St. John Talk Blog

Thought we’d forgotten, didn’t you.

We just noticed our first crop of bananas yesterday growing from one of our three banana trees.  Looks like there will be at least 50 in this not-ready-to-harvest crop.  So exciting, especially since the last couple of times we went to Starfish Market to buy bananas, they were out.

Only problem we’ll have to deal with when the time comes is how to cut down the bananas without pissing off the Jack Spaniard wasps who have built a little nest underneath one of the adjacent banana leaves.

Here we go, two weeks of progress since the last update.

We announced earlier the “soft” opening of La Plancha del Mar at The Marketplace in the former location of China Shack after briefly meeting the owners last night as we were leaving neighboring Happy Fish.  Well tonight, with our friend John, we had the pleasure of dining at La Plancha del Mar on its first night.   Here are the owners, pausing for the briefest of moments, on their first night:

Mike Prout, Jason Howard & Jonathan Fritts

We assure  you that these guys worked hard remodeling the space…and it looks great!

For our first experience, we three shared six appetizers: Garlic Tiger Prawns, Seared Diver Scallops, Sourdough Bruschetta, Lump Crab Croquets – not crab cakes, Yellow Fin Tuna, and Steak & Chicken Skewers. All were delicious. Our favorites (since there were three of us, we chose three):  Steak & Chicken Skewers, Garlic Tiger Prawns and the Seared Diver Scallops.  Here are the crab croquets:

 The skewers were superbly spicy; the scallops were succulently seared; the crab croquets were perfectly breaded and not at all greasy [okay, the alliteration died].  The marinade for the prawns was wonderful and some was used to dress the salad that comes with the prawns.  The marinade/dressing is lovely.

We ordered all three of the desserts to share. While all were good, we generally agree that the Brownie Waffle was the best. However, with a close second, we note that the Key Lime Crème Brulée is a unique local twist on a classic French dish. Yes, that’s right key lime crème brulée!  Yum!  Here it is: 

 As a final note, we thoroughly enjoyed the “drink of the day”.  It was a starfruit mojito. With a splash of passionfruit.  Delicious.  We’re not sure what tomorrow’s drink will be or what Saturday’s (Grand Opening night) drink will be, but we highly recommend the starfruit mojito.  

As a final note, the service was phenomenal.  The three owners are attentive and friendly.  For our part, we would give La Plancha del Mar 4½ of 5 stars (only because nothing’s perfect).

Go there.  Enjoy.  Let us know what you think.  Official Grand Opening Saturday with happy hours from 2pm-5pm and 10pm-12am (or so).  Free samples of the delicious cuisine will be circulating around.

Last week, we went with our friends, Scott and Hugh, on their boat to Maho Bay on the North Shore.  While we were there, a couple of cool creatures approached the boat.  Here they are:

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Having checked our Caribbean fish identification book, we have confirmed that they are remora.

The new restaurant that has taken over the old China Shack space (second floor of the Marketplace next to Surf da Web), La Plancha del Mar, will have its “soft” opening tonight and its official grand opening this Saturday night according to owners Mike, Jason and Jonathan, whom we met last night. The preliminary menu looks great. Prices were not yet listed but they plan to make it affordable to both locals and tourists. They also said they will have vegetarian options as well although the grill seems to be meant for serious steaks and seafood. We can’t wait.

After a mini-vacation in Puerto Rico, we are back on St. John. Apologies to our Pond Bay Update fans for missing Friday’s update. New photo to come this Friday…and maybe a link to some of those Puerto Rico photos.

On the heels of the 6.1 quake we had here back in October, a smaller quake jolted some St. John residents, me included, out of happy slumber at about 12:25 this morning.

A 3.5 magnitude quake centered about 13 miles North Northeast of Road Town, Tortola lightly shook homes on St. John early this morning.   Although I was woken out of sleep by and may  have missed part of it, it seemed a lot shorter in duration than the previous October quake.

Overheard last night at a Cruz Bay restaurant:

WAITRESS:  The catch of the day today is salmon.

CUSTOMER:  Is that locally caught?

(Salmon is a cold and fresh water fish in case you don’t remember – think Alaska, not St. John)

As always, click on the above for a larger more detailed view.

Cool article about Foxy who was just appointed as a Member of the Order of the British Empire:

http://www.sknvibes.com/News/NewsDetails.cfm/7949

Despite the lack of a single murder on St. John in all of 2008, the island now has the dubious distinction of reporting the first murder throughout the Territory this year.  A very sad start to 2009.

According to the St. John Tradewinds News as well as the St. John Source, Juan Ayala, the owner of Cap’s Place across from the Post Office and Joe’s ribs in Cruz Bay was gunned down outside his house in Pastory this morning shortly after 8 am.

I thought it was strange when I walked past Cap’s early this afternoon and noticed it was closed. Unfortunately we now know why.  According to St. John Source:

“A $10,000 reward is available for information leading to the arrest and conviction of any murderer in the Virgin Islands. People with information are urged to call police emergency 911, the Major Crimes Unit at 715-5522, or the Chief of Police’s Office at 715-5548.

Anyone with information about the crime can also call the Crime Stoppers hotline at 800-623-8477. If someone is arrested thanks to the tip, the person who called in the tip can collect a reward.”

Too beautiful not to share

The first Pond Bay photo of the new year. Next year at this time, it will likely be completed and full of people enjoying the great location.

We wish you all a wonderful happy healthy New Year and many happy trips to or at least dreams of St. John.  

Click on the photo above if you’d like to see the rest of the fireworks from midnight at the Westin, all taken from our deck.