Big Kahuna
Best Of St. Thomas US Virgin Islands 2008
The St. Thomas Blog is all about being honest to our readers. We’re not about stuffing ballot boxes and inflating votes from friends and associates or asking for a $400 entry fee (can you believe that?). Our poll was, ah, free for all. Here’s how we determine the REAL Best Of St. Thomas 2008 Awards:
We go out and talk with people (it’s not scientific for sure), one on one. We ask them what their favorite restaurants, spots, bars, nightlife etc. are. We don’t tell them we’re doing it for the St. Thomas Blog. We just say hey, who’s you favorite bartender on island? Or, where can we get the best seafood? Who’s the best St Thomas restaurant?
Presto, you get truthful answers from real people, no ballot box stuffing, just our personal experiences here on beautiful St. Thomas.
Please feel free to disagree and write down who you like if your opinion is different.
St. Thomas Blog - Best of St. Thomas 2008
FOOD & SPIRITS:
BURGERS & PIZZA
Hamburger: Shipwreck Tavern (almost one full pound of goodness, Tony is a great chef)
Pizza: Magens Bay Concessions
FINE DINING – St Thomas Restaurants:
Italian – Fine dining: Romano’s (not typical Italian like chicken parmigiana)
Italian – Casual dining: East End Cafe (more typical Italian like pasta and meatballs)
Atmosphere – Fine Dining: Havana Blue (eclectic food, ocean front, romantic)
Gourmet – Fine Dining: Old Stone Farmhouse (great presentation)
Local Favorite – Fine Dining: Craig & Sally’s (big portions, menu changes daily, value)
Seafood – Fine Dining: Agave Terrace (best King Crab on the island)
Wine Selection: Craig & Sally’s (Robert, Craig and the staff know their stuff)
CASUAL DINING:
Local Casual Dining: Cuzzin’s (great food, good portions)
Latin/Mexican Food: Rancho Latino (authentic Latin food)
Sushi: Shinsen Sushi Bar (freshest Sushi anywhere)
New Restaurant/Bar: Shinsen Sushi Bar (committed to excellence)
Lunch: Kokopelli (love the Taco Salad)
Deli Food: Frenchtown Deli (man do they pack those sandwiches)
Barbecue: Texas Pit BBQ (ribs, yummy)
Late Night Food: Shipwreck Tavern (it all goes down good at 1 a.m.)
BARS/NIGHTLIFE:
Local Bar: Sib’s Mountain Bar (it’s like the old T.V. show Cheers of St. Thomas)
Sports Bar: Caribbean Saloon (without question, best place to watch a game)
Bar (no bands): FatBoys (younger crowd for sure – used to be Pour Man’s)
Bar (with bands): Paradise Point (Wednesday nights)
Marina Bar (no bands): Fat Turtle (hopping on Friday nights especially)
Marina Bar (with bands): Tickles (decent food as well)
Happy Hour Bar: Duffy’s Love Shack (fun drinks, I’ll have a Shark Tank!)
Frozen Drink: Paradise Point & Fat Turtle (tie)
Bartender: Oran and Rabbit at Epernay Wine Bar and Jessie at Sib’s (3 way tie!)
Martini Bar: XO Bistro (great since the expansion)
Beach Bar: Magens Bay (Sunday’s at Magens can’t be beat)
ATTRACTIONS, SHOPPING, TOURS & SIGHTSEEING:
ATTRACTIONS:
Attraction (children): Coral World (swimming with sea lions)
Attraction (adults): Paradise Point Tram (If you like heights this is for you)
View: Mountain Top (breathtaking views)
BEACHES:
Beach: Magens Bay (Sunday’s at Megans can’t be beat)
Hotel Beach: Marriott Frenchman’s Reef (nice sandy beach)
Surfing Beach: Hull Bay (local hangout)
SHOPPING:
Shopping: Havensight shops (same as downtown but with parking) & Yacht Haven Grande (lots of great stores and easy parking), (tie)
SIGHTSEEING/TOURS:
Safari Tour/Island Tour: Flamon’s Taxi & Island Tours
Next year we will add business listings.
Congratulations to all the winners. Please call Nicci at 617-304-3394 or email her at nicci@stthomasblog.com so we can make an appointment to take a photo of your establishment and present you with your Best of St. Thomas 2008 plaque.
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April 11, 2008 @ 3:37 pm
Alexis Karlin Said,
I honestly think Best of VI has always been rigged and just go based off my own opinion and recommend to tourists the places I like.
I do agree with the places above though!
April 11, 2008 @ 3:38 pm
Alexis Karlin Said,
Oh Yeah and Best Hot Sauce is Jerome’s Hot Sauce
It can be ordered here:
http://www.stjohnspice.com/hot.html
April 11, 2008 @ 4:43 pm
BIG Kahuna Said,
I still godda try me some Jerome’s ya know!
April 15, 2008 @ 10:31 pm
St Thomas Restaurants Real Estate Cruise Ship Beaches Caribbean Reviews Said,
[...] 2008 [...]
April 21, 2008 @ 3:48 am
Craig and Sally’s » Blog Archive » Welcome To Craig and Sally’s Said,
[...] and Sally’s is a charming Caribbean Wine Bistro and quite the talk of locals (voted Best of St. Thomas 2008). Not far from Crown Bay, where the cruise ships pull in daily, they offer lunch Wednesday, [...]
April 21, 2008 @ 4:02 am
Tickles Dockside Pub, Winner of ‘Best of St. Thomas 2008′ Award Said,
[...] 2008 [...]
April 21, 2008 @ 5:14 am
BIG Kahuna Said,
I was just told the the VI Daily News actually requires you pay a fee of $400 to be considered to win. Can anyone confirm this?
If so then their awards are 100% bogus. You shouldn’t have to pay to win (some may call that a kickback).
The St. Thomas Blog receives no money for any awards. The awards are earned on merit based on what people tell us.
April 21, 2008 @ 10:50 am
Frenchtown Deli, Winner of ‘Best of St. Thomas 2008′ Award Said,
[...] 2008 [...]
April 23, 2008 @ 8:27 am
Mountain Top, Winner of Best of St. Thomas 2008 Award Said,
[...] 2008 [...]
April 30, 2008 @ 9:54 am
FatBoys - Winner Of Best Of St. Thomas 2008 Award Said,
[...] 2008 [...]
April 30, 2008 @ 3:07 pm
ruby's mama Said,
Frenchtown Deli has the best Corned Beef Hash EVER!!! Cheap, good food. Kokopelli has cheap beers! Miller Lite for a Dollar!!
April 30, 2008 @ 3:56 pm
BIG Kahuna Said,
Ruby’s Mama, welcome to the blog and thanks for your post. I had to take out that one thing you mentioned because of the way you worded it. If you’re unhappy with a restaurant or food give us your opinion and we’ll post it but we don’t post anything personally against anyone. Thinkin’ positive ya know…
Please come back again!
May 12, 2008 @ 8:49 am
XO Bistro - Winner of Best of St. Thomas 2008 Award Said,
[...] 2008 [...]
May 14, 2008 @ 12:03 pm
East End Cafe - Winner of Best of St. Thomas 2008 Award Said,
[...] 2008 [...]
May 21, 2008 @ 8:03 am
Caribbean Saloon Winner Best of St. Thomas Award 2008 Said,
[...] 2008 [...]
May 29, 2008 @ 11:32 am
HAVANA BLUE - Winner Best of St. Thomas Award 2008 Said,
[...] 2008 [...]
July 31, 2008 @ 4:31 pm
Matthew Brodski Said,
Hi: Your info isn’t quite right. There is no change to enter or win the newspaper Best of VI. If you want to place ads telling about your win, there is a change. I already know my pet store is the best so I didn’t buy any ads but I still got all the listings and plack from the news for free
August 1, 2008 @ 8:12 am
BIG Kahuna Said,
Hey Matthew, thanks for joing the conversation!
We’ve heard different things from different people. Some say it costs $40 to even be in the running, others say it’s free but then $400 if you want the picture and article?
Either way our awards are free based on what people say.
October 3, 2008 @ 12:04 pm
Rancho Latino, Best of St. Thomas Award 2008 Said,
[...] 2008 [...]
November 7, 2008 @ 1:45 pm
Texas Pit BBQ Winner Best of St. Thomas Award 2008 Said,
[...] 2008 [...]
November 28, 2008 @ 8:40 am
Best Of St. Thomas 2009 - Best Finger Lickin’ Food Said,
[...] 2008 [...]
March 9, 2009 @ 6:58 pm
Geoff Said,
Gotta Agree with Alexis and add a point. Years ago Best of… included all business on the island. Now the last 5 years it seems limited to the ones that advertise in the Daily (Snooze) News. IF You ain’t payin’, you ain’t playin!” Too bad to ruin so many years or tradition over a $1.00 rag like the daily paper.
March 9, 2009 @ 6:59 pm
Geoff Said,
Also liked that Hard Rock Cafe won best burger the year after they closed their doors…
March 9, 2009 @ 8:09 pm
BIG Kahuna Said,
Geoff, unlike the fixed Daily News “Best Of” we actually get the people’s vote without a payment.
June 10, 2009 @ 12:07 pm
St. Thomas Blog Welcomes Caribbean Saloon To Our Advertising Family Said,
[...] 2008 [...]
June 21, 2009 @ 6:13 am
St. Thomas Blog Welcomes Epernay Wine and Champagne Bar As Our Newest Advertiser Said,
[...] 2008 [...]
June 27, 2009 @ 10:23 am
Thank You For Your Support Said,
[...] 2008 [...]