Dining
Landmark Moments by Susan Campbell Every once in awhile you deserve to truly spoil yourself and pull out all the stops to create a landmark moment to last a lifetime. Aruba has many unique dining establishments guaranteed to enchant you and provide an experience that you will cherish forever as an ideal night out.
Restaurateurs everywhere are constantly seeking those special ingredients that can turn a fine meal into a truly epic adventure for their guests. However, there’s no magical recipe. There are many factors to consider beyond simply serving great food. For some people it might be the over-the-top VIP service. For others it might come down to the alluring ambience or the romantic location. And for others still, it might just be the discovery of an outstanding dish they never realized even existed. It’s a beautiful thing when it all comes together at every level, like a well-crafted bouillabaisse that allows each ingredient to shine to its fullest. And it’s always worth the splurge! Fortunately, this island is chock full of possibilities where experiencing that kind of magical night to remember is always feasible when you’re seeking to treat yourself and your companions like royalty. Here are some superb places to start… 60 Nights
Special starry, starry nights
What’s more conducive to inspiring sweet nothings and maybe even a proposal, than dining right on the beach and basking in the flickering flames of tiki-lit torches under a tropical night sky? Start with the Flying Fishbone, the island’s very first restaurant to offer upscale toes-in-the-sand dining. It’s located near Zeerovers the island’s legendary fishing region, which is why their Savaneta Seafood History special is the most popular dish on the menu. The fresh fish and seafood Flying Fishbone
is right off the boats! But beyond superb fare, the ambience is enchanting and often accompanied by a stunning sunset. Another stellar surfside escape is Divi Aruba Phoenix’s Pure Ocean. The newly refreshed menu highlights organic, locally grown food and lots of surprises like the Lobster Seafood Martini, which is a citrusmarinated lobster, shrimp, and scallops tossed in avocado, tomato, and mango salsa. Dine under their giant palapa or on the beach serenaded by the sea. Just outside of Oranjestad, you’ll find out what “elegant dining in flip-flops” means at Barefoot. Their seriously creative cuisine is served by the sea where bare toes are not only accepted, but expected; even the inside dining room floor is covered in sand. Dishes like Vanilla Skewered Scallops with saffron mayo and Lobster Cappuccino bisque have put this charming oasis at the top of the foodie’s must-do list. Cap it all off with a Let’s Go Nuts dessert – a trio of nut-based ice cream covered in caramel sauce. Bottom photo courtesy of Flying Fishbone
Dining Quinta Del Carmen
Atardi
Barefoot
The Aruba Marriott’s Atardi on Palm Beach is another heavenly seaside retreat. It magically morphs from a beach lounging hangout by day to a romantic rendezvous spot by night. Tiny tables are moved close to the sea at sunset, covered with crisp linens and voilà: you have a dining oasis! A must-try is their Tropical Bouillabaisse and nut-crusted Macadamia Grouper. Unique and lovely locales
You need not always dine on the beach to enjoy an epic culinary experience. Establishments set in interesting locales also provide truly memorable evenings, and Quinta Del Carmen is one of them.
Left to right, photos courtesy of Atardi, Barefoot, and Quinta Del Carmen
Set in a stunning century-old mansion with gorgeous grounds and a massive courtyard, they pride themselves in offering avant-garde choices in elevated comfort food. Try “Grandma’s Favorites” like Sucade Lappen – a rich stew with red wine and fine herbs, and Dutch treats like Stroopwafel Parfait. They also go upscale with offerings like a sea bass in truffle sauce to die for. For something completely different, you can dine at Hyatt Regency’s Ruinas del Mar in gorgeous faux ruins set among cascading waterfalls and ponds with a pair of black swans gracefully gliding by. They offer a contemporary menu of
classic international cuisine using only top-quality ingredients, and the setting is so elegant that every meal feels like a special occasion regardless of what you choose. For upscale local cuisine there’s no better spot than the tropical garden poolside at Papiamento named after the island’s native language. This family-run emporium is famous for its distinctly Aruban dishes like keshi yena – a spiced meat casserole topped with Dutch cheese – and most of the food benefits from the chef ’s very own organic garden. They also have an award-winning pastry chef in the family who supplies the delightful desserts. !
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Dining If it’s an unforgettable view you’re seeking, then Faro Blanco can’t be beat perched high beside the California Lighthouse looking out on the sea. Hearty yet sophisticated Italian food is king with options like fettuccine in creamy pink sauce splashed with vodka and topped with jumbo shrimp, or risotto lobster with Italian champagne. And of course, they serve a killer ossobuco. And nothing beats superb fare served by the sea with a spectacular tropical sunset over the waves as the backdrop. A prime spot for all of that is Amuse Sunset Restaurant, where the gorgeous and creative presentation of the avant-garde fusion specialties often rivals even the beauty of the locale. Best bets are always their three- and five-course chef ’s Carte Blanche surprise menu paired perfectly with fine wines by the glass. Also high-end, yet inside a panoramic air-conditioned dome of glass is Windows on Aruba at the Divi Village Golf & Beach Resort. Their specialty menu
Faro Blanco
Windows on Aruba Screaming Eagle
varies often to feature fresh ingredients that change with the seasons and locally sourced whenever possible. But they always have spoil-yourself-silly dishes like USDA prime-aged New York strip marbled with “flavor kernels” and luscious molten Chocolate Lava Cake. How about dining in a canopied bed? You can at Screaming Eagle, a trendy Miami-style enclave specializing in con-
temporary French fusion cuisine. Booking ahead is a must as there are only so many beds, but they also have regular tables and a terrace. Give the chef free rein, and try the three-course surprise menu, you won’t be disappointed. Top it off with Crêpe Suzette flambéed bedside for a truly unique experience. They also have one of the most extensive wine lists on the island. !
Buon Appetito
586-0786|586-0787
Up at the California Lighthouse
info@faroblancorestaurant.com www.faroblancorestaurant.com Open daily 8:30AM-11:00PM | Happy Hour 5:00PM-7:00PM | Live music 7:30PM-9:30PM 62 Nights
Clockwise from left, photos courtesy of Faro Blanco, Windows on Aruba, and Screaming Eagle
Dining Ruinas del Mar
Cuba’s Cookin’
FootPrints
Add enticing entertainment
Why not add some live shows to a night of fabulous fare? These enchanting spots all offer extra entertainment. How about Holiday Inn’s Sea Breeze Restaurant & Bar for delicious handcrafted cocktails and whimsical appetizers like Coconut Battered Chicken Lollipops to start your evening off right? Then, a live circus show and rocking carnival shows can pop up to entertain you as well! If a more intimate venue is on your agenda, then Hyatt Regency’s FootPrints Beach Grill, on famous Palm Beach, is
the ideal choice, but book ahead; there are only six exclusive tables in the sand. The menu is eclectic-international where the grill is the star for meat, fish, seafood, and even ribs! They also offer gluten-free options like Organic Chicken stuffed with Guava and White Paisa Cheese. On Thursdays, they take it up a notch with Romantic Extravaganza Night featuring live entertainment, and Sundays really heat up with live Latin music. For sizzling live Latin music any night of the week, Cuba’s Cookin’ is absolutely the hot spot to head for. Enjoy authentic
Cuban food and killer mojitos old-Havana style accompanied by spectacular live Cuban dance shows in their entertaining indoor/outdoor marina-side venue right in downtown Oranjestad. So what are you waiting for? Your landmark holiday moment could be the dinner you have on Aruba tonight! "
“Food is one part of the experience. And it has to be somewhere between 50 to 60 percent of the dining experience. But the rest counts as well: The mood, the atmosphere, the music, the feeling, the design, the harmony between what you have on the plate and what surrounds the plate.” — Alain Ducasse
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Left to right, photos courtesy of Ruinas del Mar, FootPrints, and Cuba’s Cookin’