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Lovango Resort & Beach Club is Holding Inaugural Food Festival This Week

Jenn Manes April 30, 2023 0 Comments

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.

Click here to view the event’s menu.

Wednesday, May 3rd

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.

Tickets are available for the Beach Club on Wednesday. I have spent several days at the Beach Club over the years, and I have always had a wonderful time. (Click here to read a previous Explore STJ post about Lovango’s Beach Club.)

Thursday, May 4th

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.

Click here to view the event’s menu.

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.

Downtown Sips Opens in Cruz Bay

Jenn Manes April 28, 2023 3 Comments

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.

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.

Follow Explore STJ on Social Media

–> www.facebook.com/explorestj

–> www.instagram.com/explorestj

Looking to take a St. John island tour?

Learn more here –> www.explorestj.com/tour Full & half days available. Rated “Excellent” on TripAdvisor.

St. John Charter Boat Lists For Sale

Jenn Manes April 27, 2023 1 Comment

Bonus Time at White Bay in Jost Van Dyke

Ok folks, I know many of you dream of this… Who wants to own a business in paradise? A a St. John charter boat just listed for sale, and I have all of the details.

Bonus Time Charters is looking for a new owner. The asking price: $295,000. Here are the details straight from its MLS listing:

Have you dreamed of owning a Charter Boat Business in the Caribbean? How about a beautiful 29-foot World Cat power cat. All the hard work is done, website, booking portal, payment portal, USCG certificate and BVI permit makes this is a perfect business to purchase, especially if you have ever considered being a boat captain! Bonus Time comes with a BVI certificate for up to 10 passengers, plus crew. Bring your friends and family out when they visit and/or continue to charter it for income. This is a perfect boat for the USVI and BVI trips. Escape the rat race and become an island local. You only live once. Enjoy the journey.

Bonus Time is listed with Seaglass Properties for $295,000.

Looking to purchase a business or real estate on St. John? Click here to check out a list of business, including St. John real estate companies.

Looking to take a St. John island tour?

Learn more here –> www.explorestj.com/tour Full & half days available. Rated “Excellent” on TripAdvisor.

Follow Explore STJ on Social Media

–> www.facebook.com/explorestj

–> www.instagram.com/explorestj

Helpful Things to Know About St. John

Jenn Manes April 25, 2023 2 Comments

Cruz Bay Tuesday morning. (I really wish they’d move these power lines.)

Hello everyone, and happy Tuesday. My parents and their high school friends are currently visiting, so I have been busy playing tour guide to them for the past week. Their friends have never been to the island, so I have been helping them with basic things like taxis, ferries, restaurants and the like. It got me thinking that there are so many helpful things to know about St. John, and most of them can be found right here on this website. So today, I am going to do a quick rundown of things to know when planning a St. John vacation.

How to Get Here & Getting Home

Looking for information about our airport and the logistics of traveling to and from St. John? You can find all of the information at www.explorestj.com/gettinghere. This post includes information on the people ferries and car barges too, including schedules.

Everyone hates leaving, but it’s a reality for nearly everyone. Leaving the airport is a four-step process for those of you who opt to check bags. We have a post that walks you through the process when you leave, including Customs, Pre-Check and more. You can find that information at www.explorestj.com/2023/01/30/going-home-navigating-the-st-thomas-airport.

Want to know about the food and drink situation at the airport? We’ve got you covered. You can find details on this at www.explorestj.com/2022/11/03/airport-food-st-thomas-airport. (There have been one or two new spots that have popped up since that was originally posted in November.)

The Taxis

The majority of our taxis are open air safari trucks like seen in this picture.

The taxis follow a fee schedule, which is set by the Taxi Commission. Taxis are cash only, so please bring small bills if you plan on using the taxis. There are always taxis waiting at the main ferry dock in Cruz Bay. There are also taxis regularly parked at the Westin Resort for their guests. You can find the most current taxi rates at www.explorestj.com/taxi-rates.

Looking for a private taxi driver? You can find a list of names at www.explorestj.com/taxis.

Where are the Restaurants Located

Want to know exactly where each restaurant is located? You can see them all on our searchable restaurant map. That can be found at www.explorestj.com/restaurantmap.

Where are the Grocery Stores, Gas Stations, Pharmacy, Public Restrooms & More

Sometimes we need to know the simple things when on vacation. Our Logistics Map is also searchable. It includes the following information:

Grocery Stores & Markets
Gas Stations
Pharmacy
Free Parking
Paid Parking
Ferry & Barge Locations
Dumpsters

You can find this information at www.explorestj.com/logisticsmap.

What are Some of the Best Hiking Trails

St. John has more than 20 miles of hiking trails. I’ve posted about some of my favorites ones. You can find that information, including directions, pictures and videos at www.explorestj.com/hiking.

What Do Some of the Beaches Look Like

Admittedly, I need to add more information to the page. But if you’d like to see some of our beaches here on St. John, please check out www.explorestj.com/beaches.

What’s the Latest on the Sargassum

I know that the media has been talking a lot about the sargassum seaweed that’s out in the Atlantic Ocean. We’re seeing some of that here, but it’s not enough to ruin anyone’s vacation. You can read my weekly (and sometimes daily) updates on sargassum on St. John at www.explorestj.com/sargassum.

What are Some Helpful Items to Bring to St. John (or on any beach vacation)

I’ve compiled a list with the help of some of my readers. (Thank you all!) This list can be used for a vacation to St. John or any beach locale. You can find that list at www.explorestj.com/2023/01/27/helpful-items-to-bring-on-a-st-john-vacation.

What are Some Villas, Boat Charters, etc. that Explore STJ Recommends

You can find a complete list at www.explorestj.com/businesses.

Looking to take a St. John island tour?

Learn more here –> www.explorestj.com/tour Full & half days available. Rated “Excellent” on TripAdvisor.

Follow Explore STJ on Social Media

–> www.facebook.com/explorestj

–> www.instagram.com/explorestj

How About a Little St. John Update?

Jenn Manes April 24, 2023 6 Comments

Hello everyone, and happy Monday! It’s been a bit since I’ve posted an island update, so here we are!

Let’s start with the good news. Rates for the majority of our accommodations here on St. John recently dropped. How great is that?! Most vacation homes and condos drop their prices in mid-April, so it is now a little less expensive to stay on island.

Island Getaways, for example, lowered its rates between 20 and 30 percent for its “Summer Season” which continues through December 15th. Caribbean Villas also dropped its rates to “Off Season” prices, and that will continue through December 15th as well. Caribbean Villas also is also offering an additional 10 to 15 percent off its already-reduced off season rates for more than 20 properties. This additional discount applies to last-minute trips only. Villa Bonita is offering 20 percent off May 6th through 14th, and Mystical Mermaid is offering discounted rates through June 5th. Click here to get links to all of these businesses, plus others that are offering discounted rates.

Now on to the not-so-amazing news. That darn sargassum has started to affect some of St. John’s more popular beaches. But there is no need to worry, this should not continue. Normally our winds blow east to west, so the sargassum passes either north or south of us, and it doesn’t typically hit the more popular spots like Trunk Bay, Maho, etc. Well we had a strange westerly wind over the weekend, which blew the sargassum into some places where we normally do not see it. It came into Trunk, Francis and Salt Pond yesterday, for example. I updated this on my new Sargassum Weekly Update page. Check it out at www.explorestj.com/sargassum. But again, this is not expected to continue, so it is nothing to stress over.

Now back to the positive news. 🙂 The island is starting to green up again! We have had some rain showers here and there over the past few weeks. It’s not enough to ruin any vacations or beach days, but just enough to green up the island. I am seeing buds and new leaves all over the place. I even saw the first flamboyant flowers of the year bloom over in Chocolate Hole. In a few more days or perhaps a week, the whole island should be green again.

The rain seems to have passed too, and the rest of the week looks beautiful and sunny! Want to see for yourself? You can always check out my webcam page at www.explorestj.com/webcams.

And lastly, I have a few open spots this week for island tours. Whether you are a first-time visitor or a repeat guest, I promise I can show you something new. Together we can see beautiful sights and beaches, explore centuries-old plantations or maybe snorkel with a turtle or two. We can even stop at a tiki bar near the beach. Explore STJ is rated Excellent on TripAdvisor, and I am super proud of that. Please check out www.explorestj.com/tour or email me at jenn@explorestj.com for more info.

Have a great day everyone!

Explore STJ would like to introduce & thank our newest advertiser Island Getaways. Island Getaways has been creating unforgettable vacations here on island since 1996. They have beachfront and water view villas that range in size from two to six bedrooms.