Salsa Pica, Aruba (December 2013)

There are many Colombian people in Aruba. Naturally, the local cuisine is influenced by their tastes. On the table at the Colombian and other local restaurants, you’ll frequently find a small cub containing a spicy sauce usually referred to as “salsa pica.” Here’s a look:

"Salsa pica" or Colombian spicy sauce as seen in Aruba.

“Salsa pica” or Colombian spicy sauce as seen in Aruba.

The sauce is fortified with Madam Jeanette peppers as well as onions, carrots, peppers, and a few other treats. It has a sort of bulk to go with the heat, traits that I find particularly appealing. Put a dab on your meat or fish of choice for a surprising taste. You might like it. Bon dia.

Yemanja, Aruba (December 2013)

Another great meal at Yemanja, a wood-fired grill restaurant in Oranjestaad, Aruba, DWI. This place gets things right from start to finish. There are various seating options including inside, outside, and at the bar. Have a look:

Seating at Yemanja restaurant, Aruba.

Seating at Yemanja restaurant, Aruba.

And here’s the bar:

Bar area at Yemanja, Aruba, DWI.

Bar area at Yemanja, Aruba, DWI.

You can have a nice drink there before or after your meal. Moving on to the food… as mentioned, this is a “wood-fired grill” place, so there are some great meat options. But let’s start with our greens, namely the salad with prosciutto that you see in the next photo:

Salad with prosciutto at Yemanja, Aruba, DWI.

Salad with prosciutto at Yemanja, Aruba, DWI.

If you’d like a salad with scallops, well, take a look:

Mixed salad with scallops at Yemanja, Aruba.

Mixed salad with scallops at Yemanja, Aruba.

Those are just two ways to begin a great meal. There are other options that you’ll find on the menu to satisfy various tastes. Now, for a couple of meat choices, you might like the rib eye that you see here:

Yemanja, Aruba serves this rib eye.

Yemanja, Aruba serves this rib eye.

Or, you might like the filet mignon that is served in two pieces, which is a favorite of mine.

Filet mignon at Yemanja, Aruba.

Filet mignon at Yemanja, Aruba.

I like the french fried onions as a garnish, just the right flavor kick. Service here is excellent and mindful of all things, including my water glass. Sorry, no room for dessert, maybe next time. There will be a next time, because Yemanja is on my regular list of places while in Aruba. Hope to make a video there soon. Bon dia.

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.