Casa Vieja and the Bandeja Paisa

Lately I’ve been looking for a new place in Aruba to secure the massive Bandeja Paisa platter. I have my old standby joint in San Nicolaas, but I wanted to reach out for another version. After inquiring amongst my local friends they informed me that the place to go was called Casa Vieja, which is located about two minutes from the airport. My wife and I rolled in there yesterday, much to our delight.

As the name implies, the restaurant is in an old house. The covered area in front features tables. Through the double door is a small counter with a few stools, but the temperature inside will chase you out. I was happy to discover that the fellow operating this place used to have La Finca, a restaurant in the middle of Oranjestaad that has since passed to other hands. I remembered him from there but had never sampled his version of the bandeja. So I ordered and waited.

Lo and behold! The platter arrived at my table in all its glory. Here is a photo.

This is one way to fill the bottomless pit. For those of you not familiar with Colombian food, let me list what comes with this dish. A slice of flank steak, one egg fried hard, a piece of salchicha (sausage), chicharron (think a hunk of fried bacon), an arepa, a smashed and fried piece of plantain, small cole slaw-like salad, rice, beans (not shown), a slice each of avocado and tomato, and a wedge of lime. That’s a massive amount of food. I ate nearly everything aside of the avocado because I just don’t like it. The rest pretty much went down the hatch. I was full beyond breakfast the next day. Flavor was outstanding, including the hot sauce (also not shown) served on the side. Here I am with the owner.

Yes, I worked up a sweat eating that plate of food. As you have come to expect, I cooled down with an ICE-COLD Coca-Cola, the perfect thing to settle the gut after such punishment. If you get to Aruba, like Colombian food, and want to have it done right, give Casa Vieja a try.

Published in: on August 20, 2008 at 10:31 am  Leave a Comment  
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Smokey Joe’s, Aruba

Many people on the Aruba Message Boards talk about Smokey Joe’s, a restaurant along a promenade that faces the high-rise hotels. I had never been there, until the other night that is. I heard so much about the ribs that I had to go try them. First, here’s a look at the place.

My wife and I went early as I like to avoid crowds as much as possible. We were seated immediately and our waiter did a good job. We both ordered the “original” ribs with the regular sides. Here’s a look at the plate that came to our table.

Sorry about the lousy photo. I think the blue table affected the camera’s systems. Anway, those ribs were rather meaty. The original style is more smoke than barbecue. Flavor was fair on my scale of ribs. (Of course the all time best ribs I’ve ever had were at the Feed Store Barbecue near Dallas, Texas, USA. Nothing has ever come close but that’s a VERY high standard.) Back to Aruba and Smokey Joe’s.

Well, we mowed down these racks to great effect. I was tremendously full, almost so much that the obligatory post-dinner Coca-Cola was nearly canceled. NEVER! I just waited an extra hour before downing the beloved elixir. As for the ribs, like I said, they were fair, but nothing amazing, nothing to change the current ranking of artery-plugging rib joints on my tally.

The atmosphere here, as you can tell from the photos, is casual and comfortable. I like the roll of paper towels on the table to stay clean and the giant coffee can for bones is also quite handy. This place is not a must stop by any stretch but if you need to fill a hunger hole, it will do the job.

Published in: on August 11, 2008 at 12:19 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Old Man and the Sea (restaurant update)

The previous post took at look at The Old Man and The Sea Restaurant in Savaneta, Aruba. I took some more photos, including of the menu as requested. There was a wedding in progress, so I couldn’t get everything that I wanted out of respect for the happy couple. Anyway, here we go.

And the menu (click to enlarge)…

A view over the water…

And again…

And the last one for now…

 The menu is a little short. However the chef informed me they would be adding specials and other dishes as they come up to full speed. As time permits, I’ll keep you informed of the progress.

Published in: on August 9, 2008 at 11:59 am  Leave a Comment  
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Old Man and the Sea (Restaurant)

My wife and I stumbled on a brand new restaurant here in Aruba. It’s called The Old Man and the Sea, and is located here in Savaneta, directly on the water, (a few dozen yards from The Flying Fishbone). I met the chef and took some photos in the morning when we were going for a walk. The restaurant is billed as “romantic dining” and the place definitely fits that bill. We visited again last night, even though they are not officially open. As things turned out, my friend, the Right Reverend Robert Gibson, happens to know the owner and thus we were granted a preview. First let’s look at the setting, photographed during the day so things are more visible.

In the evening those heavy wooden doors are wide open and the pathway in is lit with tiny lights.

You follow this path (which would be great for weddings) into the heart of the restaurant. There is a small bar (not shown) off to the left. There is some seating available under cover, but the majority of the tables are right on the beach.

When I took these photos, they weren’t set up for dining, but you get the idea. There is also that small stage out in the water where the musical entertainment will be set up. Then there is a spit of land sticking into the Caribbean, where they built a palapa hut for private dining and/or wedding events and such.

Very nice, if you ask me. So how about the food? Last night we took a taste. My wife ordered one of the “small plates,” beef tips with fried oysters. This was too exotic for me but she said it was “amazing.” She wishes they would offer it as an entre. I had tostones de pollo, a wide slice of fried plantain with shredded chicken in a mild red sauce on top. Very, very good, and something different for me. The Reverend Gibson enjoyed a penne pasta with shrimp, and his wife, the lovely Gloria, dined on the lamb. All dishes were good and prices were lower than the neighboring famous restaurant.

The owner informed us that the restaurant will open formally in about 10 days. By that time they’ll have the last few kinks worked out. I’ll give the place another test and report here. Again, the setting is fabulous, the staff friendly, and the dishes creative. If you’re in Aruba anytime soon, give it a try and let me know what you think.

Published in: on August 8, 2008 at 10:54 am  Leave a Comment  
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