st. barth
Picture this…a tropical island oasis of clear turquoise waters, parades of billionaires’ yachts, hills of grand villas and a sea of chic people. Add the fabulousness that is all things Europe and you have St. Barthelemy (St. Barth for short in France or St. Barts for short to most Americans). A hop, skip and a jump from my island home of Puerto Rico, this Caribbean island is nothing short of fabulous, glamorous and luxurious. For starters, St. Barth is a French territory and being immersed in the romance that is French dialect is enough to get me to visit (and the 45 minute flight also helps). Further, the whole vibe of this beautiful place will have you feeling like a celebrity. I’ve yet to visit the south of France, but I imagine it to be quite similar - the tropics meets modern luxury. From posh designer stores, to beachside resorts, to the finest of dining and the most energetic of beach clubs, St. Barth is très chic. And if I haven’t convinced you enough that St. Barth is a bucket list must, this list of restaurants will blow your mind. The French sure know how to do fine dining, and each location we went to on our weekend getaway was absolutely exquisite with some of the most amazing menus I’ve ever seen.
We’ll start with the restaurant located at the resort we stayed at, Le Barthelemy. But this is no ordinary resort restaurant. Amis is a chic seaside restaurant blending “carefree Caribbean and signature French Riviera chic”. The space sits right on the shoreline with views of the stunning Grand Cul-de-Sac beach - the indoor dining area overlooks the sea while the outdoor tables enable guests to dine with their feet in the sand. The decor is stylish beachy - tables are adorned with bright blues, whites and natural textures giving this fabulous air of dining on a yacht. It’s a special setting to enjoy a spectacular Mediterranean meal. From breakfast, to lunch, to dinner, Amis delivers creative dishes with fresh, local ingredients, prepared with authentic Southern European taste and modern refinement. As guests of the resort, we woke up to the Amis breakfast menu and spent most of the days beachside ordering drinks and lunch to the lounge chairs, and I can honestly say these meals were some of my favorite from the trip. From the fabulous pastry bar (I’m not joking when I say we all wanted to smuggle these home), to fresh salads, hummus and flatbreads, to fresh gyro cut directly from the skewer and served as a delicious wrap, to burgers and pasta, Amis’s menu is magnificent. AND let’s not forget the drinks…there’s nothing better than popping a bottle of champagne and sitting beachside. We played around with the cocktails all weekend, ordering drinks fit for vacay vibes, and every single one was 10/10.
For dinner one of the evenings, we booked the Bohemian Table experience. To our delight, the restaurant set up the most beautiful sunset picnic on the sand decorated with chic bohemian accents. We enjoyed a gorgeous bottle of wine and a three-course meal, featuring my favorite entree of the trip (no joke, the best tasting filet in a mouth-watering sauce and yellow wine morels which I still dream about) under the stars. It was truly such a magical evening and truly a special double date night with our friends.
My favorites: Au plat à omelette | Green detox juice | Houmous vert, pain pita maison | La véritable salade Niçoise, mi-cuit de thon | Cheeseburger classique (avec ou sans bacon), buns maison, ketchup fumé *Will’s choice | Brocoli grillé, muesli de graines, pesto pistache, pecorino | Filet de bœuf blonde d’Aquitaine, asperges vertes françaises, morilles au vin jaune
Pulling up to Sella will have you feeling like you’ve been transported to an exclusive island sanctuary with a stunning seaside restaurant built right into the St. Barth coastline. Views of pristine waters, yachts and a dreamy sunset are the perfect welcome to a memorable evening ahead. Sella, meaning “a rock” in Hebrew, brings the unique culture, cuisine and traditions of Jerusalem to the middle of the Caribbean. When it comes to aesthetics, this restaurant is truly something special - an oasis of natural stone walls and greenery, romantic lighting, and modern, chic table settings create the most fabulous fine dining situation. Sella is recognized for its “deeply seeded tradition of hospitality and for a unique culinary experience,” and I couldn’t agree more. Not only is every corner of this space truly magnificent, but the menu delivers a rare experience of Jerusalem’s culinary culture that is incomparable. Beautiful, flavorful and truly unique, every dish is absolutely spectacular - it’s honestly difficult for me to put into words how amazing this meal was. Plus, the carefully crafted cocktails and superior wine list (you already know I ordered the table a stunning Côtes du Rhône) only elevated each course. Sella truly left its mark on me and I couldn’t recommend this restaurant enough. *And we didn’t even stay for the party…authentic to Jerusalem’s festive culture, Sella transforms into a celebration at night. Traditional desserts are spread across the tables and staff and guests join in a restaurant-wide dance party.
My favorites: Caribbean Tartare | Meranen | Lahmajnun | Chicken Mesachen | Risotto Ptitim *Will’s choice
Imagine an enchanting garden paradise of lush tropical greenery nestled in the hills of a stunning Caribbean island, and you have Tamarin. A large, beautiful Tamarin tree welcomes you to a tropical jungle oasis, which is truly the most special dinner setting after enjoying a long, lovely day beachside. A sea of trees and ponds, views of the island’s rolling hills, lantern lighting and intimate settings create a romantic yet warm ambiance to be enjoyed be all. You will undoubtedly be in awe when you step foot into this beautiful space. The menu features a fusion of French and local cuisines and, yet again, everything we tasted was outstanding. The chef creatively combines experiences from his travels, with seasonal, local products to create fresh, unique cuisine that all will enjoy. There is a clear attention to traditional French fare, Caribbean exoticism AND healthy options, which we love. Add fine French wine and the most abundant and delicious dessert menu and you have one gorgeous, gourmet meal.
My favorites: Salade | Tartare de Thon | Wahoo Carpaccio | Daurade | Onglet de Boeuf *Will’s choice
