Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
saltfish cakes with a sweet-mango purée or a spicy crab spread with green-plantain
chips. A freshly made soup is also featured daily. For a main you can order tender
short ribs of beef or pork tenderloin in a guava barbecue sauce. Choice top-quality
beef cuts and game are also featured. Nightly specialties are offered, ranging from
curries with a choice of seafood or chicken, or else French Caribbean dishes.
16118 Little Plantation, Coral Bay.
&
340/777-4653.
www.sweetplantains-stjohn.com. Reservations
recommended. Main courses $21-$34. MC, V. Wed-Mon 5:30-9pm.
ZoZo's Ristorante
ITALIAN An in-the-know crowd of locals and visitors flocks
to this charming Italian trattoria, with an open-air terrace and a sweeping panoramic
view over the sea. First-rate ingredients, style, and fresh seasonings contribute to
such winning dishes as the Eggplant Tower (layers of eggplant, fontina, ricotta, and
red peppers); littleneck clams in white wine, garlic, and plum tomatoes; and lump
crab cakes with a roasted-pepper aïoli. The pastas are the island's best, especially the
lobster ravioli with wild mushrooms and toasted pine nuts, and the basil-infused
linguine. Tuck into such fish dishes as a grilled sea bass with an eggplant tapenade in
a roasted garlic-shrimp sauce or pan-seared black grouper with a sauce flavored with
orange and fresh basil. Their
osso buco
is slowly simmered in red wine, tomato, and
veal stock and is a tasty main course.
Gallows Point.
&
340/693-9200.
www.zozos.net. Reservations recommended. Main courses $33-
$40. AE, MC, V. Daily 5:30-9pm.
Moderate
Café Roma
ITALIAN This restaurant in the center of Cruz Bay is not a place
for great finesse in the kitchen, but it's a longtime favorite and has pleased a lot of
families who just want a casual meal. To enter, you have to climb a flight of stairs. You
might arrive early and have a strawberry colada, then enjoy a standard pasta, veal,
seafood, or chicken dish. There are usually 30 to 40 vegetarian items on the menu.
The owner claims, with justification, that his pizzas are the best on the island. Italian
wines are sold by the glass or bottle, and you can end the evening with an espresso.
Cruz Bay.
&
340/776-6524.
www.stjohn-caferoma.com. Main courses $13-$29. MC, V. Daily 5-10pm.
The Fish Trap
SEAFOOD This aptly named place serves St. John's best sea-
food. It's a casual, laid-back atmosphere, with tables placed on a covered patio open
to the trade winds, an easy walk up from the ferry dock. Chef Aaron Willis is the
island's favorite, bringing his New York culinary training with him but showing a total
familiarity with West Indian seasonings and flavors. Nobody on St. John does conch
fritters better, and he's been praised by such national magazines as
Vogue
and
Gour-
met.
Depending on the catch of the day, there will be a fresh fish special, most likely
wahoo, shark, mahimahi, or snapper. The grilled tuna, for example, comes in a wasabi
sauce, and the swordfish is made more appetizing by the use of lemon grass. An array
of steaks, tasty pastas, chicken cutlets, and burgers are always served.
Cruz Bay, next to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church.
&
340/693-9994.
www.thefishtrap.com. Reser-
vations required for groups of 6 or more. Main courses $13-$42. MC, V. Tues-Sun 4:30-10pm.
The Lime Inn
SEAFOOD This lively open-air restaurant is located at the Lemon
Tree Mall in the heart of Cruz Bay. It's known for its fresh grilled Caribbean-style
lobster. Other grilled seafood choices range from shrimp to the fresh catch of the day.
The seared whole snapper, when served, is a delight. If you're not in the mood for
seafood, try one of the daily chicken and pasta specials or one of the grilled steaks.
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