So just last Thursday, I returned from my third annual tour of the US and British Virgin Isles. I tour with one of my favorite DC bands, The Grandsons. Alan MacEwen is one of the finest songwriters and person I know. It’s always my pleasure to share a stage, tour car, or catamaran with him. This year, Alan and his family bought a condo at Sapphire Beach on The island of St. Thomas. In an effort to speak authoritatively on the fine dining on the island we tried a few upscale establishments on this tour.
We spent our second night at Northside Bistro, a lovely locale on the hill overlooking Charlotte Amalia. They tend towards Italian cuisine. Also a perk, our good friend and St. Thomas landlord prior to Alan’s condo, Paul Dirks, plays guitar to entertain on Wednesday nights. I had the puttanesca angel hair. I have little more to say about the dish. Alan played it smart with a nice appetizer plate for a meal. Stayed cheap and tasty that way.
The band treated ourselves to a meal at the restaurant Thirteen. This is a top the hill facing the east side of the island. They are only open a handful of days a week. They have one of the best wine lists on island and a small menu. Everything was delicious. The boys stayed on the less expensive end with orders from the bar menu of Fish and Chips and a burger with gorgonzola cheese. Both were executed wonderfully. I splurged on one of their pizzas. It cost $20 and was a great value. I believe they dubbed it the Mediterrian and featured anchovies, feta, kalamata olives, and fresh basil. Thirteen was a wonderful eat and hang and I would definitely recommend it.
As an aside, just down the road from Thirteen lives Oliek Ledee, a twenty four year old blind calypso accordion player. You can catch him playing at the airport a few days a week. His mother had the whole band over for dinner one night and made an authentic French creole chicken dish, a heavily garlic filled pasta (that rocked), and some of the only freshly picked lettuces on the island from her own garden with a lovely vinegrette. That was a real treat.
Quickly other eateries we tried and enjoyed around the Virgin Islands:
The Pie Whole - in Frenchtown, a small place, great for lunch. Specializing in brick oven pizza. All are good. They also have a huge beer selection. Get a Belgium one, no not bud light.
The Jolly Roger - a venue, hotel, and restaurant in Soper’s Hole in Tortola, BVI. We always look forward to playing here. It’s relaxing, they have an amazing staff, and the food is legendary. Have the ribs or the rib/chicken BBQ combo. You won’t be disappointed. If you can afford it they also have Anegada Lobsters from a small neighboring island of the same name. They had five pounders. Too rich for a musician, but it looked great.
There is a little breakfast burrito place on St. John. Just head right down the first street after walking straight off the Cruz Bay ferry dock. The burrito and the hot sauce to go with it will set you right all day!
Ok my final dining experience deems it’s own entry, so I’ll see you in part 2…
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