usvi-on-line
Most Overrated / Most Underrated
Most Overrated / Most Underrated
It is always interesting to me when folks almost sheepishly admit that THEIR experience with any of the iconic institutions or experiences of St. John did not live up to the hype for them or maybe ain't what it used to be.
Makes me wonder how many don't speak up because they don't want to go against popular opinion. The caveat of course is that a mediocre anything in STJ is better than similar back in the real world (but certainly more expensive).
Well, here is your chance to sound off. (No flaming allowed) For example, last year we finally hit the Miss Lucy Sunday brunch and were underwhelmed by the whole thing i.e. the "specials" that were anything but, the talent of the "jazz combo", etc.
Conversely, there are other things that maybe DON'T get the props they deserve, like Sun Dog Café in Mongoose Junction, who serve up consistently wonderful casual food and is great to combine with some shopping when we need a break from the midday sun. So good we hit it twice for lunch last year.
So what's your $.02 ???
Makes me wonder how many don't speak up because they don't want to go against popular opinion. The caveat of course is that a mediocre anything in STJ is better than similar back in the real world (but certainly more expensive).
Well, here is your chance to sound off. (No flaming allowed) For example, last year we finally hit the Miss Lucy Sunday brunch and were underwhelmed by the whole thing i.e. the "specials" that were anything but, the talent of the "jazz combo", etc.
Conversely, there are other things that maybe DON'T get the props they deserve, like Sun Dog Café in Mongoose Junction, who serve up consistently wonderful casual food and is great to combine with some shopping when we need a break from the midday sun. So good we hit it twice for lunch last year.
So what's your $.02 ???
When we come to place where the sea and the sky collide
Throw me over the edge and let my spirit glide
Throw me over the edge and let my spirit glide
I don't know what kind of hype it gets but we were underwhlemed (very much so) by Margarita Phil's.
Conversely, we had a GREAT time at Sunday Jazz at the Beach Bar and we will not miss this stop on future trips. We even semi planned our upcoming trip in November so that we were sure to be on island on a Sunday.
Also agree on the Sun Dog or whatever the bar is called there (name escapes me). We only ate there once but had several enjoyable cocktails there, namely the Mango Colada
We did like Uncle Joe's bbq and it has been getting mixed reviews here. Perhaps that was the On St John aura kicking in. Not sure, but we would go there again. Will likely try the new BBQ place next time.
Conversely, we had a GREAT time at Sunday Jazz at the Beach Bar and we will not miss this stop on future trips. We even semi planned our upcoming trip in November so that we were sure to be on island on a Sunday.
Also agree on the Sun Dog or whatever the bar is called there (name escapes me). We only ate there once but had several enjoyable cocktails there, namely the Mango Colada
We did like Uncle Joe's bbq and it has been getting mixed reviews here. Perhaps that was the On St John aura kicking in. Not sure, but we would go there again. Will likely try the new BBQ place next time.
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Tracy in WI
- Posts: 1624
- Joined: Tue Aug 08, 2006 8:39 am
- Location: Wisconsin
Good topic and I do believe people, including myself hesitate in writing about a not so great impression or experience. Here is mine...
After hearing so much about the Virgin Island Pale Ale and the new Tap Room, we decided to head up there and meet the guys and have a few beers. The location is fine, the actual bar and such was nice, but the two owners were not the friendliest. In fact, one of them sat on the computer the entire time when we were the only ones there and we attempted to start a conversation. We brought up the fact that we had heard about them on this board. Maybe it was us and our personalities, but I think we're pretty nice! We won't go back there.
However, Miss Lucy's is still our favorite and we go each trip. I guess I love the location of being right on the water and I do love the eggs benedict!
Uncle Joe's does seem to have declined in quality and we will probably hit the new bbq place next time.
JMHO!!
After hearing so much about the Virgin Island Pale Ale and the new Tap Room, we decided to head up there and meet the guys and have a few beers. The location is fine, the actual bar and such was nice, but the two owners were not the friendliest. In fact, one of them sat on the computer the entire time when we were the only ones there and we attempted to start a conversation. We brought up the fact that we had heard about them on this board. Maybe it was us and our personalities, but I think we're pretty nice! We won't go back there.
However, Miss Lucy's is still our favorite and we go each trip. I guess I love the location of being right on the water and I do love the eggs benedict!
Uncle Joe's does seem to have declined in quality and we will probably hit the new bbq place next time.
JMHO!!
Tracy, Seaside Properties at Grande Bay
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Teresa_Rae
- Posts: 2053
- Joined: Mon Oct 09, 2006 5:44 pm
- Location: Downstate IL
For most overrated I’d have to go with Skinny Legs. We finally made our way there last summer on our fourth annual trip to STJ. We went because we’d heard so many good things about it.
The food is decent, but the place was disgusting when we were there. You can play horseshoes around back, but it smelled so bad that we couldn’t stand to finish our game. And I’m a farm girl who is used to the smell of livestock, so a smell has got to be pretty bad to turn my stomach.
The bathroom was also disgusting. The stench of urine was so strong that it actually made me gag and I lost my lunch.
Needless to say, we won’t ever go back.
The food is decent, but the place was disgusting when we were there. You can play horseshoes around back, but it smelled so bad that we couldn’t stand to finish our game. And I’m a farm girl who is used to the smell of livestock, so a smell has got to be pretty bad to turn my stomach.
The bathroom was also disgusting. The stench of urine was so strong that it actually made me gag and I lost my lunch.
Needless to say, we won’t ever go back.
Tracy - agree with the eggs benedict at Miss Lucys - think you are better off sticking with the regular menu items there, because the lobster omlet and blueberry pancake specials were pretty much missing those ingredients. Again, you tend to overlook it at the time because of the great location.
When we come to place where the sea and the sky collide
Throw me over the edge and let my spirit glide
Throw me over the edge and let my spirit glide
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Xislandgirl
- Posts: 4163
- Joined: Tue Aug 08, 2006 4:03 pm
- Location: Slightly left of center
Of course my opinions are old as I have not been back on island in several years but:
Panini beach is overrated to me. I never undertood why so many people like it. The food was average at best.
I agree about Sundog being underrated. I always loved having lunch there. Great food, great drinks and great for people watching.
Panini beach is overrated to me. I never undertood why so many people like it. The food was average at best.
I agree about Sundog being underrated. I always loved having lunch there. Great food, great drinks and great for people watching.
I know many people consider Trunk Bay to be overrated, but my group just loves it and we always spend a couple of days there. While it has more people, it makes for a fun people watching day. It's very convenient to be able to grab an icy pina colada and it is SO beautiful. Now, granted, we travel in packs so we are generally not looking for that deserted isle feel (we get that at Sandy Spit). Also, we have a hard time getting going in the morning, so we usually arrive at the beach late morning/early afternoon so the crowds are only there for about 1/2 our beach time.
Paula
I have to agree with Teresa_Rae....we have never eaten at Skinny Legs because I couldn't get beyond the stench. What in the heck is that smell anyways? Actually, I think I know what it is, but why can't they fix whatever it is that causes it? We much prefer Shipwreck Landing.
Villas with a sunset view are not one of my favorites either. Last trip we found that the sunset view also made for a very, very hot villa. I prefer to see St. John awaken to the lovely hues of a stunning sunrise.
It is a good thing that we all dance to a different tune....right?
Villas with a sunset view are not one of my favorites either. Last trip we found that the sunset view also made for a very, very hot villa. I prefer to see St. John awaken to the lovely hues of a stunning sunrise.
It is a good thing that we all dance to a different tune....right?
It takes both the sun and the rain to make a beautiful rainbow. --Unknown
Maho Campground is walkable from Big Maho Bay, up the goat trail on the right. There's a sign on the left as your drive towards Francis Bay. They start serving breakfast around 7:30AM and have coffee setup by 7:00AM.
Breakfasts feature fresh fruit and classic breakfast foods with some rotating specials. Pancakes are quite good and the omelets are big.
There's a section on the Maho web site that goes into more details on their food offerings.
The happy hour is worth hitting if you are down at Francis or Maho Bay at 4:30. Wine by the bottle is very reasonable and they usually have at least on unusual draft beer.
http://maho.org/MealsMenu.cfm
Cheers, RickG
Breakfasts feature fresh fruit and classic breakfast foods with some rotating specials. Pancakes are quite good and the omelets are big.
There's a section on the Maho web site that goes into more details on their food offerings.
The happy hour is worth hitting if you are down at Francis or Maho Bay at 4:30. Wine by the bottle is very reasonable and they usually have at least on unusual draft beer.
http://maho.org/MealsMenu.cfm
Cheers, RickG
S/V Echoes - Coral Bay - St. John, VI
I agree with Rick, breakfast at Inn at Tamarind Court especially if Suzy May is cooking! It is also a good location for cocktails and conversation. I also have
had good dinners there too and the price was right.
PS: Maybe the bad smell ... that has been discussed could be from septic tanks not working properly.
had good dinners there too and the price was right.
PS: Maybe the bad smell ... that has been discussed could be from septic tanks not working properly.
Peace,
bj
bj