Anonymous
Post 03/18/2025 19:59     Subject: How is the food and wine so amazing in St. Barts
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I was actually underwhelmed with the food when we were there, although it was about a dozen years ago. We are a franco american family and had heard all the things about the great food but it was kind of meh. Better than some islands but not at all good French food, and lacking the interesting flavors that are present in different caribbean island cuisine.


You had a bad chef in your villa or went to bad places or both.


No, we went to good places and had a great chef (me). I was underwhelmed by the options in the grocery stores and the restaurants that were the best had very good fresh fish and sometimes meat options but the other things like vegetables and starches were really just not that good. I understand the limitations of being a small island in the Caribbean and do think the food there is better than many but it’s nowhere near as great as say the food in France or Spain, nor does it involve the interesting flavors of some other Caribbean nations as effectively.


Ah, now I understand. You needed to contract with one of the private suppliers that source for the villas, yachts and restaurants. The local groceries are second tier and do not have things flown in from France, Japan, the US or the other islands. Much of their stuff is shipped. The high end suppliers are even better now. Caviar, Italian truffles, wagyu, Maine lobster.


Oh ffs.


I am not going away without great food, Burgundy, Champagne and Bordeaux so, have some.
Anonymous
Post 03/18/2025 16:03     Subject: How is the food and wine so amazing in St. Barts
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Do you have to take a small plane to get there? 😭

We fly private.


The runway is in St. Barts is too short to take our plane. We fly to St. M or another nearby island and then take a local carrier in to St. Barts or charter a boat.

There is great produce, beef and wine on top of the seafood there. They must fill some of those little planes with it because I don’t think it would be as fresh via a ship.

Regarding folks who have had bad meals, don’t eat at the little places right in Gustavia. Get to one of the premier restaurants. It’s worth it.


Air cargo is handled by SXM and then ferried over. No cargo is flown in.
Anonymous
Post 03/18/2025 15:59     Subject: How is the food and wine so amazing in St. Barts
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Do you have to take a small plane to get there? 😭


You can take a ferry over, that’s what we did. I’m glad I’m not the only one because I think even a hamburger from a random stand in St. Barts is so much better than in the US.



Should’ve gone with the cheeseburger.
Anonymous
Post 03/18/2025 15:46     Subject: How is the food and wine so amazing in St. Barts
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I was actually underwhelmed with the food when we were there, although it was about a dozen years ago. We are a franco american family and had heard all the things about the great food but it was kind of meh. Better than some islands but not at all good French food, and lacking the interesting flavors that are present in different caribbean island cuisine.


You had a bad chef in your villa or went to bad places or both.


No, we went to good places and had a great chef (me). I was underwhelmed by the options in the grocery stores and the restaurants that were the best had very good fresh fish and sometimes meat options but the other things like vegetables and starches were really just not that good. I understand the limitations of being a small island in the Caribbean and do think the food there is better than many but it’s nowhere near as great as say the food in France or Spain, nor does it involve the interesting flavors of some other Caribbean nations as effectively.


Ah, now I understand. You needed to contract with one of the private suppliers that source for the villas, yachts and restaurants. The local groceries are second tier and do not have things flown in from France, Japan, the US or the other islands. Much of their stuff is shipped. The high end suppliers are even better now. Caviar, Italian truffles, wagyu, Maine lobster.


Oh ffs.
Anonymous
Post 03/18/2025 15:25     Subject: How is the food and wine so amazing in St. Barts
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:It's a French island.


There are a lot of French Islands. There is better food and wine there than in Paris. It’s crazy.


It’s a rich French island.

The food on Guadeloupe was so-so, food on Martinique a hair better.


I’ve had absolutely incredible meals in Les Saintes part of Guadeloupe. Fantastic. And the wine! Lovely reds!
Although I preferred the wine in Portugal
Anonymous
Post 03/18/2025 15:23     Subject: How is the food and wine so amazing in St. Barts
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I was actually underwhelmed with the food when we were there, although it was about a dozen years ago. We are a franco american family and had heard all the things about the great food but it was kind of meh. Better than some islands but not at all good French food, and lacking the interesting flavors that are present in different caribbean island cuisine.


You had a bad chef in your villa or went to bad places or both.


No, we went to good places and had a great chef (me). I was underwhelmed by the options in the grocery stores and the restaurants that were the best had very good fresh fish and sometimes meat options but the other things like vegetables and starches were really just not that good. I understand the limitations of being a small island in the Caribbean and do think the food there is better than many but it’s nowhere near as great as say the food in France or Spain, nor does it involve the interesting flavors of some other Caribbean nations as effectively.


Ah, now I understand. You needed to contract with one of the private suppliers that source for the villas, yachts and restaurants. The local groceries are second tier and do not have things flown in from France, Japan, the US or the other islands. Much of their stuff is shipped. The high end suppliers are even better now. Caviar, Italian truffles, wagyu, Maine lobster.
Anonymous
Post 03/18/2025 08:06     Subject: How is the food and wine so amazing in St. Barts
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I was actually underwhelmed with the food when we were there, although it was about a dozen years ago. We are a franco american family and had heard all the things about the great food but it was kind of meh. Better than some islands but not at all good French food, and lacking the interesting flavors that are present in different caribbean island cuisine.


You had a bad chef in your villa or went to bad places or both.


No, we went to good places and had a great chef (me). I was underwhelmed by the options in the grocery stores and the restaurants that were the best had very good fresh fish and sometimes meat options but the other things like vegetables and starches were really just not that good. I understand the limitations of being a small island in the Caribbean and do think the food there is better than many but it’s nowhere near as great as say the food in France or Spain, nor does it involve the interesting flavors of some other Caribbean nations as effectively.
Anonymous
Post 03/18/2025 07:59     Subject: How is the food and wine so amazing in St. Barts
Anonymous wrote:I was actually underwhelmed with the food when we were there, although it was about a dozen years ago. We are a franco american family and had heard all the things about the great food but it was kind of meh. Better than some islands but not at all good French food, and lacking the interesting flavors that are present in different caribbean island cuisine.


You had a bad chef in your villa or went to bad places or both.
Anonymous
Post 03/17/2025 14:51     Subject: How is the food and wine so amazing in St. Barts
I was actually underwhelmed with the food when we were there, although it was about a dozen years ago. We are a franco american family and had heard all the things about the great food but it was kind of meh. Better than some islands but not at all good French food, and lacking the interesting flavors that are present in different caribbean island cuisine.
Anonymous
Post 03/17/2025 14:41     Subject: How is the food and wine so amazing in St. Barts
Man, there's places everywhere in this world with amazing food. Some of it is not just how it's prepared but the actual ingredients. US cannot duplicate ingredients. A great chef can only do so much. You need certain ingredients to put together certain tastes. I refer you to pasta and tomatoes a la Italy
Anonymous
Post 03/17/2025 12:43     Subject: How is the food and wine so amazing in St. Barts
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Do you have to take a small plane to get there? 😭


You can take a ferry over, that’s what we did. I’m glad I’m not the only one because I think even a hamburger from a random stand in St. Barts is so much better than in the US.

Of course it is. The meat will be high quality (not from a mass production farm). The bun will not have tons of dough conditioners, preservatives, etc… French people really care about the quality of their food. I wish it was the same in the US. Just look at the crap Americans feed their kids. Hot dogs, wonder bread, artificial colors, flavors and food that is full of preservatives.


But for all their solid perspective on food, the French can’t really afford St. Barts. If there any there, they are mostly staff.
Anonymous
Post 03/17/2025 11:29     Subject: How is the food and wine so amazing in St. Barts
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Do you have to take a small plane to get there? 😭


You can take a ferry over, that’s what we did. I’m glad I’m not the only one because I think even a hamburger from a random stand in St. Barts is so much better than in the US.

Of course it is. The meat will be high quality (not from a mass production farm). The bun will not have tons of dough conditioners, preservatives, etc… French people really care about the quality of their food. I wish it was the same in the US. Just look at the crap Americans feed their kids. Hot dogs, wonder bread, artificial colors, flavors and food that is full of preservatives.
Anonymous
Post 03/17/2025 10:15     Subject: Re:How is the food and wine so amazing in St. Barts
There are high end companies that source food from all over the world and get it to St. Barts quickly. Best beef, produce, wine etc, via reliable suppliers is lined up and delivered. Follow the money!
Anonymous
Post 03/16/2025 11:01     Subject: How is the food and wine so amazing in St. Barts
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Do you have to take a small plane to get there? 😭

We fly private.


The runway is in St. Barts is too short to take our plane. We fly to St. M or another nearby island and then take a local carrier in to St. Barts or charter a boat.

There is great produce, beef and wine on top of the seafood there. They must fill some of those little planes with it because I don’t think it would be as fresh via a ship.

Regarding folks who have had bad meals, don’t eat at the little places right in Gustavia. Get to one of the premier restaurants. It’s worth it.