Nestled in Mont Vernon, near French Cul de Sac, you'll find a remarkable gem by the name of Sol é Luna restaurant. I had heard so many comments about the cuisine that I just had to check it out for myself. It is truly a beautiful place with a magnificent decor and an intimate setting. From the moment you walk up the stairs, you feel the tranquility of the bright Caribbean colors of the walls and curtains, fresh lilies on some of the cupboards and the well-manicured peach powdered floors. Just by looking around you will see the vast amount of detail that went into designing Sol é Luna.

You may choose to sit outside on the balcony facing the entrance, inside in the main restaurant, which is shared with the open kitchen, or on any of the terraces on the east side of the restaurant. With the cool November breeze blowing, the sight of the lush vegetation, bamboo trees, bougainvilleas and ferns, we chose the terrace to have our meal.

The menu featured some innovative French creations - Seafood, Meats, Pastas. After ordering a nice bottle of white Sancerre from the extensive wine list, it was time to carefully review our menu options. For starters my guests selected four items from the nine appetizer choices ~ Salad avocado, crabmeat, cucumber, and wasabi sauce ~ carpaccio de thon rouge façon "Thai" ~ Salade Mesclun au parmesan and Lobster bisque with puff pastry, which was very rich and creamy and quite tasty at 55fr.

As the soft music played in the background, we enjoyed every bite. Another bottle of Sancerre and it was time for the main course. One of my guests selected the Lamb shoulder, cooked for seven hours with cumin and rosemary served with saffroned vegetables. My choice was the sea scallops and jumbo shrimp with risotto and seaweed at 150fr. The shrimp were the biggest I have seen in a long time. My other guests chose filet mignon of beef with green pepper sauce at 160fr. (webmaster's note: see our food page for photos and more comments). The cuisine is highly imaginative and very well presented and complemented with efficient and friendly service.

With a gastronomic meal, it is only fitting to top it off with a thrilling dessert. Try the banana crunchy cake with chocolate mousse and caramelized fruit. I really wanted to taste this one, but before I could take a bite it was already spoken for ~ oh well, next time. What I did sample was the chocolate soufflé with homemade ice cream ~ a rich dark chocolate concoction that is heavy on the waist, but melts in your mouth.

As is customary in French restaurants in St Martin, we were offered an after dinner drink. Passion fruit, vanilla with ginger and plum liquer, all of these native to St Martin/St Maarten. You can't miss the huge jars in which these liquers are preserved as you walk through the main seating area. Sol é Luna has an unforgettable charm, breath-taking natural beauty and quality French cuisine served by a couple who met in Guadaloupe and opened their moderately-priced restaurant in Mont Vernon two years ago. Parking is available in the couryard and the surrounding area. I didn't see any celebrities on this breezy November evening, but the word is out that they oftern frequent my choice this week. For a romantic dinner, you can't resist Sol é Luna.

Christian and Brigette with their daughter, Charlotte, and Arthur

For another review, check out Ray Mann's SXM site.