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.

In-Flight Choices

Several months ago, American Airlines sent me a pleasant email, declaring I could select my entree for the upcoming flight. What a pleasant surprise! Normally, you watch the stewardess roll the cart past your seat, hoping you’ll get your choice. Not a huge issue, but then again, customer satisfaction matters in a competitive industry. So, giving a passenger the opportunity to have his preference means happy days. Of course, there are only two choices, which is fine with me. After all, we’re on an airplane, not in a swanky restaurant. On recent flights, I went with the egg option for breakfast that you see in the next photo:

Breakfast on American Airlines flight from PHL to MIA.

Breakfast on American Airlines flight from PHL to MIA.

The decal on the side even had my name on it. Makes a guy feel important. Food was simple and tasty, again for onboard an airplane. Lunch on the next flight you see below:

Lunch on American Airlines flight from MIA to AUA.

Lunch on American Airlines flight from MIA to AUA.

The novelty item here was the pretzel stick you see in the upper left of the frame. That salad was also very fresh, and I do like my greens with most meals. I very much like the fact that American Airlines gives me this choice. It may seem like a small thing, but it matters because it shows the airline is thinking about ways to make things better. Thanks for a friendly and safe flight.

Verna’s Flight Line Restaurant

Verna’s Flight Line Restaurant has been on my list of places to check out for a long time. It’s located at the Millville, NJ airport, which is a place with tons of history, especially relating to the Second World War and P47 Thunderbolts. Of course, I’m a fan of history, airplanes, and good diners. Hence, Verna’s fits all three bills.

Verna's Flight Line Restaurant, Millville, NJ

Verna’s Flight Line Restaurant, Millville, NJ

It’s a small place with a short counter and some tables among photos and airplane memorabilia.

Flight Line Restaurant Interior.

Flight Line Restaurant Interior.

Flyers and non-flyers will be at home here. So what about the food? This is a diner (in my humble opinion) so you can expect the usual burgers, club sandwiches, and specials. I went with the club sandwich and a side of fries. Let me say, they were both delicious, perfectly prepared, and served with a smile.

Flight Line Restaurant club sandwich.

Flight Line Restaurant club sandwich.

There was another quarter of the sandwich, but I ate it before remembering to take the photo. Anyway, it was all good and reasonably priced, not to mention served within sight of the runway. Can’t ask for more than that.

Flight Line Restaurant, placemat.

Flight Line Restaurant, placemat.

All the info you need is right there in the photo above. Call before you go as they do close for certain holidays and special events. Enjoy the flight and the meals!