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on-season questions
Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 2:42 pm
by liamsaunt
In the on season, how far in advance do you have to make reservations for places like La Tapa, Zozos, etc? I am used to calling the same day or even just walking up without reservations. Related: Does anyone know if Hinds restaurant is taking credit cards yet?
How early do the parking lots at the beaches fill up? In the off season, it's no problem finding parking even at the popular spots until about noon or so.
Finally, is there a place to rent short wetsuits if I decide the water is chillier than I am used to? I remember seeing full length ones at Low Key but I don't want one of those.
Thank you, forum friends!
Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 2:49 pm
by Agent99
Becky, I read that they are accepting credit cards now. I also found this:
http://on-stjohn.com/template/hindsrestaurant.html
Please write us a review when you go. I am looking forward to trying it.
This menu is awfully pricey but I'd also read that he lowered the prices. Perhaps this menu does not reflect the new lower prices.
Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 2:53 pm
by Pia
Hinds does take cc 
When are you coming exactly - we are starting our "lull" right now (for a few weeks anyway) before it gets starts to get really busy - especially Presidents Day week.
It was funny, we stopped at the overlook last week and Trunk looked like the Jersey Shore in July - you couldn't see any sand only towels - we were thinking of going but both of us burst out laughing and kept on driving
Sorry I can't help with the restaurant question as we really aren't going out too much right now - I'm sure someone will help you out
Pia
Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 2:56 pm
by RickG
We were there during the crush for Easter/Blues Fest Week in 2008. We got reservations the day before for La Tapa and same day for Shipwreck Landing and Aqua Bistro. There was a north swell up half-way through the week, so the parking lots on the south shore were full before 10AM. Prior to that, we had decent parking before 10 at Maho and Francis.
This was a weird week for us and we left with the decision that the next time we take the kids it will be in the summer time. There were too many newbies moving in large 12+ person herds.
Cheers, RickG
Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 2:58 pm
by jigzmom
I plan on calling Morgan's Mango a few days ahead for dinner reservations for the day we arrive on island (Jan. 24) as I expect it to be pretty busy.
Am interested to see what responses are to your question... the last time (our first time!) we were in STJ we didn't need reservations at all, as we were there in December '07 just before Christmas and it was wonderfully slow. Parking was easy, too. I suspect we're in for a surprise this trip!
Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 3:10 pm
by mbw1024
ok spill it Miss! when are you going?
Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 3:43 pm
by loria
the week after christmas was really crowded--Maho was a madhouse (we got there by ten and found decent parking, but later on fuggedaboutit--even lameshure got 'crowded' !!!!
it was WICKED windy from about the 23rd (?) thru the 28/29th and the salt pond was nuts ( i think i heard that trunk was closed on at least one of those days)
so we just went early.....
Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 4:12 pm
by Anthony
Agent99 wrote:Please write us a review when you go. I am looking forward to trying it.
Yes - we would love some new reviews for 2009 - especially of the new places!
Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 4:39 pm
by liamsaunt
I'll definitely do reviews for the site, Anthony. We are hoping to hit Waterfront, La Tapa, Hinds, Sweet Plantains and Zozos for dinners. Lunches will be more casual. I want to check out the Tourist Trap and that new taco place. We are at Gallows this time so will be eating out a lot more than usual.
We are arriving January 27th. Just booked everything today.
Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 4:41 pm
by Nancy_B
liamsaunt, Congratulations on booking your trip - very exciting! We will be on island beginning the 31st of January - staying in Coral Bay. We'll most likely be at the BB for a Forum gathering on the 1st. Hope to see you there!
Nancy_B
Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 4:45 pm
by Pia
Just remember to check out Roses' new menu at Sweet Plantains as it changes every two days and is wonderful
The old "Indo-Caribbean Colombo Curries" menu is available on Friday and Saturday with Sunday and Monday being "French Caribbean" and Wednesday and Thursday being "Latin Nights" - maybe you'll have to plan on more than one meal there
Check out her menu here
http://www.sweetplantains-stjohn.com/
Pia
Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 4:51 pm
by designbyroe
Please do review the restaurants for us.
You are really good at the food porn too.
Have a great time....
Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 4:51 pm
by liamsaunt
Yum Pia! I would eat there every night if I could.
Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 4:53 pm
by Roberto
liamsaunt
That's a good question about beach parking. We've only made two trips to St. John, one in November and one in February. I was shocked to find parking limited, late in the morning, at places like Little Lameshur in Feb when it was almost empty on our Nov trip. Same for Vie's.
Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 6:28 pm
by PA Girl
All this STJ restaurant talk is making me STJ homesick! I have a jerk chicken roasting right now and the males in the house are growling with hunger.
We typically get moving early-ish in the morning and didn't have too much trouble finding spots anyplace but Jumby.
When Jumby was full, Hubs dropped me off and parked up at the Peace Hill lot. I walked up to pick up at the end of our Jumby day. It was a hot walk but not awful.