| Eating out is never exactly a chore in mainland | | | | two sides. And be sure to try to book a table |
| France, and the visitor is in for just as much of a | | | | overlooking the town as you’ll benefit from any |
| culinary delight on the French Caribbean island of St | | | | sea breeze, which can be something of a relief |
| Barth. | | | | especially when the humidity rises. |
| There are over 50 restaurants mentioned in the | | | | Background music is kept low, so conversation at a |
| excellent guide Saint-Barth Tables. It’s available | | | | normal volume is possible although it’s more than |
| free at the airport and lists all the menus and prices. | | | | likely that once the place gets really busy, and |
| In addition there are many smaller bars and eateries | | | | you’re sitting right in the middle, it might get a |
| you might come across on your travels around the | | | | little difficult to make yourself heard. |
| island. | | | | So the location and the decor haven’t changed |
| Don’t expect too many “local” dishes as | | | | and neither has the food – it’s still good |
| apart from fish, just about everything else has to be | | | | quality and there were no unpleasant surprises |
| imported and the fashion seems to be plenty of | | | | awaiting us. La Mandala is yet again one of those |
| “fusion food” catering for the most | | | | places describing its dishes as “fusion food” |
| sophisticated and moneyed tastes – which of | | | | – clearly THE culinary buzzword of the moment. |
| course are not necessarily the same thing | | | | Bur fear not, you won’t find anything too |
| On the whole the prices aren’t too scary and if | | | | “off-the-wall” on the menu as its real |
| your want to be certain of a table, book in advance | | | | specialities remain sushi, sashimi and Thai cuisine, and |
| – especially during high season. | | | | that’s really what it excels at. |
| Here’s a pick (not always a recommendation) of | | | | We shared two starters one from the |
| some of the places I tried out on my latest trip to St | | | | chef-recommended €39 set menu, offering |
| Barth. | | | | freshly made crab and shrimp spring rolls, with noodle |
| La Mandala, Gustavia | | | | rice,Thai sauce and seaweed. And the other à la |
| Being told that the restaurant was under new | | | | carte selection of sushi, sashimi and maki – all |
| ownership sent alarm bells ringing as I took the | | | | good quality. |
| plunge and made a reservation. | | | | The main course was fish curry, grilled fish and |
| But my fears proved to be ungrounded as both the | | | | chicken – all part of the set menu and much |
| food and the service lived up to expectations. The | | | | tastier and belying its simple description. A la carte |
| place might have change hands, but the food is still | | | | was chicken served in a coconut, mango and |
| good and the location of course well worth the | | | | lemongrass sauce and Thai rice – a tasty and |
| effort. | | | | harmonious combination and definitely a generous |
| La Mandala is in the island’s capital, Gustavia, | | | | sized portion. So often in these sorts of dishes you |
| perched above the harbour, so parking will be a bit of | | | | have poke around a while to find any hint of meat |
| a hassle, especially in high season. And be prepared | | | | on the plate. This was certainly not the case – a |
| for a steep last 50metre legs akimbo climb, which at | | | | scrumptious choice with no place left for dessert. |
| least will help you work up an appetite. | | | | The set menu though included the wickedly delicious |
| It’s also probably a good idea to leave any fancy | | | | moelleux au chocolat and somehow I managed to |
| shoes behind unless someone’s prepared to drop | | | | sneak a spoonful - and that hit just the right spot. |
| you off right outside the door. | | | | The restaurant was not exactly heaving the night we |
| The new owners haven’t really done anything to | | | | were there. That’s perhaps not surprising really |
| spruce up the interior – they didn’t really | | | | as the season is definitely drawing to a close. |
| need to as it’s pretty much modern and classic | | | | Nonetheless we were still given a warm welcome and |
| for its setting. The roof is a sort of stretched beige | | | | the service was friendly, smiley and efficient. A |
| canvas over an exposed wooden frame. There’s | | | | definite thumbs up. |
| decked flooring with the occasional water feature | | | | One thing worth mentioning perhaps is that La |
| – so mind you step. | | | | Mandala also does sushi, sashimi and maki to go – |
| There’s a light and airy feeling to the whole | | | | yum yum. |
| restaurant even in the evenings as it’s open on | | | | |