7 Nights of dining!!

[Shnyda]

My wife and I have been visiting Aruba several times year for the past few years. Sadly this year we are only getting one trip... so we need to make the most of it. We want to try a few new restaurants and hit a few of our old faves.

We are going Monday May 30 - Monday June 6

So far this is the plan...

Monday - Casa Tua (Either the original or the greek one depending on lines)
Tuesday - Marandi (We have always wanted to go but haven't)
Wednesday - Chalet Suisse (Another one that has been on our to-do list forever and just never got around to it)

No plans the rest of the week... and having trouble deciding.

We love

MJ's (Always been pretty good, but pricey)
Pincho's (Only restaurant we have visited on EVERY trip to Aruba - love the views and the staff and the food is basic but great)
Que Pasa (Great menu - and love the ambiance)
Smokey Joe's (Best BBQ on the Island)
Salt & Pepper (Good for a post happy hour dinner)
Rembrandt Cafe (Great food at a great price)


We don't like

Amazonia (Too pricey and too much food)
Yemanja (Wanted to like this place - but had a pretty horrible experience - we have always considered going back due to such positive reviews)
Tomato Charlie's (Is this pizza?)
Old Man and the Sea (So dissapointed after such a long drive. Seemed like we were eating Microwave meals. The setting is spectacular though)
El Gaucho (Everyone told me to go here - so so steaks and had some undercooked pork)



Would love a few suggestions for the upcoming trip. Not gonna make it back out to Aruba until 2012 (Missing New Year's for the first time in a while).

Thanks everyone!!!!

[jeffnev]

Hi Shnyda,


I'm in a similar postion to you in that we only have 7 nights, we have favorites, and we always want to try at least 1 or 2 new places. This year we made reservations at Anna Maria's based on the feedback on this bb. I also think we will try to get into town and try Que Pasa. We always go to MJ's, Smokey Joe's and Pinchos and last year added Chef's Table and Wacky Wahoo to the mix-doesn't leave too many nights left .

I would definitely try Chef's Table - a bit more low key than some of the others but a really nice restaurant, friendly service, and very good food and you will like Marandi's -nice setting and the food is more adventurous than Pinchos (which we love). Wacky Wahoos is all about the fish-great fish, not so great atmosphere as it is cramped and noisy (and some say hot).

[Shnyda]

Chef's table - I am going to look into that one!

Thanks

[jaw]

Que Pasa has always been a good choice. Save room for the Banana Fritters for desert.

You may also consider Gostoso and Amadeus

Also Windows on Aruba has a nice view. At the Divi Golf resort.

[jeffnev]

Originally Posted by Shnyda

Chef's table - I am going to look into that one!

Thanks

Ask for a table in the courtyard if you go-nicer than inside unless it is really hot.

[jerseygirl]

Shnyda: Give Yemanji another try. Like you, I don't usually want to give second chances, but I think Yemanji is worth it. And I agree on Chef's Table...and try Wacky Wahoo.

[stinky2]

We went to Yemanja, because my hubby and I absolutely love grilled fish. We go camping and do a lot of charcoal grilling of various meats, seafood and particularly fish. We were looking forward to Yemanja, and thought it was going to be a sure thing-a slam dunk.

My hubby ordered the wahoo. The fish was poorly cut/fileted, and unevenly grilled(one end undercooked, while the other end was overcooked). He is an avid fisherman, has had grilled wahoo dozens of times-particularly in Hawaii, but he is fairly certain he received mahi instead of wahoo.

I ordered the sea bass, and it had no wood fired grill flavor at all, and was topped with bread crumbs. Why mask such a delicious fish? The appetizers were over salted, and the sides bland. I hope others have a better experience. Too bad really, because the concept could be really awesome.