St. Martin is re-staking its claim as the culinary capital of the Caribbean with a splashy new eatery and the return for the 4th year of what’s become a signature gastronomic event in the region.
The French half of the dual-nation island of St. Martin and Dutch Saint Maarten is home to Grand Case, a seaside town with a long, idyllic beach and long sunsets. It boasts a perfect setting for romantic beach restaurants, which, given its French connection, deliver cuisine to the exacting standards of mainland France. No wonder Grand Case is on the tasting travel bucket list for foodies in the know.
Now Grand Case has a new restaurant “landmark” – but it isn’t on the beach. Instead, it floats!
St. Martin’s most talked-about new resto is a delightful floating oasis moored less than 100 yards offshore in the calm, crystal-clear waters of the bay. Imagine yourself whiling away the afternoon from lunch, through drinks, til sunset.
Even with only a tiny, solar-powered kitchen, Balaou manages to serve up an incredible menu of island-flavoured pizzas from lobster to vegan, as well as tapas for sharing and what the locals call ‘bokits’: hefty fried sandwiches with a creative range of fillings.
Signature cocktails include a selection of rums, tequilas and beers – with a signature Piña Colada served for sharing between two in a hollowed-out pineapple and a rum punch served in a coconut shell.
Getting to Balaou is easy, whether by jet ski, powerboat, paddling a kayak or under sail. If you’re landbound with no water transportation, you can just call Balaou and they’ll send over their pontoon taxi. Space on the floating banquettes moored alongside the cookshack is very limited so reservations are a must at this popular new St. Martin culinary landmark, which is open from lunchtime til Grand Case’s famous sunset.
November will see the return of the young, but already must-attend November culinary extravaganza. The 2024 edition of the St. Martin Gastronomy Festival is the 4th celebration, and is scheduled for November 11 – 22.
The now-annual tradition promises innovative and unforgettable experiences for food lovers and travel enthusiasts seeking new flavours and new gastronomic memories with old and new friends.
For over ten days, visitors attend various events centred around gastronomy and mixology, with the opportunity to taste the creations of different participating establishments highlighting the richness and diversity of world cuisine, as well as the local delicacies that make Saint-Martin an internationally renowned gastronomic destination.
In 2024, the festival's featured ingredient will be the legendary Saint-Martin guavaberry.
The extraordinary lineup includes the "Taste of Sunrise" local brunch on the beach, outdoor cooking workshops for adults and children, a village featuring restaurateurs, private chefs, and food trucks from the island, and a closing night where renowned international chefs showcase their specialties. There’s also wine and cheese pairings to delight gourmets in the 2024 edition.
Exciting competitions are also a major attraction of the festival. Establishments compete for the title of the best table in Saint-Martin 2024/2025 and for the top spot in one of four distinctions. High school students, barbecue experts, and mixologists also compete, providing participants and spectators with lots of emotional highs and opportunities to cheer on favorites.
START YOUR CULINARY TRIP!
Top Image courtesy of Balaou Restaurant, St. Martin
Bottom Image collage courtesy of the Saint Martin Tourism Office
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