Community Forum

JT20 · 02-19-2009, 08:53 AM

El Gaucho or Moombas for a rehearsal dinner?? Which one has bettter food? price?? music?? ambiance??? service?

Is it next to the RIU Palace? I have about 30-40 guests coming and was looking for someplace close to where we are staying..at the RIU without having to transport everyone.. I've heard great things about these two, but afraid they aren't close to RIU and will have to pay $$$ to transport everyone..... Any ideas??? Is Gaucho or Moombas close? Any close GOOD restaurants for reasonable prices next to RIU or walkable distance from RIU?

cindyo · 02-19-2009, 09:00 AM

JT20, El Gaucho is downtown, and to be honest, a rather LOUD place, and by the way, not cheap.....You will have to cab it...If you are looking for a quiet, special evening IMOP this isn't the place for you. I have not been to moomba's so I can't comment.

kent · 02-19-2009, 09:01 AM

My vote is Moombas because they can set you up on the sand beach and you can get a great sunset. Also the food is very good. Kent

Randi · 02-19-2009, 09:18 AM

Moomba is walking distance from the Rui. There is also Gianni's which is an Italian restaurant across the street from the Rui. Perhaps, they can provide you with a set menu with a few alternatives to keep the price in line. Gianni's is a very nice place but it doesn't have the same ambience as Moomba's. The nice thing about Moomba's is that you can sit on the beach which is the best!

*Andrea J.* · 02-19-2009, 10:28 AM

my 2 cents

although the location of moomba is terrific (beach location), imo the food is only mediocre at best.

as cindy says elgaucho is loud and not cheap

pam pam?
tulip?
buccaneer?

andrea

JT20 · 02-19-2009, 10:51 AM

Thanks for the info!!! I just contacted Gianni's so I will see what they say!!! If not, I will go for Moombas! =)

*Arubalisa* · 02-19-2009, 11:41 AM

MoomBa is just shy of 3/4 mile walk down the beach. Very easy walk or short taxi ride.

Randi · 02-19-2009, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrea J.

my 2 cents

although the location of moomba is terrific (beach location), imo the food is only mediocre at best.

as cindy says elgaucho is loud and not cheap
andrea

Well, I didn't want to say anything but I definitely agree with Andrea. We went there once for dinner and did not care for it. Beautiful location but....

That is why I suggested Gianni's. Very large place and if you could do a set meal with one or two dinner choices, you could control the cost.

NealNearNorth · 02-20-2009, 08:41 AM

[quote=JT20;132192]El Gaucho or Moombas for a rehearsal dinner?? Which one has bettter food? price?? music?? ambiance??? service?

Is it next to the RIU Palace?

I think most everyone has chimed in that El Gaucho is neither quiet enough for a rehearsal dinner, not cheap, and not near the Riu.

I think the problem with MooMba is that, being all open air, and being quite popular, it's going to be very difficult to communicate with your group and run the actual rehearsal. I would think places where your whole party can sit together at some large tables, and you can have at least semi privacy will serve this best.

Many places that have both inside and outside dining might be able to accommodate your group inside, and are walking distance from the Riu. Some of these might include Tango or Fishes and More. There is also a private room (well, area) at Blossoms.

Junewedding · 02-22-2009, 10:21 PM

El Gaucho has rooms upstairs that allow for privacy and will create a menu to your liking.

02-19-2009, 08:53 AM	#1 (permalink)
JT20 Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 19	El Gaucho or Moombas?????????? El Gaucho or Moombas for a rehearsal dinner?? Which one has bettter food? price?? music?? ambiance??? service? Is it next to the RIU Palace? I have about 30-40 guests coming and was looking for someplace close to where we are staying..at the RIU without having to transport everyone.. I've heard great things about these two, but afraid they aren't close to RIU and will have to pay $$$ to transport everyone..... Any ideas??? Is Gaucho or Moombas close? Any close GOOD restaurants for reasonable prices next to RIU or walkable distance from RIU? Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook

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02-19-2009, 09:00 AM	#2 (permalink)
cindyo Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Reniassance Island Posts: 3,523 Images: 138	JT20, El Gaucho is downtown, and to be honest, a rather LOUD place, and by the way, not cheap.....You will have to cab it...If you are looking for a quiet, special evening IMOP this isn't the place for you. I have not been to moomba's so I can't comment. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________ Cindyo Family Poolside at the Rennaissance suites April 2010 Family with Bully, arubalisa & family Next Aruba trip in Next Aruba trip in

02-19-2009, 09:01 AM	#3 (permalink)
kent Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: palm beach, mangel halto for snorkling Age: 47 Posts: 547	My vote is Moombas because they can set you up on the sand beach and you can get a great sunset. Also the food is very good. Kent Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________ Snorkel Mangel Halto, day or night with a waterscooter. Check out our website. E-mail Stuart at arubabob@live.com or call Stuart local: 745-7459 Or visit: www.arubabobsnorkeling.com

02-19-2009, 09:18 AM	#4 (permalink)
Randi Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 1,483 Images: 9	Moomba is walking distance from the Rui. There is also Gianni's which is an Italian restaurant across the street from the Rui. Perhaps, they can provide you with a set menu with a few alternatives to keep the price in line. Gianni's is a very nice place but it doesn't have the same ambience as Moomba's. The nice thing about Moomba's is that you can sit on the beach which is the best! Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________ Randi Next Aruba trip in

02-19-2009, 10:28 AM	#5 (permalink)
Andrea J. Aruba since 1979 Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: renaissance island, eagle beach, amsterdam manor beach bar, alto vista chapel, cooks restaurant, madam janettes, big porch at B55 Posts: 12,028 Images: 74	my 2 cents although the location of moomba is terrific (beach location), imo the food is only mediocre at best. as cindy says elgaucho is loud and not cheap pam pam? tulip? buccaneer? andrea Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________ Please, I'll have a Grande' decaf Mocha Latte' with a shot of liquid tranquilizer.

02-19-2009, 10:51 AM	#6 (permalink)
JT20 Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 19	Thanks for the info!!! I just contacted Gianni's so I will see what they say!!! If not, I will go for Moombas! =) Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook

02-19-2009, 11:41 AM	#7 (permalink)
Arubalisa Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Boca Catalina Posts: 10,111 Images: 167	MoomBa is just shy of 3/4 mile walk down the beach. Very easy walk or short taxi ride. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________ Aruba Bound! ~ Blogging to Aruba ~ Cat Resource Directory ~ Our-Cruises ~ Pictures of Aruba

02-20-2009, 08:41 AM	#9 (permalink)
NealNearNorth Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Sopranos Piano Bar, Café 080, Costa Linda Posts: 114 Images: 13	[quote=JT20;132192]El Gaucho or Moombas for a rehearsal dinner?? Which one has bettter food? price?? music?? ambiance??? service? Is it next to the RIU Palace? I think most everyone has chimed in that El Gaucho is neither quiet enough for a rehearsal dinner, not cheap, and not near the Riu. I think the problem with MooMba is that, being all open air, and being quite popular, it's going to be very difficult to communicate with your group and run the actual rehearsal. I would think places where your whole party can sit together at some large tables, and you can have at least semi privacy will serve this best. Many places that have both inside and outside dining might be able to accommodate your group inside, and are walking distance from the Riu. Some of these might include Tango or Fishes and More. There is also a private room (well, area) at Blossoms. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook

02-22-2009, 10:21 PM	#10 (permalink)
Junewedding Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 23	El Gaucho has rooms upstairs that allow for privacy and will create a menu to your liking. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook