It's been a very long while since we've been in St. Thomas and are coming with our 12 and 16 year old, staying at Renaissance. Can anybody recommend some good local restaurants close by where the children (well-behaved!) would fit in OK? Looking for casual good food and something interesting, don't want to travel too far because we'll be doing the beach thing and daytrips to St John, British Virgins. Just don't like hotel food too much, don't want to be tied in to that.<BR>Any help would be appreciated!

Sorry, don't like to put my address online.<BR>We also stayed at Renaissance quite recently and went out to eat a lot on the East end and further afield. Four thumbs up for Toad and Tart within walking distance of the hotel. The best food, lovely place, very comfortable, felt like being at home. Off The Hook on the East end was good - taxi to get there but that was not a problem. A bit pricey.<BR>Taxied to &quot;Frenchtown&quot; to Craig and Sally's. Nice place, nice food, bit over-priced but Craig has a good wine selection if you're into that.<BR>Betsy's bar in Frenchtown was fun for after-dinner conversation and darts.<BR>Still a four thumbs for Toad and Tart - we were made to feel so comfortable and the food was fabulous, Went back there on our last night for prime rib - out of this world.<BR>Renaissance a great resort - enjoy your stay!

When we stayed at the Renaissance in March this year, we found THE best place for dining is The Blue Moon Cafe. The service is EXCELLENT, the food was EXCELLENT and the restaurant is RIGHT on the water. When we went on 2 nights, the moon was out and what a view with the waterfront and little boats anchored there, with sounds of the lapping water. No need to dress up, and the bar is away from the dining area, which was GREAT for me cause I'm very allergic to smoking. The Cafe is located at the Secret Harbor Resort; reservations are recommended cause the place is THAT good. You will not walk away feeling hungry. It's about a 15 minute ride from The Renaissance.<BR><BR>Agave' Terrace is nearby (like 4 minutes away) but VERY overrated; the food is average and the prices are very high. The parking is HORRENDOUS because it is onsite of another resort. The entertainment we had was a man that sang hymns all night...not appropriate for the dining experience at all.<BR><BR>A Dr. and his family we met who have a condo at the Pineapple Villas near the Renaissance property liked Petra's Schnitzel House restaurant, about 10 minutes away. It is in Paradise Marina and is an open air restaurant.<BR><BR>Hope the above helps, and have a great time!

Would add Bonnie's by the Sea to your list. Great casual place on the beach not that far by taxi. Also, for a nice meal but a little more expensive, I would suggest Raffles. East End Cafe in Red Hook is also good and a little closer to your hotel.

Range,<BR>We were in St. Thomas in 2000 and these were our favorites in order, Raffles(we would of liked to go back for a second night but could not fit it in with all our other selections- they have open mike night with local entertainment that was great), Blue Moon, and then Agave Terrace(our meal was wonderful,service was exceptional, and entertainment was gentleman playing broadway tunes and loves songs-very appropriate for dinner-I guess we were there on a good night-if you do go to Agave,when you call to get reservations ask for the outside deck dining overlooking the water and other islands off in the distance.<BR><BR>At the end of your day if you are going out of Red Hook and will be returning-on your daytrip to British Virgins, SopChoppy (upstairs over the dock in Red Hook has great pizza and calzones-wonderful place to eat,have a drink and watch the sun set)<BR><BR>All these are really easy to get to, we rented a car and I volunteered to drive all week and it was no problem at all.Safe Travel and wonderful family memories.

Don't miss Romano's which is a really good Italian place in a house on the road to Coral World. It's a little pricey but not really. You can walk there by going to the Coral World road beside / behind the dive shop, turn left, and it's a house about a block or so on your left. Another vote for Raffles. Also try the beach cafe at the far right side of the beach at the Renaissance. It's actually at the foot of the Point Pleasant Resort next door. Although you can walk up to the Agave Terrace from there, I don't think it's such a great place either. We went last year so maybe it's gone downhill from 2000.