We have been to Aruba 8 times and will be going back again in May. For the past couple of years our favorite restaurant has been RIO on J.E.Irausquin Blvd, just off L.G.Smith Blvd on the way to the High Rise Area. The food and service are superior (better than El Gaucho by a ton), the atmosphere is casually elegant, and the prices are extremely reasonable. I recommend the 16 oz tenderloin for the hungry!

the rio is closed.

Brian,
The RIO closed. Provbably due to the lack of proper promotion. In my opinion it had a great menu and, as you mentioned, the service and food were great.
Wonder what will happen to the building?

be well
charles
arubafastphones.com

I went back this past nov 06 and was shocked that the rio closed. It was our favorite place we even liked it better than Elguacho.

Rumor was the owner was not well liked???

Not sure if he was an american not living on the island?? we definitely were bummed. the good thing is we found another restaurant called Suise Chalet that we liked a lot more money than RIO but it was very good.

Cat,
The owner is a very loved and wonderful man. One of the kinder lawyers I have ever met. (Yes there is such a thing for a nice lawyer). He is currently not feeling well and is recouperating.

I think his error was in his marketing planning. This is not the first time that improper marketing has hurt an effort. Remember the Ford EDSEL?

Once again - He was ans still is very much liked and appreciated.

be well
charles

The Rio was my favorite restaurant as well. With the many times I returned to the island I adviced their management what needed to be done to promote their gold mine. At first I saw adverisement in the airport and business was booming. Always a waiting list and it just died down. I was in Aruba in Nov'06 to celebrate my 50th and had to go elsewhere. I had my celebratory dinner at El Gaucho's and paarty across the street at Garufa's. Never regretted the move.