In the Spotlight// En el punto de mira
mayonaise – but you are free to experiment. Perhaps more than anywhere in the world, to islanders a meal should be a nourishing feast – be it a simple breakfast, an ellaborate lunch or a special dinner. On Sint Maarten/Saint Martin music is the extra ingredient that never fails with this abundant approach to meals. Trio’s singing romantic bolero’s in Spanish close harmony, live bands on a stage or enthousiastic dj’s in a corner of the restaurant all ad to the joy while you are being spoiled rotten with fresh ingredients in well prepared meals.
(G)astronomic? The range of prices in restaurants is broad. So it’s a matter of letting yourself be well informed by the attendants if you want to give rein to your gastronomic curiosity without having astronomic expenditures. Daily
specials
and
executive
menus (served around noon) are inexpensive options. Sometimes
a
chique-looking
And then there’s the drinks
restaurant
Here too you can choose between keeping it international or go local. If you dare to ‘do as the Romans do’, you will join a privileged part of mankind that knows what Guavaberry and orchade (orshááde) are. When you leave the island you will also have savoured the counterparts of beers, rums and cocktails in your country. Those who don’t drink (much) alcohol can always indicate this or put the word ‘virgin’ in front of the usually humorous names of the coctails, like ‘Get Up, Young Man’.
prices while a small, family owned
Other ‘must knows’ are in the dessert department: cakes, potato pudding, Guavaberry tarts, coconut pies, salads with exotic fruits and so on. Feel free to ask for non-sugar options since this part of the world too is joining the fight against diabetes. n
29
has
very
affordable
place can be a bit on the expensive side. Usually that’s because the signature dish of that cosy place is famous . . . . There is also a logic to higher prices in a smaller place: they have to generate enough income working È Enjoy the island, enjoy
with not too many tables. Rather
the gastronomic.
than saving on ingredients and their
Disfrute de la isla, disfrutar
quality they adapt the price tag.
de la gastronomía.
Prices
are
normally
stated
in
American dollars on the Dutch side
with
the
equivalent
in
Antillian guilder (Ang) alongside. Being a TOM (territoire d’outremer, overseas territory) of France, prices are commonly mentioned in euro’s on Saint Martin next to the equivalent in US dollars.
Ó
02 Julio-Septiembre 2009
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6/27/09 1:23:04 PM