Julian’s: A Tropical French Bistro

“We came here because we are staying on Meads Bay and were looking for a nicer meal that wasn’t beachside. How this spot doesn’t have hundreds of 5 star reviews and is impossible to get into is beyond me. We drove up and walked in on a Tuesday evening and were welcomed by the best service by Dirk. This is, by far, the most intricate and elevated meal on the island. We had the goat cheese salad (incredible!), French onion soup, veal surf and turf and a coconut tart dessert. Chef Dominique dominates! And his pastry chef makes the most insane garlic bread imaginable. That bread basket… 🤤 My husband had a glass of Bordeaux and I had a dirty martini. The vibe of the restaurant is elevated but not overly pretentious. There is a closed off indoor area and then also an indoor/outdoor terrace that faces the beach for sunset and has a view of the estate’s gorgeous grounds and pool. We were curious about the property because we’ve never heard of the hotel and Dirk piqued our interest even more as he told us about the opening in 2017 after the hurricane and the perseverance / good planning of the owner. He ended up giving us a tour after dinner where we noticed Wine Spectator Awards in the wine cellar. They’ve won a WS award pretty much every year since they’ve opened. I guess what I’m trying to get to is this: if you’re reading this, and you are looking for an elevated date night that doesn’t involve frozen drinks, a lager or a fish fry- you’ve found it. Also, if I owned an establishment, I would feel very lucky to have someone like Dirk who took so much pride in his work. We look forward to coming back to Julian’s next year. And we will most likely be staying at the Quintessence when we do.”

“Julian’s at Quintessence truly delivered one of the best meals we’ve had on the island. From start to finish, the entire evening was exceptional. Dirk, our primary server, was outstanding! He was attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely warm. Albert provided wonderful support throughout the night, and together they made the experience feel seamless and special. The level of professionalism and hospitality from the entire staff was exactly what you hope for in a boutique hotel setting. The food was delicious! Beautifully presented, perfectly prepared, and full of flavor. Every course felt thoughtfully crafted and worthy of a destination restaurant. Julian’s is an absolute must-visit in Anguilla. An unforgettable dining experience in an elegant, intimate atmosphere. We can’t wait to return.”

“The food is abysmal, the service is mediocre. There was a cork in the wine and the sommelier gave us a whole explanation on how it had no impact on the taste, and that it was no fault of the restaurant if we had felt that there was a difference. The overall treatment from the staff was dismissive as well. We ordered the catch of the day which was overcooked. The special lobster dish, was, overcooked, too. The lobster was tough and dry, the sauce seemed as thought it had been left plated for too long before it was served. The lobster pasta was overly oily and the pasta was too soft. The only good thing about this place was that the drinks had a heavy pour.”

“I had a wonderful dinner at Julian’s. The quality of the food and the service truly stood out. I started with the lobster bisque, which was smooth, rich, and beautifully balanced. The lobster pasta was cooked perfectly and very generous with the lobster. Everything tasted fresh and thoughtfully prepared. The johnny cake and artisan bread were also excellent. For dessert, I had the Java Lava. It was outstanding. Light, flavorful, and beautifully presented. A perfect way to end the meal. The service was attentive and professional. You can feel the genuine care for guests. Overall, an exceptional dining experience. I will definitely return.”