LR Travel Report
New in Aruba: More Delightful Dining
Elements Restaurant
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ruba has always been a diner’s delight island. With over 200 restaurants encompassing cuisine from the world over, there is something for everyone. And now there are even more spots to tempt your taste buds. First up is Elements at Bucuti and Tara Beach Resorts (the island’s only adult-exclusive boutique hotel). The brand-new oasis offers both indoor air-conditioned dining as well as outside dining on an exquisite beachfront, and boasts the very best options for those seeking gourmet vegetarian, vegan and organic dining. Also new on the resort property (but privately owned) is Carte Blanche, which offers a surprise menu of five courses for only 14 people at a sitting. It’s booked until 2015 but Bucuti guests get first dibs on cancellations. Next up is the new Pure Ocean at the Divi Phoenix, a perfect complement to their already popular trendy outdoor lounge called Pure Beach. It’s a perfect spot for romantic toes-in-the sand dining, but also has interior tables under a giant palapa. Another brand-new dining emporium is O
Restaurant & Lounge in the lovely Paseo Herencia courtyard mall. They have taken over the old cabaret style theatre and now present owner Edjean Semeleer’s signature crooner style singing nightly (in three different languages) as part of their entertainment. The food is outstanding as well. New in the redesigned downtown Oranjestad, along the new linear park, is The West Deck, a fun and funky beach bar café serving up fabulous fresh fish fries, a creative menu and cool cocktails like the “Beer-Rita” – a margarita and a beer all in one! Also new in Oranjestad marina is Carpe Diem, featuring a wide range of international fare and looking right out onto the bustling marina. At the new Alhambra Mall, the casino has been refurbished and there are many new cafes, while Ginger, an indoor/outdoor fusion Asian enclave, also adds to the options. One thing is certain: you’ll run out of nights before you run out of fine dining places when you’re on Aruba. For a comprehensive listing on the many choices, visit the Aruba Gastronomic Association website at arubadining.com. SUSAN CAMPBELL
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