Italian Foodies Invade Christiansted!

M.A. Dworkin

Three great new, innovative eating and drinking establishments have landed in downtown Christiansted. Two of them at the historic Club Comanche Hotel on Strand Street - 1756 Grotto and Ciba Matta - the other - St. Croix Cellars - a block away on Queen Cross. 

Leave it to Italian Restaurateur Extraordinaire, Davide Caruso, who has  a popular place on St. Thomas, to bring his “A-Game” over to St.Croix and turn the C’sted restaurant scene on its ear with three wonderfully addictive concept hot spots.

First off, 1756 Grotto, housed in a  historic townhouse that was built in 1756, now a part of the Club Comanche Hotel, is a complete knock-out.of an Italian restaurant serving locally sourced dishes with a global flavor.

Led by Award-winning Patron Chef Stephen Coe, who was victorious over Bobby Flay, in the Food Network series “Chopped Beat Bobby Flay” his mission is to support local farmers and fishermen. 

“At 1756 Grotto we believe that great food and great company go hand in hand. Our mission is to create memorable dining experiences by providing exceptional service, delicious farm to fork cuisine with exceptional rum and wine.”  

And the Team at 1756 Grotto make good on their promise. The Goat Bolognese is off the charts! Superb Crest de Gallo Pasta with scrumptious goat meat and a touch of rosemary. Delish! The Daily Catch Local Fish and Chips with yucca fries tastes like it was plucked right out of the deep sea Caribbean waters off the St. Croix coast. The Grotto Steak is tender, tender, tender, with that great Chimichurri flavor combined with smoked garlic and Scotch Bonnet Butter. But it’s the 1756 Burger that will make you forget Big Macs forever. Served with its own “special sauce” and those crunchy yucca fries, this thick, juicy made to order burger lands in Burger Heaven with Aged Gruyere, and a Bacon Jam on a wonderful Brioche Bun marking it as the epitome of gourmet burgers. 

For desert, you’ll never forget the Plantains Foster, a rum cake to die for with caramel gelato and slivered almonds.

But of course it’s the old world Italian atmosphere that causes you to feel right at home among the super friendly staff. The beautiful and peaceful outside Lush Garden Grotto is such a neat place to escape the beating world and hunker down among the sheltering palms with their IFC - Island Fried Chicken with a coconut macadamia crust - along with their great selection of wines, rums and hand crafted cocktails. Run, don’t walk to this home run spot! 

Ciba Matta (in the old 40 Strand spot) is just about ready to open. But this reporter from the St. Croix Times had a chance to taste a few of the Northern Italian dishes and they were off the gastronomical charts. 

St. Croix Cellars Wine Bar is a top spot to dip in and have a glass of vino and relax in one of the comfy chairs or on that dreamy overstuffed couch. Marco is taking care of the bar and he is about as hip and cool as any bartender you’d want to meet. He calls himself “The Janitor” and one can only suspect this world traveller with a story about everything and everywhere can clean up your troubles and woes, pack them into a bag marked “Left back in the U.S.” and spin you into his world of cool, cool neatness while pouring you one of his excellent ‘hand-picked’ selections of wine and rum by the glass. 

Davide states that his Team’s Mission is simple: Live, Laugh, Eat

Definitely a breath of fresh Italian air wafting through the C’sted restaurant scene.   

1756 Grotto is located in the Club Comanche Hotel, 1 Strand St. C’sted. Visit their website: www.1756grotto.com.   

Hours: Wed-Sat 4pm-10pm

340-725-1756