Cuba’s Cooking, Aruba

Cuba’s Cooking recently moved to a new location at the Seaport Mall in Oranjestaad. It’s easy to find on the front side of the mall, near the main highway. There is parking in several locations around the complex, including on the back side near the ocean. As the name implies, Cuba’s Cooking serves Cuban dishes, ranging from roast pork to olive chicken, two of the dishes I sampled recently. The empanadas are good, too, and you have a choice of chicken, beef, and fish in this department. Let’s take a look at those first.

You’ll notice the three sauces served with the empanadas, each one a style for your varied tastes. Next came the entrees. Olive chicken as seen in this photo:

The chicken is marinated and slow cooked to fall off the bone, the way it should be. Then there is the roast pork seen here:

Also slow cooked to be cut with a fork. These main courses came with rice and fried plantains and a bit of salad on the side. What is an added benefit to this restaurant is the live music. During my visit there was a fellow on stage with a guitar and the lively crowd joined in to play the bongos, maracas, and sing along. Lots of fun. Here’s the stage and note the artwork on the surrounding walls.

You’ll enjoy yourself at this restaurant, especially during the mid-week when things are less crowded. Bon dia from Aruba.

Published in: on September 2, 2011 at 12:54 pm  Leave a Comment  

Daystar Breakfast, Aruba

I posted about the Daystar Cafe in Savaneta, Aruba, before. Here’s an update. It was breakfast time, perhaps my most favorite of the three meals, and I was already on the run from the early morning hours, so I decided to stop in for an omelet. Take a look.

One loaded omelete, eh? Toast and sausage to boot. Not shown a bowl of fried potatoes, you know, to keep the cholesterol up there. You’ll enjoy the good service at the Daystar as much as the food. The place is located behind the General Store in Savaneta, on the main highway. If you’re on the way to Baby Beach or roaming about the island, this is a great place for breakfast or lunch or to get some wraps, sandwiches, or a fruit bowl to go. Ice-cold Coca-Cola as well.

Bon dia from Aruba.

Published in: on August 30, 2011 at 6:10 pm  Leave a Comment  
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14 Bis, Aruba Airport

14 Bis (don’t ask me how this name came to be) is a new restaurant located at the Queen Beatrix Airport in Aruba. As you can see from the sign below, they’re open all day, serving all three meals.

It is situated between the American departure hall and the arrivals hall. Therefore, if you wanted to check in for your flight and then have a snack, it’s on your way. Let’s take a look inside.

There’s plenty of seating, which will come in handy given the surge of people that arrive for each flight. Let’s take a look at the food.

You have a lineup of sandwiches and wraps. Take your pick. Then there’s panini and the like made to order, plus fresh fruit and baked goods, giving you the opportunity to refuel on something better than your average airport chow.

Looks like quality preparation and presentation here. Given that the food on airlines is quite skimpy these days, it’s a relief to have an alternative like this to enjoy prior to entering the sequestered area of the airport. You can finish your meal in comfortable surroundings and make better use of your time on the plane. Kick back, relax, and enjoy the flight.

Bon dia from Aruba.

Published in: on August 19, 2011 at 12:05 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Hollywood Smokehouse Diner, Aruba

The Hollywood Smokehouse Diner is located in my favorite Aruba town, San Nicolaas, and the food is worth the drive. It’s easy to find, only 2 blocks from the Main Gate of the refinery. There’s plenty of parking in front. Thus, roll into town, go all the way to the end, and on the corner of Helfrichstraat you’ll find this place ready to serve up some Carolina-style pulled pork and Texas brisket that will impress hard-core barbeque lovers. Here’s a view of the outside. Love that Coca-Cola sign, too.

I opted to try two platters today, one pulled pork, the other beef brisket. Platters are served with cole slaw and a choice of sides. As you can see below, I opted for the potato salad and baked beans, both appropriate to the barbeque vibe. Feast your eyes upon this feast.

All that food for 18 and 22 florins respectively. The brisket is the melt-in-your mouth kind. The pulled pork is tender to the fork. You can also order up simple sides like french fries and so forth, if you’re in the mood for a quick snack on the way to or from Baby Beach. My recommendation, go for the whole meal. Mix and match a couple to share around the table, that way you’ll get the full experience of all the flavors. I might also mention that homemade barbeque sauces are tucked in with each meal. They are also top notch flavors, from mild to hot, hot. (Take the big bottle stuff from the grocery store and throw it away.)

To top the experience off you have Mike and Tina, owners of this joint. Great people, friendly, multi-lingual (English, Spanish, Papiamento), and ready to serve the best. My only problem is I’ll blow the buckle off my belt from chowing down here more often that I should. What a way to go.

Bon dia.

Published in: on April 2, 2011 at 5:22 pm  Leave a Comment  
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