Diageo, a giant consumer-goods company with a portfolio of world-famous drink brands, in conjunction with Romar Trading Aruba launched a bartender project this week, a free of charge Cocktail University as a form of community project.

According to Romar Trading’s Milton Harms, Diageo, the world’s largest multinational beer, wine & spirits’ company is launching the project internationally via its local distribution companies, and offering a 36-hour course with a detailed curriculum designed to train and certify aspiring bartenders.

Graduates of the beginners’ course may go on to the intermediate level and later to the advanced, and obtain a professional certificate at the end of the learning cycle.

The project was launched at La Bodega Romar Trading’s elegant wine store in Eagle in the presence of instructors Albert Tromp and Fernando Kock, two veteran Aruban bartenders whose mission is to mold the new generation of master-mixers here.

It’s 30% knowledge and 70% personality, says Albert, determined to stir his students just right.

Overlooking the Daniel Leo Plaza, at the Aventura Mall lunchtime shoppers and nighttime strollers can enjoy indoor or terrace seating while sipping sensational sangria and delighting in hand-tossed, brick-oven pizzas, fresh pastas, fresh fish, steaks, and authentic, home-baked Italian desserts.

The beautifully styled eatery opened on Wednesday evening with an elegant crowd sipping and munching and congratulating owner Victor Nataf on the beautiful design of the restaurant, inspired by the typical Italian Piazza which is the center of public life in Italy. Chef Greg, who is no other but Victor’s son, oversaw the preparation of the world’s biggest, most delicious seafood paella which was chased by endless numbers of thin crust Pizza pies, the ones that made Casa Tua so famous. Invitees who arrived hungry, went home happy, vowing to return as paying guests.

Pictured here lively scenes from the party entertained by the We Fusion trio.

Restaurateur Daniel Kameijer and his crew including Marcel van Berkum, Carsten Goetz, Chef Erwin Husken and Chef Michael Van Dorst welcomed their many friends to the first anniversary party of Screaming Eagle restaurant with bottomless flutes of bubbly Veuve Clicquot and X-rated liquor.

The hip lounge-restaurant toasted to its first successful year on Saturday night with DJ Sander Baan imported from the Netherlands, who entertained the crowd of local unwinding and networking celebrities, among them Jorge Curiel, Aruba Trading Company, international businessman Rene Kan, Dutch investor Robert Nieland, surgeon Dr Tim Peterson, Radisson Director of Food & Beverage Rachel Noordermeer and many more.

The team of famed Flying Fishbone Restaurant in Savaneta expanded its reach last year to embrace the Screaming Eagle restaurant on Eagle Beach, serving dinner nightly in an elegant and trendy setting with a French fusion menu.

The Screaming Eagle delivers unusual food combinations, with never-before pairings, infusing pleasant elements of surprise to nightly dinner rituals.

And dessert lovers will also find a number of surprises to finish their meal off in style. Chef Michael Van Dorst participated recently in the Westin Aruba Resort Wine, Food & Art Festival 2008, receiving great praise for his artistry from celebrity Chef Eric Scuiller for an outstanding duck appetizer.

Screaming Eagle is open nightly for dinner, with inside and outside seating available on the open terrace. Check out the complete menu at: www.screaming-eagle.net

Señor Frogs Restaurant & Bar now offers a great variety of themed events & nights such as the Mexican Night every Wednesday at 6:00pm. $40 per person will get you transportation from hotel to Sr. Frogs back to hotel, a 4 course dinner with live Mariachi show, a welcome shot, an 18 oz Yard of Margarita and $2 XX beer all night.  Thursday is “Downtown Shopping Tour” day from 9:00am till 2:00pm where participants will be able to get 15%-20% discount at over 95 different stores. Lunch, fiesta and transportation are included for the price of $25 per person. For reservations call (297) 582-0355 or (297) 582-0390 or visit www.senorfrogsaruba.com.

La Terraza Restaurant Café located at the marina Mall (Mar Azul) second floor now offers many great dining options for the entire week. Daily “Early Bird Dinner” for $17.95 from 5:30pm till 7:30pm, “All you can eat pasta night” on Mondays for $19.95 (Includes a free glass of wine). Wednesdays is “Aruban Night” with a full 3 course typical local cuisine dinner with a free glass of wine for $19.95 and on Fridays, “All you can eat ribs” for $17.95. (Regular menu is also available during all especially themed nights). For more information please call: (297) 583-6046. Open for lunch and dinner from 11:00am to 11:00pm.

The season of White Gold, Dutch Asparagus, is here and both Mathilde and Madame Janette restaurants are featuring outstanding dishes using this delicious vegetable. Remember, it is available for a limited time only.  outstanding dishes. For more information please call: Mathilde at (297) 583-9200 or visit www.matildearuba.com or call Madam Janette at (297) 587-0184 or visit www.madamejanette.com.

Ruth’s Chris, located at the Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino officially opened its doors to the public and is open for dinner everyday from 18:00 hrs till 23:00 hrs. Reservations can be made online at www.ruthschris.com. For more information please call (297) 520-6225.

MR. JAZZ, located at Paseo Herencia and co-owned by Grammy winner Chucho
Valdez, is now open every Wednesday with happy hour from 10pm on with their Live band DOOR #5, playing a musical selection of the 70’s, 80’s, 90’s, Pop, Dance & More. Fridays and Saturdays also feature live music from “The Bilongos” with Latin Jazz & salsa music. For more information please call: (297) 586-3800 or visit www.mrjazzaruba.com. Doors open at 21:00 hrs.

Bye Bye Carlos ‘n Charlie’s, welcome Señor Frog’s. Located on the second floor right next to the old Carlos ‘n Charlie’s, Senor Frogs is now open daily from 11:00 am serving food and beverages and becomes an adult only club from 11:00 pm until closing time. The restaurant even includes an indoor waterslide that will be part of a package offering “Kid’s Brunch” every Sunday from noon till 4:00 pm, becoming a place for the whole family. For more information please visit: www.senorfrogs.com.

Famed L.G. Smith’s Steak and Chop House has just ignited the Collectible Craze campaign with silver plated coins featuring Aruba’s landmarks.

The steakhouse revealed its latest offering over the weekend, an original and unique series of four silver coins featuring Aruba’s favorite icons.

The silver coins depicting the landmarks are not for sale, they can only be obtained at L.G. Smith’s, where they are presented at the end of each memorable meal as a keepsake, a memento of the delightful experience.

In total there are 4 coins to be collected. The first one features the California Lighthouse, the second has Aruba’s indeginous Divi-Divi Tree, the third displays a cluster of proud Pipe Cacti, and the fourth features the ever-present and endearing Iguana. The coins are all beautiful in their own way, and they make perfect souvenirs and a truly unique gifts from Aruba.

The way it works is easy, with the receipt of your first coin you will also receive a stamp card to record the progress of your collection. Keep it in your wallet for future visits!

The friendly staff of L.G. Smith’s Steak & Chop House will keep track of the coins you have received, and with each additional dinner, you will be awarded another coin in the series.

L.G. Smith’s, located right next to Crystal Casino across from the downtown marina, awaits you and will warmly welcome you to a fantastic dining experience.

The L.G. Smith’s Steak & Chop House one of Aruba favorite restaurants, home of flavorful, juicy steaks and premium seafood, hosted a most successful Autumn Festival of Flavor in November last year.

The festival menu was created by visiting Master Chef Eugene Swalen, from Holland, featuring a 3-course menu of mouth-watering dishes, combining exquisitely prepared appetizers, hearty main courses and tantalizing desserts.

Three of Master Chef Swalen specialties have since earned an honorary place on the L.G. Smith’s Steak & Chop House menu and as the Autumn Festival of Flavors concluded, the chef’s three favorite dishes remained and are available every night as part of the restaurant’s new Love Your Steak campaign.

Pictured here, a line up of incredible dishes: Raw Tuna on Chuka Wakame, thinly sliced Seaweed with Red Pepper and Sesame Oil, served with Soy Sauce, Wasabi and Ginger Syrup; The restaurant’s signature certified Angus beef steak with garden-fresh vegetables and the incredible Mascarpone Cake with Dried Mango and Raspberry Coulis, in a rich dark Chocolate shell.

Executive Chef Michael Gomez, invites you to the L.G. Smith’s Steak & Chop House, adjacent to Crystal Casino in the Renaissance Mall and suggests reservations.

The restaurant enjoys a contemporary setting with sweeping views of the marina and bustling boulevard below.

Ask your friendly waiter about the Collectible Craze Campaign with four silver-plated coins featuring Aruba’s landmarks, now available exclusively at the L.G. Smith’s Steak & Chop House.

The E.P.I (Hospitality & Tourism Sector) with the cooperation of EPB, Aruba Tourism Authority, Aruba Hotel and Tourism Association and the Aruba Gastronomic Association, are in full preparations for the upcoming “ Aruba International Student Culinary Exposition 2008”. The main purpose of this event, is to bring both local and international students together, to expose their culinary know how. The organizing committee strongly believes in encouraging students to continue with their studies through these types of incentives, especially the ones in the tourism sector. The participating teams for this year event are; FEFFIK from Curacao, SBO from Bonaire and EPI & EPB from Aruba.

The event will be taking place from March 16 to the 18th. The program will consist different activities such as official opening, orientation session, a forum with an International guest speaker, the different competitions and workshops, visit the “back of the house” of different Aruban restaurants, an exposition and finally the gala awards presentation and the popular “Taste of Aruba” where people can savor one of the many culinary specialties offered by the different Aruban restaurants.

For more information about the event, please contact Mr. Ryan Maduro, Dean for the Hospitality and Tourism Sector at rmaduro.epi@hotmail.com or aisce2008@hotmail.com

Aruba Marriott Resort is home to world-renowned steak house.

On February 8 & 9, Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino was the gracious host to many VIP guests and valued business partners for the opening of the prestigious Ruth’s Chris Steak House. All guests received a special preview of the restaurant and enjoyed a fabulous meal. Aruba Marriott Resort is the new home to Ruth’s Chris Steak House and February 11, 2008 will mark the official opening of this world-renowned, fine-dining restaurant in Aruba.

“Ruth’s Chris Steak House has a proven recipe for success which is evident from their international presence.  We’re thrilled to become part of this elite group,” commented Rick Zeolla, general manager of the Aruba Marriott.  “We welcome the addition to Aruba and to our resort and look forward to entertaining both island visitors and residents.”

The franchised restaurant is being introduced as part of a $40 million renovation at the Aruba Marriott.  The first phase of the renovation is complete, which included transforming what was previously Tuscany, a fine-dining Italian restaurant, in to Ruth’s Chris Steak House.  The conversion of the restaurant has created a brand new look and feel for the space, designed by Washington, D.C. based J.C Schaub of Core Design.  Design elements include a bar area with wooden floors, cherry wood wine display and limestone bar top and a split-level dining area with rich, chocolate brown carpeting, antique mirrors showcasing various views throughout the restaurant, elegant lighting and a central column adorned with colored glass and tiles in warm tones of honey, gold and red.

Additionally, the upper level features two 16-seat private dining rooms, one of which is a wine room showcasing a wall of the premium wines the restaurant offers to complement its cuisine.  Both private dining rooms will feature artwork by Aruba’s well known artist, Elisa Lejeuz.

Situated on the ground level of the Aruba Marriott, Ruth’s Chris Steak House will be open seven days a week, from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. New Orleans-inspired appetizers, the finest U.S. Prime steaks, fresh seafood and classic desserts will be served with Caribbean charm and elegance.