Top 5 restaurant picks!

Backtotheislands · Post by **Backtotheislands** » Thu Jul 07, 2011 2:37 pm

I know this has been discussed before

, but I also know things change. When we were there 3 years ago we loved the whole Skinny's vibe, Shipwreck, Miss Lucy's, Morgan's Mango, Fish Trap, and the Balcony (which is no longer there). We LOVE seafood, hubby isn't nuts about BBQ, especially on vacation and we are pretty laid back. He doesn't want to wear long pants, either. This time I'm thinking we need to visit Aqua Bistro, Sweet Plantains, and Island Blues since we will be on that end of the island and maybe grab a pizza from Donkey Diner one night. What are your "can't miss" meals? Please help me make my list! By the way I also posted this on the TA forum. Thanks!

kristen1206 · Post by **kristen1206** » Thu Jul 07, 2011 2:43 pm

My absolute favorite is La Plancha Del Mar followed by Rhumblines. For ambiance and view Asolare is a great choice (food was really good but not excellent).

We loved the Balcony as well but it isn't the same anymore now that it is Spyglass.

cool breeze · Post by **cool breeze** » Thu Jul 07, 2011 2:44 pm

The Bistro Grouper at Aqua Bistro is the best plus its a great place to just sit back and meet the locals of Coral Bay. Donkey Diners breafast are also great they make a great homemade hash.

54b · Post by **54b** » Thu Jul 07, 2011 4:17 pm

Top 5 STJ Restaurants that we always go to at least once on each trip...

1) Skinny's - The bleu cheeseburger never fails, we usually try to go there for lunch after spending the morning hiking or doing some type of physical activity like Ram Head.

2) Rhumblines - It's typically our one nice (read: expensive) meal of the trip and it's really not that expensive. Scott's Sesame Tuna, Corn Fritters, Goat Cheese salad...I see the chef their having a real flare for food and it's different than what you'll find elsewhere on the island or anywhere else for that matter. Dig the sparkling mojitos too.

3) Vie's Snack Shack - Conch Fritters and Garic Chicken sitting with strangers talking STJ under a big Boxwood Tree. I think it's about as authentic of culinary experience as you can have on STJ.

4) Deli Groto - Breakfast or lunch sandwiches are really good and they've got this coconut chocolate bar (Aka, "the crack bar") which is just awesome.

5) Shipwreck Landing - Their fish of the day is very good and we just like the whole ambiance.

Alts. We also never miss the Tourist Trap and Beach Bar, but that's more of drink and appetizer thing. But you could easily treat it as a meal.

Capn Dan and Ruby · Post by **Capn Dan and Ruby** » Thu Jul 07, 2011 4:35 pm

On that side of the Island I love all that you mentioned and would not miss any one of them, but my fave for dinner is Aqua Bistro!!! Just a note. The portions are huge, we usually split one and get a crab cake apatizer to split as well. We love MJ! Just tell him that Dan and Cindy said hi and ask him if he ever got on to the forum. We were not really impressed with Shipwreck trip before last, but it could have been a bad day. I did love Vie's Sunday Brunch. It is majorly laid back, so don't expect somenting really crazy. The food is good and I just love the vibe.

kristen1206 · Post by **kristen1206** » Thu Jul 07, 2011 5:11 pm

we also enjoyed Shipwreck Landing. the setting is great. The food was good but a little bland. Maybe it was just what we ordered though.

Definitely on my list for next year is Donkey Diner and back to Skinny's!

pandagirl · Post by **pandagirl** » Thu Jul 07, 2011 6:55 pm

Our favorites are Rhumblines and La Plancha Del Mar

lpowmacback · Post by **lpowmacback** » Thu Jul 07, 2011 8:03 pm

1. Rhumb Lines!!!!
2. Shipwreck Landing
3. Zozo's
4. Miss Lucy's
5. Tourist Trap & Vie's tied

conchman · Post by **conchman** » Thu Jul 07, 2011 8:17 pm

1) Aqua Bistro (Grouper Sandwhich)nice view
2) El' Turista Trapa (Also know as the "Tourist Trap", Hi Larry

)
2) Skinny's (CheeseBurger's)
3) Joe's (BBQ, duh!)
4) Deli Grotto, anything quickish and breakfast

Honorable mention goes to...
Sun Dog Cafe (Don't go to Cruz Bay much, so we don't get here often)

Conchman.

Chicken · Post by **Chicken** » Thu Jul 07, 2011 9:22 pm

Here are my top 3 seafood dishes:

1. Aqua Bistro's Ponzu (tuna sliced thin on Asian noodles with seaweed salad on top and a yummy sauce on the side) You can only get it on Friday night. It's my MUST HAVE!

2. Cafe Roma's Three Cheese & Seafood Manicotti. I dream about this stuff.

3. The Beach Bar's crab dip. Crazy good.

Not really seafood, but on the Cheap I really love Ronnie's Pizza, Sheila's Pot and a Skinny's burger.

I was there in September last year when a lot of the restaurants were closed. This year I'm looking forward to La Tapa, Shipwreck, Rhumblines, Banana Deck and Sweet Plantains.

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Teresa_Rae · Post by **Teresa_Rae** » Thu Jul 07, 2011 9:28 pm

My can't miss restaurants are:

Cafe Roma
Lime Inn
Banana Deck
Rhumblines

Morgan's Mango used to be on the list but their food has declined over the past few years. I'll go back eventually, I love the atmosphere there, but it isn't a "can't miss" and we haven't been there our last couple trips.

mahojim · Post by **mahojim** » Fri Jul 08, 2011 10:09 am

I might not be able to give the best advice, but I'll give it a whirl...( we LOVE "eating in"/cooking/grilling at the villa...), but here goes-
Skinny's has a world renowned burger, and we love the beachy atmosphere, but not on our "must have" list...Had the best dern grilled cheese with tomato & onion sandwich on rye that's worth talking about,- and I usually HATE rye bread!
Anyway-
Rhumb Lines & Banana Deck for great food & ambiance on Cruz Bay. Zo-Zo's is outrageously wonderful, should your hubby decide to wear pants

,
and back to Coral Bay, I wasn't the biggest fan of Sweet Plantains, but it was good.
Highly recommend hitting Aqua Bistro @ happy hour, and ask MJ what the fresh "catch of the day " is.
We enjoyed the best black finned shark caesar salad, and were blown away by his humility and professionalism regarding our satisfaction with his dish. AWESOME. On top of that, the whole group at Aqua Bistro usually hits one out of the park with their kindness & patience.
Did I mention the laid back atmosphere?
Also had a delicious mussels dish prepared by a fella' named Matt at Shipwreck. UN-BE-LIEV-ABLE!!!
Love their conch fritters & deliciously lazy Coral Bay atmosphere,- awesome bartenders.
Do yourself a favor and visit Josephine's for fresh veggies and produce.
That woman is absolutely magic. From everything she grows,to her every single movement- she is harmony.
Hope I helped!
Smiles-
Jimmy

SOonthebeach · Post by **SOonthebeach** » Fri Jul 08, 2011 10:30 am

For REALLY casual- we think the Big G burger at the G Spot is AWESOME. It's huge- feeds 2 and is really cheap! One of hte best burgers I have ever had.

Also love:

- Donkey Diner breakfast- Donkey's Mess is unbelievable
- Cafe Roma- they often have a "specials" salad made with Josephine's greens- wonderful
- Skinny's- burgers, ambience- love it
- hot wings at Woody's (great snack with your drinks)
- Sun Dog cafe- everything we have had there is great
- Shipwreck- some of the best gaspacho I have ever had!

We are also very very casual diners if you can't tell

[/list]

liamsaunt · Post by **liamsaunt** » Fri Jul 08, 2011 11:48 am

1. Zozos
2. La Tapa
3. La Plancha del Mar
4. Miss Lucy's (lunch)
5. Shipwreck Landing (lunch)

Honorable mentions to Fatty Crab and Sam and Jack's Deli. I've only been to these places once so far or I may have ranked them higher.

Tracy in WI · Post by **Tracy in WI** » Fri Jul 08, 2011 12:22 pm

My top two for dinner would be:

1. La Plancha Del Mar - first visit about a week ago and it was excellent (company wasn't bad either...!)
2. Rhumblines - love the PuPu Platter and my husband always gets the Ultimate Pad Thai

Tops for lunch -

Sun Dog Cafe
Sam & Jack's
Cafe Livin'
Deli Grotto
Shipwreck Landing

And I have to agree that the Big G (G Spot) is awesome (but I rarely share it!)

I see several on here that I haven't tried!

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