. I chalk it up to being human. I try not to do a one strike and your out though. The only thing that will make me not go back is bad service. I'm a stickler about good service. If I wanted a great meal and crappy service, I would stay home 
I would love to hear more input on experiences this year. There is huge turn over in the staff at most restaurants and that can really have an impact on the quality and service. I must say, I haven't heard of any place to 'avoid' this season like I have in seasons past.
I would love to hear more input on experiences this year. There is huge turn over in the staff at most restaurants and that can really have an impact on the quality and service. I must say, I haven't heard of any place to 'avoid' this season like I have in seasons past.
Returned recently from St. John, 2 week trip. 7 in the family go out every night to eat and Lime Inn is our absolute favorite. Great food and service. Never get the Alaskan King crab legs because they come a long way, frozen. Not crazy about Cafe Roma, picky eaters. We try all the restaurants and are still very happy.
Going back to the rock for 10 days in October. Going to try Morgan's Mango once again. We hear that the sides have changed for the better and my wife likes the Margaritas! Don't let one meal spoil your trip. Try it again.
Going back to the rock for 10 days in October. Going to try Morgan's Mango once again. We hear that the sides have changed for the better and my wife likes the Margaritas! Don't let one meal spoil your trip. Try it again.
Because nobody asked, here are my theories on and approach to dining on STJ...
1) Focus on the local fare or put another way, choose food items you'd expect to find on an island in the middle of the Caribbean (i.e. rock lobster instead of Alaskan halibut)...at the east end of the day, an authentic experience (good or so-so) is what I really crave, even if it isn't served with a money back guarantee or by the most congenial waitstaff in the West Indies.
2) Find the party...I have a friend who never plans ahead when it comes to restaurants in new towns, he just looks for the one with the most cars in front of it...call it the Wisdom of Crowds strategy. It's funny how much atmosphere can affect a dining experience regardless of the chef's culinary prowess...food and drinks just seem to taste better at a party or amongst happy strangers sitting elbow to elbow scarfing down conch fritters under a large boxwood tree.
3) Lower the expectations - On this forum, when people mention why they love STJ, restaurants rarely top the list. And I think that's simply because it's just not a culinary mecca most likely due to logistics and other factors that lead to inconsistency like attrition of waitstaff...in fact, I notice in a lot of trip reports where people never eat out because they think they get better value for their dollar doing it themselves. To each their own.
And, even though tourism is the lifeblood of STJ, I don't get the feeling the locals make it their mission in life to make sure mainlanders have the greatest gastronomic experience of their lives there. When people here write, "get used to Island Time," it's kind of a PC way of saying, "shut up about the wait and have a beer already, you'll get served when you get served." Or as I like to put it, "if you set your expectations low enough, good things are bound to happen."
That said, Darwinian principles not only apply to Mongoose dem crossing the road, but restauranteurs on STJ as well...if a place has been around for more than a season, chances are good it's because they do get it right a lot more often than not.
I don't doubt for a second PandaG and others had less than satisfactory meals, but like STJ Julie intimated, no restaurant on STJ delivers the goods every time. It happens. I'll be back on the rock in less than a mont and look forward to the lobster and key lime pie at Lime Inn (that never misses) and taking the Super Colon Challenge devouring one of Cafe Roma's 9 pound pizzas.
And just like after my last four trips to the rock, I hope I'm still happy to report that I've yet to have had a bad dining experience...or a sober one
1) Focus on the local fare or put another way, choose food items you'd expect to find on an island in the middle of the Caribbean (i.e. rock lobster instead of Alaskan halibut)...at the east end of the day, an authentic experience (good or so-so) is what I really crave, even if it isn't served with a money back guarantee or by the most congenial waitstaff in the West Indies.
2) Find the party...I have a friend who never plans ahead when it comes to restaurants in new towns, he just looks for the one with the most cars in front of it...call it the Wisdom of Crowds strategy. It's funny how much atmosphere can affect a dining experience regardless of the chef's culinary prowess...food and drinks just seem to taste better at a party or amongst happy strangers sitting elbow to elbow scarfing down conch fritters under a large boxwood tree.
3) Lower the expectations - On this forum, when people mention why they love STJ, restaurants rarely top the list. And I think that's simply because it's just not a culinary mecca most likely due to logistics and other factors that lead to inconsistency like attrition of waitstaff...in fact, I notice in a lot of trip reports where people never eat out because they think they get better value for their dollar doing it themselves. To each their own.
And, even though tourism is the lifeblood of STJ, I don't get the feeling the locals make it their mission in life to make sure mainlanders have the greatest gastronomic experience of their lives there. When people here write, "get used to Island Time," it's kind of a PC way of saying, "shut up about the wait and have a beer already, you'll get served when you get served." Or as I like to put it, "if you set your expectations low enough, good things are bound to happen."
That said, Darwinian principles not only apply to Mongoose dem crossing the road, but restauranteurs on STJ as well...if a place has been around for more than a season, chances are good it's because they do get it right a lot more often than not.
I don't doubt for a second PandaG and others had less than satisfactory meals, but like STJ Julie intimated, no restaurant on STJ delivers the goods every time. It happens. I'll be back on the rock in less than a mont and look forward to the lobster and key lime pie at Lime Inn (that never misses) and taking the Super Colon Challenge devouring one of Cafe Roma's 9 pound pizzas.
And just like after my last four trips to the rock, I hope I'm still happy to report that I've yet to have had a bad dining experience...or a sober one
It’s not about yesterday or tomorrow...It’s about today, for come what may – Sun, rain, or hurricane – we've only time for a smile, and none for sorrow
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Teresa_Rae
- Posts: 2053
- Joined: Mon Oct 09, 2006 5:44 pm
- Location: Downstate IL
I agree with much of 54b's post, but I do have to say that some of my favorite meals in the world are ones I get on STJ, and it's not just because I like the scenery
This year we considered going in September or October, but I decided against it because I didn't want to miss out on restaurants that I love.
This year we considered going in September or October, but I decided against it because I didn't want to miss out on restaurants that I love.
Let us live so that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry.
- Mark Twain
- Mark Twain
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PatrickMcc
- Posts: 223
- Joined: Sat Jan 05, 2008 2:43 pm
- Location: Boston