Community Forum

Randi · 01-02-2009, 05:53 PM

We had another great trip to Aruba from Dec. 13 until Dec. 30th. In general the weather was the usual amazing hot sunny weather. We found that this year there seemed to be more periods of clouds and rain than in other years. Dec. 16th, it rained the entire morning and then was mostly cloudy for the remainder of the day and on Dec. 30th was very similar. We had a lot more rain in the evenings than in other years but it wasn't terrible just not the norm!
Some highlights on restaurants:
OLD MAN AND THE SEA: fantastic and beautiful! We loved the wonderful ambiance of the the beach setting. Food and service were amazing, presentation was superb and we just loved our experience. Tables were nicely spaced throughout the beach so you could enjoy your meal without feeling like you were dinning with "others". We didn't leave the restaurant without another reservation for March!
YEMANJA WOODFIRED GRILL: our first time there and we loved it. We had grouper and mahi mahi plus their soups (tomato and potatoe) and couldn't stop raving about our dinner.
MARANDI's: another excellent experience. Food, service and atmosphere were tops.
LG SMITH: This is our favourite steakhouse and it didn't leave us disappointed. We took another family there who had never been there and they said it was their best meal on the island. Steaks were unbelievable as was the attentive service.
MADAME JEANETTES:not much to say except FANTASTIC as usual.
CHEF'S TABLE: new to us but we enjoyed it a lot. Sat outside which appeared to be nicer than inside and had a great meal. Lamb was exceptional.
THE NOT SO "HIGHLIGHTS:
BLOSSOMS: This place is one that we go to regularly but unfortunatley it may be our last visit. The food prices seemed to increase a fair amount and not sure if the price matches the value for our dinning experience. While we know that this restaurant (JAPANESE SIDE)rushes you, this year it was faster than ever. Couldn't even finish my salad before soup was plobbed down in front of you. For the $30 they charge for the steak meal you wouldn't mind a little longer than one hour to order, eat and get out!!
CHALET SUISSE: Sadly this wasn't our best meal. We do truly love this restaurant but our meal wasn't the best. The steaks weren't all that tender and the lamb was ok. We found this last year as well but decided to give it another try.
EL GAUCHO: went there twice, first time not so great but second time it was very good. We fell that this restaurant seems to lack consistency but it is the "experience" that makes you go there. Honestly, better steak places on the island.

We ate at other places but I don't want to bore eveyone so I just decided to highlight a few. Can't wait to go back in 7 weeks!!

Jarubian · 01-02-2009, 05:56 PM

Thank you for the great report, this is what all of us look for. Eventhough you say a short trip I wish I could go for 17 days.

cindyo · 01-02-2009, 06:17 PM

Thanks Randi. Enjoyed your restaurant reviews.Glad you had a nice time. cindyo

*Andrea J.* · 01-02-2009, 06:29 PM

welcome home randi
we are heading out to our favorite place on earth on thursday morning

thanks for the brief review of the restaurants
i have been disappointed more than once with suisse chalet and elgaucho and probably will not go back.

glad that you had a fine vacation over the holidays
andrea

EHampite · 01-02-2009, 07:02 PM

We head out one day before you, Andrea, and are counting the days! We head to Boston in the wee hours of Wednesday morning to catch our 5:30 a.m. flight to Aruba via Philadelphia.

Have our reservations for MJ on Monday night - that's the one restaurant that is a "must do" for us. We will take our chances with the rest of our dinners.

Randi · 01-02-2009, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jarubian

Thank you for the great report, this is what all of us look for. Eventhough you say a short trip I wish I could go for 17 days.

A breif report, not necessarily a brief trip!! 17 days is a good trip!

DANNYO · 01-03-2009, 08:46 AM

Thank you for the restaurant reviews....gong back in seven weeks..good for you.Enjoy

~Amy~® · 01-03-2009, 09:53 AM

Sounds like a great trip! And you went to some of our favorite restaurants: Old Man & The Sea, Yemanja, Chefs Tables, and Marandi (we love those!)

sunworshipperII · 01-03-2009, 04:57 PM

Can't wait till March to try Old man in the sea, back to Madamme Jeannettes and another fav of mine Sole Mare

01-02-2009, 05:53 PM	#1 (permalink)
Randi Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 1,516 Images: 9	a brief trip report We had another great trip to Aruba from Dec. 13 until Dec. 30th. In general the weather was the usual amazing hot sunny weather. We found that this year there seemed to be more periods of clouds and rain than in other years. Dec. 16th, it rained the entire morning and then was mostly cloudy for the remainder of the day and on Dec. 30th was very similar. We had a lot more rain in the evenings than in other years but it wasn't terrible just not the norm! Some highlights on restaurants: OLD MAN AND THE SEA: fantastic and beautiful! We loved the wonderful ambiance of the the beach setting. Food and service were amazing, presentation was superb and we just loved our experience. Tables were nicely spaced throughout the beach so you could enjoy your meal without feeling like you were dinning with "others". We didn't leave the restaurant without another reservation for March! YEMANJA WOODFIRED GRILL: our first time there and we loved it. We had grouper and mahi mahi plus their soups (tomato and potatoe) and couldn't stop raving about our dinner. MARANDI's: another excellent experience. Food, service and atmosphere were tops. LG SMITH: This is our favourite steakhouse and it didn't leave us disappointed. We took another family there who had never been there and they said it was their best meal on the island. Steaks were unbelievable as was the attentive service. MADAME JEANETTES:not much to say except FANTASTIC as usual. CHEF'S TABLE: new to us but we enjoyed it a lot. Sat outside which appeared to be nicer than inside and had a great meal. Lamb was exceptional. THE NOT SO "HIGHLIGHTS: BLOSSOMS: This place is one that we go to regularly but unfortunatley it may be our last visit. The food prices seemed to increase a fair amount and not sure if the price matches the value for our dinning experience. While we know that this restaurant (JAPANESE SIDE)rushes you, this year it was faster than ever. Couldn't even finish my salad before soup was plobbed down in front of you. For the $30 they charge for the steak meal you wouldn't mind a little longer than one hour to order, eat and get out!! CHALET SUISSE: Sadly this wasn't our best meal. We do truly love this restaurant but our meal wasn't the best. The steaks weren't all that tender and the lamb was ok. We found this last year as well but decided to give it another try. EL GAUCHO: went there twice, first time not so great but second time it was very good. We fell that this restaurant seems to lack consistency but it is the "experience" that makes you go there. Honestly, better steak places on the island. We ate at other places but I don't want to bore eveyone so I just decided to highlight a few. Can't wait to go back in 7 weeks!! Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________ Randi Next Aruba trip in

ADVERTISMENT

01-02-2009, 05:56 PM	#2 (permalink)
Jarubian Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Renaissance Hotel, Baby Beach Posts: 434 Images: 3	Thank you for the great report, this is what all of us look for. Eventhough you say a short trip I wish I could go for 17 days. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________ Love Aruba

01-02-2009, 06:17 PM	#3 (permalink)
cindyo Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Reniassance Island Posts: 3,692 Images: 138	Thanks Randi. Enjoyed your restaurant reviews.Glad you had a nice time. cindyo 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

01-02-2009, 06:29 PM	#4 (permalink)
Andrea J. Aruba since 1979 Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: renaissance island, eagle beach, amsterdam manor/passions beach bar, Hung Paradis, alto vista chapel, madam janettes, big porch at B55 Posts: 13,257 Images: 80	welcome home randi we are heading out to our favorite place on earth on thursday morning thanks for the brief review of the restaurants i have been disappointed more than once with suisse chalet and elgaucho and probably will not go back. glad that you had a fine vacation over the holidays 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.

01-02-2009, 07:02 PM	#5 (permalink)
EHampite Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Gold Coast Villas and Eagle Beach Posts: 312 Images: 3	We head out one day before you, Andrea, and are counting the days! We head to Boston in the wee hours of Wednesday morning to catch our 5:30 a.m. flight to Aruba via Philadelphia. Have our reservations for MJ on Monday night - that's the one restaurant that is a "must do" for us. We will take our chances with the rest of our dinners. Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook

01-03-2009, 08:46 AM	#7 (permalink)
DANNYO Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Marriott Surf Club Posts: 1,580 Images: 1	Thank you for the restaurant reviews....gong back in seven weeks..good for you.Enjoy Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________

01-03-2009, 09:53 AM	#8 (permalink)
~Amy~® Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 1,631	Sounds like a great trip! And you went to some of our favorite restaurants: Old Man & The Sea, Yemanja, Chefs Tables, and Marandi (we love those!) Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________ ~Amy~® Cabo San Lucas: March 2012 26th trip to Aruba: April 2012 27th trip to Aruba: Sept. 2012

01-03-2009, 04:57 PM	#9 (permalink)
sunworshipperII Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Palm Beach, The Marriotts lazy river Posts: 1,015	Can't wait till March to try Old man in the sea, back to Madamme Jeannettes and another fav of mine Sole Mare Share Share this post on Digg Del.icio.us Technorati Twitter Share Post on Facebook __________________ url=http://www.caribbeanmag.com/cd/vc/][/url]