Aruba restaurant questions
Sep 21st, 2003, 10:45 PM
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Aruba restaurant questions
Hi everyone! I have a couple of questions about Aruba dining. I am hoping some fellow Fodorites could help me out. First off, dining outside at sunset sounds wonderful, but I have a couple of concerns. If I have a reservation for dining outside, what happens if it rains? (I know it rarely rains in Aruba, but it does happen.) Also, are bugs a big problem when dining outside? Thanks in advance for all your help!
Sep 28th, 2003, 02:07 PM
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Great place to sit outside for a nice dinner...Ventana Del Mar...at the golf course near the California Lighthouse. It looks out over the course, lighthouse and ocean. It also has live Jazz..great atmosphere and food. Oh and if you sit outside you are on a covered patio so in the rare chance of rain you are set. Sure bet!
Sep 29th, 2003, 01:34 PM
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Hi there. We were in Aruba last February, and I agree there's not much of a bug problem. But the food was generally not terrific by US standards. Two exceptions: Le Dome, which is Belgian of all things and which we liked so much we went twice, and Chez Mathilde downtown. Avoid the hotel in the Renaissance downtown like the plague, I have had better meals at McDonalds! Oh, and Ventana del Mar was fine, also, with the view you're looking for. All three are pricey.
Have a good time...
Have a good time...
Sep 29th, 2003, 08:55 PM
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My husband and I are considering the following restaurants for our Aruba trip: Amazonia, Aqua-Grill, Hostaria Da'Vittorio, La Trattoria el Faro Blanco (next to lighthouse), Pavarotti, and Le Dome. Does anyone have any opinions on any of these restaurants? Also, would 7pm reservations get the sunset view? Thanks again for all your help!
Oct 3rd, 2003, 05:09 PM
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Go to Madame Janette and The Flying Fishbone. Papiamento is popular with lots of people - we did not find it to be that great. L'Escale was very good, too. Have seen many recommendations for the French Steak House and are going to try it on our next trip in two weeks.
Oct 8th, 2003, 11:25 PM
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Hostaria da Vittorio is our favorite restaurant in Aruba. It's pretty, the service is great, they have a waiter who could double for Richard Gere (& everyone tells him so), the food is fabulous, and the prices are worth it. They accept the VisitAruba card for a 10% discount, too. We visited Faro Blanco and definitely plan on eating there next time. The view is gorgeous and their menu is lighter and has more Asian influence than most other continental restaurants in Aruba. The setting at Papiamento was unforgettable, but we had better food at Gasparito. You might want to make your reservations a tad earlier than 7 for sunset depending on time of year.
Oct 9th, 2003, 03:53 AM
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We've eaten at Trattoria Faro Blanco as well as the Dome. Both were very good. Trattoria has outside dining,but at least some of that us under a covered patio. It's really beautiful there (the view is awesome and it's right next to the lighthouse) and the food was great. We also enjoyed the Dome very much. They were very eager to please and make sure that our dining experience was perfect. They even comped us after dinner drinks Also very atmospheric... we'll definitely eat at both of those next time we go. I agree with the post that said stay away from the Rennaisance Restaurant. If you decide to see the show (Latin Nights, I think, which is really good, fun) opt for one of the restaurants outside of the hotel, instead of doing the dinner and show package they offer. We ate at one (Italian,outdoors) right across from the Renaissance and it was very good. Have fun!
Oct 13th, 2003, 04:14 PM
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We have been going to Aruba for 20 years and own timeshare there. You could count the disappointing meals we have had in restaurants there on one hand! We find the restaurants reasonably priced and the food top quality. Of course, there are exceptions, but very few. We love The Driftwood which is downtown and serves only the fish that has been caught fresh that day. Don't be put off by the exterior as the food is very good. Valentino's is great Italian; French Steakhouse has great steak. The Chalet has great food, too. Bugs are not an issue; neither is rain. As mentioned, the only potential problem is wind.
