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.

Sunday BBQ, Aruba (Dec 2013)

Sunday BBQ is a regular feature on the island of Aruba. Many places are open for BBQ ONLY on Sundays. One of my favorites is the Great Rich, which has changed its name to Lucky Lady or something. Anyway, it’s on the main road through Paradera. The food is cooked over open coals in by a couple of guys outside. You go inside the bar, pay (currently 15 florins) then come out with your ticket, which is given to the servers. They’ll load up a styrofoam container with about 1/4 chicken, ribs, coleslaw, fried rice, corn on the cob and you’re on the way. Here’s a look:

Sunday BBQ in Aruba.

Sunday BBQ in Aruba.

That is a wicked lot of food. Ice-cold Coca-Cola helps fill the gaps. Enjoy and be prepared to nap.

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.

Another Savaneta Sunrise

It’s dawn here in Aruba, the sun peeking over the horizon to the east. Here’s the view from the front patio.

Another sunrise as seen from Savaneta, Aruba, DWI.

Another sunrise as seen from Savaneta, Aruba, DWI.

A beautiful sunrise is something many people miss. Most like to wait for the sunset. But there’s nothing like a show first thing in morning to start the day right.

Published in: on November 22, 2013 at 10:25 am  Leave a Comment  
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