Restaurant suggestions for late September?

skeeze · Post by **skeeze** » Mon Aug 12, 2013 9:50 am

Hi all,

My wife and I are headed down to the rock for our first visit (of hopefully many) to celebrate our 10th anniversary from Sept 21-28, and we can't wait.

I'd like to do at least one 'nice' anniversary dinner while we are there, so I'm hoping to get some suggestions on what might be open that week. I know Zozo's is closed...what other restaurants would you suggest?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

Chris

lprof · Post by **lprof** » Mon Aug 12, 2013 10:22 am

My picks in Cruz Bay would be (in no specific order):
I would suggest calling to confirm if open during your time frame.

La Tapa... http://www.latapastjohn.com/rest.html

Asolare... http://www.asolarestjohn.com/

The Terrace... 340) 779-8550... their website is not currently up... http://www.theterracestjohn.com/

a July 18, 2013 Yelp review by "Suzanne G from MA":
"The Terrace is one of a handful of restaurants on St. John with "serious" food, along with La Tapa, Asolare, and ZoZo's. Dinner here at sunset overlooking the water in Cruz Bay will be a trip highlight for foodies and romantics alike. Our dinner began with bread brought to the table with a trio of butters: sweet salted cream, garlic and herb, and sun-dried tomato, all excellent. An appetizer of seared sea scallops was cooked perfectly, slightly carmelized on the outside and sweet and delicate on the inside. For the entree we both chose the rack of lamb, which we had heard great things about. The lamb was outstanding, cooked to a perfect medium rare and accompanied by a delicious mushroom ragout with a Port reduction and a root vegetable gratin. Dessert was a decadent chocolate terinne with a tiny scoop of mocha ice cream, dark chocolate crunch, and a Port-cherry sauce. The wine list is good, although The Terrace's standout lamb entree would benefit from a Northern Rhone selection; there are only new world Syrahs offered. Instead we opted for a young right-bank Bordeaux that actually paired beautifully with the lamb, as well as complemented the chocolate terrine dessert. Service at The Terrace was impeccable and hit the "restaurant trifecta:" our server was friendly-yet professional, attentive-yet unobtrusive, and did not address us as "You Guys." Score!"

I am delighted to hear that they were not addressed as "You Guys"!!

silverheels · Post by **silverheels** » Mon Aug 12, 2013 11:03 am

As of today La Tapa is closed for the season. Zozo's is closing and moving to Caneel. If I were you I would go to St. John Spice website and check on seasonal closings. The Terrace is no longer and is now Motu. Tourist Trap is closing on Aug. 18th.

lprof · Post by **lprof** » Mon Aug 12, 2013 11:58 am

silverheels wrote:As of today La Tapa is closed for the season. Zozo's is closing and moving to Caneel. If I were you I would go to St. John Spice website and check on seasonal closings. The Terrace is no longer and is now Motu. Tourist Trap is closing on Aug. 18th.

I am sorry to learn that The Terrace restaurant is gone! Wow... so many changes for eats and drinks on STJ!!!

2013 seasonal closings on http://stjohnspice.com/index.php/restaurants-bars are expected to be completed in a few days... if in doubt, best to call the restaurant you are considering.

Kevino · Post by **Kevino** » Mon Aug 12, 2013 12:40 pm

Wow!!.... Another one bites the dust....I should have kept a list of restaurants that have opened and closed in Cruz Bay since 1987. The Terrace was the best dining in this bldg since Al & Lonnie built it as the Stone Terrace. The Lime Inn has survived through all this upheaval of dining spots in Cruz Bay all these years. (1987). Surely says something for the food & owners. I'm thinking Lime Inn, Cafe Roma, Woody's, Tamarind, Beach Bar, Fish Trap, Morgan's Mango (?), are the only original name rest still open. (probably missed a few). Many earlier restaurants with different names are still open. Paradisos was built & opened by an Italian family from Cape Cod (1989) and they had the best Italian food. IMHO. Many owners after them kept the name but few and far between had real Italian food. Lots of history here and I'm sure Todd & Christy will be around for many years to come. See you all in November!

mbw1024 · Post by **mbw1024** » Mon Aug 12, 2013 12:42 pm

The Terrace is no longer? Already?
The Terrace and Motu are 2 different things. Is there a mix up maybe?

iheartsj · Post by **iheartsj** » Mon Aug 12, 2013 1:50 pm

The Terrace is new. It recently opened in the location of the old Stone Terrace. Motu is new and is located down the street. Cafe Roma had a fire and probably won't be rebuilt by September.

Many restaurants take a break in September to vacation and/or spruce up the place for the coming season.
If you get out of Cruz Bay and head to the quiet side of the island, Coral Bay, there is upscale dining with great food at Aqua Bistro. Great burgers at Skinny Legs. Just call to be sure if they are open.

MN_Bhoy · Post by **MN_Bhoy** » Mon Aug 12, 2013 1:58 pm

silverheels wrote:As of today La Tapa is closed for the season. Zozo's is closing and moving to Caneel. If I were you I would go to St. John Spice website and check on seasonal closings. The Terrace is no longer and is now Motu. Tourist Trap is closing on Aug. 18th.

There is nothing on Motu's website or Facebook page about anything to do with the Terrace. Maybe Silverheels meant to say that The Terrace and Motu are now closed for the season and will reopen in Oct. (??) At least I hope that is the case!!

Marcia (Mrs. Pete) · Post by **Marcia (Mrs. Pete)** » Mon Aug 12, 2013 2:10 pm

Someone please clarify regarding The Terrace! Are they closed for good or are they just closed for a bit during the off season?

mbw1024 · Post by **mbw1024** » Mon Aug 12, 2013 2:47 pm

I just called The Terrace (# posted above by lprof) and the message says closed today Monday Aug 12, reopening tomorrow Aug 13 regular hours. I think this is just a mix up of some sort.

silverheels · Post by **silverheels** » Mon Aug 12, 2013 3:55 pm

Sorry for the mix up. Meant the Stone Terrace.

mbw1024 · Post by **mbw1024** » Mon Aug 12, 2013 4:33 pm

Stone Terrace is now The Terrace, which is open. Confusing, right?
I have not been to Motu yet but I think it is further down the street, toward Grande Bay.

lprof · Post by **lprof** » Mon Aug 12, 2013 5:00 pm

Good news to hear that The Terrace is still in business... with the website down I feared the worst.
Now I can look forward to another lovely evening there in a few months.

Thanks, mbw1024 and silverheels for clearing the confusion!

Marcia (Mrs. Pete) · Post by **Marcia (Mrs. Pete)** » Mon Aug 12, 2013 5:22 pm

lprof wrote:Good news to hear that The Terrace is still in business... with the website down I feared the worst.
Now I can look forward to another lovely evening there in a few months.

Thanks, mbw1024 and silverheels for clearing the confusion!

Ditto the note of thanks to those who did the leg work on this. Can't wait to try the Terrace when we are down in December/January.

StJohnRuth · Post by **StJohnRuth** » Mon Aug 12, 2013 7:01 pm

This link to the Restaurant Closing Page should work:
http://www.stjohnspice.com/stjohnrestaurants.htm

There are some people I haven't been able to reach yet, so I will continue to update.

- Ruth

usvi-on-line