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Iowaguy's Trip Report---Part III
Iowaguy's Trip Report---Part III
Since I love food, thought I'd give a brief report on some of the restaurants we visited on our trip. I do remember that when Janie and I first visited St. John on our honeymoon in 1980, the food was just awful. Things have changed quite a bit since then---some for the better, some for the worse----its not the same sleeply little island---but on the positive side, the quality of the food is certainly about a hundred times better. The restaurants were consistently good on our trip.
With our gang of 20, we didn't try to eat together all the time---it would have been too much. We ate breakfast at home, ate most of our lunches out(in smaller groups), and had 3 dinners with all 20 of us (two out, and one at Indigo), and other dinners in slightly smaller groups.
We had a nice lunch with the girls at Shipwreck Landing.
Good Mahi sandwiches with some really tasty Valley of the Dolls Curry Hot Sauce----I should have bought a bottle of this to bring home. And of course theres that trademark view.
That same day, the guys had lunch at Island Blues and I heard good reports. We were oblivious to the rumors in the forum that same day that Island Blues had closed--we can attest that it was alive and well at that time.
I wanted to try Waterfront Bistro, so Janie and I and two of the kids had lunch there one day. Prices are much more reasonable for lunch than dinner. This is a really pretty place----pickled wood ceiling, open kitchen, beautiful bar.
I had a grilled chicken sandwich with avocado, bacon, arugula---delish ---and my daughter had the fresh greens with seared yellowfin tuna. After she took a bite into that beautiful salad I thought about Liamsaunt, and how she would have taken a mouthwatering photo of the salad. But it was too late, so instead I took a photo of what was left of my mojito!
We had a nice long chat with our waiter about his "moving to the islands" story----I bet we ran into him 5 more times that week in various spots.
Got a takeout lunch from Deli Grotto several times----what a great place. Curried chicken salad, turkey waldorf salad, trunk bay chicken--all delicious. I twice got their black bean--tomato-- cilantro salad which I used as a salsa with chips during cocktail hour at the villa. They also made some really good bread at Deli Grotto which I took home to the villa.
Had lunch at the Westin one day---pretty ordinary and overpriced food, but the kids enjoyed jumping on the water trampoline after lunch.
Good lunch too at Mojo Cafe, and at least twice at Beach Bar.
On Sunday, 3/16, our first full day on the island, the entire cast of 20 had dinner at Rhumb Lines (after the Beach Bar Forum gathering). They were very accomodating at Rhumb Lines and had all the tables --right next to one another---set up when we arrived. They have music on Sunday nights, which is nice. Janie and I ordered a lot of the pu-pu---cilantro lime corn crusted shrimp, potstickers, peanut chicken sate, plus some pepper-crusted ahi tuna---great dinner. One of our friends ordered the scallops and they told him it would be very spicy---I'm not sure he believed them but he should have---they do mean it at RhumbLines when they say it will be spicy.
On Tuesday the adults had a wonderful dinner at Zozo's. We had cocktails upstairs first, then dinner downstairs. I don't have a good picture of Zozo's from this trip so I'll re-use an old one:
Good bruschetta and salads to start. I had osso buco, primarily because I've made it at home but rarely order it out and thought I should see what good osso buco tastes like to test how I'm doing. It was good but a little heavy for what I normally eat in the islands and shouldn't have ordered it. Fortunately, Janie is a light eater and had barely touched her pistachio-crusted mahi, so I was the beneficiary of that delicious plate.
We had ordered pizza for the kids that night. Had hoped to have Ronnie's (Pizza 'n mo') deliver. When I called they said their delivery service "was not available that evening." When I drove through town the nex day we could see why---looks like Ronnie's smart car got in a pretty big accident---hopefully its back in service by now. Anyway, we ended up ordering from Senorita Pizza---no delivery but great pizza.
On Wednesday, most of the crew (sans college girls) went to Lime Inn. It was all-you-can-eat shrimp night. They made money on Janie but lost it all on the high school boys we brought along---those guys took the all you can eat thing pretty seriously. Great dinner and Rich is an incredible host---he was really friendly to our whole group. The key lime pie was terrific---just the right amount of tartness. We kept talking about going back another night just for the pie but never made it.
On Wednesday, the college girls went to Zozo's for drinks (a big hit), then to Banana Deck for dinner. Thought they would enjoy a dinner on their own.
Thursday evening, 6 of the parents went to dinner at The Balcony---I've never been here so I thought we would give it a try. I had saved a gorgeous photo of The Balcony that Snorkelqueen had posted on this Forum that I probably looked at a hundred times: before the trip:
When I made the reservation, they had ask for a credit card to hold the reservation which I gave them. I also re-confirmed the reservation earlier in the week. Of course, they had absolutely no record of the reservation when we arrived, and they were really not even apologetic about it. We waited in the bar and did get seated after not too long. The bar is a great spot. Pretty good dinner---ahi tuna to start (my favorite) and Janie and I split a NY Strip---not teribly adventuresome. I would give The Balcony another shot though---its a very pretty view and the food was good---just not Zozo's quality.
Friday night we had our "last supper" at Morgan's Mango---I've had mixed results here on past trips, but I always come back because I like the atmosphere. We all had a great dinner here this trip. When we arrived with our small group of 20 I about died when, for a second night in a row, there was a mistake in our reservation and there was no open table in sight. I should have re-confirmed the reservation that day, but I had seriously slipped into island mode and never got that done---I had talked to them twice previously about the reservation though, once earlier in the week. The owner came over and he could not have been nicer---he said the reservation clearly showed "20" but someone had misread it and had set aside a table for "2." He was very apologetic----he offered us all a round of drinks on the house, then said he'd get us seated at Morgan's Mango or at another restaurant if we preferred. We wanted to stay, and we were seated in not too long. The drinks were enjoyed by all.
I'm sure I had a mojito----I'd been having an informal mojito contest everywhere I went. College girls enjoyed some fruity blender drinks on the house. Voodoo Snapper for dinner was awesome---perfectly cooked snapper with a spicy crust, rice, black beans and mango salsa. Key Lime Pie, with purees of mango and raspberry, was almost as good as Lime Inn. The owner came over again after dinner and offered us another round of drinks on the house---we said another round for all really wasn't necessary---but we did take him up on two bushwackers since a few folks had not yet tried this island delicacy.
One last dinner worth mentioning. On Saturday, 3/22 , after most of the gang left, Janie and I (and youngest daughter) spent the night on St. Thomas to prepare for our 7 AM flight. Had a great dinner at Havana Blue. Really beautiful restaurant. Good mojito, nice ahi tuna---heaven. Did seem very "urban" though, after our week in St. John---almost like we had been transported to Miami.
Just one more installment to go. Thanks for listening to my ramblings
With our gang of 20, we didn't try to eat together all the time---it would have been too much. We ate breakfast at home, ate most of our lunches out(in smaller groups), and had 3 dinners with all 20 of us (two out, and one at Indigo), and other dinners in slightly smaller groups.
We had a nice lunch with the girls at Shipwreck Landing.
Good Mahi sandwiches with some really tasty Valley of the Dolls Curry Hot Sauce----I should have bought a bottle of this to bring home. And of course theres that trademark view.
That same day, the guys had lunch at Island Blues and I heard good reports. We were oblivious to the rumors in the forum that same day that Island Blues had closed--we can attest that it was alive and well at that time.
I wanted to try Waterfront Bistro, so Janie and I and two of the kids had lunch there one day. Prices are much more reasonable for lunch than dinner. This is a really pretty place----pickled wood ceiling, open kitchen, beautiful bar.
I had a grilled chicken sandwich with avocado, bacon, arugula---delish ---and my daughter had the fresh greens with seared yellowfin tuna. After she took a bite into that beautiful salad I thought about Liamsaunt, and how she would have taken a mouthwatering photo of the salad. But it was too late, so instead I took a photo of what was left of my mojito!
We had a nice long chat with our waiter about his "moving to the islands" story----I bet we ran into him 5 more times that week in various spots.
Got a takeout lunch from Deli Grotto several times----what a great place. Curried chicken salad, turkey waldorf salad, trunk bay chicken--all delicious. I twice got their black bean--tomato-- cilantro salad which I used as a salsa with chips during cocktail hour at the villa. They also made some really good bread at Deli Grotto which I took home to the villa.
Had lunch at the Westin one day---pretty ordinary and overpriced food, but the kids enjoyed jumping on the water trampoline after lunch.
Good lunch too at Mojo Cafe, and at least twice at Beach Bar.
On Sunday, 3/16, our first full day on the island, the entire cast of 20 had dinner at Rhumb Lines (after the Beach Bar Forum gathering). They were very accomodating at Rhumb Lines and had all the tables --right next to one another---set up when we arrived. They have music on Sunday nights, which is nice. Janie and I ordered a lot of the pu-pu---cilantro lime corn crusted shrimp, potstickers, peanut chicken sate, plus some pepper-crusted ahi tuna---great dinner. One of our friends ordered the scallops and they told him it would be very spicy---I'm not sure he believed them but he should have---they do mean it at RhumbLines when they say it will be spicy.
On Tuesday the adults had a wonderful dinner at Zozo's. We had cocktails upstairs first, then dinner downstairs. I don't have a good picture of Zozo's from this trip so I'll re-use an old one:
Good bruschetta and salads to start. I had osso buco, primarily because I've made it at home but rarely order it out and thought I should see what good osso buco tastes like to test how I'm doing. It was good but a little heavy for what I normally eat in the islands and shouldn't have ordered it. Fortunately, Janie is a light eater and had barely touched her pistachio-crusted mahi, so I was the beneficiary of that delicious plate.
We had ordered pizza for the kids that night. Had hoped to have Ronnie's (Pizza 'n mo') deliver. When I called they said their delivery service "was not available that evening." When I drove through town the nex day we could see why---looks like Ronnie's smart car got in a pretty big accident---hopefully its back in service by now. Anyway, we ended up ordering from Senorita Pizza---no delivery but great pizza.
On Wednesday, most of the crew (sans college girls) went to Lime Inn. It was all-you-can-eat shrimp night. They made money on Janie but lost it all on the high school boys we brought along---those guys took the all you can eat thing pretty seriously. Great dinner and Rich is an incredible host---he was really friendly to our whole group. The key lime pie was terrific---just the right amount of tartness. We kept talking about going back another night just for the pie but never made it.
On Wednesday, the college girls went to Zozo's for drinks (a big hit), then to Banana Deck for dinner. Thought they would enjoy a dinner on their own.
Thursday evening, 6 of the parents went to dinner at The Balcony---I've never been here so I thought we would give it a try. I had saved a gorgeous photo of The Balcony that Snorkelqueen had posted on this Forum that I probably looked at a hundred times: before the trip:
When I made the reservation, they had ask for a credit card to hold the reservation which I gave them. I also re-confirmed the reservation earlier in the week. Of course, they had absolutely no record of the reservation when we arrived, and they were really not even apologetic about it. We waited in the bar and did get seated after not too long. The bar is a great spot. Pretty good dinner---ahi tuna to start (my favorite) and Janie and I split a NY Strip---not teribly adventuresome. I would give The Balcony another shot though---its a very pretty view and the food was good---just not Zozo's quality.
Friday night we had our "last supper" at Morgan's Mango---I've had mixed results here on past trips, but I always come back because I like the atmosphere. We all had a great dinner here this trip. When we arrived with our small group of 20 I about died when, for a second night in a row, there was a mistake in our reservation and there was no open table in sight. I should have re-confirmed the reservation that day, but I had seriously slipped into island mode and never got that done---I had talked to them twice previously about the reservation though, once earlier in the week. The owner came over and he could not have been nicer---he said the reservation clearly showed "20" but someone had misread it and had set aside a table for "2." He was very apologetic----he offered us all a round of drinks on the house, then said he'd get us seated at Morgan's Mango or at another restaurant if we preferred. We wanted to stay, and we were seated in not too long. The drinks were enjoyed by all.
I'm sure I had a mojito----I'd been having an informal mojito contest everywhere I went. College girls enjoyed some fruity blender drinks on the house. Voodoo Snapper for dinner was awesome---perfectly cooked snapper with a spicy crust, rice, black beans and mango salsa. Key Lime Pie, with purees of mango and raspberry, was almost as good as Lime Inn. The owner came over again after dinner and offered us another round of drinks on the house---we said another round for all really wasn't necessary---but we did take him up on two bushwackers since a few folks had not yet tried this island delicacy.
One last dinner worth mentioning. On Saturday, 3/22 , after most of the gang left, Janie and I (and youngest daughter) spent the night on St. Thomas to prepare for our 7 AM flight. Had a great dinner at Havana Blue. Really beautiful restaurant. Good mojito, nice ahi tuna---heaven. Did seem very "urban" though, after our week in St. John---almost like we had been transported to Miami.
Just one more installment to go. Thanks for listening to my ramblings
---Jim
Another great installment. We missed a lot of the usual dinner stops this time around - there just wasn't enough time 
It was nice to hear about it though - thanks 
We saw Ronnie's smart car too! I remember either Hubby or Rod making a crack about "no pizza delivery today...". Hope it's roadworthy now.
It was nice to hear about it though - thanks We saw Ronnie's smart car too! I remember either Hubby or Rod making a crack about "no pizza delivery today...". Hope it's roadworthy now.
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Kentuckygirl
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Xislandgirl
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I've really enjoyed reading all your posts and seeing your pics. We went to the Lime Inn for shrimp night, too. Between my husband and daughter, I think they had 3 or 4 plates. I had the grilled lobster and it was very tasty. I loved their key lime pie, too. Thanks for taking time to share. Sounds like a great trip.
When the end of the world comes, I want to be in Kentucky, because everything there happens 20 years after it happens anywhere else. – Mark Twain
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Rachelle & Joe
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pics
Great pics ! Great Gang ! Love the zozo shots at sunset ! Thanks ! Havana Blue looks lovely.
I really enjoyed reading all of your TR's and thanks so much for taking time to write and post!! 
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cypressgirl
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Thanks for all of the great reviews. Havana Blue looks beautiful. Where is it, exactly? John wants to go over to St. Thomas for dinner one night...I was thinking about Off the Hook because it's right at the ferry but that place looks like it might be worth a trip.
The pistachio mahi is my favorite meal at Zozos. I've had it at least three times.
The pistachio mahi is my favorite meal at Zozos. I've had it at least three times.
It's like looking in your soup and finding a whole different alphabet.
Thanks Cypressgirl---it was so much fun having all those girls along---we really miss them.
Liamsaunt----Havana Blue was great and I'd highly recommend if you want a nice dinner in St. Thomas. Not sure if it would warrant a ferry ride and cab ride though, at least for me. Its at the Marriott Morningstar Resort---but, thankfully, not operated by Marriott---its leased to a private party. Nice sunsets---unfortunately the sun didn't peek out of the clouds when we were there.
http://www.havanabluerestaurant.com/
Liamsaunt----Havana Blue was great and I'd highly recommend if you want a nice dinner in St. Thomas. Not sure if it would warrant a ferry ride and cab ride though, at least for me. Its at the Marriott Morningstar Resort---but, thankfully, not operated by Marriott---its leased to a private party. Nice sunsets---unfortunately the sun didn't peek out of the clouds when we were there.
http://www.havanabluerestaurant.com/
---Jim