Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
pizzas, sandwiches, and wraps. Nothing is overpriced or oversauced, as the owners
believe in preserving the natural flavor of their ingredients.
Route 104, Marketplace Shopping Center, outside Cruz Bay.
&
340/777-7333.
www.laplanchadelmar.
com. Reservations recommended for dinner. Main courses $24-$40. MC, V. Mon-Fri 11:30am-2pm;
Mon-Sat 5-9pm.
La Tapa
INTERNATIONAL/MEDITERRANEAN There's a tiny bar with no
more than five stools, a two-tiered dining room, and lots of original paintings. (The
establishment doubles as an art gallery.) Menu items are thoughtful and well con-
ceived, and include fast-seared tuna with a Basque-inspired relish of onions, peppers,
garlic, and herbs; filet poivre, a steak soaked with rum and served with a cracked-
pepper sauce and mashed potatoes; and linguine with shrimp, red peppers, and leeks
in peanut sauce. Live jazz is offered on Mondays.
Centerline Rd. (across from FirstBank), Cruz Bay.
&
340/693-7755.
Reservations recommended. Main
courses $30-$41. AE, MC, V. Wed-Mon 6-10pm (daily in winter).
Le Château de Bordeaux
CONTINENTAL/CARIBBEAN This restaurant
is 5 miles east of Cruz Bay, near the center of the island and close to one of its high-
est points. It's known for having some of the best views on St. John. A lunch grill on
the patio serves burgers and drinks Monday through Saturday. In the evening, amid
a Victorian decor with lace tablecloths, you can begin with a house-smoked chicken
spring roll or a velvety carrot soup. After that, move on to one of the saffron-flavored
pastas or a savory West Indian seafood chowder, the island's best. Smoked salmon
and filet mignon are a bow to the international crowd, although the wild-game spe-
cials are more unusual. The well-flavored Dijon mustard-and-pecan-crusted roast
rack of lamb with a shallot port reduction is also a good choice. For dessert, there's a
changing array of cheesecakes, among other options. The specialty drink is a passion
fruit daiquiri.
Junction 10, Bordeaux Mountain.
&
340/776-6611.
Reservations required. Main courses $28-$38. AE,
MC, V. Tues-Sat 5:30-9:30pm.
Rhumb Lines
CARIBBEAN/PACIFIC RIM In the heart of Cruz Bay, this
restaurant with its West Indian courtyard has a South Seas ambience. The chefs take
you on a culinary tour that travels from the Caribbean to the Pacific Ocean, seeking
recipes to inspire them. Appetizers are among the island's best, ranging from hot-and-
sour grilled duck breast glazed with rum punch to cracked pepper-crusted tuna over
a seaweed salad. Ever had gazpacho made with mango? The main dishes are full of
flavor and are delectable, especially the fresh mahimahi in banana leaf with a gin-
gered banana beurre blanc, or the tenderloin of Cuban pork marinated in garlic and
citrus juices. For the adventurous palate, there is a special menu of Pupu (tapas),
with everything from lemon grass-and-tofu cakes to spicy Szechuan noodles. There
is also a kids' menu. The drink menu has some of the most imaginative drinks on
the island.
Meada's Plaza, Cruz Bay.
&
340/776-0303.
www.rhumblinesstjohn.com. Reservations recommended.
Main dishes $14-$29. MC, V. Wed-Mon 5:30-10pm; Sun brunch 10am-2:30pm.
Sweet Plantains Restaurant & Rum Bar
CARIBBEAN/CREOLE Cool
drinks, a tropical ambience, and authentic flavors lure locals and visitors alike to this
eatery, where comfort and good food go hand in hand. You can dine alfresco in the
sea-bordering courtyard or in a lush tropical garden surrounded by West Indian art. A
helpful staff will guide you through the menu, beginning with such appetizers as
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