THE HAGUE--Members of Parliament from St. Maarten dined at a “local” restaurant in the Netherlands on Wednesday, using part of their working visit to connect with a St. Maartener entrepreneur abroad. The restaurant, “Na Brasa,” is owned and operated by Xavier York and his partner Lilliana Neves and features a Latin fusion concept that blends familiar Caribbean influences with broader Latin flavors.
York explained that the road to opening Na Brasa was far from easy. During the renovation phase he was scammed by two contractors, a setback that could have ended the project entirely. Instead, he and his team chose to persevere, reorganizing, pushing ahead, and slowly shaping the space into a functioning business. While the interior of the restaurant is still under construction, Na Brasa opened its terrace area earlier this year, allowing guests to experience its atmosphere and menu while work continues inside.
Describing his vision, York said that Na Brasa “is what I know. Carnival style, you roll your grill out front, you have your bar and you make do with what you have.” That spirit of making the most of limited resources and holding on to cultural roots is reflected in the way the terrace is set up, the informal hospitality, and the menu offerings he presented to the visiting delegation. He shared not only the story of his journey as a business owner, but also an overview of the different dishes and experiences that Na Brasa aims to offer its guests.
The Members of Parliament expressed their appreciation for York’s perseverance and entrepreneurial drive, and their visit underscored the role that St. Maarteners in the diaspora play in representing the island abroad. They wished him much success as he continues to develop the restaurant and, after sampling the menu, rated the food as “top notch.”
Find them here:
Kijkduinboulevard 23, The Hague, Netherlands
https://tribune-site.webflow.io//articles/mps-dine-at-na-brasa-and-support-local-entrepreneur-in-the-netherlands
