OVERVIEW.
I was born on the island of Saint Thomas in the Virgin Islands. The last time I was there was when I was seven years old. My parents sold their home and moved the family to Ireland.
Because it would have been my mother’s birthday, I returned this month with several siblings and their children and partners.
One night we went to dinner at the Old Stone Farmhouse restaurant. The food and wine were excellent!
FIRST DINNER: OLD STONE FARMHOUSE, SAINT THOMAS, US VIRGIN ISLANDS.
DISHES AND WINES.
- Spring rolls
- Grilled yellowfin tuna – Togarashi dusted with sticky rice, parsnip chips and wasabi au poivre
- Apple crumble & vanilla ice cream
Wines were served by the glass, and were delicious. We worked with the sommelier to select the following:
- Laurenz Und Sophie. Gruner Veltliner. Austria.
- Ermacora. Pinot Grigio. Friuli-Venezia Giulia. Italy. 2021.
- Tselepos. Assyrtiko. Santorini. Greece. 2021.
SECOND DINNER: SUN & SEA BAR & GRILL.
One evening we walked on a sandy path to a local restaurant named Sun & Sea Bar & Grill on Saint Thomas. The 17 year old chef, named St. Clair Magras Junior, cooked amazing food. A brother and I sat at an outdoor table and drank Chardonnay and Pinot Grigio and ate an excellent dinner that included fish tacos with local ingredients.
DISHES.
- Ceviche—fresh local seafood cured in lime juice with tomato, onion, fresh cilantro, with avocado and tortilla chips.
- Pulled chicken tacos with Caribbean slaw, cotija cheese crumbles and passionfruit glaze.
INSIGHTS.
Saint Thomas is serving some excellent food at reasonable prices, prepared by people who truly love their craft. Many ‘resort’ settings can sell poor food because business will not hinge on the quality of food alone. Fortunately, we found some venues—including these mentioned above—serving excellent fare.
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Back in France, let me share a discovery made today that I shared on Instagram Sites (tjlmullen & VinoVoices).
CHÂTEAU VILLARLONG, MINERVOIS, FRANCE.
Discovery!
Past noon (today) on Easter Sunday I phoned local restaurants and they were all full. On Google Maps I found some place named ‘La Castel’ a 12 minute drive away and thought—that’s bizarre—never heard of them. I phoned and the chef said, effectively, ‘Sure! Come have lunch!’
The drive was an adventure on a single lane country road, and the site—Chateau Villarlong—only recently opened their restaurant to non-hotel guests. Whoa! What an Amazing venue in this stone cellar with soft lighting and the most positive, overt, happy staff!
DISHES.
Asperges aux Morilles et son Ouef Mollet, Espuma de Jambon, Pain de Campagne
Asparagus with Morels and Soft Boiled Egg, Ham Espuma, Country Bread
Agneau en Croute d’Herbes
Herb-Crusted Lamb
Soufflé Glacé à La Carthagène et Compote de Fraise à La Menthe
Cartagena-style Frozen Soufflé and Strawberry and Mint Compote
WINES. ·
- Glass of Château Villarlong rosé.
- Lauran Cabaret. L’Empreinte. AOP Minervois. 2020.
Old vine Grenache with a rollicking mouthful of dark plums, blackberries and milk chocolate in a suave envelope of smooth Minervois juice. A Grenache masquerading as Syrah. Thanks to Chef Luc Le Meur from the Perigord, and staff!
