La Petite Auberge is a quaint little restaurant with a small bar, a festive décor of art works and handicrafts by local artists decorating the walls and the ceiling, and a charming ambiance set in an outdoor café style. It is located in the Marina Royale in Marigot where expensive sailboats and motor yachts sit at its doorstep. In fact, don't be surprised to see people arrive for dinner in a dinghy boat from their yacht. In the evening, tables with umbrellas are set up on the strolling promenade for dining under the stars.

La Petite Auberge offers an imaginative dinner menu with delightfully tasty French and Créole selections including three-course meals for $23 and daily "Blackboard" specials. Food presentation and quality is excellent; and, if you add a bottle of the reasonably priced Merlot or Sauvignon Blanc house wines, you will enjoy a wonderful meal. During the day, the lunch menu includes Special Light selections with sandwiches, salads (which can be shared by two people), omelets and creative quiches. But, my suggestion is that you save room for one of their ice cream sundaes, which are the best on the island especially the chocolate ice cream sundae with chocolate sauce, walnuts and whipped cream. It's not to be missed!

Françoise and Bruno Darricarrere make this adorable eatery a special place and have become friends with many of their customers. They will take your order, pour your wine, cook and serve your meal, and clean your table; they are also the proprietors. Françoise is the Chef and continues to provide the same quality dishes which will please your senses and your appetite. Prior to coming to the island, the couple owned and operated a restaurant called Le Clipper on the coast of Normandy, France; but, the siren's song of St. Martin sang to them about adventure, excitement, a warm climate, and a change of environment; so, they set sail for the Caribbean Sea; and, as they say, the rest is history. Normandy's loss, St. Martin's gain!

Now, for the last dozen years, they've managed La Petite Auberge with an assistant in the kitchen who helps Françoise in creating some wonderful dishes and a waitress who assists Bruno in managing the tables and the customers. During the Winter (High) Season, reservations are strongly suggested; and, it is best to call five days in advance to reserve the "round front table." La Petite Auberge is not only popular with Americans, Canadians and tourists from other countries, but is happily patronized by local French people. By the way, Bruno loves jazz; and, during lunch or dinner, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holliday or Louie "Satchmo" Armstrong may accompany your meal. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner from 11:30am until... It is closed on Sundays and for five weeks during September and October for annual vacation.