By Daniella De Windt
In search of SXM’s hottest dessert
Fellow dessert lovers, unite! Calling everyone with a sweet tooth to this takeout edition of our island-wide hunt for St. Maarten’s best dessert!
It is safe to say that most people have probably had their fair share of stress this last week due to the pandemic. But stressed spelled backwards is desserts – and Sugar and Spice has got you covered during these uncertain times with a special takeout edition. I mean, if there ever was a time for comfort food, it would surely be now. Thankfully, Pineapple Pete, Wasabi Charlie, and many other restaurants are still open for takeout and delivery.
Local favourite Pineapple Pete and their partners from Wasabi Charlie offer both full food and drink menus to go – so you can still enjoy their famous lobster thermidor, BBQ, sushi, cocktails and desserts from the comfort of your own home. According to general manager Jean-Paul Bergervoet, “You can get anything we usually sell as takeout – from main dishes, to desserts, to bottles of wine, to BBC’s.” Just place your order by calling them or sending a WhatsApp message. They will ask you to identify your car and bring it to your window so you do not even have to leave your vehicle.
Of course, the Sugar and Spice team had to take this opportunity to get some desserts to go, for an otherwise boring and rainy Saturday afternoon – and the service and the sweet treats sure put a smile on our faces! We tried their long-time favourite dark rum crème brûlée and their popular homemade tiramisu to report back to all the other stressed dessert-lovers out there.
First up was the dark rum crème brûlée – said to be the most popular treat on Pineapple Pete’s dessert menu. According to Jean-Paul it is a definitive must-have for regulars, as the well-loved recipe has been on the menu for over 15 years. And who can blame them? A crackly sugar top infused with dark plantation rum – sounds like a keeper to me.
And it tasted like a keeper too! The crackling top contrasts beautifully with the soft custard and the sweet, creamy base is balanced by the smokiness of the dark rum. The end result is a not-too-sweet crispy yet creamy dessert – perfect for those otherwise bleak days.
Then their homemade tiramisu is said to be as good as any Italian restaurant’s. It is a traditional recipe, but Pineapple Pete’s version might be a bit higher than you are used to as it has three layers of ladyfingers – making the dessert firm yet light. This item has also been on the menu for a long time – 13 years of sweet surrender.
According to my test team, the tiramisu is perfectly balanced. The right amount of cinnamon; the delicate espresso taste; the fluffy ladyfingers; airy cream; and the hint of cocoa and chocolate sauce. The taste is not too sweet and the texture is soft without being soggy – it all just seems to melt in your mouth. The best part of it all? We were able to enjoy some sweet comfort while staying safe and practicing social distance.
We could just order ahead and enjoy something scrumptious in the comfort of our own home without even having to leave the car. Pineapple Pete’s delicious desserts demonstrate how we can help ourselves while also helping our favourite restaurants. By ordering takeout, we can try to save our economy one dish at a time. Stay safe and sweet out there!
As of last Monday, Pineapple Pete is open from Monday to Saturday 11:00am till 6:00pm. Order by calling +1 (721) 544-6030 or send a WhatsApp message to 554-5341. For wasabi Charlie, call +1 (721) 544-2323. Visit Facebook for more information and a look at both menus.
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.
