Background: Asolare is located on top of Caneel Hill and overlooks Cruz Bay. It was originally a single family house that hosted some of the most famous St John residences - including Laurence Rockefeller. In 1994 Winston Bennett converted the home into the restaurant it is today. Asolare is considered by the locals to be one of the top two or three restaurants on the island.
Order This: The menu at Asolare is self proclaimed "Asian Fusion." I think it's more American with a kiss of asian and Caribbean flares. Yes they have spring rolls, gyoza, curry, and Japanese pancakes, but most of their dishes are classic American with subtle hints of Asian and Caribbean influences.
Take for instance our favorite appetizer of the night, the Japanese pancake. This pancake tasted more like a sweet american flapjack then a classic scallionpancake (#muffinsofchina), but it was filled with shrimp, calamari, pork belly, and other delicious random sea meats. It was also topped with a spicy chipotle sauce and mixed greens.
They had a special appetizer of the night, which was homemade barrata with local honey that comes from one of the chef's own honey colonies he has on his roof (#beecity). The barrata was excellent and not runny on the inside, which is the way scallionpancake thinks barrata should be made. Paired with the honey and delicious bread, this was one of the best dishes we had.
For entrees they have a variety of fish and meat dishes, including Shanghai Smoked Duck Confit Legs, Caribbean Conch Layered Mahi, and a Japanese Sous-Vide Filet. All of them were very good but none of them were "i'll remember this for the rest of my life or even next week" type of dishes.
Dessert: This is where Asolare is pure gold. We tried two of their desserts: a lavender creme brûlée and a chocolate peacan pie. Our favorite was the lavender creme brûlée, which was had the classic creme brûlée texture and taste with a subtle hint of lavender.
Drink: Asolare has an excellent bar just off the main dinning room with seasonal cocktails both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. They also make some of their own bitters and syrups here and are known for one of the best collections of liquor on the island.
Island Rockefeller Hospitality: One of the main attractions of Asolare is the view - probably the best dinner view on St John (see: Wayney's view above). Note that in order to get a prime sunset spot you need to make a reservation a few days in advance. The service provided by the staff is the best on the island, with all the servers being extremely knowledgable of the menu, St. John, and the history of the restaurant.
Wayney's Notes: Don't mess with a good steak by adding crap that no one likes - a good steak is a good steak! If a place doesn't have fireball, then you should probably burn that place to the ground. Never agree to go on a hike with Jason's dad unless you have trained for 3 to 4 months. On St John, if it's 10am and you haven't had 2 shots of rum, a cigar, a nap, 2 shots of fireball, and a turkey sandwich you aren't living your life right. (Wayne - aka Wayney - is Yvonne's dad).
Rating: 4 out of 5
Et Cetera:
6A Estate Caneel Bay
St John, Virgin Islands 00830
Dinner 6PM - Until