The New Pueblito Paisa, Aruba

If you’re looking for stick to your ribs kind of food, there’s a place in San Nicolaas, Aruba called The New Pueblito Paisa. This restaurant is operated by a nice Colombian woman who I’ve gotten to know over the years. The food, as you would expect, is Colombian, including the famous Bandeja Paisa platter, oxtail soup, and homemade fruit drinks. It’s on a corner of Helfrichstraat.

With an exterior painted like that, it’s hard to miss. I sat at the counter for many hours, writing, learning Spanish from the waitresses, and watching the people come and go. Pueblito is very popular with the refinery workers who phone in their orders. The best time for lunch is about 11:15, right before the big rush, or after 1:00 when it is over. Either way, the food will fill you up. For example, the other day I ordered the lomito platter, which is a steak pounded flat, grilled and sauced. It comes with fries, rice and a small salad. I took the photo after the salad was gone.

That was tasty! Filled me up for the rest of the day. The Chuleta Colombiana is a pork chop pounded flat, battered and fried. The batter has enough garlic to last three days. Excellent. Again, this isn’t the place if you’re worried about cholesterol or salt. But, if you’re working hard these meals will give you the energy to keep going. Of course, my desert is the beloved, and ice-cold, Coca Cola.

Notice that plate in the background is about wiped clean. More important, that can of Coca-Cola is frosty cold, exactly as it should be. Never accept less.

Published in: on August 16, 2008 at 10:24 am  Leave a Comment  
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Dawn, Aruba

Not a morning person? That’s a shame. However, if you are, you already know that sunrise can be as spectacular as sunset. Here’s one from the southern tip of Aruba.

Before dawn, the rest of the world has yet to have their morning coffee, to pick up the phone, and start interrupting whatever we early-birds are doing. That’s okay. To each his own.

I’ve always been a morning person, getting more writing done between five and noon than I do the rest of the day. Some of my friends work over night shifts. They’re eating supper when the rest of us are having breakfast. When we meet up, it’s an usual table setting.

Anyway, don’t forget that life isn’t so short as it is precious. Whatever your habits, make the most of every day.

Published in: on August 15, 2008 at 10:40 am  Leave a Comment  
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Roger’s Beach, Aruba

Near the southern tip of Aruba is an area known as Roger’s Beach. Crescent shaped, it curves out to the Caribbean, creating a handsome lagoon of bath-warm water. At the far end of the beach are a few small docks where fisherman moor their boats.

Like so many things in Aruba, however, there is a contrast between this beach and the refinery complex just about a mile away. You can be swimming or enjoying the sunshine here, and so long as you look to the south, southwest, you would never know that the refinery is just over your shoulder. Here’s a look at it, with the end of Roger’s Beach in the frame.

That view never bothers me. Refineries are a reality. This one doesn’t affect the beach very much. In fact this beach is typically less crowded than Baby Beach which is only another half mile further down the coast. So, give it a try. You might like it.

Published in: on August 14, 2008 at 11:04 am  Leave a Comment  
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Huchada Pasteleria, Aruba

The post will preempt one about my favorite pastry shop in New York City. However, just last night, I visited the Huchada Pasteleria in Santa Cruz, Aruba. I’ve been driving past this place for years. For some reason, I never stopped in. This may have been a good thing because now that I know how good the pastry is, I will be gaining tons of weight. First, here’s a look at the place from the outside so you can find it when you’re next on the island.

To get to it, take the main highway SOUTH from the airport. At the traffic light in Balashi, turn LEFT. Go up the hill into Santa Cruz. Go through several lights and keep looking to the right. After you pass the Mondo Nobo Grocery, you are only a few hundred yards away. It is there on the right, you can’t miss it. Be careful. This is a busy road and many people are in a hurry as you’re keeping an eye peeled for this joint. It’s worth it.

Let me say I’ve been a connoisseur of fine pastry since 1986 when I lived in New York City, about three blocks from the best pastry shop in the world, bar none. Those are my credentials, that and the fact that I ate a pastry most every day for four years and gained about 25 pounds in the process. Fine pedigree. Anyway, here’s a photo of what Huchada baked yesterday.

Naturally, they were tremendously busy, so I could only get one more shot before the patrons started barking at me. Here it is.

Now, since this was my first time here, I purchased four different items, rather slices of four different items. One a chocolate layer cake with shavings on top, one mocha layer-cake like thing, one pistachio flavored Napoleon-type thing, and another almond crusted Napoleon-type thing. After a delicious dinner cooked by a friend, my wife and I sampled the aforementioned goodies. DIOS MIO! They were the best pastry I’ve had in Aruba and only a very, very close second to my haunt in NYC. No kidding. They were that good. Just keep them COLD, ice-cold. Don’t mess around, get them in the fridge and serve them cold.

Lesson of the day: Don’t drive by a pastry shop for (literally) ten years without giving it a try. It may be awesome like this one. I might also mention that the ladies behind the counter wear handsome uniforms the way they used to in bakeries in the USA years ago. They’re friendly and got a kick out of me taking photos for the blog. This is a MUST-STOP for a regular to the island.

Published in: on August 13, 2008 at 2:03 pm  Comments (2)  
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