ARUBA DINING
 

GOING TO ARUBA ON FEB.27 FOR 5 NIGHTS WITH HUSBAND - NO KIDS - WHERE TO EAT DINNER??? WE ARE STAYING AT RADISSON! APPRECIATE ANY RECOMMENDATIONS!!!!

Great hotel choice! You will love it there!<BR><BR>Make sure to hit El Gaucho for an Argentinian steak. Best filet I have ever tasted. Be sure to get a pitcher of sangria too.<BR><BR>Madame Janette's was also great. And the Hyatt has several good restaurants including Ruinas Del Mar. And though I didn't make it there, I have been told that the Flying Fishbone is not to be missed. Be sure to make a reservation at sunset as their tables are right on the beach. You will need a car to get to this restaurant. Cab fare will be steep.<BR><BR><BR>

I agree. Don't miss Madame Janette's or El Gaucho. We stayed at the Hyatt and ate one night there and the food was great - just no ocean view which would have been nice. We didn't make it Flying Fishbones either, too far and we didn't have a car. Our most disappointing meal was at Driftwood, which had been recommended to us by our hotel for seafood. We went to a place called Papillon (I think I'm remembering this right) in a house with tables around the pool, romantic setting but service wasn't good and thought it was overpriced.

Don't miss El Gaucho! Have a cuban cigar at their lounge!<BR><BR>Since you are traveling without the kids, rent a jeep for your stay. It's cheap and there's private beaches all over (head toward the lighthouse). There's nothing more romantic than your own beach with your husband...<BR>Have a wonderful time!!

Some of our favorities:<BR>AMAZONIA--for a fun night--waiters constantly come around with skewers of open pit, charcoal grilled meat (beef, steak, chicken, sausage etc.) and your shaker turned red or green determines if the waiter stops by your table--also large salad bar. You can walk there from the Radisson.<BR>SIMPLY FISH--at the Marriott--tables directly on the beach with a limited menu of very fresh fish--romantic. We were there on a Saturday night and there was a singer/guitarist. <BR>MADAME JANETTE'S--a very popular restaurant--sit outside in a patio with twinkling lights--guitarist around 8:00 p.m. Most entrees very good except on last trip fish was not so great.<BR>MANGO'S--at the Amsterdam Manor Hotel--open air restaurant--we ate there last December and it was great--also a fun happy hour at the hotel. The Chicken Flamboyant at Mango's was delicious.<BR>EL GAUCHO--the first Argentine restaurant in Aruba specializing in steaks--been around for 24 years--they have huge steaks and other fare. Very busy restaurant.<BR>CHALET SUISSE--love the Wiener Schnitzel--german type cooking and other. Also very popular.<BR>GASPARITO--local cuisine-- sit outside in the patio or inside where there is a small art gallery.<BR>RUMBA Restaurant--If you're downtown shopping in the afternoon (open for lunch/dinner) drop by--located in back of the Renaissance Hotel in the Mall area on Havenstraat in the Plaza Daniel Leo--inexpensive and very good cuisine.<BR>FRENCH STEAKHOUSE--at the Manchebo Hotel has an Ambassador's Special that includes appetizer, salad, entree, dessert and bottle of wine $29.95 each. Pianist for entertainment.<BR>Best to make reservations for all restaurants upon arrival or before you arrive. Websites and information on all restaurants--go into Google and type in &quot;Aruba-dining&quot;. <BR>You will be offered pamphlets at the airport in Aruba--take them because they contain coupons.<BR><BR><BR><BR>

We JUST got back from Aruba.<BR>Definitely go to El Gaucho - we went twice! The steak is fabulous. Also, it is worth the trip to the Flying Fishbone. Have your hotel make a reservation for a table right by the water and make sure you're there by 6:30. The sunset is beautiful and the food is great. If you are renting a car, you should go the day you have the car. Salt and Pepper was a fun place for lunch - many interesting tapas.