Soenchi's Aruban Cuisine

[Arubalisa]

We will be there well after dark, so was just wondering how well ventilated it was.

[Dicentra]

Originally Posted by Arubalisa

We will be there well after dark, so was just wondering how well ventilated it was.

IIRC, the entire dining area was open air or semi-enclosed, and there were ceiling fans. I don't remember it being at all hot or stuffy.

[xiaotianshi]

It's very comfortable don't worry!

[Arubalisa]

Soenchi's
Good meal, not fantastic, food was good as well as the atmosphere, but directly inside was where it ends It is sandwiched in between two other restaurants like Philly row houses and each had their own music playing and it just ruined it for us Dh also thought the dining was warm with minimal ventilation.

The menu is $35 prixe fixe with some items having minimal surcharges. You place your order for all three courses together including dessert. Dd came for the "Tear Drop"!

After we finished our meal, the time came for dessert and the waiter said that their freezer had a melt down and they had no more "Tear Drops". Gee, that was pretty strange since only 5 minutes before they served one to a table that had only been seated for a total of 10 minutes and obviously only there for dessert.

We were confused since the order was taken all at once for our meal, would not one of the “Tear Drops” have been held aside for our order? Was it given away instead to this other party which walked in right before it was time for our dessert?

We are not “difficult” so did not argue the point. If they were gone, they were gone and arguing was not going to bring one out. The waiter offered a rain check good for one “Tear Drop” at another time, as well as the dessert ingredients that night, minus of course, the “Tear Drop”. Since we were staying within walking distance at the Radisson it was convenient, otherwise it certainly would not have been worth the taxi fare to go back for the dessert.

Since dd was really “stuck” on the idea of this dessert we went back to take advantage of the rain check. When the hostess found out we were not there for dinner and only the rain check, she directed us to the bar. Maybe it is just me, but right away I had an uncomfortable feeling, like they thought they were doing us a favor. There were plenty of tables available and it was late at least 9:30 pm if not 10 pm. Our family had a considerable beverage credit at the Radisson so dh and I were not relishing the idea of having to pay Soenchi to have a drink to sit at the bar while our dd ate her dessert. So we stood there annoyed while dd enjoyed her dessert. Not a good feeling to have for a lasting impression about a restaurant.

Appetizers- Keri Keri fish cake, Goat cheese fritter, dd had the Pineapple duck pastechi (God has to love a 15 yo who can be as adventurous in her dining as she is)
Entrees- Cinnamon Duck breast (again dd loves her duck), Whole Red Snapper in rock salt crust, Filet Mignon
Dessert- Pineapple Flan, Chocolate fondue, “Tear Drop”

[Andrea J.]

disappointing.
it should have been better than good.

and the tear drop.......well, they owed your DD the teardrop and should have given you folks a coffee or iced tea and welcomed you back with open arms and a table.

Originally Posted by Arubalisa

Soenchi's
Good meal, not fantastic, food was good as well as the atmosphere, but directly inside was where it ends It is sandwiched in between two other restaurants like Philly row houses and each had their own music playing and it just ruined it for us Dh also thought the dining was warm with minimal ventilation.

The menu is $35 prixe fixe with some items having minimal surcharges. You place your order for all three courses together including dessert. Dd came for the "Tear Drop"!

After we finished our meal, the time came for dessert and the waiter said that their freezer had a melt down and they had no more "Tear Drops". Gee, that was pretty strange since only 5 minutes before they served one to a table that had only been seated for a total of 10 minutes and obviously only there for dessert.

We were confused since the order was taken all at once for our meal, would not one of the “Tear Drops” have been held aside for our order? Was it given away instead to this other party which walked in right before it was time for our dessert?

We are not “difficult” so did not argue the point. If they were gone, they were gone and arguing was not going to bring one out. The waiter offered a rain check good for one “Tear Drop” at another time, as well as the dessert ingredients that night, minus of course, the “Tear Drop”. Since we were staying within walking distance at the Radisson it was convenient, otherwise it certainly would not have been worth the taxi fare to go back for the dessert.

Since dd was really “stuck” on the idea of this dessert we went back to take advantage of the rain check. When the hostess found out we were not there for dinner and only the rain check, she directed us to the bar. Maybe it is just me, but right away I had an uncomfortable feeling, like they thought they were doing us a favor. There were plenty of tables available and it was late at least 9:30 pm if not 10 pm. Our family had a considerable beverage credit at the Radisson so dh and I were not relishing the idea of having to pay Soenchi to have a drink to sit at the bar while our dd ate her dessert. So we stood there annoyed while dd enjoyed her dessert. Not a good feeling to have for a lasting impression about a restaurant.

Appetizers- Keri Keri fish cake, Goat cheese fritter, dd had the Pineapple duck pastechi (God has to love a 15 yo who can be as adventurous in her dining as she is)
Entrees- Cinnamon Duck breast (again dd loves her duck), Whole Red Snapper in rock salt crust, Filet Mignon
Dessert- Pineapple Flan, Chocolate fondue, “Tear Drop”

[jeffnev]

Lisa-
Thanks for the details of your experience. We will be in Aruba from July 11-18 and we have reservations at 4 restaurants (MJ's, Wacky Wahoos, Barefoot, and Anna Maria's). We need to add a few more in while we are there and was considering Chef's Tables (we love it but wanted to try a new place) and Soenchi's- but not after reading your review. Between the music from the other restaurants and the rude treatment we'll spend our money with a more appreciative host. I think I'll move Chef's Table's back to the top of the list and look for a substitute for Soenchi's.
Jeff

[AndyM]

Thanks for the heads up. This place is off m list.

[jpsphr]

Lisa,
Thanks for speeding up the review. Like your dd, our kids are both adventurous eaters as well.

Too bad about the uncaring treatment at Soenchi's. With so many choices, we'll find a more amenable host, for sure.

[Arubalisa]

Originally Posted by jpsphr

Lisa,
Thanks for speeding up the review. Like your dd, our kids are both adventurous eaters as well.

Too bad about the uncaring treatment at Soenchi's. With so many choices, we'll find a more amenable host, for sure.

You are welcome

Dh feels the same, too many restaurants and not enough nights.