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REVIEW -www.stmartin-info.com
A Tale of Two Nations On One Island And The Restaurant That Acts As The Bridge Between The Two Restaurant Review of "The Bridge" - Grill, Cafe & Bar BY TERRANCE REY If you have ever eaten at Enoch's Place on the waterfront in Marigot - you know, the blue and white striped awning on one of the corners of the Marigot Market ¨C if indeed you have you will be happy to read that Enoch also has a great restaurant called The Bridge down Sandy Ground on the left hand side just before crossing... you guessed it right: the bridge. Apparently, since the 19th of December 1997. Am I the only one who didn't know this? Enoch's Place at the market is characterized by the lack of decor. But Enoch's cooking is what draws the crowds. Specialties include garlic shrimp, fresh lobster, rice and beans (like mammy used to make dem), salt fish and fried johnny cakes (a great breakfast option). The food more than makes up for the lack of decor. So chances are you'll be pleasantly surprised that The Bridge has both the decor and the same great food. Ample Parking Space When you turn off the road into the property of The Bridge, the first thing you¡¯ll notice is the ample parking space in the courtyard. Nothing beats parking your car right in front of a restaurant and casually sauntering up the steps with the feeling that this restaurant was built just for you. The night is starting out just right. The place is huge As you enter the restaurant you immediately realizes that this place is a lounge lizard's paradise. On the left the big round bar beckons you in for a drink. But the widely spacious dining area makes you want to run around like a little child reveling and taking in the ambiance of the place. On top of that, you notice the terrace out on the waterside. Wow!!! This place is huge!!! The Terrace Out on the terrace you can view the bridge on the right as the cigarette boats grumble by, eagerly awaiting their captains to unleash the horse power these speedboats are famous for. Man! I got to come here often, I say to myself. At least once a week. Just for the cool atmosphere and relaxing ambiance. A Family Business So I shuffle up to the bar and greet the bartender, who is the reason why I am here in the first place: Robert! A master at his craft and a jack of all trades. After the usual greetings and chit-chat, Robert introduces me to Bernadette, Enoch's wife and off the bat I can tell she runs a really tight ship. Bernadette tells me that Enoch built the place himself with his own two hands. Bernadette tells me the restaurant can seat 200 to 300 people. Like I said, the place is huge. There is even an alcove they usually open up for catered events. Like wedding parties. There is a stage area where every Friday the three-man band "Mystic Roots" entertains the diners with live music. The building also has living quarters upstairs for the family. Bernadette points out her two daughters amongst the staff of ten I see walking around. Ah, so the Bridge is a family-run business, I say. Bernadette's oldest daughter, Talia, is in charge of the restaurant and her sister, Nadia, works as a waitress. The Buffet on Fridays Bernadette encourages me to visit the buffet area. It is just $30 per person and you can eat all you want. Including dessert. The open kitchen off to the right catches my eye. Always a good sign when you can see right into the kitchen area. But the tantalizing food trays I see on display at the buffet urges me on and becomes the priority. More about the dishes just now... The Two Robbers Chef Robby is the man responsible for all this great food. Robby is a hearty fellow and what I would call a food entertainer. He jokingly tells me there are two robbers in the house. Robert, the barman, and Robby, the chef. I can see these guys are not only consummate professionals in their respective fields but great to get along with also. The Menu At The Bridge you can order a la carte. The menu hails local appetizers such as Salt Fish Cake, Black Pudding and Conch Pudding; main course dishes such as Garlic Shrimps, Stewed Oxtail, Curried Goat and (my favorite) Chutney Chicken with mango sauce. From the grill you can get Grilled Lobster, Fish, Chicken, Ribs, Steaks, Shrimp and Lamb Chops. The catch of the day: Fresh Snapper. All dishes are served with a choice of rice and beans, plantain, garnishes, baked potato or french fries. Copied that right off the menu. They had me at plantain. At the buffet, after Robby explained to me what all they had, I loaded up my plate with rice and peas, curry chicken, garlic shrimps, salad and.... plantains! For dessert, I had a piece of carrot cake. I finished that off with a slice of water melon. I would have gone back for seconds, but then I figured let me give myself a great excuse to come back tomorrow... The Ambiance As the night progressed, the place filled up nicely. Fridays are always busy, said Bernadette. And I believed her. She told me that surprisingly Thursdays are now getting as busy as Fridays. As I glanced around the dining areas, I saw a number of people I knew from the Dutch side. Friends and acquaintances that I had to get up and go to greet personally. The Bridge Between Dutch & French, Local & Tourists Looking at the eclectic collection of diners in the restaurant, both tourists and locals alike, seeing one of the oldest Dutch families celebrating the birthday of the matriarch of the family and hearing about the many well-known frequent visitors to the bar and restaurant, I can conclude that "The Bridge" is the perfect link between both French and Dutch nationalities and residents and tourists making this indeed a tale of two nations on one island and the restaurant that acts as the bridge between the two. Recommendation If you want to enjoy a pleasant night out with your family and eat at your heart's delight, enjoying local, creole and international grill dishes with a wonderful buffet for just 30 US Dollars per person, while live music plays in the background and a great staff is at your beck and call, then The Bridge is worth a visit. I will bet you a free meal, you will return for more, even if it¡¯s just to taste the House Special at the bar again. All thanks to the two robbers in da house. Specialty: Authentic Local, Creole and International Grill Address: Sandy Ground, 97150 St. Martin, F.W.I. Telephone: 590-590-296357 Open: Tuesday to Sunday Menu: A la carte Buffet: Only on Fridays; $30 per person |
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