US Virgin Islands News

Fish Trap, better the second time around

Virgin Voices has a review of the Fish Trap, one of the island’s best known eateries. 

Aaron Willis is now the owner and, again, the chef.  He spent almost 15 years in the Trap’s kitchen before launching the upscale Stone Terrace, making the Fish Trap a favorite for locals and visitors.  Then he went to St. Thomas to head up a restaurant at the new Yacht Haven. 

Willis returned home earlier this year and relaunched his old place. The Voices review says, “Willis ... likes to ‘combine flavors and textures with eye appeal,’ observing that ‘If it doesn’t feel good in your mouth, the meal just won’t be memorable.’”

Here's the menu: Fish Trap dinner menu. The prices are not what they were 15 years ago, that's for sure.  But that won't stop us.  How about you? 

Everything on island seems to be more expensive now, with restaurant prices leading the way.  On your next visit, do you think you'll be eating out less, or is "a vacation a vacation" and not doing the dishes is part of a vacation?

Wellness vacations at Maho

The Omega Institute for Holistic Studies is returning to Maho Bay next month.  It’s the group’s annual visit. Each winter some of its most popular teachers and some new faces come to the eco-friendly resort to offer classes focusing on the best and most up-to-date personal growth and development strategies currently available, according to a news release. 

The Institute is offering three week-long “wellness vacations.” Workshop subjects include sessions on art, yoga, meditation, and creativity.  Local residents can attend individual sessions for $35 each.
More information is available on the Institute's Web site: eomega.org

St. John is for brides

Bridal Guide magazine, which calls itself, "The complete resource for engaged women,” is featuring St. John in the January/February issue.  With a circulation of about 200,000  copies, the magazine’s writers spent several days on the island. “Goddess of Love,” the longest article, focuses on a couple enjoying Trunk Bay, according to a report by the St. John Source.  JeT’aime Cerge, a local model, is featured in a six-page article about Cruz Bay.

The Department of Tourism apparently spent a hefty, and unannounced, sum to underwrite the magazine’s visit and coverage. Tourism told the Source that for every dollar paid of the Guide’s expenses, it expects to get back $54 in advertising value.  A rate card for the magazine shows four-color pages selling for as much as $36,000.

Speaking of Tourism, the department’s new Web site is up.  The address is http://www.usvitourism.vi/.  It’s pretty, looks professional and contemporary. And the little bit of music that plays when you visit the site is light and pleasant.  The first time.  As you mouse around the site, and come back to the home page to find more material, the music repeats.  Second time, annoying.  Third time, it’s enough to make you turn the volume down on the amateurish home page.

VP in the VI's

Vice President-elect Joe Biden and his wife, Jill, are in the Virgin islands for a five-day vacation, according to a spokesman for the Territory’s Governor. They are “Here for a couple of days of rest and relaxation." According to reports, they are staying on Water Island.

Decades ago, Caneel Bay was an r-and-r choice for some Democrats who ran in the national elections, and the Clinton family occasionally vacationed on St. Thomas during his Presidency..

December St. John real estate report

There is some definite softening in the market.  Taking a look at the Multiple Listing Service, the average house on the market is now asking $2.047 million.  That’s down 11% from $2.31 million in February. 

A similar dip is evident in the median price of a home.  Eleven months ago, the midpoint was $1.7 million, now it’s n$1.5 million, off 12%.  There’s also been a slight dip in the number of properties on the MLS since last February, dropping from 133 to 127.

The newest business listing is I Scream.  Owners of the hot dog and ice cream operation, with shops at Wharfside and Mongoose Junction, are asking $149,000.

Offering lots of encouragement, the listing says “The possibility of franchising to other islands has been considered and is a possibility for the new owners!”

What are you doing New Year’s?

On or Off island, there will be lots of celebratin’ going on Wednesday night.

St. John’s Cool Session Brass will headline the two-day-long party at Foxy’s on Jost Van Dyke.  The self-styled “Times Square of the BVI’s” will also feature Zac Harmon and Eric Stone on Old Year’s Night.  There will be ferry service from St. John.  Adult beverages available will include four brews, made from pure Caribbean waters as well as the legendary Pain Killer, Dread Fox, and  Sly Fox libations. One small bar, one great party, they say.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch ... er ... island ...the St. John Sun Times reports how bars and restaurants will be making merry.  Among them, Paradiso is hosting a Black and White Ball.  A DJ will make the music, and there will be a dessert buffet and martinis.

Morgan’s Mango will pour champagne, free, from 11:30 p.m. to 1 a.m, with dancing beginning at 11 p.m.  Skinny Legs will start rocking at 8 p.m. with the music  of Work of Art.

The Inquiring Iguana and Mrs. I.I. will spend the evening celebrating their wedding anniversary.

Caneel Bay delivers the beef

Caneel Bay has turned the sedate, refined, gourmet Turtle Bay Estate House into an house of beef. “Even the most renowned restaurants can’t stand still,” said Anthony Dawodu, the executive chef, who joined the resort from two Boston restaurants, Bamboa and 33.

“Managing Director Nikolay Hotze and I realized there was no place to enjoy top-end steaks on St. John or St. Thomas," he added. "So we jumped on transforming the menu at Turtle Bay to reflect a modern steakhouse inspiration, with contemporary flair, by using the freshest ingredients to provide an array of unique dishes. Even though the new menu is quite modern, Turtle Bay remains true to its fine-dining roots.”

While the beef is not local, Chef Dawodu is looking to the land for vegetables, relying on Coral Bay’s Josephine’s Greens for some supplies. Look for heirloom tomatoes, ginger, lemongrass, micro herbs, arugula, baby mixed greens and pumpkin. Lobsters and mahi mahi are also locally sourced.

Caneel's opening a steak house suggests an attempt to please what may be a younger clientele at the traditional, reserved resort.

iPhone owners get a holiday gift from AT&T

AT&T announced completion of an upgrade to its data network in the Virgin Islands. 

The next-generation, 3G network, is now available across the territory, according to a company spokeswoman in Puerto Rico.  Apple Computer’s newest iPhone model uses the 3G network. It's high-speed broadband wireless service that brings a whole host of services," she told the St. John Source. "We've tested and retested." 

Comments about Caneel, Crazy Cracker

Palmhill on TripAdvisor says Caneel’s restaurants are better than ever.

“On a big pleasant surprise the food at Caneel has improved and we have had some great meals...The equator had a banana cheesecake that was amazing,also noteworthy were the crab/lobster cake,a smoky lobster bisque,and a huge pasta special. The view of STT with the stars and twinkling lights is lovely.”

Johnny Rocket on Virgin Islands On Line has visited the new Crazy Cracker, in the old Duffy’s space.

“We ate there yesterday. Was very impressed! Food was great nice server and bartender, and for only being opened for a week everything went very smoothly.”  Gromit added, “We walked by the place a couple of times but didn't head in. Basically I think they are aiming for the Woody's vibe and clientele only with louder music.”

Pond Bay model unit is open

The Pond Bay real estate project under construction in Chocolate Hole has opened a fully-furnished model.

The beach front cottage model will be staffed by the Pond Bay sales team and be open daily. The sales team will be available at the model to answer questions regarding the project's fractional ownership plan.

Pond Bay is also delighted to report that the St. John Coastal Zone Management Committee has agreed to the proposed beach enhancement plan for the project.  The approved plan will allow the developer to clean up the beach at Chocolate Hole and redistribute sand that previously was dredged from the bay.  The plan will also create a protected swim area and dinghy channel within 50-feet of the shoreline, remove debris from the beach and bay, clear dead coral and large stones from the beach, remove invasive plant species and replant native plants, implement a turtle lighting plan and provide ongoing beach maintenance.

And some more good news! Pond Bay owners will now be able to visit, in addition to their residence on St. John, 93 luxury vacation homes in 24 world wide locations.   Ultimate Escapes, the world's leading destination club, has formed a partnership with Pond Bay that establishes a reciprocity agreement allowing our owners access to the high-end homes owned by Ultimate Escapes.  The agreement adds huge value to an ownership at Pond Bay.

(This is an advertisement.  The information was supplied by Pond Bay.)