Coming soon: Cactus Blue
Meet Nile and Courtney Wright, newlyweds from Texas who are getting ready to open St. John’s newest restaurant… tentatively named Cactus Blue.
The couple, married six months ago, leased the former Stone Terrace space and are preparing to serve what Nile describes as “eclectic Mexican.”
“It won’t be like a traditional Mexican restaurant. We are working on the menu now, which will be more upscale Mexican and that means being creative,” Nile says. “But we also know people are looking for value, and when plates arrive at the table we want our diners to say ‘That’s a lot of food.’”
The restaurant business is in Nile’s blood. His family owns Jacala, which calls itself San Antonio’s oldest family-owned Mexican restaurant, and Nile’s own successes include businesses in Austin.
“We’re also going to have some fun with the bar,” Courtney says. “We’ll do things like Mexican martinis that come with full shakers and really good margaritas. I haven’t found a really good margarita down here.”
The restaurant will seat as many diners as the old Stone Terrace did. They are working on some new entrance landscaping and currently plan to open sometime in early or mid-November. “There is no rush. We want to make sure everything is right,” says Nile.
These guys say they’re in listening mode right now. What would you like to see on the menu?
September 25th, 2009 07:00
Glad to know that the Stone Terrace is being transformed into a creative Mexican restaurant. But, do these kids realize that parking is a huge problem for patrons who have to drive there. Unlike Zozo’s. the Stone Terrace provodes no parking. Good luck to them!
September 25th, 2009 07:06
Ceviche!! Guacamole!! Different types of salsa to choose from!! Gracias~
September 25th, 2009 07:14
The phrase, “eclectic Mexican” scares me. In my opinion, there are too many so-called upscale restaurants in STJ. And, depending on who you listen to, many aren’t doing well financially. I think STJ would benefit from more mid-level places to eat, such as the Banana Deck. I hope that this new restaurant will fit into that category.
Pete
September 25th, 2009 07:30
Congrats to Nile and Courtney. It will be great to have the Stone Terrace location back in business. I’d love to see great fajitas and some salted-just-right corn chips. Good luck with Cactus Blue.
September 25th, 2009 07:55
Does CTC (comment above) realize that some of the most successful restaurants or bars on STJ do not provide parking???? Lime Inn, La Tapa, Cafe Roma…to name just a few. Congrats to Nile and Courtney. Sounds like a lot of great ideas.If you can offer great food at a reasonable price they will come.
September 25th, 2009 08:22
I don’t think parking is an issue, but paying for upscale Mexican is not sitting well with me, or some of the other people that I’ve talked to. Sounds absolutely delicious, but even more eclectic and GOOD Mexican isn’t generally priced very high. I’m worried that it might not be the right approach on an island that seems to be cutting back. I wish them all the luck though! It is a wonderful location and I hope they succeed. Ebb and flow with the clientele’s desires.
September 25th, 2009 08:34
Fantastic!
I had some of the best mexican ever at Mexican Radio in the City this summer. They had a burrito with shrimp in it that was
friggin awesome. Keep the prices reasonable and we will all be there.
I’d love to do a design for the new owners
if they need any help….
http://www.thejollydog.com
Jeff
September 25th, 2009 09:11
Here is hoping that by “eclectic Mexican” they don’t mean too wacky (or too pricy) but also intending to stretch the menu a bit away from usual Tex-Mex glop.
Maybe consider stuff like the underrated New Mexico style of southwestern cooking that includes things like Red chile, Green chile, and Roasted Pepper sauces; Tortilla Soup; slow roasted pork with chile or chipotle sauce; creative use of blue corn, tomatillos and black beans, etc. and sopaipillas (New Mexican flatbread).
Pull up menus from any top rated (and not necessarily expensive) restaurants in Sante Fe or Taos and you’ll see what I’m talking about. Good, simple, tasty stuff that when combined with local stuff could differentiate the menu with a wider but not too wacky southwestern influence.
Mmm…mahi with a green chile sauce anyone?
September 25th, 2009 09:20
Please open before our trip over new years! I promise at least one visit, but likely several (if the margaritas are good) as you are stumbling distance from Gallows.
September 25th, 2009 09:24
New marriage, new place to live, new restaurant- WHEW! I wish them all the best and much success!
September 25th, 2009 09:32
If they can keep the prices similar to Jacala, they will have a hit on their hands.
September 25th, 2009 09:53
With Niles restaurant background…..bring me a some good fajita’s, food with heat and chiles do that and a mucho margarita and I am happy
September 25th, 2009 10:13
My first thought is that I would much rather have a smaller plate of nicely seasoned, freshly prepared, delicious food than a huge overflowing plate of the usual stuff just for the sake of portion size.
Please have excellent guacamole and margaritas made with fresh lime juice. A seveche using the local mahi would be terrific too.
Congratulations on your marriage, and good luck with the restaurant. We will definitely stop in on our next visit to St. John.
September 25th, 2009 10:17
I love the idea of a great Mexican eatery ..
I would be in ecstasy if they could have a great hot salsa with great chips… I love hot salsa and would be glad to give them my recipe which I have had rave reviews from all who have tried it…
September 25th, 2009 11:02
I hope they serve my favorite – Shrimp Nachos!
September 25th, 2009 13:41
Must haves-
Chili rellenos and sopapillas!
September 25th, 2009 14:33
Finally Daisy said it!! Authentic Chili rellenos, like I had in a tiny place in Lubbock TX twenty years ago and never forgotten them – absolutely addictive. See you in December, I hope…
September 25th, 2009 14:56
St John has some of the best resources around for success!
A design by Jolly Jeff! Blind Betty’s hot sauces and a beautiful island. You can’t loose! Keep the Margaritas COLD and the salsa HOT.
Good Luck and enjoy!
September 25th, 2009 15:31
Cactus Blue is the name of one our favorite restaurants in Bonaire. Their menu is also “eclectic Mexican” and very good. I wish them luck on STJ and hope to try it out next time I’m on-island.
The Blue Coyote in Palm Springs, CA is also a very good Mexican restaurant. Their spicy roasted corn soup is the best corn soup I’ve ever eaten. I’d love to see that on the menu.
September 25th, 2009 17:44
Welcome to St. John, Niles and Courtney! I saw you in Wharfside today and I was going to introduce myself but Niles was on the phone.
I LOVE tamales. I read somewhere about tamales made with rice instead of cornmeal and plantain leaves instead of corn husks. Have you ever had that?
I wish you great success in you new venture.
- Ruth
September 25th, 2009 20:10
Good luck with your new marriage and restaurant.
We’ll be sure to check it out in mid-November.
September 25th, 2009 21:44
Wow… I’ve been to San Antonio and they know good Mexican food there! Eclectic Mexican sounds perfect– not the usual stuff, but creative, authentic Mexican food inspired by the new surroundings? I’d recommend looking into local Caribbean dishes and bringing some of that into the mix. I think there’s lot of compatibility there. Good luck and we’ll stop in on our next visit.
September 26th, 2009 05:47
Good luck guys, two bits of advice:
1) follow Ruth’s suggestion for tamales and you’ll have atleast two loyal customers straight away
2) don’t let the haters get you down. adventures should be adventurous.
September 26th, 2009 09:37
Congratulations on your marriage and welcome to St John – can’t wait to try your food
Pia
September 26th, 2009 09:55
Gongrats on your new life togeather! Wishing you much success with Cactus Blue ! will look forward to stopping by next May !
September 26th, 2009 09:56
Congrats on your new life togeather ! Looking forward to stopping by at Cactus Blue ! wishing you much success !
September 27th, 2009 03:08
Hey, if you are from SA, then you already know great Tex-Mex! Transfer the familia’s menu and recipes, keep it reasonable, and it will be a hit! Look up Kiko’s in CC for their enchiladas, they are the best I have ever had! Good luck in all your new endevours, looking forward to some kickin’ Tex-Mex while on STJ!!! Much needed, and much appreciated, it is really the one food I miss when I am there!
September 27th, 2009 09:15
Patron!
Under $8?
I’m waiting on the steps.
September 27th, 2009 11:41
I second the ceviche, red and green chili sauces, and please have some awesome fish tacos (don’t use mahi mahi!).
September 27th, 2009 12:19
Very excited for your new venture—such a beautiful location. Lots of great ideas here already—margaritas with fresh lime juice, homemade salsa, guacamole, tamales, fish tacos. And maybe a puffy taco straight from SA. See you in January!
September 27th, 2009 20:10
Being from SA, you know your Mexican- in your research, look up Mi Cocina and Taco Diner in Dallas- both delicious, packed all the time and some of the best margaritas on the planet (famous for their “Mambo Taxi”- a frozen with a sangria swirl- sttttrrronnnng). FRESH lime juice for the margaritas- makes all the difference in the world. Looking forward to some great Mexican and margaritas on our next trip in February (may have to wait until after the race, though)! Congratulations and best of luck from a fellow Texan who really wants to live down there instead.
September 29th, 2009 18:32
Nile and Courtney,
First and foremost, congratulations on your marriage. A new beginning – and an adventure.
We’re from N. TX – Debs a graduate of UTSA so we “get it”. Have fun with the new home and calling! Based on your backgrounds here is a thought. Be true to what you believe, and have experienced in your lives in the way of a great “Mexican food experience” till now – ie. La Jacala, La Fogata, and Mi Tierra plus! (Non Chain por favor!). By the way non chain does not mean not good value
We’ll be on the island next week and back again in July, con la familia. See you then and good luck (Muy buena suerte).
My Don Julio 1942 is calling.
All the best,
Rick and Deb
October 3rd, 2009 15:26
Please don’t forget the vegetarians! I love a good Mexican restaurant because I can almost always find some delicious items that work for me. Looking forward to seeing what you’ll have in store for me! Yum!
October 7th, 2009 06:36
More on this from Tradewinds:
http://www.stjohntradewindsnews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3073:cactus-blue-will-offer-authentic-mexican-fare&catid=540:october-2009&Itemid=38