The "SXM: The Death Of The Culinary Capital Of The Caribbean?? I Hope Not!!" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Sun was high in the sky and tempera- tures were in the high 80s.  Perfect day on the French side of the Caribbean Island known as St. Martin/Sint Maarten.  That was until I turned down the Boulevard de Grand Case which runs parallel to the water.  Grand Case is home to some of the best restaurants in the Caribbean and Carol and I have had the honor of visiting quite a few of them.  The title of "Culinary Capital of the Caribbean" is well-earned.  But today that all disappeared...at least in my eyes.  

Immediately after the storm!

It was in September of 2017 that Hurricane Irma, a Category 5 Hurricane with winds topping 150 MPH struck the island of St. Martin/Sint Maarten.  It was the first Category 5 Hurricane on record to ever strike the Leeward Islands.  And to top that, two weeks later Hurricane Marie gave a second punch to the island.  Hurricane Irma spawned tornadoes within herself which caused unimaginable horror to the residents and those visiting the island at the time.  And...today, over a year later, I got to witness that devastation firsthand.  The quiet, little town of Grand Case looks as if it had been bombed with concrete buildings leveled and almost every structure in the town decimated.  

"Mary Star of the Sea" Catholic Church shows the damage

The beautiful little stone church known as "Mary Star of the Sea" Catholic church wasn't spared the vengeance of Irma.  Our favorite restaurant, Il Netuno, was almost destroyed, but is one of just a few that is now open once again, but has now been renamed Barranco.  

A home along the Boulevard de Grand Case

As I drove slowly down the one-lane street I saw very few signs of work being done on the many restaurants that drew visitors from all over the world.  I did find an adult game of soccer being played in the grassy field behind the town's parking lot.  As I wandered by foot I did get to greet a few of those who have homes along the Boulevard de Grand Case.  

One of many restaurants along Restaurant Row, Blue Martini

I walked as far as the Catholic Church which I visited last year and posted a story about the little church by the sea.  It sets vacant with a sign telling members where they can attend church until the little stone church by the sea is open once again.  My wife and I had every intention of eating a few meals in Grand Case, but more than one person told us it wasn't safe to walk the dark streets at night.  As I looked skyward I could see through most of the large restaurants along the Boulevard.  When will this beautiful town be brought back to life?  Here's hoping this isn't the death of the culinary capital of the Caribbean.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

Total destruction

Not sure what this might have been

Roofless property

Housing units

Calmos Cafe, which had work being done to it and was to open in the near future.

No idea if this was a restaurant or housing unit.

Menu board for the L'Auberge Gourmande 

L'Auberge Gourmande Restaurant with no signs of being open.

Another housing unit or restaurant.

Damage along the waterline.

Momma Mia Restaurant

Home at 155 Boulevard de Grand Case