Sale & Pepe Marina Italian Sicilian Restaurant SXM — Restaurant in Île des Terres Basses

We've had the pleasure of dining at Sale & Pepe numerous times, and it's always an unforgettable experience, thanks to Chef Davide's incredible culinary talent. From the moment we first walked in, we knew we were in for something special. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, but the real star of the evening was the food.

Chef Davide's mastery of Italian cuisine is evident in every dish. The flavors were authentic, vibrant, and beautifully balanced. Each plate was not only a feast for the taste buds but also a work of art. The Lobster Thermidor was a masterpiece. The lobster was tender, succulent, and cooked to perfection, with a rich, creamy sauce that complemented the delicate sweetness of the lobster meat. Equally impressive was the octopus. It was expertly prepared, with a tender texture that melted in your mouth. The octopus was beautifully seasoned and grilled to perfection, offering a wonderful contrast of smoky and savory notes. The accompanying flavors and textures were thoughtfully chosen, creating a dish that was as delightful to eat as it was to look at.

What impressed us the most was Chef Davide's attention to detail and his passion for his craft. He came out to greet us personally, and it was clear that he genuinely cares about his guests' dining experience. His recommendations were spot on, and his enthusiasm for Italian cuisine is infectious.

If you're looking for an unforgettable meal that transports you straight to the heart of Italy while staying on the beautiful island of St. Maarten, Sale & Pepe with Chef Davide at the helm is the place to go. We can't wait to return in November and explore more of the menu. Bravo,...

My husband and I spent a week in St. Maarten and made a reservation (William and Mona Marder) to eat at your restaurant. Having spent time in Sicily and enjoying the food there, we were excited about your background and the promise to have fresh local seafood at your restaurant. Here is what happened:

Upon seating us the waitress advised that you did not have red snapper. My husband and I each ordered an appetizer and a glass of wine, which were great. Your menu had fish selections that we could easily order in the States. William selected linguini with clams in a white sauce and I ordered the "tenderized" veal chop @ $42.00. 4.The claims were so small that it was hardly worth the effort to open each one and by the time he had only a few left, they were cold and unenjoyable. The "tenderized" veal came with a bread coating that was too thick and the veal chop was very, very dry. Veal is my favorite meat and I left over 1/2 the entree because it was tasteless and dry. The waitress did not ask how we enjoyed the meal or I would have made a big issue of our disappointment.

In retrospect, I should have sent back my veal dish after the first bite, but didn't know if that was acceptable practice in St. Maarten.

The experience at your restaurant was the singularly bad event of our trip and the most costly. It's clear that someone didn't know what he/she was doing in the kitchen and if they had tasted what was presented to us, they would agree it was...

We chose this place so my family and I could all eat. We were first served by Joseph for our drinks whom was really nice . After this is where it all went down hill . We were attended by Jay whom we learned was the supervisor as well . I first asked if the vegetable tempura had egg or milk in it ( he said yes) which it did not. Then I asked about the raviolis if they were stuffed with cream or cheese along with mushrooms , he said he didn't know and would and could not ask the chef because he would have his head and that the chef was the owner , yes he said these words. I then asked about the dough and he said "assume it has eggs" and then he said "you know I have dietary restrictions too so I just don't eat out" insinuating that I shouldn't be at their restaurant. My mother found her pasta sauce bland and the cannoli was made before hand as the shell was soggy. The filling in it was good,according to my sister. She enjoyed her gnocchi, my ravioli indeed was filled with cheese so I did not eat it and the minestrone also had cheese so I went back to my hotel and ate there. The only positive thing about this place was that their sorbets were really good. We had to wait a ridiculous amount of time for the bill. We got in at 6:30 and left around 8:30. Not sure how this is one of the highest rated Italian restaurants , they need new...