In search of SXM’s hottest dessert
Fellow dessert lovers, unite! Calling everyone with a sweet tooth to the third edition of our island-wide hunt for St. Maarten’s best dessert!
This week’s dessert quest overlaps with the general theme of the Out N About of rediscovering the beautiful capital of St. Maarten as we sampled some artistic, sweet treats at Holland House in Philipsburg. With its sweeping sea views, prime boardwalk location, ample safe parking, fresh ingredients, and fantastic chef – Wendell Laurence, it is no wonder the fine restaurant is a hotspot where both visitors and locals meet for great food, delicious drinks and good company.
So it was with much anticipation that two dessert-loving ladies set out one sunny Friday afternoon to sample some sweet stuff. And in the midst of the otherwise quite deserted town (no cruise ships!), Holland House was rather lively at 3:30pm with many people enjoying a meal and a drink or two in the restaurant’s serene atmosphere.
The first dessert was the Lemon Pie – one of the restaurant’s classics. It was easy to understand why this treat is such a popular one. The chewy lemon meringue pie is served with a tangy lemon, basil, and mint sorbet, sweet caramelised white chocolate crumble, and a fresh blueberry coolie. According to Chef Wendell, it is a traditional dessert with a personal gourmet twist – the basil sorbet cleanses the palate while the plating of the mini pies makes the dessert fun.
Wendell is clearly an artist – the eyes always eat first and the presentation of the lemon pie alone left us both in awe. Almost too pretty to eat, but boy were we happy we did! While there was a lot going on, the textures and tastes were perfectly balanced. The pie’s crumbly base contrasts with the gooey meringue, whereas the crunchy white chocolate crumbles meet the soft sorbet and the juicy blueberries. Then for the taste, imagine the sublime combination of tangy lemon, sweet slightly smoky caramelised white chocolate and fresh basil and mint, while starfruit and blueberries add a bit of tart to the masterpiece. All in all, a great work of art that works on many different levels.
Naturally, the Out N About ladies were ready for more deliciousness after we basically licked the plate clean. Thankfully, Wendell still had some tricks up his sleeves and we were lucky enough to try the White Chocolate Dome. This decadent showstopper made its first appearance on Holland House’s dessert stage for Valentine’s Day and was so successful it will become a permanent treat on the new menu. You might be lucky enough to try it for yourself before the new menu comes out – just ask and the helpful staff will try to accommodate its guests. But for now, Sugar and Spice will give you a sneak peek.
Again, dessert is taken to an artistic level at Holland House. The white chocolate dome offers dessert and a show as the hot chocolate sauce melts the dome before your very eyes to reveal the luscious content of strawberry shortcakes and macarons, chocolate bonbons, hazelnut and chocolate ice cream, crispy brown sugar caramel, and sliced strawberries. Made with 55% dark chocolate and heavy cream, the semisweet chocolate sauce thus balances out the sweet white chocolate. The crunchy macarons meet the soft shortcake; the rich bonbons and the fresh strawberries; the cold ice cream and the hot chocolate – just wow!
Of course, the Sugar and Spice team believes desserts to be a form of art. And we found clear proof of that at Holland House. Not only did the desserts taste amazing, they looked and felt every part the sweet masterpiece. So, whether it is finally cheat day, you want to get your creative juices flowing by venturing into the artsy side of sweets, or you want to impress your partner, Holland House desserts are the perfect match. One thing is for sure! Clau and I agreed we would choose these beautiful sweet treats over flowers any day, so take note!
Holland House is open daily from 7:00am until 11:00am for breakfast, from noon to 4:00pm for lunch, and from 6:00 until 10:00pm for dinner. Call +1 (721) 542-2572 or check out www.hhbh.com for reservations or more information.
Does your restaurant’s dessert deserve a spot in our search for sweet treats? Send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and let us know.
