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The beach at Grand Case, looking north |
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One of the many lolos in Grand Case |
After a few days of boat work, we took the weekend off! Saturday we spent in the dinghy, cruising up the northwest coast along the French side of Saint-Martin, snorkeling and beach-combing. I'd forgotten how close everything is, just a few minutes dinghy ride from one cove and bay to another. It was a glorious day for a cruise! We made a stop in Grand Case, where we sampled the fare of one of the many lolos, the casual beachfront barbeque places run by locals, for lunch on the waterfront. Lolos are a series of picnic tables -- dozens of them -- covered with a canopy or roof, adjacent to an open grill, wooden bar, and tables crammed with pots full of food. In Grand Case, the lolos are all literally cheek-by-jowl (haha), side by side; at first glance, it's easy to think it's all one big open-air seating area. Looking at the menu boards, though, you realize each grill is run by a different proprietor, and each has a mouth-watering display of food! There's Sky's the Limit, Talk of the Town, Germain's Place, plus many others.
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Chicken, ribs, fish and lobster abound! |
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More ribs and chicken on another lolo grill |
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The many pots of food (grilled whole snapper, crab backs (crab-meat stuffed
crabshells), mac-n-cheese, coleslaw, pot fish, among other delights |
Ron and I settled in at Germain's Place, where Ron had the ribs, salad and rice, while I had the chicken, salad and rice -- all heaping portions, and delicious. The food is well-made and plentiful, and the constant flow of town locals, island residents and visitors alike ensure it is all fresh and done to your liking. I have to admit, some menu items baffled me at first...but that happens to me everywhere here in the Caribbean! For instance, I have no idea how one makes "butter conch" like we saw on the menu listing in St. Croix, nor did I know what "gambas" were here at one of the lolos! (Silly me to think it was French, being on the French side of St. Martin -- but gamba is Spanish for prawns, er...shrimp!) One thing I do know, though: having a meal at one of the many lolos in Grand Case is an experience not to be missed when in St. Martin!
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The menu at Germain's Place |
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One of many menus, with variations on a theme |
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