Here is my 2 cents: Loved the Balcony. Ate there 3 times in the 12 days I was on STJ. Zozo's has a great view, but not better than the Balcony. Their food is pretty good, but again, not as good as the Balcony. Chateau Bordeax is very good, but go early to enjoy the view. Stone Terrace is very good and gets consistently good reviews. My experience with Asolare was not good, but that was years ago, so I don't know how it is now. Lime Inn is pretty good, but I've read some not so flattering reviews on this and other sites. Never been to Tage, so I can't comment. The location does not excite me too much, but I've heard the food is quite good.

Hope this helps.

I am leaning towards: Balcony, Stone Terrace and Zozo. Any idea what an average dinner for 2 (2 appz, 2 dinners, 1 dessert, 2 drinks) at these restaurants would run? I was figuring about $100 a dinner.

The Lime Inn was good but very crowded the night we were there. Not for me.

Zozo's was very pretentious but the food was very good. We had an issue there...when we made a reservation for 8 people, they failed to tell us about the no-children-under-six rule and we had a 10 month old. We found out about the policy after we showed up at the door (there was no mention of the policy on the flyer we had at the villa either). It was prime time for dining, there were no other restaurants with seating for 8 available, and they wanted to turn us away. They eventually let us sit but they were not happy about it. Not for me.

I've heard all positive reviews of Tage. Things have beed said like "to die for" food.

The Balcony has great views and I've heard all good things about them too.

We just recently went to the Chateau Bordeaux and the food was amazing. I had the Carribean Lobster and hubby had the melt-in-your-mouth filet. Good lord it was yummy. The lobster was good too but I'm from New England and nothing compares to our lobsters. I figured if I was gonna try one, I'd try it at one of the best restaurants on the island. And, yes, get there early for the view.

Here is the link to Tage - you can check out their menu and prices - http://www.tagestjohn.com/ We love the food (are going tonight actually for Valentines Day 🙂 ) Enjoy

The menus are on their web sites.

The Balcony has their menu but no prices. http://thebalconyoncruzbay.com/index.html
This link has a sample menu with some prices
http://www.viconcierge.com/balcony.htm

Zozo's has their menu and prices
http://www.zozos.net/menu.shtml

Stone Terrace has their menu and prices
http://www.stoneterrace.com/page2.html

My wife and I just returned from STJ on monday. We tried Zozos and the Balcony and liked them both. We went to Asolare for our anniversary and were mildly disappointed. ($180.00 for average food). It had a great view though. We found it difficult to eat at any of the "finer" waterfront restaurants for less than $125.00.

I would absolutely vote for Tage. I had the same dilemma as you when planning our recent trip to St. John. Our villa agent said she would absolutely choose Tage. We weren't disappointed. It was one of the best meals I have ever had, not just on St. John. We also ate at the Lime Inn and although we enjoyed it there was no comparison between the two. OUr meal was aabout $150 with tip. That was for an appetizer, two meals, one dessert, two martinis and two glasses of wine.

I would add 10 Tables to the list.

I think that you'll get a cozy, island feel at the Lime Inn. It is my favorite restuarant on STJ! Just make reservations if you're going during high season - they do close for a few weeks in the summer months. I always have a great meal here and the staff is wonderful. The Fish Trap is very similiar to the Lime Inn.

The Lime Inn is good. Not what I would call top notch.
The Fish Trap is horrible. I wouldn't disrespect the Lime Inn by comparison. Chateau Bordeaux and Tage are the best from your list.
Zozo's is a little "cookie cutter' for me. The Balcony had service and consistency issues as of last August. Asolare has a great view and I will leave it at that. Stone Terrace has always been pretty good but they had a revolving door for chefs when I was leaving the island. Tage and Chateau are good. Ted is the chef at Tage. He is well known for putting his all in his food. The chef at Chateau worked under Ted and he is a pretty good chef in his own right and has been there for a few years now. Those are the only two from your list I would check out but I would also check on my old stomping ground, Chloe and Bernards. Some of the guys there worked under me and I think they care alot about the product they are sending out.

Was is STJ a few weeks ago. Had 3 meals, 2 at Tage, and one Rhum Line - the latter was new to me but outstading. Other favorite is Ten Tables.

Gotta agree with Sizzler. Rhumb Lines is at the top of my list. It's the first place we go every year and we then go back once more before we leave.

Can't wait till June...

WW

2 other great places to eat that haven't been mentioned yet....Pastory Gardens (right outside of cruz bay....great view & nice atmosphere)! Also, Deli Grotto (in mongoose junction) is a great place to eat lunch....excellent sandwiches & baked goods! Ok enough....this is making me really miss STJ!!

#1 The Tage - Ted Robinson is "The Chef" on the island, hands down. No view but it is a nice setup. It's simply the best. I believe he used to work at Asolare and it hasen't been the same since he left. He also worked at Paradiso.

#2 ZoZo's - has a great bar with a beautiful view on the third floor. Even after sunset the view of St Thomas lights are amazing. Dining is on the second floor with the same view. The food, to us, has been consistently very good.

#3 Turtle Bay Estate - This is the top restaurant in Caneel Bay Resort. Many people do not relize that it is there or that you can dine there while not being a guest. You dine in a/c and the food is very good also. Service is very professional and the ambiance is amazing. Make your reservations for 7:00 and get to Turtle Bay by 6:00. You "must" have sunset cocktails at their restaurant lounge. It is "the place" to watch the sunset before dinner....A very romantic evening will be had at Caneel. The torches laced throughtout the property makes this place a tremendous setting. You will also be able to listen to music after dinner at their lounge by Caneel Beach.

#4 I will list Stone Terrace here because so many people rate this as one of their favorites, though I have never been there. Six trips to St John and have not tried it yet.

Avoid Asolare - When Ted Robinson was there as the head chef it was outstanding. We have made two trips since and will not return. Food is...OK. The price you pay makes it very difficult to enjoy even though the view is beautiful. Everything is a la cart...everything. They didn't even give us a basket of bread before dinner. The service is good but are not the most pleasant even though we go out of our way to be just that everywhere we go.

Good Luck and let us know what you finally decided on and how You enjoyed your experiences. You will love St John no matter where you go.

Bob,

Would that be standard to get a bread course at an Asian Restaurant? Maybe it would be right after the spaghetti.....

I could be wrong but Ted was mostly at Paradiso before owning Tage.

I guess that explains that. Thanks for correcting me. I just thought that you often were given a little staple before your apps or entree. But you make alot of sense and obviously would know better then I.

The Asian restaurants in my nexk of the woods give you somehting to munch on before your appetizers arrive - crispy wontons, pickled veggies, etc..... I don't think it is unreasonable to look for something.