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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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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