There's new life in an old restaurant in Cruz Bay. The beautiful Stone Terrace space has been transformed into Cactus on the Blue, a Mexican restaurant with lots of energy, taste, and color.
Nile and Courtney Wright leased the space after it had been dark for at least a year. Before that, it had been for sale for months. Stone Terrace, a high-end restaurant, was a victim of a softening economy and a trend that is seeing villa renters stay at home as they refuse to fight for downtown parking and save money.
While the Wrights are out in the front of the house, Nile certainly knows his way around a kitchen. According to a story in the St. John Sun Times, he earned his whisks the old fashioned way. At home, in his family's restaurant, Jacala, the oldest eatery in San Antonio.
There's a Texas connection between the Wrights and their own chef, Gabriel Orozco. His experience includes work as chef at the Balcony at Wharfside and his most recent position, sous chef at a steak house in San Antonio.
The Sun Times says Cactus on the Blue doesn't aspire to be the cheapest place in town or the most expensive. "A happy medium" is the target, Wright told the newspaper. That means large portions at reasonable prices.
According to powerboat charter Capt. Josh of Lion in da Sun "reasonable prices" means low. He posted a review of his visit to the restaurant on Trip Advisor and said the food
was wonderful. His friends' dinner was also great, "and the portions
were enormous." He said the appetizer sampler had four types of salsa and the chips were cut and baked at the restaurant. He wrote. "And here is the kicker $5!!!! Enough said, get it – get two."
The Wrights are not only starting a business, they're also starting a life together. They're newlyweds of about eight months. And so far, things seem to be going well.Their restaurant just got a telephone line this week, and any local can tell you how tough that can be to do. The number is 340-693-8515.
