Cruz Bay Restaurants

I have a friend who used to like going to Asolare for his birthday. But after they stiffed us on an outside table--and charged $180 to our credit card when we bailed!--even he can't stand the place any more. Good: I wouldn't have gone back even once after first experiencing their mediocre food (there are rave reviews, but the keyword is "inconsistent," so maybe I've just been unlucky?), glacial and elitist, arrogant service, and unbelievably high prices ($44 for a filet mignon that's worse than Outback?). Tourist trap is the best description I can think of for this place!

Favorite Dish: Sorry, I haven't found anything I would think of having twice.

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We had dinner here one night. We came early so we got a table by the window. I don't remember much about the food, but I DO remember being enormously entertained by watching the things going on in the street below. I also remember that the window was dirty - so dirty that I couldn't really take photos through it.

They DO have a webpage which says: Cafe Roma has served St. John since 1981. Excellent Italian Trattoria-style cuisine with an extensive menu. Offering in-house specials and traditional recipes (including vegetarian selections.) All in a casual cafe setting with a heavenly mural...

In the summer of 1995, a mural was painted by Ted Effremoff (a Russian artist, now teacher, in Philadelphia) with scenes of Italy.

I remember the mural, but it has been changed since we were there. I also see from their website that the owner wants to retire and sell the restaurant.

Open 5–10 p.m. daily Air-conditioned

Favorite Dish: Some of the things on the menu:

Veal Marsala Veal tenderloin medallions, sautéed with fresh domestic & Portobello mushrooms, flamed with marsala wine finished with pepper and served with cappellini ~24

Chicken Cacciatore
Sliced boneless chicken breast with mushrooms, peppers, & onions;
in a light sweet marinara sauce ~23

Chicken Gorgonzola Cream with Cheese Ravioli
Sliced boneless breast of chicken with gorgonzola cream & walnuts atop tomato basil & cheese ravioli ~23

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We had dinner at Uncle Joe's BBQ the first night. When we walked down into Cruz Bay we saw that J.J.'s had a special on frosty drinks. So we sat down outside to eat.

We each had a virgin strawberry daiqueri. They were delicious. I don't remember what else I had to eat, but Bob had two of them, and afterwards he broke out in a rash, so he has to be careful how many strawberries he eats now.

They do not seem to have a web page, but they are still there after 10 years so that says something.

Favorite Dish: A St. John's eating place review says "Eat great breakfast burritos (US$4.95; weekends only), lunch or dinner outside or at tables around the indoor bar. Always a cheap, reliable option."

I didn't even know they were open for breakfast.

Two I would highly recommend for fine dining are ZoZo's and Stone Terrace.
Stone Terrace has a wonderful view of the bay and the sunset. Get an outside table if you can.

Favorite Dish: ZoZo's - I had the swordfish stuffed with crab meat and sweet peppers. It was delicious and I am not a sea food fan.

Stone Terrace - Try the Thai spring rolls for starters. The blacked tuna was excellent.

Here was the restaurant I first tried the Mahi Mahi. It wasn't my favorite fish dish, but they had made it so well, that I could eat it all.