This is a "no-brainer". The answer to your prayers will be
Chloe & Bernard's at the Westin. Be sure to call ahead & ask for a special table for your occasion. Even though it's not right on the water, the ambience here is definitely romantic and the food is more than perfection. Well presented and so good! Walk the grounds before or after your dinner. It's beautiful.

Since we've never eaten at Chloe & Bernard's, I can't make an informed comparison to it. But other restaurants that come to mind for you to consider are Asolare (overlooking Cruz Bay and STT) or Cafe Bourdeaux (on the mountain, overlooking Coral Bay and Drake Channel & the BVI). Both to me seemed very comfortable restaurants good for a special evening.

Also, we've not eaten at any of Caneel's restaurants, but the fancier one there might be enjoyable.

Congratulations!!

I would concur w/ Cafe Bordeux, unbelieveable view! It's about a 15 minute cab ride from Cruz Bay. Tip the cab driver well and ask him to return for you in two hours. (Or whatever you think you need), I have eaten at Caneel's resturaunts many times. Turtle Bay @ Caneel has great food but in my veiw doesn't have the atmosphere that the Equator (also at Caneel) Turtle Bay has a "dress code" Men have to have jackets and no open toed shoes (sandles) at either place. The equator is the ruin of an old sugar mill. Call well ahead ahead and tell them it's a special night and to sit you on the outside, where you can see the lights in St. Thomas. (very romantic!) If they try to sell you the "private table" at the Equator, don't bite! It's a little room under the main resturaunt. $$$ plus you will be stared at like a caged animal as everyone walks past you to the main dining area! After dinner may I suggest walking to the Caneel Terrace bar (Just beyond the gift shop) get a cocktail and walk out of the bar (towards the water) and you will see a staircase to your left. Climb these and there is a very romantic rooftop terrace with comfortable sofas chairs. Sit back and enjoy the stars and the twinkling lights of St. Thomas! Congrats!

Cafe Bordeux gets my vote as well.
Tell Cap'n Phil the Rackhams say hello and hope his knee feels better. Truly a great guy. We wanted to renew our vows as well but had to 'settle' for a great day sail instead.

OOPS....I forgot about Asolare...also REALLY romantic - and the menu is superb. Since you will be out on the water for the sunset, however, you would miss the great sunset up on the hill at Asolare. You may want to save that for yet another romantic evening! Have a great time! And congratulations!

Thanks so much for your advice -- I have sent an email to Chef Chris at the Westin, and if he can whip us up something special we will be having dinner there. That way in case I have trouble getting my sea legs back after the sunset sail I won't have far to travel when I'm ready to retire. But we will definitely do Chateau Bordeaux another night while we're there!

The last time we renewed our vows it was on our 5-year anniversary in the Bahamas. That was also our last "big" vacation. I can't WAIT to get to St. John and see its beauty and experience it first hand!

Thanks again so much for your advice and kind words!

ohmy thanks for all the info everyone i am going to use it for our trip in april

IS CANEEL OK for dinner is it too much walking from the parking lot?

also if there was a choice caneel or westin which one?

or cafe bordeaux???

i have one night to take the other couples to st john for dinner so it has to be the best

how about on st thomas?

also what boat is captain phil on do they have a website?

Captain Phil - the Wayward Sailor: http://www.waywardsailor.net

Enjoy!

Brad
Starlit Escape
St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands
Escape to Paradise!

Ginger the walk from the parking lot (taxi stand) at Caneel to the Equator is maybe 20 paces. Cafe Bordeux is a 15 minute taxi ride (at least) I've neve dined at the Westin. (See my post above) If you decide to dine at the Turtle Bay Estate House at Caneel they have a van/bus/caravan (whatever) to take you there.

Here's the menu that Chef Chris Cody at Chloe and Bernards is making for our Wedding Vow Renewal dinner:

1.Spinach salad wilted with warm balsamic, apple wood bacon, and red onions and topped with walnuts and parmesan cheese
2.Lump Crab crispy filo Beggar's purse
3.Seared beef tenderloin crusted with drunken-herb whipped goat cheese with grilled French beans, truffled mashed new potatoes, and a merlot mushroom jus
4.White chocolate-coconut creme brulee

CAN YOU SAY YUM???????????????

Once we get back from St. John I'll post a trip report -- the VINow boards have been very helpful to me with my trip planning!

Thanks,
Katherine

I really like Chateau Bordeaux. There aren't many places like it anywhere in the world. It's in the middle of nowhere with a truly impressive view, but only before dark. After dark you don't have much of a view at all. Could be sitting anywhere. Since you're looking to dine after going on a sunset sail, you'd get there well after dark and there would be no view to enjoy. Do get up to Chateau Bordeaux sometime during the day just to stop for a drink and appreciate the setting.

do you think chateau bordeaux is good for lunch......???

My mouth is watering......Chef Cody knows his "stuff".
Again, enjoy!

Nick -- good point re. what time to arrive at Cafe Bordeaux. After dark, there are some twinkling lights in the BVI but it's not nearly as impressive as being there for dusk (I say dusk, instead of sunset, because you'll be facing east not west). Definitely make a reservation for early dinner at CB.

And Ginger: you can do lunch at Cafe Bordeaux, but it's totally different and low key. At night the restaurant serves fine French-inspired food; by day, you sit outside, order a burger or fish sandwich, sip a beer and enjoy the STUNNING view. A nice pit stop between Cruz Bay and the east part of St. John!!

ok thanks also is it too hot up there for lunch.....
is it open air inside for dinner?

actually i wonder what restaurants have a/c for the summer months for evening...
i love being outside but some places that are inside can be awfully hot in summer

Actually, the issue up on Bordeaux Mtn. can be wind. At lunch, you sit on a covered open-air deck area perched on the edge of one of the highest points of the island. Due to the winds, you tend to be comfortable, certainly not overheated.

At night, it's an indoor dining room that can have open windows depending on weather conditions.

try zozo's...best view on the island...bourdeaux is nice during the day, but not much too see at night...asolare overrated and way, way overpriced

haven't tried chloe's recently, but they can't seem to keep their chefs...

"Tage" is the best of the best! forget the rest! It is right in town near woodys
try the grilled prosciutto, if you like grilled prosciutto of course