The Panini Beach Story

Panini are little Italian sandwiches for people on the go, and they play an important role for its namesake restaurant on St. John.

Through the years, we often vacationed in the Caribbean- cruising, sailing, and just hang'n out. And like most visitors we fell in love with islands. While in Cane Garden Bay on Tortola we met a restaurant owner, and asked him how he made his decision to do what he is doing. He looked across the beach, the sailboats, the seas, across toward Jost Van Dyke and said "I asked myself if I could look at this the rest of my life?" We knew his answer, and ours. Of course as most vacations end, so does the carefree thinking.

We would joke about running a beach bar in the islands at parties or with friends. Oh, what a pipedream! Then in August of 1997, in the the business opportunities section of the Chicago Tribune a small classified ad:

Laughing, I read the ad to Janet. That afternoon, while pleasure cruising and having a beer, a panini, a beer, a panini, a beer, a panini, the brainstorming became intense and caprice. And why not call it "Panini Beach"? The fantasy became a possibility. All we had to do was call.

It happened quickly. The reply to our inquiry was, "if you are serious you'll come down and see it." Two weeks later we were in St. John. Ten days later the deal was done. The result of our dream is Panini Beach Trattoria.

Janet has a passion for Italian food and is professionally trained. She helped open one of Chicago's first upscale Italian restaurants and worked with Tony Mantuano of Mantuano's Mediterranean Table. She's also cooked with Susan Feniger, Mary Sue Milikin, Anne Willan, and Julia Child. Janet has assembled a collection of memorable regional Italian recipes for the menu. The menu is updated frequently to showcase new dishes, and daily pasta and seafood specials assuring even frequent guests uncommon variety.

Panini Beach is just steps from the ferry dock in downtown Cruz Bay. This beachside location has the ambiance expected from the Caribbean experience.

We invite you to our trattoria and to have a Bellini at Panini.

Joe Guarise and Janet Kleiner

© 1999-2001 Panini Beach Trattoria. All rights reserved.
Revised: August 15, 2006