Hi!
My boyfriend and I are going to St Croix for our first time and staying at the Bucaneer next month(Feb 2006). We will be there the weekend before Valentine's day. Would we have to make reservations for restaurants in advance?

It will also be our anniversary that weekend and I was wondering if any of you can recommend a romantic restaurant with great food, a relaxing ambience and perhaps a gorgeous sunset view. From the reviews, it sounds like Kendricks, H20 or South Shore Cafe are good choices. what do you think? Also, any other restaurant recommendations for brunch/lunch/dinner will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance for all your feedback! I look forward to hearing from you all!

I'll try to make some suggestions based on several years of trying St. Croix restaurants. I doubt you will need to make reservations for that weekend; however, you can easily email the concierges at the Buc and they will do it for you and arrange your taxis. One caveat--be sure the restaurant you want to dine in is open the night you want to go. We were disappointed twice in the last two years when Kendricks was closed for a private party.

For your anniversary dinner, I would suggest having sunset cocktails (which is about 6 p.m. at that time of year) at the Buccaneer's terrace bar. It's just magnificent. Then go to dinner at Kendrick's which is terribly romantic and very good (and very expensive). We've never been to H2O or South Shore but haven't heard great things about either.

For island ambience, got to Duggan's Reef. It's a great atmosphere, right on the water in an open-aired porch, with pretty good food. Sometimes service is spotty. Try to go on a night they are having the steel drum band.

Rumrunners - fun, casual, open air pub spot right on the boardwalk in C'sted. Definitely have a Painkiller. It's our first stop each year!

Bacchus - went for the first time last year. Funky, NYC-type decor. Food was deliciously. Great service. Also romantic and pricey.

The Terrace Room at the Buc - take a pass. Enjoy your breakfast there but forget dinner (unless they've changed again).

The Galleon - we need to try this place again this year. Have heard it's quite good again and it's at the Green Cay Marina.

Savant - we probably won't go this year but it's a neat, funky place in C'sted. Ask to sit on the back patio (which we've never done). Has Asian, Mexican, American food. Sounds crazy but if you like eclectic, you'll like it.

Tutto Bene - many love this place but we don't. We stick to eating Italian at Boston's North End!

Cafe Bleu - new last year. Don't know if it's open still this year in C'sted. Lovely decor, piano player. Slow service but we liked the food a lot. Will probably go back this year.

We have friends who went to South Shore Cafe and didn't like it at all but I can't say for myself.

Have a fabulous time! And tell Patricia and Babylon that the Rosner's will be there days after you leave and can't wait to see them! They'll serve you breakfast with a smile

Thanks so much for your feedback! I'll email the conceirge this week to make reservations!

We'll be there that weekend also beachbum and eating at the same places with our noisy kids. If you want peace and quiet let me know and I'll email you my schedule

This may sound like a silly question but what would be a good time to have dinner there considering store closing hours, crime, sunset, entertainment at the Buc, etc. We normally have dinner at 7.

We usually make our reservations around 7 p.m. as well. The Buc has cocktail entertainment (piano, etc.) and then usually has another group from 8 to 11. So you will be back to have a relaxing after-dinner drink with entertainment around 9 p.m. It gets dark by 6:30 p.m. so you'll be o.k. getting the kids off the beach by 5:30 or 6. Wouldn't worry about crime. The Buc's cabs will drop you off and pick you up right at the restaurant.

Carol, you are my Rick Steves.

thanks for the head up ziggy! i'm sure the restaurants will be big enough for all of us

Unfortunately I'll only be there for 3 nights - We've decided on Kendricks and Duggans (for the island ambience) and so that leave us with one other night - would you recommend Savant or Bacchus?

Are all these restaurants easy to get to as we will be renting a car and driving most of the time...

ziggy60--thanks for the compliment. Let's just hope we have similar tastes!

Beachbum01--My crew would pick Bacchus over Savant but they are quite different. Bacchus is chic, upscale, pricey. Savant is more eclectic, funky, and a bit less expensive. We'd probably pick Rumrunners even though the food is mixed. Love the Jimmy Buffett, on-the-water ambience. A bit more casual. Why not wait until you get there and ask other guests their opinions?

From what I read, Savant is a must. For my 5 nights, I'm shooting for..

Savant
Dugan's
Kendricks
RumRunners
Cheeseburgers in paradise

And the winner is...we'll see

Great idea ccrosner - i just thought that i might have to make reservations in advance esp since i'm going during "the peak season". but i'll make a reservation at kendricks and then ask around about the other restaurants!

Thanks again for all the feedback!

Again, just trying to BUMP this up the list.

I am thinking of going to St Croix next winter and am wondering how convenient it is to go to various restaurants. If I stay at the Buccaneer, are there any withing walking distance? If not, what is the best way to get around?

So easy. make reservations in advance - just send an email to the concierge. The taxi will pick you up and the same taxi will take you back. Most places are within 5 minutes again. We paid $20 round trip for the 4 of us (2 small kids) Check out my report "USVI report part IIquot; forgot to add st croix to the title.