Restaurant Pacri opens in new oceanfront location in St. Barths

From long-time St Barth restaurateur, Pascal Ramette.
Welcome to PaCri, A magic feel of Italy in St. Barths.
This year, Pascal Ramette is proud to welcome you in his new unique location – right on the Ocean at Hotel Manapany where he will take you to a fantastic voyage to the south of Italy.

PaCri has been the first restaurant in St. Barths to start importing fresh products and hiring its staff directly in Italy. This is how the owner, Pascal Ramette, succeeded in giving his clients such a strong message of authenticity that you will find not just in the Decor and the ambiance, but mostly in the favors of the dishes served at PaCri.

Chef Vincenzo Architravo from Naples, who has worked beside the best Italian Chefs in Italy, has managed to preserve the simplicity and authenticity in his recipes which gives all its value to Italian cuisine.

The Menu at PaCri changes on a daily base, assuring the freshness of the ingredients used for the elaboration of the dishes. The menu has a large choice of antipasti where the buratta from Puglia and the “Grandmother’s Parmigiana’ have won their success. You will also find a daily selection of fresh seafood with local fish, carpaccios and tartars as well as warm octopus salad or “Mussels alla Marinara”.
At PaCri all the pastas, breads and desserts are home made, and it is very pleasant to stop by the restaurant in the morning to watch the chefs make all of these fabulous breads, such as olive bread andfocaccias, as well as pastas including gnocchis, tagliatelle and, of course, PaCri’s famous truffle ravioli.

Chef Architravo, who has always lived near the ocean, expresses a great interest and talent for working with all sorts of fish and seafood on the grill in the tradition of southern Italian cooking.

Reservations are highly recommended
Serving Time:
Opened everyday for lunch and dinner
payments:
Visa, amex, mastercard.

St Barths Holiday Availability – Nov 16, 2011

Villa MGO in St. Barths

WIMCO represents 240 private villas on St. Barths. We are glad to report that we still have two dozen villas available for the popular 2011 New Years Eve and Holiday time-frame. It is an ideal time to visit St. Barths…festive lights ring the harbor at night, music spills out of cafes and restaurants, the ocean is warm and inviting, stylish yachts lazily swing on their moorings just off-shore, and the promise of a great day and a greater night seems so attainable.

Here is a list of villas from WIMCO that still have holiday availability, sorted by bedroom size:

• WV CAM, 1 BR, Toiny
• WV DRE, 1 BR, Marigot
• WV MNA, 1 BR, Vitet
• WV ACR, 2 BR, Vitet
• WV MBA, 2 BR, Pointe Milou
• WV OSS, 2 BR, Gustavia
• WV ABB, 3 BR in Vitet
• WV AVE, 3 BR in Mont Jean
• WV AWL, 3 BR in Pointe Milou
• WV FCE, 3 BR in Marigot
• WV JAX, 3 BR in Gouverneur
• WV KHA, 3 BR in Point Milou
• WV LBV, 3 BR in Marigot
• WV LMR, 3 BR in St Jean
• WV MBR, 3 BR in Gouverneur
• WV MGO, 3 BR in Columbier
• WV PRE, 3 BR in Gustavia
• WV ROC, 3 BR in Petite Cul de Sac
• WV RVD, 3 BR in Grand Cul de Sac
• WV VIA, 3 BR in Gustavia
• WV WYB, 3 BR in Marigot
• WV MOZ, 4 BR in Pointe Milou
• WV AJF, 4 BR in Pointe Milou
• WV BRE, 4 BR in Gouverneur
• WV EST, 4 BR in Gustavia
• WV FRE, 4 BR in Pointe Milou
• WV ING, 4 BR in Columbier
• WV JOE, 4 BR in Flamands
• WV MAP, 4 BR in Petite Saline
• WV SFO, 4 BR in Pointe Milou
• WV VLK, 4 BR in Anse de Cayes
• WV PAR, 5 BR in Mont Jean
• WV VGR, 7 BR in Gustavia

Call WIMCO’s reservations department at 1-800-449-1553 or email them at info@wimco.com to talk to a villa specialist about vacationing on St. Barths during the holidays.

Bagatelle, St. Barths opening weekend testimonial

Breaking news – testimonial from St. Barths vacationer who dropped in to the new Bagatelle, St. Barths on its opening weekend: Looks like it is off to a good start.

“This stylish, hip, trendy bistro located on Gustavia harbour (next door to Baz Bar) will likely be a hit restaurant of this year’s season. At a time when the island is generally quiet, Saturday night’s opening brought out a beautiful crowd and the place was packed and rocking.

Great bar, great music, excellent food and a staff that was clearly accustomed to providing the very highest level of service. World class.

When we arrived, we had several cocktails at the comfortable and well laid out bar. Later in the evening, people were several deep and clearly having a great time. The DJ was set up neatly behind the bar and the music was very now and hip. The bar staff was right there and were on top the needs of the well heeled clientele.

Dinner was super. We started off with tuna tartare and gazpacho soup and our mains were the salmon and scallops with endive. Clean, nice, well presented and perfectly cooked. We split a caramelized apple pie-ish creation with whipped cream and vanilla ice cream – very nice. We were having so much fun that we didn’t want to leave.

Net, net, if Bagatelle St. Barths was a stock, I would be long (like 13D long). Great experience, excellent & professional service, solid food and a real scene. This place gets all our stars. Can’t wait to come back here in February. Make your reservations early – you’ll need to.”

Reservations can be made in advance through WIMCO Villas’ offices in St. Barths or the US. WIMCO villa rental clients get a complimentary glass of champagne when they say “WIMCO”.

Trip Report from a WIMCO Villas’ client

A recent trip report from a villa rental client…enjoy!

“This past July, I was transported to the island of St. Barths, which is one of the smallest islands in the Caribbean. I was raised by an active family in a sailing world so found myself somewhat reluctant to consider spending what little vacation time I had to go to some little island that many refer to as “enchanting”. What in the world was I thinking? Ok, for one or two days maybe I could sit on a beach, read a book, swim, go for a walk…go for another walk…but then what? For an entire week? Who was I kidding!? I thought for sure I would be bored, restless and simply thirsting for something to do such as pulling up a mainsail, trimming a jib, setting a course, and feeling the motion of the sea as it pounded on the hull of a sailboat. I had heard from many others about the charming allure of St. Barths and how it could capture your spirit, so I decided to see and experience first hand just what all the fuss was about.

The first challenge was to pick the best villa that suited the requirements of all the people traveling with me. We were a group of sailors and ocean lovers so the beach was our first priority. One of St. Barths’ charms is all the hillside villas with fantastic views and breezes, but we wanted to be on the beach, to be able to easily walk to it. The challenge was this precious little island has very few villas located directly on the beach; however, with the help and expertise of a seasoned villa specialist at WIMCO Villas, I was able to find the perfect villa that fit my every little need …on the beach, on the beach, on the beach, and on the beach.

The villa of choice was named WV MLI, and sat directly on Flamands Beach. The villa was recently renovated and has a clean and modern feel, tastefully decorated, with a private pool, a large deck overlooking the beach, and stairs down to the inviting sand. I trusted WIMCO’s suggestions and presented the choice to my fellow travelers, rolled the dice, and took the chance that this was going to all work out. Was I ready for this pressure? Vacations are fun but can often present tricky situations when trying to keep everyone happy. If I chose the villa, the accountability would be all my own!

Months prior to departing, I gathered information and pictures of St. Barths from a variety of sources to share with the group. I hoped to build their interest and capture their enthusiasm for their vacation as they anticipated this brief moment in their lives. As the days grew closer, the momentum and excitement grew. From previous conversations with a host of people who had traveled to St. Barths, there appeared a profound infatuation with the island resounded. I seriously wondered how could this be possible… it was nothing more than a volcanic island devoid of any natural resources. Common sense and conventional wisdom would question how anyone could become so enraptured by such an environment?

After much anticipation and genuine curiosity, our villa and experience in St Barths transformed into one of the most relaxing and peaceful experiences of my life time. The villa, WV MLI, was the perfect choice. The beach was pristine and more relaxing than I could have ever asked for. As a matter of fact, I found myself actually sitting still for hours on end and I read five books. A majority of our day was spent simply standing in the water and talking as the waves came crashing in on the shoreline. It was without a doubt, one of the most peaceful times in my life where I was not distracted by a series of outside events, but allowed to focus on the moment and the people I was with.

Much of our surroundings in the United States have become overrun by restaurant chains, (lousy ones at best), and huge hotels where every room is the same. This is not the case in St. Barths. We discovered fabulous restaurants that are scattered throughout the island. It became an adventure to tingle our taste buds with new foods that were so elegantly prepared. My days of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on the boat where long forgotten. The island was filled with legendary chefs who have developed an intensity and passion for food. Great care was taken in selecting the perfect ingredient for every meal. The presentation of each dish was a work of art …how could I even begin to compare it to an American “Happy Meal.” Eating on the island was not something you simply did because you were hungry, but something you did because you had such a respect for the talent of preparing good food and sharing the experience with friends and family.

My pretty half and I managed to sneak away for few hours to experience the new spa at the Hotel Guanahani. The new spa at the Hotel Guanahani was a sanctuary that provided refuge from the stress of the world. The appointment was scheduled for day two of the vacation and was perfect timing to help relieve the body from the tension built up as a result of preparing to relax. We couldn’t wait as we felt that this full body massage would be the beginning of inner peace. We were not disappointed. The spa facility was hidden behind a discreet door that opened up into a world that exuded a sense of calm and well being. We could have stayed for hours and were invited to do so by relaxing by the private pool or simply dozing in one of the cushioned lounge chairs. The massage was heaven. We were pampered and revitalized and then returned back into reality to enjoy the enchantment of St. Barths.

Would I ever consider doing this vacation again?… In a heart beat. My fellow travelers would join me as well. And how could anyone complain?…. Great villa, great beach, great weather, great food, a spa treatment at the Guanahani Hotel, new shoes and bathing suites from fabulous shops, and a wonderful relaxing week on an intimate, enchanting and truly captivating island.”

St. Barths Welcomes Bagatelle

WIMCO St. Barths is pleased to announce the opening of a new restaurant in St. Barths:  Bagatelle, which is located on Rue Samuel Fahlberg on Gustavia Harbour, in the former Le Bistro location.

Bagatelle, a lively French bistro from NYC, is excited to introduce its signature dining experience to St. Barths’ locals and tourists just in time for the holiday season. Bagatelle’s new international location will feature decor and cuisine influenced by the French Mediterranean, specifically the glamour and allure of Saint-Tropez. Bagatelle’s patrons will be treated to signature and seasonal menu items as well as a selection of hand-crafted, refreshing cocktails. In perfect South of France fashion, guests can gather at sunset for an aperitif to wind down after a long day at the beach or shopping. Staying true to its roots, Bagatelle St. Barths will also feature renowned DJs from all over the world, as well as unexpected surprises, giving guests the energy and ambiance that will keep them coming back for more.

The décor pays homage to the original location in NYC, infusing touches of elegance, paired with bold and eye-catching artwork, all set against a luxurious yet comfortable backdrop of white, beachy tones. At Bagatelle, comfort and excellent service is paramount. We want our guests to feel at home every time they dine with us.

Bagatelle will be open Monday through Friday from 12-11pm and Saturdays from 6-11pm, and will offer both indoor and outdoor dining. The restaurant seats 85 inside and 20 outside, with a relaxing additional bar area for 30. The outdoor patio offers magnificent panoramic views of Gustavia Harbour, complete with 4 slips for those arriving by boat, making it the quintessential vacation dining destination.

SPECIAL OFFER TO WIMCO CLIENTS:
To toast the opening, Bagatelle will offer WIMCO clients a complimentary glass of champagne/rose when they visit.
Please mention “WIMCO” to redeem. Valid through January 3rd, 2012

For reservations, call the WIMCO office at 0590-51-07-51, or contact the restaurant directly:

• Phone – 59.059.027.5151
• E-mail – sbh@bistrotbagatelle.com