Rincón Criollo, Aruba

Rincón Criollo is a Cuban restaurant located on the main road in the middle of Savaneta, Aruba. You can’t miss the place because here’s a view:

Rincón Criollo restaurant, Savaneta, Aruba.

Rincón Criollo restaurant, Savaneta, Aruba.

A very nice and eager fellow operates the business. Here you’ll find hearty food at very reasonable prices. If you like Cuban style coffee, which a friend of mine does, you can have that as well. Here’s a look inside:

Interior, Rincón Criollo restaurant, Savaneta, Aruba.

Interior, Rincón Criollo restaurant, Savaneta, Aruba.

So, starting light, here’s a look at a plain salad:

Mixed salad at Rincón Criollo restaurant, Aruba.

Mixed salad at Rincón Criollo restaurant, Aruba.

I was in the mood for something more filling and with with the carne a la planca, which you see in the next photo:

Carne a la plancha at Rincón Criollo, Savaneta, Aruba.

Carne a la plancha at Rincón Criollo, Savaneta, Aruba.

While we were there, we bumped into other friends, one of whom was enjoying a fried chicken dish you see next:

Fried chicken at Rincón Criollo, Savaneta, Aruba.

Fried chicken at Rincón Criollo, Savaneta, Aruba.

For those of you interested in the current menu with prices, here’s a final photo:

Menu at Rincón Criollo, Savaneta, Aruba.

Menu at Rincón Criollo, Savaneta, Aruba.

While not shown in this post, I did eat here before and had the Cuban Sandwich. Very good and exactly what you’d expect. Therefore, if you’re on the road in Aruba (maybe headed back and forth to Baby Beach or just riding around) stop by this place for some friendly atmosphere and decent food that will keep you on budget. Bon dia.

Colombian Food in Aruba (Dec 2013)

There are several good Colombian restaurants in Aruba, including Casa Vieja, which is located inland from the Airport. I reviewed this place several times and also made a video showing you how to get there. Check in the Aruba Driving Directions section and you’ll find it. I like to stop at Casa Vieja about once a month when I’m on the island, maybe a little more often if friends are visiting. Of course, the legendary platter is the Bandeja Paisa. Yesterday, I enjoyed this meal to the maximum as it arrived perfectly cooked, exactly the way we LOVE it. Here’s the photo:

Bandeja Paisa platter at Casa Vieja, Aruba, December 2013.

Bandeja Paisa platter at Casa Vieja, Aruba, December 2013.

That photo shows the platter in full glory. (Yes, I ate it all, except for the avocado, which was scarfed by someone who likes it more than me.) For those faint of heart diners or others looking for something less… uh… dense, try the pescado filet that you see in the next photo:

Pescado filete at Casa Vieja, Aruba, December 2013.

Pescado filete at Casa Vieja, Aruba, December 2013.

The fish platter above is “con todo” meaning with fries, rice, and a small salad. Get it that way and you’ll be good to go for quite a while. Prices at Casa Vieja are very reasonable, including the beverages. Put this place on your local stops when visiting Aruba. See you there.

Screaming Eagle, Aruba, (Dec 2013)

I’ve posted about Screaming Eagle restaurant before, but it’s been quite a while. Last night, I enjoyed a very good meal there, complete with excellent service and ambiance. This is an upscale place, located along Aruba’s Eagle Beach, close to the “low-rise” area. Seating is both indoor and outside. Take your pick and enjoy. Let’s get to the food. This little plate was served as a “gift of the chef.”

"Gift of the Chef" plate served at Screaming Eagle, Aruba.

“Gift of the Chef” plate served at Screaming Eagle, Aruba.

All bits of goodness on there, including cheese shaved into the shapes of flowers, a touch of orange, piece of walnut, a delicious “mayonnaise” and tiny circle of brioche. Flavors blended perfectly with subtlety that hinted of good things to come. Next came a pair of appetizers including a “truffle spaghetti” that you see below. (It included serano ham and a poached egg.)

Truffle spaghetti with serano ham and a poached egg.

Truffle spaghetti with serano ham and a poached egg.

Again, flavor here was off the chart, the combination working together in ways one might not expect. Then there was a Caribbean salad that included all the greens and goodness I need to have several times a day. Check it out:

Caribbean Salad at Screaming Eagle, Aruba.

Caribbean Salad at Screaming Eagle, Aruba.

The chef dresses the salad in the kitchen, adding the right amount without overpowering the ingredients. Thus, you get to taste it all, which is the point, right? Moving on to entrees, let’s first look at the simple chicken and vegetables:

Chicken and vegetables at Screaming Eagle, Aruba.

Chicken and vegetables at Screaming Eagle, Aruba.

Standard fare here, prepared the way I like it with lots of crispy contrasts. Now for the exotic. The next dish was a special for the week. Here’s grilled kangaroo with apricot chutney:

Grilled Kangaroo with apricot chutney at Screaming Eagle, Aruba.

Grilled Kangaroo with apricot chutney at Screaming Eagle, Aruba.

That’s a zany dish with unique flavor that those with a adventuresome taste buds will have to sample for themselves to get the full effect. Finally, we selected a traditional Dutch Christmas desert of almond flavored cake with ice cream that you see in the final photo:

Dessert at Screaming Eagle, Aruba, December 2013.

Dessert at Screaming Eagle, Aruba, December 2013.

One very, very good meal here in a pleasant setting with attentive service. I found it worth every penny and will be back again to try some other dishes.

Ché Bar, Aruba

Ché Bar is a little joint wedged into the outside corner of the Paseo Hernecia Mall. Just follow the paved sidewalk around the mall toward the Marriott complex and you’ll come to it. Here’s a view to help:

Ché Bar at the Paseo Herencia Mall, Aruba, November 2013

Ché Bar at the Paseo Herencia Mall, Aruba, November 2013

As you can see, there’s room at the bar to have a seat, or you can take one of the tables not shown here. The menu is mostly grilled meats in the Argentinian style. Here’s a look at the platter for 2, which is plenty of food for 2 people, maybe 3.

Ché Bar platter for two.

Ché Bar platter for two.

You have a selection of short rib, steak, chicken, and sausage there as well as one small salad and the french fries, which are particularly flavorful. The little dish of chimichurri sauce does wonders to bring up the flavors. You can also buy that separately at the bar to take home:

Ché Bar chimichurri sauce for take away.

Ché Bar chimichurri sauce for take away.

And finally, here’s a look at the menu, showing you the options as prices as of this writing, November 2013:

Ché Bar, Aruba, menu as of November 2013.

Ché Bar, Aruba, menu as of November 2013.

There you have it. If you’re looking for some grilled meat and a relaxing outdoor dining experience, this may be the place for you. They also sell a special Argentinian beer that adds to the experience. Try it all!