Onika! (and oriental food fans)

Hey EE!

Thanks for the heads up.
This is truly exciting news. Despite the fact that AYH is SO FAR from me and that it will undoubtedly be grossly overpriced (given HB's current price structure), I will definitely give it a go when it opens. I didn't even know Cold Stone was gone. This island changes so fast...

BTW, just to tempt you, while in Seattle we went to a store there called Uwajimaya. It's like Costuless for Asian food products. My mom babysat for us to have a romantic evening...we spent the whole night in the store. It was AMAZING. I have enough Thai spices to open my own restaurant. Ah, gotta love the Pacific Rim.

And when are you cooking??? LOL

I agree about the prices of Havana Blue. I am worried because the Havana Blue-East End Cafe-Senor Pizza people seem to be getting a monopoly on restaurants around here. Also, the ad calls it a "hot, new upscale East End restaurant." Yuck, whatever happened to just a regular ole resataurant?

Wonder why Cold Stone didn't make it. It was already closed when I was there in August.

Does this mean I won't have the shuttle over to STJ for Pac Rim at Rhumblines? Interesting competition.

bluie: I am not one of those standing in the Rhumbline's cheering section. I was kind of hoping this new place would be a replacement for Azure's Thai night. The more I talk to people, the more I am afraid they want this to be Havana Blue East. I will give them a chance, but if they are too snippy, I will have a taxi drop me off at Buddha Bar and get take-out sushi!

Or else wait for Onika to fix Pad Thai.

In an Asian food store? Did they have a special section for romantics?lol Sorry, couldn't resist.

RL

Ok, Ok Ronnie...
We were supposed to eat out and enjoy an evening of jazz saxophone, we got waylaid in the Asian Food Store. For a foodie 10 grain sushi rice can be very romantic!

Just did a search on the new place, I am def going to check it out. Some places may be expensive but I dont have to eat there every night.
New to this site but friends told me about it.
I love HB, its nice to have a nice nice place to go out to once in a while. This island needs more competition and business minded people (how i wouldn't kill to see a 'Target' down here.)

I never had sushi at Buddha bar, it seems to be closed allot, but that is at night when I drive by sometimes.
I am glad to see a "hot new restaurant" there seem to be way to many plain ole restaurants. once in awhile I do a food truck, subway, shipwreck burger, tickles, etc etc etc, but choices are great, and it is nice to have a reason to get dressed up once in awhile.

On this island, any business is good business, its money back in the community.
lets not complain about good things and do things like clean up smith bay and coki beach area.

A little bird in the food biz told me that their grand opening (maybe to the trade?) is 12/2. So we shall see...

got an email today from them:

LOTUS Asian Grill & Sushi Bar Grand Opening Party Saturday Dec 9th - RSVP Required / Invitation Only

RL

Can I go as your date?? 😉

The menu for Lotus looks great. The main entrees from the Wok have 1/2 portions and full portions with prices ranging from $10 to $28 for their Sake Filet. Lots of eclectic items on their Sushi menu. Appetizers look good with a garlic chicken lettuce wrap. If that is anything like P.F. Changs it will be a winner.
Part I love is they are open for lunch and I like the idea of something more upscale in RedHook. We already have Molly Moloney, Duffys, Burrito Bay, Caribbean Salon, Sopchoppys, TX BBQ. So there is plenty of plan ole restaurants in Red Hook.
There is definitely a market segment that would like something nicer and with the expansion of the Ritz this guys will have their hands full if the food taste as good as the menu looks. I know I will be a regular.

Is it Japanese or is it just Asian influenced? At first I had been thinking Thai / Pac Rim. But, sushi and wok items are making me think more like Japanses.

They say the theme is somewhat like P.F. Changs in the states but their menu does not really resemble that of P.F. Changs.
The only thing Thai on the menu is a Thai marinated Cucumber Salad Chili Lime Grilled Shrimp Pad Thai and Thai Terra Tempura. The menu is diverse with Pan Asian Pizza, Lobster Pot stickers, Vietnamese Spring Rolls.
Looking at the Wok menu I will definitely be trying the Honey Shrimp, Kung Pao Scallops, Mandarin Beef and Sake Filet.
Before it is all said and done I am sure I will make it through their entire menu.

East Ender--I can forward you a copy of the invite that was sent to me by a kind soul from this board.
It requires that you log in to the site and "register" your RSVP. There are three seatings and a max of 450 people.
Sounds like a madhouse so we will not be attending. Did you go to Havana Blue's opening bash...insanity.

we are talking about STX right? My husband is half japanese adn this sounds like a cool place to go!! Any way I can get forwarded a reservation as well?!
xoxoxo,
Lindsay

Here is the website from the Island Trader ad this morning: http://www.lotusasiangrill.com/main.html?src=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.lotusasiangrill.com%2Findex2.html The menu looks tasty, but I am starving for some nice Pad Thai!!

Onika: No, I didn't go to Havana Blue's opening. I was hoping to go with Ronnie, because I know he won't have to park 2 miles away!! 😉 BTW the ad says they will have valet shuttle service from the parking lot behind Marina Market. I guess America has really arrived in the VI when we have valet parking...

Starmight: This is on the east end of St Thomas. I thought you all had a Thai place over on St Croix??

I am on STX right now and alas, the Thai restaurant hasn't been in existence for at least a year.

BTE, EE, you are always welcome to come over to my house for homemade Pad Thai!

Looked into the place last night. If they are ready to open next Saturday, it will be a miracle. Also, I will be interested in people's take on the putrid green color of the walls. I always thought pink was the color for dining...

East Ender I also looked in last night and agree it will be amazing if they make it by the 9th and it will be a miracle if they make it by wed. the 6th like the sign on the door says.

Has anyone been there yet? Did they have their grand opening?