Gonna be a beautiful Bistro

Wow, this is going to be some place. Work continues on the St. John Waterfront Bistro that is replacing the former Panini Beach. This is much more than a minor renovation. On-StJohn.com was, once again, granted unprecedented access to the worksite (we ducked under the yellow tape) and we’re impressed. In front of the redone existing kitchen is a brand new and open “watch them cook” kitchen. (No five second rule.) A new bar is being built, this time beachside. And the patio itself is completely new, and they saved the tree in the middle of the old patio. Lots of new island stonework and lots of beautiful mahogany woodwork. And a new restroom you don’t have to be a gymnast to get into (former Panini fans know what we’re talking about.)

At the end of the day a restaurant’s only as good as its food, but if what they put on the plate is as good as the kitchen it’s coming from it’s got great possibilities.

When does it open? We’ll take what we were told…and double it. So let’s guess sometime in February.

8 Responses to “Gonna be a beautiful Bistro”

  1. Lynn
    January 3rd, 2008 08:09
    1

    Oh, I so hope this is open in Feburuary when we get down there. Looks absolutely beautiful!

  2. Helen
    January 3rd, 2008 11:01
    2

    I like your investigative skills! The place looks great. I am confident that it may be open when we arrive in June.

  3. NancyB
    January 3rd, 2008 11:23
    3

    I arrive February 23rd so I hope it’s open then – looks great!

  4. buddy
    January 3rd, 2008 11:50
    4

    Feb ’08 or ’09…?

  5. Waterguy
    January 3rd, 2008 13:25
    5

    I hope it doesn’t have the same contractor that bongo bongo had or it might not be open when I get there in April

  6. quenton
    January 3rd, 2008 19:33
    6

    what a great looking place so far,
    i can’t wait to go there when we go
    back in 09.
    one question i asked a few times,
    since i have been to stj 4 times now
    when is the best time of the year to
    see stj, can you let me know.
    thanks.
    quenton

  7. jd
    January 6th, 2008 01:48
    7

    quenton- depends on how hot you like it- it’s hotter in the summer. The in season in the winter balloons the population- thus more traffic, waiting for services, etc. I like it any time of the year on St. John. It is a much slower pace of life when it is not the high season, though. You can’t go wrong as long as it is not raining… which it never does all day- just sporadic showers in the rainy season.

  8. denise
    February 24th, 2008 16:50
    8

    we went the first week of january…post hoilday amd before the real winter rush. weather was perfect 84 and low humidity…just glorious!

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