News

The Caribbean’s Hottest New Restaurant

By: Caribbean Journal Staff - March 28, 2016 - 12:29 pm

By Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon
CJ Travel Editor

Christiansted, St. Croix, has no shortage of superb restaurants, and now a new foodie find is preparing to make its debut.

Within the next couple of weeks Crucian chef and culinary ambassador for the United States Virgin Islands Digby Stridiron will open balter (with a lower case b) on the corner of Company and Queen Cross Street. Stridiron and business partner sommelier Patrick Kralik have been working ‘round the clock to prep the space, which will be open for dinner and Sunday brunch, serving a menu of farm-to-table creative, contemporary Caribbean cuisine.

“With balter, we just want to turn out some really good food and have everyone enjoy it, “ Stridiron said.

The centuries-old building has undergone massive renovations, with interiors conceived by Twyla Wilson and brought to life by a crew of local metal smiths and carpenters, who handcrafted everything from the dining room’s sliding barn doors to mahogany serving platters. Ceramic serving ware was custom designed for balter by St John artist Donald Schnell and Sarah Hayes.

When we visited, the pair and their kitchen and service teams were still moving in, having received their permits and keys just the day before. A soft opening is imminent, and we’re crossing our fingers that they’ll be ready for the annual St Croix Food & Wine Experience, which kicks off on April 8.

But if you can’t wait until then (or if you just want to know what the heck “balter” means!) check out this CJ exclusive sneak peek.

Popular Posts antigua long bay

25 Perfect Caribbean Beaches to Add to Your Summer Bucket List

There’s nothing like a Caribbean beach in summer. The crowds thin out, the winds relax, and the islands start breathing in a different way. The beaches you thought you knew feel new again— stretches of sand once packed with winter […]


The 15 Best Hotels in Trinidad and Tobago, From Hidden Eco-Retreats to Luxury Towers

trinidad and tobago hotels where to stay

From Port of Spain to Tobago’s quiet coasts, these are the places to check in now No two Caribbean islands are quite like Trinidad and Tobago—and no two hotels here feel the same. This is a destination of contrast: Carnival […]


This Marriott All-Inclusive Resort Is Coming to Barbados —  And You Can Book It With Points

new brand for the caribbean

Barbados has long been a haven for adults in search of refinement — the kind of place where luxury and culture blend in quiet, confident harmony. Now, that ethos is becoming the foundation of a new resort concept that aims […]


Related Posts st barth caribbean rum awards

This Caribbean Island Is Hosting the World’s Most Luxurious Rum Festival

The Caribbean’s most luxurious rum festival is back — and it’s happening on one of the region’s most exclusive islands. Think of it as a kind of Cannes for Caribbean rum: a full-fledged St Barth Rum Week. The Caribbean Rum […]


The Cayman Islands Is Getting Two New Nonstop Flights from Canada

cayman canada flights

Seven Mile Beach. Camana Bay. Rum Point. Cayman Kai. The East End. The Bluff. The Cayman Islands is filled with memorable spots — and now it’s getting even easier to fly to the tri-island destination. Porter Airlines, the upscale Canadian carrier […]


Americans Are Flocking to These Five Caribbean Islands Right Now, From All-Inclusive Hotspots to Untouched Escapes

antigua beach caribbean islands americans

MIAMI — There’s a quiet shift happening in Caribbean travel — and it’s not all about the usual suspects. While some bigger-name islands continue to draw crowds, a new group of destinations is quietly capturing the imagination of American travelers. […]