When you’re in search of a cool place with a calming environment, great food, wide beverage assortment and a friendly and professional team ready to serve you, head down to Rendez-Vous Lounge at Porto Cupecoy.
Owner Nathalie Schoenher said Rendez-Vous Lounge was created for everyone: children, adults, family and business clientele. She chose some vibrant colours as part of her décor so that children can feel comfortable and right at home. “It was very challenging to mix family and business together, but we did it,” Schoenher told Out N About.
The lounge opened in June 2010 as a much smaller operation. As the occupancy of Cupecoy Village grew, so did the restaurant and lounge. Currently, the establishment can accommodate 20 guests inside its cosy facility and between 72 and 80 guests in its open air terrace-style outdoor dining room. It offers free Wi-Fi access and an iPad bar and accepts all credit cards: Visa, Amex, MasterCard and Discover.
The name Rendez-Vous Lounge was chosen for specific reasons. Schoenher said it is not just a place where patrons can relax, but there is an actual lounge inside and a lounge on the terrace. Much effort went into ensuring that the lounge chairs are comfortable (arm chairs). “I chose the name Rendez-Vous because I wanted the restaurant to become the meeting point of Porto Cupecoy – the clubhouse of the village. I believe that over the years, our business has achieved this goal.”
Additionally, Lounge was chosen since this can also refer to a bar, and Schoenher said she wanted to be sure guests knew that the establishment was selling alcohol beverages. “When we first opened, our guests thought we were a gelato and pastry place. We had to break that image and we did a large campaign on our happy hours.”
Rendez-Vous Lounge offers treats all day long. It serves breakfast and fresh juices in the mornings, lunch and dinner with French and Italian cuisine and tea time with Gelato and pastries during the afternoon, or you can stop by for fresh lemonade and purchase some gourmet products from its boutique. Be sure to ask for its famous tuna tartar, garden burger, homemade pasta and thin crust pizza. Its strawberry waffles and cappuccino are said to be the best on the island.
The establishment does a lot of “to go" but only delivers inside Porto Cupecoy Village. Outside guests have to pick up their order, which usually takes about 15 to 30 minutes depending on the order and the occupancy.
“We offer an intimate yet informal atmosphere where you can dine comfortably with friends, family or colleague and always be sure you will enjoy good quality food,” Schoenher said.
“What makes Rendez-Vous Lounge different from others is that we remain constant with any event. We celebrate life with our guests through many parties: Halloween, October Feast, Thanksgiving, St. Patrick’s Day and holidays.”
The establishment caters to groups and private parties inside condos at the Porto Cupecoy Village and in yachts on the marina.
Schoenher used to work for famous French pastry chef Gaston Lenotre, who ran pastry and gourmet shops that also served lunch. “I always wanted to open the same kind of business, but I needed a luxurious environment. I thought I would have to leave St. Maarten one day in order to achieve this goal. But after 15 years working at La Samanna Hotel, Orient Express presented to its management team the drawing of Porto Cupecoy. The day I saw the plan of this beautiful Mediterranean village of 184 condominiums with a marina, private pool and fitness,
I knew that my dream was going to become a reality.”
Running Rendez-Vous Lounge is a special treat for Schoenher. “I am having fun every day. It is my hobby and our guests, like Rendez-Vous Lounge staff, can feel it. I do not have any agenda. Since 2010, I have had the same motivation from day 1: To do better for my guests, my staff and eventually for myself. Life goes fast unfortunately. We go from one dream to the next and next thing you know, you are at the end of the runway. Rendez-Vous Lounge is, for me, my pre-retirement. I have reached my destination.”
Open seven days a week from 8:00am to noon for breakfast; noon to 5:00pm for lunch; 5:00 to 10:00pm for dinner, with happy hour every day from 5:00 to 7:00pm, Rendez-Vous Lounge is the first restaurant on the right going to the Plaza. Homemade pizzas are served from noon to 10:00pm daily.
Drop by during the high season (Thanksgiving to Easter) for music every Tuesday and Friday from 6:30 to 9:30pm. During the low season, enjoy great music every Friday from 6:30 to 9:30pm. For special events, check Rendez Vouslounge on Facebook or visit Rdvlounge.com
Rendez-Vous Lounge will be closed for one week for renovations as of Monday, September, 17.
