La Villa Restaurant — Restaurant in Saint Martin (France)

We could have eaten anywhere on Grand Case and had a great meal. Over half the restaurants are closed in September, but there's still an overwhelming selection of tempting cuisine choose from.

So, we walked up and down the road reading menus and asking the hosts questions about there menu selections and specials. We almost chose a place across the street, but they didn't accept American Express, and AMEX paid for this trip. So, we we're inclined to give them some business back.

As fate would have it, we landed a table at La Villa and it was a great experience from beginning to end.

Our waiter, John Carlos, was polite and professional and very knowledgeable about the menu. We chose our entrées, with his informed assistance, opting to skip appetizers, with dessert in mind.

We were their first table that evening and so they bought our first round. Moments after the drinks arrived we were surprised with tasters of their soup d'jour compliments of the chef: a tasty play on vichyssoise with potato, leeks, carrots and tomatoes. It definitely whet our whistle.

Dinner was a beautiful presentation of fresh caught and pan seared red snapper over a delicate cream sauce tinged yellow with saffron. It was placed amid three rosettes of perfectly prepared whipped potatoes garnished with thin slices of celery and little mussels. The other plate, or bowl to be precise, consisted of tender grilled shrimp and scallops laid over a bed of perfectly cooked risotto that would make your Italian grandmother weep.

Dinner was an AMAZING success.

We ordered another round of adult beverages and took time perusing the dessert menu as John Carlos told us about the chef's special- fresh pineapple diced and stuffed into puff pastry dumplings, fried crisp and laid over an artful display of mango syrup with fresh coconut sorbet on the side. We had one of those and ordered the poached pear tart with house made carmel icecream. Don't ask us which one was better. They both had us mmmmming and oooohing. It was almost embarassing.

Before we could even ask for our check, John Carlos dropped by with the clever ploy of sampling their house made "Call The Ambulance" pineapple/coconut rum and "Call the Coroner" banana/vanilla rum with us. OF COURSE we obliged him but, as tempting as it was, the drive across the island kept us from jumping on that train and indulging further.

All in all, tonight was delightful. It wasn't just dinner, it was a dining experience. Had this little restaurant been on the other side of the road, where the Caribbean Sea licks the foundations of the other choices, it would have been PERFECT.

That said, they don't take AMEX over there, and so perfection had to be found across the street, at a quaint little place, who's getting 5 stars from us tonight even without our toes...

While on Saint Martin for a recent vacation we decided to head across the island to the still rebuilding and devasted city of Grande Case for dinner at one of the few French restaurants now open. After looking at the many reviews online we stopped in for dinner at La Villa and we could not have been happier.

The restaurant itself is beautiful - open, airy and inviting. The staff are attentive, very courteous, fun and very friendly. And they are backed up by some great food!

We started with some tuna tartare with a coconut milk foam, and it was easily in the top few tuna tartare I've ever had - fresh, light with a nice contrast of flavors (tuna, olive oil, coconut, cucumber and tomato). My wife had the chilled cucumber soup, which was spectacular. I had the french onion soup, as it's one of my favorite soups and I've never had it at an actual french restaurant - it did not disappoint. It was rich and slightly sweet from the well carmelized onions.

We both for the same mains, which was their seafood combo (special of the night). The combo had 1/2 of a grilled spiny lobster, a fillet of John Dory, shrimp and some wonderful mashed sweet potato. The lobster was fantastic and perfectly prepared. The same held true for the John Dory, and shrimp. The John Dory was especially delicious!

For dessert we had a trio of their house made ice creams - chocolate, rum raisin and salted caramel. Simple, but wonderful.

They had a great wine list, consisting of wines from many different French wine regions. We had an amazing 2012 Cabernet/Merlot - I would have bought bottles of it to bring home if I could have.

La Villa was a wonderful experience, from the food...

A Gastronomic Gem in the Heart of Grand Case

La Villa Restaurant in Grand Case continues to shine as one of St. Martin's premier dining destinations. Our recent dinner there was nothing short of exceptional, reaffirming why this establishment is a must-visit for food enthusiasts.

The evening star was undoubtedly the lobster - succulent, perfectly prepared, and flavorful. It's clear why La Villa is renowned for its seafood. The Angus beef was equally impressive and perfectly cooked, showcasing the kitchen's versatility in handling both surf and turf with equal finesse.

Beyond the main courses, each dish we sampled demonstrated a masterful balance of flavors and textures, highlighting the chef's creativity and skill. The attention to detail in the presentation was also noteworthy, with each plate arriving as a work of art.

The ambiance at La Villa strikes an ideal balance between elegance and comfort, making it suitable for special occasions and more casual fine dining experiences. The attentive and knowledgeable service enhanced the overall dining experience.

For Magic of the Caribbean Card holders, there's the added benefit of a discount (be sure to present your card), making this exquisite dining experience even more appealing.

Whether you're a local or a visitor to St. Martin, La Villa Restaurant in Grand Case should be at the top of your culinary itinerary. It's a testament to the island's reputation as a foodie paradise and a dining experience that lingers in memory long after...