Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Havana Blue
CUBAN FUSION This chic venue at the Marriott enjoys a
beachfront ambience and a sophisticated menu that is the island's most inspired. An
inventive crew is in the kitchen, running wild in their culinary imagination. Cool
cigars, hip drinks (mango mojitos), and an ultrachic decor draw serious foodies to this
cutting-edge restaurant, where Chef Jose Rodriguez intoxicates with his tantalizing
aromas and flavors. Even the side dishes are called “sexy sides.” Start with the black-
bean hummus or the tuna tartare with soy-lime vinaigrette. For a main, try star anise
duck confit, miso-crusted sea bass, or ancho chili-rubbed beef filet with espresso
sauce. It's worth crossing the island just for dessert alone—the Cuban chocolate cake
with coconut ice cream or warm banana and macadamia spring rolls with a strawberry
balsamic purée are scrumptious.
In Frenchman's Reef & Morning Star Marriott Beach Resort (p. 64), 5 Estate Bakkeroe.
&
340/715-
2583.
www.havanabluerestaurant.com. Reservations required. Main courses $28-$42. AE, DC, MC, V.
Daily 5:30-10:30pm.
MODERATE
Blue Moon Cafe
AMERICAN This open-air restaurant is truly an idyllic din-
ing spot. The beachfront restaurant claims, with some degree of accuracy, one of the
most memorable settings for panoramic sunset views;
Wine Spectator
honored the
restaurant twice for having the most romantic setting in St. Thomas. The menu,
based on market-fresh ingredients, is changed twice seasonally. Tropical starters may
include coconut-honey shrimp with a guava dipping sauce or a portobello mush-
room-and-goat cheese tart with field onions. Mains are imaginative; look for the
mahimahi with pecans, bananas, and a coconut-rum sauce, or grilled scallops with a
tomato-basil risotto and fresh asparagus. For lunch, you'll have to confine yourself to
burgers, wraps, salads, and sandwiches.
In the Secret Harbour Beach Resort (p. 68), 6280 Estate Nazareth Bay.
&
340/779-2262.
www.blue
mooncafevi.com. Reservations required. Main courses $17-$36. AE, DC, DISC, MC, V. Daily 8am-3pm
and 6-10pm.
Caribbean Saloon
AMERICAN/SEAFOOD Yachties from the American Yacht
Harbor come here to drink, eat, watch sports on the widescreen TVs, or listen to live
music on the weekends. It's arguably the most active joint in Red Hook. The nearby
fishing fleet always brings in the catch of the day, which is often grilled to your
specifications. Lunch fare is mostly appetizers, sandwiches, and burgers. Dinner gets
more elaborate, with appetizers such as crab cakes with shrimp sauce or conch frit-
ters. Soups and fresh salads are followed by an array of ribs, chicken, pasta dishes,
steaks, chops, and seafood. The baby back ribs are the perennial favorite, as are the
filet mignon in a burgundy-wine sauce and a very juicy rib-eye steak. Mahimahi,
swordfish, and lobster tail invariably appear on the menu in a variety of cooking
methods, often served blackened. There's a late night menu which is served from
10pm to 4am.
American Yacht Harbor, Building B, Red Hook.
&
340/775-7060.
www.caribbeansaloon.com. Main
courses $17-$37. MC, V. Daily 11am-10:30pm.
Coco Blue
CARIBBEAN/SUSHI This Red Hook eatery, a sister restaurant
of Havana Blue (see above), serves creative Caribbean cuisine. Chef James “Black
Magic” Crowther features an inventive menu of such delights as calamari with a
coconut-and-lime aïoli; spring rolls with jalapeño, grilled pineapple, and tamarind
chutney; and blackened fish tacos with a sweet chili-glazed bacon and a citrus crème
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