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The Balcony, down for the count?
We’d much rather write about restaurants opening and let everybody else tell you about restaurants that have closed. But losing The Balcony would really stink. It looks like we have. Neighboring Waterfront Bistro – nice place, completely different owners – is using its noggin…posting a sign at The Balcony inviting you to come dine with them instead.
15 Responses to “The Balcony, down for the count?”Leave a Reply |
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January 25th, 2010 07:35
Unfortunately, that is the sign of the times. The economy is bad for everyone. Sad, but reality. Well, Happy Monday fron New Jersey – we are having a heat wave – 57 degrees rainy and windy – by Friday back to 29 degrees.
January 25th, 2010 08:03
Another sign of the times and related to the Balcony – from the Tradewinds:
“Estate Pastory resident Coby Cooper was arrested early Saturday morning, January 16, and charged with third-degree burglary for breaking into a storage area in Wharfside Village.
Cooper, 56, the former vice president of Integrated Assets Management Inc. — which used to own and run island restaurants Asolare, Chateau Bordeaux, Paradiso and Chole and Bernards — was reportedly working at the Balcony Restaurant in Wharfside Village most recently.”
January 25th, 2010 08:04
oh that’s too bad.
January 25th, 2010 09:17
Greetings from rainy, balmy NJ. I hate to see it close, spectacular sunsets, but I have to say that last year we were very disappointed in the menu and our dinner at the Balcony, whereas, the year before we enjoyed our dinner very much. Hopefully another eatery will open in the same location. You know what they say….Location, Location, Location.
January 25th, 2010 14:06
There is a NEW joint opening soon in Coral Bay!!! It will occupy the small building outfront of Cocolobo complex. Goodies to eat, I hear, as well as other cool stuff!!!!
January 25th, 2010 15:41
That’s a nice spot….I hope something else goes in soon.
January 25th, 2010 15:43
Too bad… that is a great venue!!
January 25th, 2010 17:18
I hate to see another restaurant close, but I really think most of them are way too pricey and maybe if they lowered their prices they could stay alive!!! Just sayin’
January 26th, 2010 19:35
I agree with Debra, that’s one of the reasons we bring our own food down, prices must come down, or portions should be fresher & larger.
January 26th, 2010 22:30
Pricing really IS a problem on St. John. The most successful places are the ones that are really low key (Skinny Legs, Woody’s, The Beach Bar, Uncle Joe’s etc.). Those places are right in line with the low key attitudes of most of St. John’s visitors – and they’re priced right. In ten years, (9 visits to St. John), my wife and I have eaten once at the Fish Trap, twice at the Lime Inn – and once at Pussers (remember that one?) and that’s about it for the more upscale fare. To save $$, we’ve learned to eat in a lot, like lots of folks. It also seems that St. John is just a bit beyond the saturation point as it pertains to the number of successful businesses that its economy can reasonably support. Add another restaurant, and it takes a percentage of business from the others – who may be barely surviving as it is.
January 27th, 2010 07:43
Looks like they are cleaning and fixing the place up to reopen under new owners. Too bad the former employees of the balcony are owed so much money that they will never see.
January 27th, 2010 10:16
I totally agree with Greg & Dale. Hubby and I were just saying how this year we are going to frequent the low key places(which we love) more often because in the past we have been disappointed with our one expensive night out.Beach Bar here we come, never had a bad meal or drink for that matter.
January 27th, 2010 14:32
Too bad, we enjoyed The Balcony on each of our trips to STJ. Good food, decent prices and killer painkillers! The service was always good. The servers always took a little extra time to chat with us. I hope they all find jobs at other establishments which could use some cheery employees.
January 27th, 2010 16:00
It is expensive to operate a restaraunt in St. John. Every item has to brought from St. Thomas and the States, landlords feel everyone wants to own one on the island and rents are like NYC without the concentratin of population, insurance, gas and WAPA are killer costs. Taxes on liquor are low so that is where you have to make your money. The economics are upside down from the states. You are not going to get a DUI in St. John, but you will in New Jersey.
January 28th, 2010 12:10
Try the food at the hospital cafe (myrah keating) sometime. The food prices must be subsidized becaus eyou can get a huge garden salad for 2 bucks, identical to a 9 buck salad anywhere else. Their chicken fingers are slammin and are only 3.75 with honey mustard sauce. Veggie burger with tomato and lettuce is 3 bucks and is excellent and served on a toasted bun. Huge ceasar salad is only 2.50. Big, juicy hambyrgers are only 4 bucks. Plus you don’t have to tip there.