Set less than 1km (1/2 mile) east of the fishing village of Tartane, this is the most easterly restaurant in the most easterly hotel on La Caravelle peninsula. The setting, as created and maintained by a team of English-speaking expatriates from the French mainland, is idyllic, a renovated complex perched within a hill-hugging compound of veranda-fronted buildings overlooking the sea. The restaurant is the main allure of the well-managed and carefully maintained Hotel Caravelle.

Lunches are faster, and less elaborately orchestrated, than the candlelit dinners, where guests linger longer within an ambience that falls midway between what you'd expect on the French mainland and what you find in Fort-de-France. Menu items change frequently but might include a colombo (spicy Creole stew) concocted from shark meat, fish, shellfish, or chicken; braised filets of red mullet with tropical fruits; or, depending on the mood of the chef, ... Desserts might feature a semi-moist version of chocolate cake, or perhaps a rum-and-orange-flavored soufflé. There's dining on the veranda,..., and, from virtually all points, a sweeping view of the sea.

On-site are 14 studio apartments, each with telephone, air-conditioning, ceiling fans, a kitchenette, and TV.

( Frommer's Caribbean, 23rd Edition )

The Hôtel

The energetic Mahler family has transformed this simple hotel with their artwork from africa, where Patriarch Jean-Paul worked for several decades as a hotel manager.Several of the "family" rooms connect, making them good for groups. The refurbished two-bedroom apartment conveniently has two bathrooms. All accommodations have terrace kitchenettes. Steep steps lead down to a long beach where surf's up. At sunset, take a perfect Caribbean cocktail before your epicurean dinner at the terrace restaurant, with its splendid view of mountains and ocean. Teak chairs and tables on its verandah look smart, as does the overhanging red tin roof.

La Table de MAMY NOUNOU

If you looked at the business card for this dining room, you'd expect a creole menu served by an elderly island lady. Not! It's owned by a French family. The elegant Madame Mahler will greet you; her husband, Jean-Paul, presides as chef, and her son, Bastian, eloquently describes the menu in the King's English. Sip an aperitif while listening to the mesmerizing music and admiring the view from the lounge decorated with fascinating African antiques. The chef is outdoing himself again this year, as the à la carte menu becomes more inventive, definitely au courant, with additions like the foie gras crème brûlée. An amuse-bouche arrives before outstanding appetizers. A member of Euro-toques, a group of European chefs who are dedicated to wholesome food, chef Jean-Paul wisely keeps on the menu perennial favorites such as the crawfish (z'habitants) in a sauce flamed with vintage rum; octopus (chatrou) with various preparations; and fish, shrimp, and scallops with a cinnamon-cider sauce. Even the sides here are special, like the pineapple tarte tatin with eggplant caviar. Finish with the moelleux au chocolat (a rich chocolate pudding) with caramel sauce, or sample a trio of desserts, which might include gingerbread ice cream. Lunch is served outdoors on the terrace and has a similar menu but is less expensive, and includes some salads.

( Fodor's Caribbean 2012 )

The Hôtel

On the eastern outskirts of Tartane, this is a small, friendly hotel, withsteps leading down to the fabulous Anse l'Etang. Recently renevated in charming Creole-African style, the cosy entrance feature art and sculpture, and there is a hibiscus-covered, decked terrace with glorious view of the Atlantic. The simple, but comfortable, studios all have colorfull furnishing and well equipped kitchenettes. This is a real gem.

La Table de MAMY NOUNOU

The Caravelle's fabulous restaurant features excellent seafood, grills and mouthwatering desserts.

( Lonely Planet martinique 2006 )

The Hôtel

The best hotel value near Anse l'Etang is the charming, family-run La Caravelle, east of the beach on a commanding hillside perch on route du Chateau Dubuc. The 14 quaint studios and apartments - all with kitchenette, TV, a/c and easy beach access - were all completely renovated in early 2005.

La Table de MAMY NOUNOU

The peninsula's standout dining destination is La Table de MAMY NOUNOU  at La Caravelle, which serves creative regional fare on a romantic enclosed terrace overlooking the ocean.

( RoughGuides to the carribean 2006 )

Clic here for the French review