as a chef..........Tutte Benne..............is having major staff problems ..........I would avoid wasting my money this year there are plenty of nice alternatives to look into,..........just my opinion.......

Flounder
You might be right about Tutu Bene on St Croix. However to make a flippant remark that could hurt the reputation of a very fine restaurant is serious business. If I'm not mistaken you have attacked other businesses here. (off the wall). Be prepared to back up your comments.

Tutu Bene has long been one of my favorite restaurants. It has a reputation for great food, excellent employees and management. When you tell someone to save their money rather than eat there, you are stepping on some very competent toes. I don't know what your credentials are, or what your criticism of Tutu Bene is, but be sure of your facts before making comments like that.

Everyone is entitled to an opinion and that's why we are all on these boards. If someone had a bad, or a number of bad experiences, he/she has the right to say so. "Staffing problems" could refer to the chef, the wait staff, etc. Personally, I would rather hear the good, the bad, and the ugly so that I can make the best plans possible. If someone has something nice to say about this restaurant, then by all means, bring on the accolades. Otherwise, don't attack someone for giving an honest opinion.

flounders opinion......a flippant remark?.....oK.........As to my competence as a person who should know about food ...........I am a working chef on STX with over 30 years of experience ,I guest chef at a few restaurants on island as well as private work for a few well off winter owners, I have owned a couple restaurants in my life and have been an opening chef for many restaurant /hotels in my career. I know most of the staff and owners of the restaurants on STX ......it is a small community and I work and live in it...........I thought my post was very polite.......if you check the Avis regularly you will find an ad for tutte benne regularly and the fact that they have had a extremely high turn over this year may help explain my opinion as well as numerous other reasons I have not mentioned.......I think I was very fair in my response .............but once again it is only my opinion.............and why don't you tell me who you are .........you must post under another name ..........was a blind verbal attack really necessary?

flip·pant
Pronunciation: ˈfli-pənt
Function: adjective
Etymology: probably from 1flip
Date: 1599
1archaic : glib, talkative
2: lacking proper respect or seriousness
— flip·pant·ly adverb

Main Entry: opin·ion
Pronunciation: ə-ˈpin-yən
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin opinion-, opinio, from opinari
Date: 14th century
1 a: a view, judgment, or appraisal formed in the mind about a particular matter b: approval, esteem
2 a: belief stronger than impression and less strong than positive knowledge b: a generally held view
3 a: a formal expression of judgment or advice by an expert b: the formal expression (as by a judge, court, or referee) of the legal reasons and principles upon which a legal decision is based

sorry if this upsets some, but have to say we also find TB's food etc is not doing so well this year. We go in for a drink at the bar, but haven't eaten there in months. Understand the chef they hired in the summer/fall may be gone, (we did not like his cooking/menus/sauces etc.), but no new exec. chef as yet, or so we hear. Our family was just down for their annual visit; they were quite unhappy with their dinner there--didn't believe us when we said not to go there.
So speaks a long-time TB patron--going back to when Tony opened many years ago. Hopefully they will get their act back together. It is still quite busy, so others must have different opinions--though some go to socialize and be seen--and of course there's always disco night!

Have had some excellent meals at TB. The old location seemed to be a little better, at least to me. Had one bad experience at the newer spot around 2 years ago and did want to go back when we visited last year. Spoke to the management at The Buccaneer and they told us that although TB did have some issues they had gotten better. We decided to go again and had a very good experience. My point is that you should ask some locals once you get on the island and see what is going on. This applies to any of the established places that you may be familiar with. No matter where you are on the planet............

Tutto is still one of the best resturaunts onisland. The Chef's Table can be a real fun time. Ask for Jessica Kyler to be your server -- she's great.

Flounder, I think the phrase "wasting my money" is a serious put-down of a typically excellent establishment. I'm not disputing your credentials, and you're certainly entitled to your opinion, but stating it in this particular way implies that one cannot expect a good meal there. For example, I believe that you could have said "Until things settle down at TB, a better meal can be purchased for the same money elsewhere" and conveyed the same information.

That said, I ate there just over a week ago. Service was superb. Although we did not eat a huge meal, I was very happy with the food.

apologies for my harsh verbage...........but as you said it is only my opinion........as of today the consistancy of food not service is still very poor.......

Good grief "don't waste your money" is said over and over on this forum, and is an opinion, which most appreciate. My money is on Flounder, thanks, and lighten up folks