Loving Life in the Caribbean: Warm Hospitality & Spicy Times in St. Thomas!
Part 2 of 3 - ST. THOMAS, US VIRGIN ISLANDS
Gladys’ Café, Royal Danne Pavilion Charlotte Amalie: This local breakfast and lunch spot is secretly touched down and around some narrow alleys in the heart of the Downtown area. Finding Gladys and her Café is well worth the journey if you love Bloody Marys and simple comfort food prepared with a hint of the islands. Why do I come back to Gladys’ Café? Hot Sauce. Gladys makes her own, 5 different kinds this time. If you like heat and flavor, this is your place. If you are lucky, Gladys usually works the register and she loves to sing to her favorite songs as they come on the radio. Don’t worry, you will be able to hear her no matter where you are sitting in the restaurant. Not only does Gladys make some mean hot sauce, but she has a great set of healthy pipes. Gladys’ Hot Sauce, a St Thomas must for me.
Ritz-Carlton, St Thomas: From the time you step out of the taxi you know this is going to be special. The Ritz staff greets you with an ice cold wash cloth to help refresh you from your journey to this oasis. Before you know it your bags are stored and you are greeted with a rum punch as you are escorted to registration. As an ex Ritz-Carlton employee it is nice to see the Ritz has not lost its commitment to quality and personal service. The Ritz looks out at St John and has its own 15 acre beach and bay. Between the hotel and the beach is what Alex Sokol Blosser refers to as, “the Ritz’s amazing pool.” Hobbie Cats, kayaks, snorkels and fins are all available at the beach activity center at no extra charge. The Ritz is yet another special place on these islands. Scott’s perfect Ritz day: Morning sail and/or kayak, some snorkeling the Ritz Bay, lunch at Sails by the beach, nice float in the sun (see picture), late afternoon nap on the beach, dip in the hot tub, back to the room to get ready for dinner, Evolution on the terrace by the Great Bay Lounge, nice game of billiards and a late supper at Bleuwater. Executive Chef, Jasper Schneider, claims to provide the freshest and most creative seafood experience available anywhere. If I learned anything while working as a purchaser for the Ritz-Carlton it is this, you do not argue with the Chef. The Chef is always right! In the case of Bleuwater, you can tell this restaurant is his baby. Hope you enjoy your days at the Ritz as much as we did. To the entire Ritz-Carlton staff you all are truly “Ladies and Gentleman Serving Ladies and Gentleman”. Thank you.
Charity Event - Montessori School St Thomas, Ritz-Carlton St Thomas:
Sokol Blosser Winery was proud to lend our support to our local distributor, Premier Wine & Spirits, to help benefit the betterment of education for children on the island of St Thomas. This wonderful event brought together over 400 people for a fun and festive evening, all in the name of a good cause. Thank you to all whom made this evening special. Susan Sokol Blosser, Alex & Alison, my wife Susan and I will gladly pour again next year. Please.
Lotus Asian Grill & Sushi Bar, Red Hook:
After 15 locals on the island, who work in the industry, told me to go and check out this modern Asian inspired restaurant I had to see it for myself. We meet up with some newly found friends, Jimmy and Kristy, who work at the Westin in St John and live in Red Hook on St Thomas. The restaurant is part sushi bar, part Japanese steak house. No grilling tableside, which is ok with me. We went to have a drink at the bar and I noticed that they pour our Evolution by the glass. I thanked the manager for his support of our wine, and before I could say another word our group of four was sitting at a table enjoying fresh and beautiful sushi, herb and mint flavored spring rolls and a tender piece of filet. All the food, people, conversation, laughter all blended to a tee with our Evolution. Great times deserve great wines. Thank you to the Lotus and our friends Jimmy and Kristy for making Susan's and my last night in St Thomas every bit as special as the rest of our trip.
Check back soon for part 3 of 3: St. John!