For those of you who need an extra smile or a laugh every day, I strongly encourage you to follow The Upstairs on Facebook. The sandwich board game has been on fire this week. I’ve been looking forward to their daily posts, and they have all cracked me up this week. Here are a few for those of you who have missed them:
(Karaoke actually starts at 8 p.m. when they have it.)The island has been slow… let’s help them out!Not sure if this is an invite or a warning…#facts
The signs are the work of Andy Peter. I wrote about Andy earlier this year before he flew to Turkey to help with earthquake relief efforts. Click here to read that story. Andy co-owns The Upstairs with Christie Register. The pair also co-owns The Windmill Bar with Ronnie Jones and family. They recently launched a new menu at The Upstairs. You should check it out.
You can check out their Facebook profile by clicking this link. And if you’re not on Facebook, feel free to send me an email at jenn@explorestj.com and I will send you a screenshot. 🙂
That’s it for today, folks. Have a great day!
Looking to take a St. John island tour?
Learn more here –> www.explorestj.com/tourFull & half days available. Rated “Excellent” on TripAdvisor.
Little St. James is located off of St. John’s southwest shore.
Well folks, I didn’t see this one coming.
Forbes magazine was the first to announce yesterday that Little St. James and Great St. James – two islands owned by Jeffrey Epstein – have sold to Peter Bay resident Stephen Deckoff for $60 million. Mr. Deckoff plans to develop a 25-room luxury resort on the island.
Mr. Deckoff is the founder of Black Diamond Capital Management. He has lived on St. John for over a decade and is one of the island’s most philanthropic residents. He told Forbes magazine that he had never met Epstein and that he had never been to either of the islands until they were listed for sale following Epstein’s death.
“I’ve been proud to call the U.S. Virgin Islands home for more than a decade and am tremendously pleased to be able to bring the area a world-class destination benefitting its natural grace and beauty,” Mr. Deckoff told Forbes. “I very much look forward to working with the U.S. Virgin Islands to make this dream a reality.”
Both Little St. James and Great St. James are located off of St. John’s southwest shore. They are located between St. John and St. Thomas. Epstein bought Little St. James for $8 million in 1998. He bought Great St. James, which remains largely undeveloped, for $22.5 million in 2016.
Epstein received generous tax benefits while operating his businesses in the Virgin Islands. His estate agreed to pay $105 million to the USVI after our attorney general sued the estate in 2020, claiming the government was duped into granting Epstein’s company tax benefits. That settlement grants the USVI government half the proceeds from the sale of the islands, which will be put into a trust to provide counseling and other services for victims of sexual abuse.
Want to see what the island looks like? Here’s a quick video I took near Little St. James back in December:
Looking to take a St. John island tour?
Learn more here –> www.explorestj.com/tourFull & half days available. Rated “Excellent” on TripAdvisor.
Mother’s Day is right around the corner, and there is a fabulous event planned for all the moms and their families. Whether you live on island or are visiting for vacation, all are welcome and invited to attend.
Coral Bay Catering and Chef Paulie are sponsoring a Mother’s Day brunch on Sunday, May 14th from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Coral Bay. The brunch will be hosted by Beverly Melius at Our Place, Coral Bay’s new community center and event space. Our Place is located near the Coral Bay triangle. If you are coming from Cruz Bay, it’s on your right just before the triangle. There is a sign marking the entrance.
The cost to attend is $65 per person, while children ages 12 and under eat free. The buffet will include an omelet station, biscuits and gravy, huevos rancheros, maple glazed salmon, eggs benedict, crab benedict, blueberry pancakes, homemade granola, and more. There will be a cash bar serving mimosas, bloody marys, adult iced coffee, and mocktails for the kids.
The family-friendly event will also feature face painting, arts and crafts, a massage station, and live music. A portion of the event’s proceeds will benefit KATS (the kids and the sea program) and the Dynamic Dancers.
Reservations are required as seating is limited. Reserve your spot by calling or texting 340-423-6611.
Hello everyone, and happy May 1st! Let’s start the month off right… with some super low airfare to St. John! The island is unusually quiet right now, so we would really love to see more of you travel to visit us. It’s a great time to book a trip as there aren’t many parking issues, it’s easy to get a seat in your favorite restaurant, our beaches are beautiful and mostly sargassum-free, and the island is green! Oh and even better, our villas and condos are offering discounted rates. Now that is enticing!
I spent some time this morning pulling up airfares from numerous airports around the country, and I found some great deals. How does less than $400 roundtrip sound? Great, I know! Well I found several of them! Check it out!
How I Found These Airfare Prices
I used Google Flights Explore function. Not familiar with Google Flights’ Explore function? It’s pretty simple to use. Go to google.com/flights. Then click the Explore button in the left sidebar on a laptop/computer. If you’re using a cell phone or iPad, the Explore button is in the top menu. For the airfare listed below, I chose a 1-week trip in the next 6 months. Scroll to the bottom for more helpful travel info.
Low Airfare Prices
Atlanta –You can fly as little as $272 roundtrip! The only caveat is that this price is for United, which means you will have a quick stop in Dulles. This price is for travel on October 30th, returning on November 8th. This means you can spend Halloween on the island, which is super fun! If you prefer to fly direct on Delta, the best price I can find is $589 roundtrip from September 17th through the 26th.
Atlanta
Boston – You can visit us during the quietest time of the year, just please buy travel insurance. You can fly for just $425 round trip with travel dates of August 26th through September 2nd. The flight is nonstop flying down, and there is a quick layover in Puerto Rico on the way home.
Boston
Chicago – Your best fare is happening soon! You can fly from May 18th through May 24th for just $410 roundtrip! The downside is that it’s on Spirit. But for that price, I can deal with Spirit for six hours of my life.
Cleveland – You can spend Memorial Day weekend with us for just $341 roundtrip! The travel dates are May 28th through June 6th, which is a great time to visit. The airline is Spirit, which isn’t amazing, but it’s a great price!
Cleveland
Dallas – If you can visit from May 18th through May 25, you can do so for only $373 roundtrip.
Dallas
Grand Rapids, Michigan – Your travel dates aren’t as ideal fo the best prices, so you, too, should buy travel insurance. But if you are willing to fly in mid-August, you can do so for only $578 roundtrip on American Airlines.
Grand Rapids
Hartford, Connecticut – Where are all of my home state friends? Well you can come and visit for under $400 roundtrip, which is a fantastic price from BDL! The cheapest travel dates are August 20th through August 29th, and the airline is United.
Hartford
Houston – You can come and visit us later this month! This price is just $453 roundtrip from May 28th through June 5th.
Houston
Indianapolis – Pack your bags because you can come and see us in two weeks! The roundtrip price for travel May 15th through may 24th is just $411 roundtrip!
Indianapolis
Miami/Ft. Lauderdale – It’s always less expensive if you are willing to fly out of Ft. Lauderdale. You can fly later this month for just $237 roundtrip. Book those flights!
Miami/Ft. Lauderdale
Minneapolis – You can also travel for under $400 roundtrip. The best prices for you are in August, so prepare for warm waters and fewer crowds!
Minneapolis
New York – This is consistently one of the least expensive markets to fly out of. You can fly out of Newark for just $311 roundtrip. If you prefer JFK, the price is only $364. The cheapest travel dates are in September.
New York/New Jersey
Philadelphia – You, too, can pack your bags! The good news is that the cheapest flights for you ar happening this month. The bad news is that these are some of the highest airfares I found today. Your trip will cost you $661 roundtrip.
Philadelphia
Raleigh-Durham – I have been hearing horror stories about airfare prices coming out of your area. I am excited to tell you that I found low prices for you! If you are able to travel at the end of October, you can do so for only $364 roundtrip on United. What a great price!
Raleigh
So as you can see, prices continue to trend lower. Such great news! I hope some of you can take advantage of these lower prices and visit St. John this year.
The Lovango Resort + Beach Club is holding an amazing culinary event this week, and you’re all invited to attend.
Taste of Lovango is a three-day food festival that will feature a delicious assortment of culinary pop-up experiences, including exclusive meals curated by world-renowned chefs, creative cocktails from local partners, and a fun schedule of daytime and nighttime activities. Taste of Lovango is being held from Tuesday, May 2 through Thursday, May 4.
“The goal is to have something fun for the community to look forward to,” Matt Snider, Lovango’s director of operations, told me recently. “We really wanted to have a fun culinary event and to make it special.”
Tuesday, May 2nd
The three-day event kicks off Tuesday when the Beach Club opens at 10 a.m. The regular Beach Club menu will be served this week, along with a special daily item prepared by a guest chef including Tiffani Faison of Top Chef, Sam Choy and Adrienne Calvo.
The nighttime event kicks off at 6 p.m. with the Mutiny Island Vodka Opening Party. The cost is $150 per person. That includes roundtrip ferry transportation, dinner and a special curated cocktail menu. Check out the party’s official description:
Come celebrate with us at a delightful cocktail reception, hosted by our esteemed friend and partner, Todd Manley, who is the proud owner of Mutiny Island Vodka and is the exclusive distiller of our very own Little Gem Spirits. Both are distilled from the breadfruit tree on the stunning island of St. Croix, making for a truly unique and remarkable cocktail experience.
Savor the flavors of the Caribbean and the US Virgin Islands through a mouth-watering selection of passed hors d’oeuvres, small plates, homemade charcuterie, cheese boards, and a tantalizing raw bar.
End the evening with an array of handcrafted ice cream and desserts, all carefully made using the freshest locally sourced ingredients. It’s an epicurean adventure not to be missed.
The Beach Club will feature another chef’s special on Wednesday, as well as a Lulee and Golden Hour pop-up shopping event from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. There is a signature dinner happening at night that features wine pairings provided by Island Hope Wines, however, that event is sold out.
The food festival continues Thursday with the Beach Club and pop-up shopping event. The event culminates on Thursday night with a dinner that will support Friends of Virgin Islands National Park.
Relax and unwind in the picturesque waterfront beach club, bathed in the warm and inviting glow of twinkling lights. Delight in the exceptional appetizers and light bites, meticulously crafted by our talented chefs, while indulging in signature cocktails that feature the unique flavors of breadfruit spirits distilled by Mutiny Island Vodka, hailing from our sister island of St. Croix. Alternatively, savor carefully curated wines and locally crafted beer, expertly paired to enhance each dish. As the evening progresses, partake in a family-style dinner and intimate gathering with our esteemed guest chefs, who will showcase their skills with lively, interactive chef stations. Be amazed as they expertly use fire, smoke, and precision techniques to create delectable island-inspired flavors and stunning presentations. Finish off the night with delectable homemade desserts and libations, soaking in the enchanting ambiance of the Caribbean.
Brian Arruda is the Founder & CEO of premier chef-placement agency Executive Chefs at Home. Prior to this, he traveled the country working for acclaimed chefs including José Andrés, Thomas Keller and Daniel Boulud, working his way from prep cook to Executive Chef.
James Beard Rising Star semifinalist Robbie Felice is the co-founder and chef-partner of the exclusive pop-up pastaRAMEN, as well as Viaggio Ristorante and Osteria Crescendo in New Jersey.
Chef Belie’s culinary approach is rooted in using the freshest regional ingredients, as well as teaching and mentoring staff on the consistent production of high-quality food. Prior to joining Lovango as food & beverage director and executive chef, he has been executive chef at Noble House’s Little Palm Island Resort & Spa and Gateway Canyons Resort.
Interested in learning more about Taste of Lovango? Perhaps you’re looking to buy a ticket to one of these great dinners or the Beach Club? Please visit www.tasteoflovango.com to learn more.
The Lovango Resort + Beach Club will close for the season on July 20th. They plan to reopen in mid-December. For more information, please visit www.lovangovi.com.
A great new coffee and wine shop opened up in Cruz Bay this week, and I have to admit, I absolutely love it.
Downtown Sips is located across the street from The Longboard and below The Upstairs. It is an adorable little coffee shop that serves freshly baked pastries, cookies, and other treats too. They serve Hacienda San Pedro coffee, which is farmed in Puerto Rico. It is absolutely delicious. Downtown Sips will begin selling wines by the glass, bottles, and to-go sometime next week. At that time, they will offer cheese boards and other snacks too. Downtown Sips is owned by St. John residents Anadini Dañobeitia and Brent Squires.
This latte was delish!
Downtown sips shot – Condensed milk, a shot of espresso and Liquor 43
And while Downtown Sips is mostly a grab-and-go spot, there are a handful of seats if you’d like to sip on your latte inside the air conditioning, or, of course, if you’d like to stop in for a glass of wine. And regarding parking, the closest paid lot is Slim’s, which is right next to Tap & Still. You can always have someone drop you off. They can make the loop around Cruz Bay, past the ferry dock, and circle around to pick you back up. It’s worth that small hassle. I promise. Here are a few more pics:
Downtown Sips is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. They are closed on Mondays. Not certain where they are located? You can find their exact location, and the locations of all of our restaurants, on Explore STJ’s Restaurant Map at www.explorestj.com/restaurantmap.
