Comments on: Panini Beach says arrivederci http://www.on-stjohn.com/2007/08/02/panini-beach-says-arrivederci/ News, Muse and Reviews Tue, 19 Aug 2008 04:03:57 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.5 by: Phil Chaney http://www.on-stjohn.com/2007/08/02/panini-beach-says-arrivederci/#comment-2611 Wed, 22 Aug 2007 18:43:24 +0000 http://www.on-stjohn.com/2007/08/02/panini-beach-says-arrivederci/#comment-2611 My wife and I, along with another couple, have been coming to St. John for the past 15 years. We were happy to find Panini Beach, and ate there at least twice during our short stays. It was, and will remain our favorite. I too am sad to see the Island take this turn for the worse. We'll be down again in December and only hope that other great places won't feel the hammer. If possible, will Janet and Joe be posting any new resturant venture they might decide upon in the Chicago area. Living in Kansas City we make regular trips to Chicago and would love to see them again, and sample their "Island" fares. Please keep us posted. Phil & Kathy Chaney My wife and I, along with another couple, have been coming to St. John for the past 15 years. We were happy to find Panini Beach, and ate there at least twice during our short stays. It was, and will remain our favorite. I too am sad to see the Island take this turn for the worse. We’ll be down again in December and only hope that other great places won’t feel the hammer. If possible, will Janet and Joe be posting any new resturant venture they might decide upon in the Chicago area. Living in Kansas City we make regular trips to Chicago and would love to see them again, and sample their “Island” fares.
Please keep us posted.
Phil & Kathy Chaney

]]> by: Liz & Sean , Boston, MA http://www.on-stjohn.com/2007/08/02/panini-beach-says-arrivederci/#comment-2579 Mon, 20 Aug 2007 22:24:58 +0000 http://www.on-stjohn.com/2007/08/02/panini-beach-says-arrivederci/#comment-2579 Janet and Joe, We met you nine years ago on our honeymoon and from then on whenever we were on the island we were regulars at the bar. We always had the best intentions of going elsewhere for dinner but that never would happen. You and your staff were always so welcoming and gracious. Best of luck returning to Chicago. Liz and Sean Cochrane Boston, MA Janet and Joe,

We met you nine years ago on our honeymoon and from then on whenever we were on the island we were regulars at the bar. We always had the best intentions of going elsewhere for dinner but that never would happen. You and your staff were always so welcoming and gracious. Best of luck returning to Chicago.

Liz and Sean Cochrane
Boston, MA

]]> by: Bruce & Romelle http://www.on-stjohn.com/2007/08/02/panini-beach-says-arrivederci/#comment-2506 Tue, 14 Aug 2007 19:59:02 +0000 http://www.on-stjohn.com/2007/08/02/panini-beach-says-arrivederci/#comment-2506 My wife and I still remember our time at Panini Beach more than 8 years ago. We were talking with Joe, as he had come out to wander around the restaurant and meet all the guests, and we struck up a conversation, which went something like this: Where are you from? The Chicago Area. WHERE in Chicago? Oh, up North, near the Wisconsin Border? WHERE up there? Oh, a little town you've probably never heard of near Fox Lake. WHERE near Fox Lake? Oh, on Long Lake. Our other house is only a mile or so away!!! We really enjoyed meeting Janet and Joe, went back a few years later. The INSISTED on buying us dinner! Since then, Joe has been out sailing with us a couple times in Chicago, and we hope they'll come out as a couple with us when they get back to Chicago. Yep, it will sure be a loss for St. John! We wish them well on their next adventure. Bruce & Romelle Whitmore My wife and I still remember our time at Panini Beach more than 8 years ago. We were talking with Joe, as he had come out to wander around the restaurant and meet all the guests, and we struck up a conversation, which went something like this:

Where are you from?
The Chicago Area.
WHERE in Chicago?
Oh, up North, near the Wisconsin Border?
WHERE up there?
Oh, a little town you’ve probably never heard of near Fox Lake.
WHERE near Fox Lake?
Oh, on Long Lake.
Our other house is only a mile or so away!!!

We really enjoyed meeting Janet and Joe, went back a few years later. The INSISTED on buying us dinner! Since then, Joe has been out sailing with us a couple times in Chicago, and we hope they’ll come out as a couple with us when they get back to Chicago.

Yep, it will sure be a loss for St. John!

We wish them well on their next adventure.

Bruce & Romelle Whitmore

]]> by: Ruth http://www.on-stjohn.com/2007/08/02/panini-beach-says-arrivederci/#comment-2434 Wed, 08 Aug 2007 23:52:51 +0000 http://www.on-stjohn.com/2007/08/02/panini-beach-says-arrivederci/#comment-2434 Hi Elizabeth! Glad to hear you're doing well. We're still here! -Ruth Hi Elizabeth! Glad to hear you’re doing well. We’re still here!
-Ruth

]]> by: Elizabeth http://www.on-stjohn.com/2007/08/02/panini-beach-says-arrivederci/#comment-2423 Wed, 08 Aug 2007 02:00:39 +0000 http://www.on-stjohn.com/2007/08/02/panini-beach-says-arrivederci/#comment-2423 I am just heartbroken that the Panini is closing. I worked for Janet and Joe in 2002-2003 as a waitress. They were so kind to me, treating me like I was family. I was alone and in St. John to "find myself" and they were an integral part of my experience. In a sea of crazy, strange, and irresponsible business owners, they really were a haven of normalcy. St. John will be the worse for losing them and for losing some of the best food that island has to offer. In addition to their generosity and kindness, Joe and Janet helped me through their thorough wine training and attention to detail in the restauarant. After leaving the island, I got an MBA and now work for a Winery, doing national restaurant marketing and wine training...I owe them more than I can say. I guess St. John has changed enough so that it no longer deserves these great people. Maybe they should head to the BVI? Panini Jost? xoxo, Janet and Joe. I hope I can come visit you in Chicago. Elizabeth S. I am just heartbroken that the Panini is closing. I worked for Janet and Joe in 2002-2003 as a waitress. They were so kind to me, treating me like I was family. I was alone and in St. John to “find myself” and they were an integral part of my experience. In a sea of crazy, strange, and irresponsible business owners, they really were a haven of normalcy. St. John will be the worse for losing them and for losing some of the best food that island has to offer.

In addition to their generosity and kindness, Joe and Janet helped me through their thorough wine training and attention to detail in the restauarant. After leaving the island, I got an MBA and now work for a Winery, doing national restaurant marketing and wine training…I owe them more than I can say.

I guess St. John has changed enough so that it no longer deserves these great people. Maybe they should head to the BVI? Panini Jost?

xoxo, Janet and Joe. I hope I can come visit you in Chicago.

Elizabeth S.

]]> by: Shevon http://www.on-stjohn.com/2007/08/02/panini-beach-says-arrivederci/#comment-2408 Tue, 07 Aug 2007 15:53:16 +0000 http://www.on-stjohn.com/2007/08/02/panini-beach-says-arrivederci/#comment-2408 Janet and Joe, I am so so sad to see the beach go! It will forever be my home away from home when i lived in the islands. You need to get me a number where i can contact you after you leave. I love and miss you both very much. tell my beautiful Peter i miss him as well! Alway in my heart! Janet and Joe,
I am so so sad to see the beach go! It will forever be my home away from home when i lived in the islands. You need to get me a number where i can contact you after you leave. I love and miss you both very much. tell my beautiful Peter i miss him as well!
Alway in my heart!

]]> by: Lynda & Stanley Goldstein http://www.on-stjohn.com/2007/08/02/panini-beach-says-arrivederci/#comment-2382 Mon, 06 Aug 2007 02:06:54 +0000 http://www.on-stjohn.com/2007/08/02/panini-beach-says-arrivederci/#comment-2382 Dear Joe & Janet we have been coming to ST. John for the past 20 years. Making friends with you both during our visits has many wonderful memories.We wish you both only the best. What is St. John and out visit going to be like without you. Please keep us posted on what your next plan is. Miss you already Lynda and Stanley Dear Joe & Janet
we have been coming to ST. John for the past 20 years.
Making friends with you both during our visits has many wonderful memories.We wish you both only the best.
What is St. John and out visit going to be like without you.
Please keep us posted on what your next plan is.
Miss you already
Lynda and Stanley

]]> by: christina http://www.on-stjohn.com/2007/08/02/panini-beach-says-arrivederci/#comment-2355 Sat, 04 Aug 2007 00:02:45 +0000 http://www.on-stjohn.com/2007/08/02/panini-beach-says-arrivederci/#comment-2355 I will miss seeing Joe everyday asking me how my day is going.best of luck to Joe and Jsnet you will be missed in cruz bay. the hammer I will miss seeing Joe everyday asking me how my day is going.best of luck to Joe and Jsnet you will be missed in cruz bay.
the hammer

]]> by: liamsaunt http://www.on-stjohn.com/2007/08/02/panini-beach-says-arrivederci/#comment-2353 Fri, 03 Aug 2007 20:04:15 +0000 http://www.on-stjohn.com/2007/08/02/panini-beach-says-arrivederci/#comment-2353 This is so sad. I'll never forget the time we went to dinner there and reached the end of the meal only to find that we had left our wallets back at the villa! Janet was so nice about it! John raced back to the house and I sat up at the bar with Janet and the bartender, they gave me free drinks, and treated John too when he came back with the money! We made a point of going there at least once every trip after that. Good luck in your next endeavour, guys. You'll be missed. This is so sad. I’ll never forget the time we went to dinner there and reached the end of the meal only to find that we had left our wallets back at the villa! Janet was so nice about it! John raced back to the house and I sat up at the bar with Janet and the bartender, they gave me free drinks, and treated John too when he came back with the money! We made a point of going there at least once every trip after that.

Good luck in your next endeavour, guys. You’ll be missed.

]]> by: Chicago Steve http://www.on-stjohn.com/2007/08/02/panini-beach-says-arrivederci/#comment-2335 Fri, 03 Aug 2007 03:13:43 +0000 http://www.on-stjohn.com/2007/08/02/panini-beach-says-arrivederci/#comment-2335 We also had a great evening at Panini. The food was excellent, but it was talking with the owner, Joe, that really made it memorable. Sorry to hear they'll be leaving. Best wishes Joe and Janet! PS - we also met the owners of Rhumblines on a different trip. Our 5-year old twins met their 6-year old daughter at Maho Beach. We ended up having lunch with them at Skinny's, and a few days later had dinner at Rhumblines. It's a fun place run by really nice people. We also had a great evening at Panini. The food was excellent, but it was talking with the owner, Joe, that really made it memorable. Sorry to hear they’ll be leaving. Best wishes Joe and Janet!

PS - we also met the owners of Rhumblines on a different trip. Our 5-year old twins met their 6-year old daughter at Maho Beach. We ended up having lunch with them at Skinny’s, and a few days later had dinner at Rhumblines. It’s a fun place run by really nice people.

]]> by: Ruth http://www.on-stjohn.com/2007/08/02/panini-beach-says-arrivederci/#comment-2333 Thu, 02 Aug 2007 23:53:55 +0000 http://www.on-stjohn.com/2007/08/02/panini-beach-says-arrivederci/#comment-2333 This is such a loss for the neighborhood. Panini Beach is A Class Act. Joe and Janet put their hearts and souls into Panini Beach. They have a great product and they are great people. I will really miss them as business neighbors and as friends. Joe and Janet, in case you read this, my favorite memories are Karaoke, Grenada and singing Christmas Carols at Olive'r Twist. I can't believe Dave D'Alberto didn't throw us all out that night.(Any readers who happened to be there that night have probably been wondering the same thing for years.) I still think we sounded great, though. Look out any window. It's beautiful here and Joe and Janet will be missed. -Ruth St. John Spice and St. John Kids Dockside Mall, St. John This is such a loss for the neighborhood. Panini Beach is A Class Act.

Joe and Janet put their hearts and souls into Panini Beach. They have a great product and they are great people. I will really miss them as business neighbors and as friends.

Joe and Janet, in case you read this, my favorite memories are Karaoke, Grenada and singing Christmas Carols at Olive’r Twist. I can’t believe Dave D’Alberto didn’t throw us all out that night.(Any readers who happened to be there that night have probably been wondering the same thing for years.) I still think we sounded great, though.

Look out any window. It’s beautiful here and Joe and Janet will be missed.

-Ruth
St. John Spice and St. John Kids
Dockside Mall, St. John

]]> by: Lynn http://www.on-stjohn.com/2007/08/02/panini-beach-says-arrivederci/#comment-2330 Thu, 02 Aug 2007 15:42:14 +0000 http://www.on-stjohn.com/2007/08/02/panini-beach-says-arrivederci/#comment-2330 Sad news! We need some cheery news....how about a Wade the Shark update? Sad news!

We need some cheery news….how about a Wade the Shark update?

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