MEMBERS ONLY

With a second-floor in-town location, overlooking the mouth of Gustavia Harbour and its sparkling yacht traffic, the new members-only Ocean Club commands quite the enviable perch.

AS THE ISLAND’S FIRST member’s club geared to on-island dining and concierge services, the Ocean Club has made quite an entrance with room for 80 diners and a stunning open-kitchen design. Helmed by local chef Jarad McCarroll and his business partner, the Ocean Club is keen to be more than just a dining room for its members. The idea is that the Ocean Club can be the spot for memorable experiences for them.

“We would like to be known as the best restaurant in St. Barths,” says Jarad. “We want to raise the bar a bit by creating a modern food presence that has intention behind it, with service that is unnoticed. Your evening can be enjoyed in a more peaceful setting where the music is there to elevate the evening rather than interrupt it. There are tons of great concepts in St. Barths, and I think we offer something different where the showcase is the food and the service.” Of course, foodies come for the food, and anyone who has dined with Jarad before is aware that no dish is presented without the utmost attention to detail and high-quality ingredients. Standout dishes include the Red Snapper Tartare with horseradish and dill, the Japanese Wagyu Kagoshima, and the broccoli and sunchoke dish known as The Tree of Life.

The team behind the Ocean Club is aware that their membership base is made up of busy people, who have a variety of options on how to spend their leisure time. As a result, the location is impressive, featuring an open-air atrium-like space that frames the panoramic view, particularly stunning at sunset; polished teak tables in a variety of sizes; and an open-kitchen concept and glass-encased wine storage that conjure familiarity with both yacht and mountain lodge design styles simultaneously. Needless to say, it oozes luxury. Open midday for a light lunch and throughout the afternoon, the occupancy of the space ebbs and flows, allowing members to have a coffee and even do a spot of work, if need be. The busiest time, no surprise, is cocktail hour and then dinner, which at time of print is open to non-members as well. The vibe is decidedly convivial with a nice mix of locals and St. Barths regulars. As the membership grows, with a goal of 150 members total in the next three years, the Ocean Club will prove to become the most rarefied of spots in St. Barths: the exclusive within the exclusive.