Le Tamarin

Frommer's Review

One of the island's genuinely offbeat restaurants is Le Tamarin, a deliberately informal bistro that caters to a clientele from the nearby Plage de Saline. It's isolated amid rocky hills and forests east of Gustavia, in a low-slung cottage whose eaves are accented with gingerbread. Inside, a teak-and-bamboo motif prevails. Lunch is the more popular and animated meal here, with most customers dining in T-shirts and bathing suits. If you have to wait, you can order an aperitif in one of the hammocks stretched under a tamarind tree. The menu focuses on light, summery meals that go well with the streaming sunlight and tropical heat. Examples include gazpacho, grilled tuna with Creole sauce, a carpaccio of fish that includes very fresh portions of marinated salmon and tuna, and chicken roasted with soy sauce, lemon, and ginger. There's a broadly based wine list, plus a chocolate cake dessert specialty that appeals to chocoholics. Service can be erratic, but if you're in a rush, you shouldn't be here. It's the perfect place for a lazy afternoon on the beach.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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