St Thomas's restaurants can afford to bring great chefs to the island - in fact, the restaurant scene is so hot here that it's not too far-fetched to expect Bobby Flay, Drew Neiporent or even Mario Batali to set up shop soon.

Throw a stone in Frenchtown and you'll hit any number of intimate places popular with locals and out-of-towners. While the finest spots abound with entrees approaching Manhattan prices, there are options for all budgets, from roadside stands to burger joints to ethnic cuisine.

Ashley's Mobile Restaurant Cyril E. King Airport phone 340/774-1533. If you're looking for a quick and authentic West Indian meal, this is the place. Some swear the stewed chicken served with rice is the best on the island. Daily 8am-9pm.

Beni Iguana's   Grand Hotel Court phone 340/777-8744. This sushi bar with outdoor courtyard is located in the historic district, part of the Grand Galleria. Start with "our Famous Mussels" drenched in the house's mouthwatering Iguana Sauce. Sushi pieces cost US$2.50-3. Lunch Mon-Sat 11am-5pm, dinner Tues-Sat 5-10.30pm.

Bill's Texas Pit BBQ veteran's drive phone 340/776-9579. This mobile outdoor pit serves slow-smoked barbecue with a thick, tangy sauce.

The most expensive item on the menu is a rib plate with a side and a roll, which goes for US$9. There are two other locations, in the Sub Base and Red Hook areas.

Cuzzin's Caribbean Restaurant and Bar 7 Back St phone 340/777-4711. Located in an eighteenth-century stone building in the heart of the downtown shopping district, Cuzzin's seres up everything from stewed goat to burgers. But it's the West Indian dishes like conch in butter sauce, sides like fungi and juices like maubi (a root) that top the bill.

Lunch Mon-Sat 11am-5pm, dinner Tues-Sat 5-9.30pm.

Glady's Café Waterfront at Royal Dane Mall phone 340/774-6604. Bacon, eggs and French toast for breakfast, or well-priced West Indian fare for lunch, including the hard-to-find local favorite saltfish and dumplings.

Here Government Hill phone 340/777-9703. An eclectic mix of contemporary American, French and Caribbean fare (lunch around US$10; dinner US$25) on a hilltop location with amazing views just minutes from Main Street.

Hotel 1829 Government Hill phone 340/776-1829. A fine up market restaurant in one of the island's most historic hotels. have a cocktail over a game of backgammon before dining by candlelight on one of the many signature dishes like barbecue duck breast in hoisin sauce.

Pita Express 6 Wimmelskafts Gade phone 340/777-4072. Quick and cheap hummus wraps, gyros and more in the heart of downtown.

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The Roti Shop 38 Princesse Gade phone 340/714-1741. As the crowds testify, this is the best roti on the island, packed with curried potatoes, a few vegetables and your choice of chicken, goat, conch or other types of meat or seafood.

Shipwreck Taern Al Cohen Plaza across from havensight Mall phone 340/777-1293. If you just want a burger and a beer, this is the place-three-quarters of a pound of beautiful beef and US$2 drafts.

Virgilio's 18 Dronningens Gade phone 340/776-4920. Beyond the fountain and huge mahogany front doors is a cozy, elegant Italian restaurant. Pasta is the popular choice but the veal is a close runner-up.

Zorba's Government Hill phone 340/776-0444. The island's only Greek and Mediterranean restaurant, located in a fine example of eighteenth-century Danish architecture. Meals are reasonably priced and run the gamut from spanakopita to brick-oven pizzas.