Our favorite restaurants are Maya's (an absolute MUST!) and Buena Vista (mexican food). The latter was a relatively new restaurant last time we were there. It is not as splashy and upitty (sp?) as some of the others but great food and terrific personality! Le Select, although not 'the best' cheeseburger ever is a staple on the island. Saline and Gouverneur are the best beaches, ask anyone and they will say the same. You're going during the perfect time, summer! There will be NO crowds! Bring some good books to read, sunscreen and bug spray. My hubby didn't have a problem with the mosquitos but they attract to me like a magnetic. The wind stays strong but if you're out of the wind in the evening you will get bitten. If you forget anything, Match has most everything you need and there's a drug store right next to it for those personables. Go to Match and pick up a baguette and juice for breakfast every morning, spend early afternoon reading a book in the sun, have lunch, spend afternoon and evening strolling around the island and lounging at the beaches and then find a nice quiet place to have dinner. Oh, I miss St. Barths already.... have a great time!!

One more restaurant:
If you like Chinese, there's a little 'hole-in-the-wall' place on one of the side streets in Gustaiva (sorry, I forget the name... something Vietnam...). The service is GREAT and the food is really terrific! It looks like a dump but you have to trust me on this one. If you like Chinese that is, if you don't, nevermind.

Personally, I'd skip the Match the prices and attitudes are much better at L'Oasis. I also reccomend the little Pizza place next door called, LeBouchon. They have outstanding Pizza and sandwiches, Greg is exceptionally nice. We went there several times. It's not fancy; just good! AS to the Beaches all are fantastic; however we really enjoyed St Jean, it's nice because you can rent chairs and a umbrella. In addition there is a bathroom and a bar avalible at the nearby hotel. Shade is limited at many of the beaches, sunscreen! and a unbrella are a good idea, also bring some bottles of frozen water, trust me in the sun they melt quickly and you water will be cold not hot! Good luck

T

Colombier is another beautiful beach, although it requires a little walk from the road.

I'd also check out www.sbhonline.com

Isle de France is a lovely place, on a lovely beach, Flamands. From there and just up the road, you can take the path to Colombier, another lovely beach. It's a 30 minute walk from your hotel with beautiful scenery. Best beaches are probably Saline and Gouverneur. None of the island's beaches have any shade or any facilities - a collapsible cooler comes in handy, and a beach umbrella. If you go to Saline you can stop nearby for post-beach drinks at Le Tamarin - a neat atmosphere but pretty pricey. Want a really unique souvenir? Go to the little village of Corossol - there are still one or two elderly ladies there(you'll have to converse in French)who weave lovely things from Lantana palms - these are handcrafts you won't find anywhere else.

Go to sbhonline.com for a website all about St. Barts. People discuss food and all else in great detail in the forum section of the site. Have a great time-you chose a perfect destination!