Windwardside

Sea Saba's Windwardside Recommendations
Tropics  Cafe	My Kitchen	The Brigadoon	Saba's Treasure

The Brigadoon  

One of Saba's more popular eateries, the Brigadoon is housed in an original 19th century Saban home and conveniently located in Windwardside with open air dining overlooking the Caribbean Sea.  Its proprietors, Michael and Trisha Chammaa, offer a large variety of crowd pleasers but Chef Michael’s Mediterranean heritage is evident in many of his signature entrees.  Theme nights include Mexican Mondays, Middle Eastern and now prime rib on Thursday's and Tricia's Treat of sushi and saki on Saturdays.  To make things even better, you'll find a complimentary cocktail awaiting you on your first visit as a Sea Saba diver.  Closed Tuesdays

Saba
Chinese

Authentic Chinese and Indonesian dishes prepared by Saba's Choi family. Delicious and very affordable, the Saba Chinese Restaurant offers a great view of Windwardside and The Level. Daily lunch and dinners. Closed Mondays.

Saba's Treasure is worth visiting just to see the work of art created by local artist Robbie Lynn.  The interior was made to look and feel like the interior of an old schooner.  Saba Historian Will Johnson further enhanced the look with old photos and stories adorning the walls.  The indoor bar and dining area as well as street side dining facilities create a fun atmosphere enjoyed by locals and tourists.  Enjoy pizza (just $11 for a large), sandwiches and daily specials served by your hosts, newlyweds Chris and Marvy Johnson.

The Swinging Doors

Located in the heart of Windwardside, The Swinging Doors is owned and operated by one of Saba’s more colorful characters, Eddie Hassell.  Quick with a joke, Eddie always has a Saban tale, the latest gossip or tales of the sea to share. The Doors is now famous for its Tuesday and Friday night barbeques, and daily fare consists of burgers, sandwiches and finger foods. Get out of the sun, have an ice cold Heineken and don’t forget to ask about the "we’re all here because we’re not all there" tee-shirt. We don't take American Express,  don't ask for any "fancy drinks" and don't let the doors hit you in the ass on the way out!

Tropics is now back to basics with a crowd pleasing menu complete with tropical drink samplers.  Open all day from 7 a.m. until after dinner (except Mondays).  Breakfasts can please healthier tastes with fruit and yogurt or ready yourself for a full day of diving with traditional American breakfasts from eggs any style to omelets and pancakes.   Lunches range from 'green stuff' to assorted burgers and hot and cold sandwiches.  The lunch menu is also available for dinner with larger portions and more seafood choices--including Wim's shrimp with tequilla salsa.  Tropics isn't just a hotel restaurant but a place for an all-day hangout.  Lounge by the pool, take in the sunset, watch the stars.  Did you say Theme Nights?  Get over the mid-week 'hump' by gettin' in the Caribbean groove...complete with steal drums and an interesting assortment of local dishes.  Friday night is "Movie Night" with  burger (choose from beef, chicken or fish) and fries and a large screen happening for just $10.

Just a few steps away from the foot of the Mount Scenery Trail and just above Sea Saba’s Windwardside office, My Kitchen is conveniently located for those looking to carry lunch on a hike or cool down post trekking. Better still, you might want to wait until your appetite builds for a post-hike Divers Down/Hikers Up Burger or a healthy Grilled Mahi Mahi Salad. In the evening, the lights are dimmed in the gazebo or dine under the stars with a variety of tempting choices from charbroiled steaks and seafood to pastas.  Chef Vic (formerly of Queen's Gardens) blends his Dominican origins with a Mediterranean twist..  Closed on Sundays. Located at Lambee's Place, just above the Sea Saba office.

Hell's Gate

The Gate House Cafe

Plan a special night at The Gate House Cafe.  Share an evening of fine food and wine with new owners Michel and Lyliane Job.  Chef Michel prepares fine French Cuisine as well Creole dishes.  Lyliane is your server and a wine specialist.  Check with the Sea Saba office for wine presentation nights.  2002-3-4-5-6 NEWS: The Gate House Cafe is recognized by Wine Spectator magazine.  The restaurant's bright Caribbean style, Jim Siegel’s unique artwork and tasteful music create a casual ambience that enhances the the tasty creations.  

Rendezvous Road

The ambience and experience is 100% natural.  Dine with the music supplied by tree frogs and lighting only by candlelight.  Located on the Crispeen Trail, prearranged transport and a flashlight are mandatory.  Ecolodge Rendezvous an accommodations choice for some but the cafe is a must for all.  Offering breakfast lunch and dinner for their guests or for others by reservation.  Chef Bernt prepares a nightly menu with vegetables supplied from the organic garden located just outside the restaurant.  Join Tom van t'Hof, the proprietor and renowned naturalist on Wednesday nights for his cloudforest presentation prior to dinner. 
      

Simple, sweet and to the point.  The Family Deli is open daily from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. with everything from bacon and eggs to pizza...perhaps more the American idea of a diner, be assured of a good meal at a decent price.  Dinner menu varies nightly from barbeque to Thai specials.  Ask to see the full menu at the Sea Saba office.  Sea Saba can help arrange transport.

Troy Hill

Elegant fine dining in one of Saba’s more formal dinner settings located within the upscale Queen’s Gardens Resort. Built at the base of the rainforest with spectacular ocean views, Mango Royale offers casual breakfast and lunch service on its lovely terrace beneath the mango trees or around the poolside bar. The dining room, decorated with fine Indonesian furnishings, is reserved for formal evening dining.  Let their chef introduce you to a large selection of seafood as well as veal, beef and duck. Plan for a slower paced evening complete with a fine assortment of after dinner drinks and cigars.

Fort Bay

Grab a cold drink and watch as the boats come in and out of Saba’s busy Fort Bay. Hang out with a local crowd and discuss the latest with fisherman, expats and other tourists.  Elvira serves an awesome lobster sandwich and Sugie still serves the coldest Heinekens on the island.  Pop’s carries drinks, candy bars, chips and even ice cream for cooling down after a hard day of diving. Located right next door to Sea Saba’s workshop at the harbor.

"From Hearth to Home"
Saba's Cookbook is Hot off the Press"

photo and article courtesy of Suzanne Nielsen, St. Maarten Daily Herald correspondent

SABA—A very original cookbook compiled by the Saba Lace Ladies Group is just off the press and now available at various gift shops on the island. The 272-page book is entitled “From Hearth to Home” and contains 308 recipes, 15 articles about the island, and illustrations of Saban stone hearths by local artists.

The book divides the recipes into chapters by their occurrence during the course of a meal, from starters to desserts. Many of the recipes also carry tips for doing Saba Lace work or household hints.

The articles are easily located since they are printed on a contrasting color. They explain bits of history and lore about the island, present the heraldry and anthems of the island, and describe some of the special ingredients in the local dishes.

The local Lions Club began the project several years ago, and passed it on to the Saba Lace Ladies Group.  The women donated their own favorite recipes and gathered more from the community. Angela Johnson was the main organizer behind the project, and an American couple Sue and Bob Moore did the yeoman’s work of
getting the manuscript typed, the four-color artwork scanned, and the book produced and bound.

As they were reviewing the material, the Moores realized that many of the Saban recipes took McCormack seasonings, which they also saw in great abundance on the shelves of local groceries. The local McCormick Spice distributor in St. Maarten was approached and agreed to help with publishing costs by a donation of
$500.