Best Burger

We had the best burger that we've had in a long time...anywhere! And on Mondays the burgers were the special. Also, the mac & cheese was worth going back for. Can't wait to get back there in October and we hope nothing has changed.

Que bien!!!

A mi y a mi familia nos encanto!!! Hemos estado ya varias veces, siempre tienen variedad en el menu, los calamares fritos los favoritos de mis hijos!!!!Fresco al igual que el pescado, me encantan!!Mark el manager es super simpatico, y el servicio no tengo quejas!!Se siente como en familia,siempre tienen una sonrisa para ti!! Creo que ese es su secreto!!!Se pasa bien y lo mejor no perder el atardecer mientras disfrutas de la buena mesa y de los que te acompanan!!!! Buen provecho!!!!

Que bien!!!

A mi y a mi familia nos encanto!!! Hemos estado ya varias veces, siempre tienen variedad en el menu, los calamares fritos los favoritos de mis hijos!!!!Fresco al igual que el pescado, me encantan!!Mark el manager es super simpatico, y el servicio no tengo quejas!!Se siente como en familia,siempre tienen una sonrisa para ti!! Creo que ese es su secreto!!!Se pasa bien y lo mejor no perder el atardecer mientras disfrutas de la buena mesa y de los que te acompanan!!!! Buen provecho!!!!

tasty dining

last night we had the good fortune to return to chef's tables for the first time in a few years. the decor is lovely and you have a choice of indoor or outdoor dining which is great. last night there was little wind so indoor dining was our choice. there were four of us and we started with various salads. two had apple and blue cheese salad, one had mixing bowl, and one had smoked salmon and shrimp. we followed that with Green crusted whole rack of New Zealand lamb, Fillet of Grouper with herbs, almonds and tomato, Grouper cheese crust and white wine sauce, and Chef's Tables Fish Trio. finally, each of us had 3 items from the list of tapas desserts and coffee or latte for all of us. the service was quite attentive and the foods were excellent and i think my only complaint was that after several trips there i have my favorite desserts. i would have loved a full portion on one of them. tapas are a great idea for sampling but sometimes you really want to stick with one item. three tapas does not make one real portion, lol. all in all, the place was in my top ten restaurants over the last few years.

a favorite that doesn't disappoint

we've been to linda's several times but this was the first time we ever got their pizza. hubby had a small ground beef and i had a small mushroom pizza. small is a 12" pizza. both were excellent with lots of toppings and cheese. we each had a soda and the bill was $21. the other couple we were with each had their tomato soup. they say that it is the best tomato soup they have ever eaten. they followed it with beef sate for her and a ham and cheese on baguette for him. they also got two orders of tomato soup to take back to their timeshare. their bill was $35. it not only a really tasty meal but one of the super low cost dining experiences.

an old place a new meal

having been to old fisherman and loved it, we were very happy when our friend mariza suggested it for breakfast. it seems they had recently started serving breakfast from 7-11 daily. we were pleasantly surprised. we each picked a #2 combo meal. it included a ham and cheese omelet or scrambled eggs, some fruit and other items on mini skewers, a small slice of melon, a baguette or toast in wheat or white, orange juice and coffee. the food was really tasty and the service was friendly and efficient. for $9 each it was a totally pleasant meal to start off a morning of shopping.

Wonderful as Always!

Tonight the six of us went to Wacky Wahoo for dinner. It was wonderful, as always. We were seated promptly and ordered right away. Three of us had salad and two people had the black bean soup. The salad was good-sized, with fresh lettuce, corn, black olives, tomatoes, and cucumbers. According to the people who had the soup, it had a smooth texture, was very well seasoned, and you could pick up the flavor from the ham bone. Our entrees included fresh grouper, red snapper, wahoo, swordfish, and the conch and shrimp stew. Everyone raved about their dinner entrees. All of the fish was cooked to perfection, and the steamed vegetables were wonderful. All of the fish meals came with a homemade salsa with balsamic vinegar, cilantro, onions, chopped red pepper, and a few other things; although some of my companions do not care for the salsa, I think it is wonderful and it really brings out the flavor of the fish. None of us had dessert, so I can't comment on that. The service was attentive, and we all thoroughly enjoyed our meals. My two complaints are (1) the size o the restaurant, and (2) the wine list. Wacky Wahoo is not a big place, and therefore it fills quickly and gets very, vey warm. It is also fairly tight seating quarters, which can be a little uncomfortable for most people. (Because of the tight seating, I am saying "no" for groups and for people with disabilities below.) The wine list is average, with White Zinfandel being the only thing served by the glass. I would suggest expanding the wine menu and offering more glasses and/or half-bottles of wine. The only other thing I would say is that they don't have a kids' menu. We did not bring our kids here earlier this year, even though we love the food, because we knew they wouldn't find anything on the menu they liked. They serve half-portions for kids, which is great if your kids eat fish but challenging if they do not. I would also suggest a kids' menu - it doesn't have to be fancy, just chicken fingers and fries or grilled cheese or something along that line. All in all, it was a wonderful experience and Wacky Wahoo remains one of the best restaurants on the island!

An All-Time Favorite

On Tuesday we visited Matthew's, which has become one of our all-time favorites. We have been there several times and have had nothing short of a wonderful meal every time. The food is amazing, the staff is attentive, and the view can't be beat. It is right on the beach at Aruba Beach Club and you can watch the sunset from your table. The variety on the menu makes it hard to decide what to eat. Tuesday's meals included ribs (Tuesday is Rib Night), chicken parmesan, lasagne, and pizza margerita. The lettuce salads were fresh and good-sized. Those who ordered the caesar said it was wonderful. My husband had the Insalata Caprese and said it was amazing. The potion was large, and the fresh mozarella just melted in my mouth. The portion of ribs was huge (two small racks), french fries, and homemade cole slaw. The ribs were so tender that the meat fell off the bones. Both people who ordered the ribs could hardly finish their plates. One of our dining companions described the cole slaw as the best she's ever had. Both the lasagne and the chicken parmesan were large portions, and were very tasty. I had the pizza, which was also very good. On other visits, I have had the grouper and it has always been moist, flaky, and cooked to perfection. Several of us had dessert, including flan and profiteroles. The profiteroles I had were amazing and the serving was so big that I couldn't finish it. The service was friendly and attentive, our water glasses were filled regularly, and out server was quite prompt with our drink orders and any refills. We have visited there with our kids as well, and they enjoyed it as well. This is definitely somewhere I would recommend for families, and for a romantic meal. Matthew's continues to be one of our favorites and somewhere that my husband often asks to visit twice.

Great

We come once a year. Its great for a break between eating all the fancy food for 2 weeks. The rib portion is crazy big. This year they added fried oreos and icecream. It was a crowd pleaser for both the young and old!

Great

We come once a year. This year my son chose the steak house to celebrate his 13th birthday. He misses the bell but he comes for their chocolate cake The food is great but the chocolate cake is sooooo good!!

Romantic

Book an early seating and watch the sunset. Small menu, but worth it!

Crowd Pleaser

The food was great! The waiter neglected to tell us about this fixed dinner5 courses for $29, so we were a little pissed when we saw it in the paper the next day. But overall the best grouper and fresh fish on the Island!

Crowd Pleaser

We visit each year, and usually make it a repeat over a 2 week stay. The kids and the adults love the menu. The mushroom risotto keeps my daughter coming back! And we will be back next year for sure!

Romantic

It was very nice, good service romantic atmosphere; They asked if we were celebrating a special event. (If yes) They brought over a free glass of champagne for us. Ask for a window seat facing the ocean if you dine early. I had the best goat cheese salad ever.

The Best

This adorable little piece of happiness is one of Aruba's best hidden secrets! Their cheese encrusted grouper is to die for, as well as the rack of lamb! We have gone back twice this year. Just awesome!

The Best Akways

This place gets it right every time! You are greeted with a welcome back! The service and fod are top notch!

They are losing their touch!

Been coming for years. Tnis year the cats running all over and the lizards in the rafters were quite discusting! The food was OK and the service was good.

good food, good value for $$

Downtown location We had a short walk from the Renn to this "hidden gem". Still don't think people know its there.( its above Rumba) No wait for us. Lovely new location been there about a year, we visited them in 08 just after opening and went back in 09. Really good food, consistant, good service, nice location and building. Pizza is our favorite there. For our party of 8 ( 4 kids)we had 6 orders of fetucine alfredo and 4 pizza's. Not a speck left. All were excellent. Highly recommend...

Hidden Gem

We visited The Kitchen last night for the first time. It is a take-out restaurant located on the street behind Certified Mall. I was impressed by the simplicity of the place, the cleanliness, and the open kitchen. The staff were friendly, attentive, and willing to answer any questions. The menu is clear and straightforward. It is vey clean and all of the items in the salad cooler were clearly fresh and presented well. There were four of us and we each had a different meal, although we all started with the same salad. Each couple split a Greek Salad, and it was plenty for two. The salad was fresh and full of olives, feta, and tomatoes. One person had the angus burger, and it was the biggest burger I have ever seen in my life ($7). It was served on two huge slices of bread and was covered in sauteed mushrooms and onions, and it was described as "excellent" and "amazing." Another person had the farfalle bolognese ($9), which was also very good. One person had the surf and turf (the same person who had the surf and turf at Amadeus the night before), and she was very impressed with it ($14). The meat (which I sampled) was incredibly tender and very well seasoned, although it was sliced. There were twice as many shrimp as she received at Amadeus, they were cooked perfectly, and the surf and turf was approximately US $13 less than the preceding evening. I had the Grouper Milano, and it was very tasty ($10.50). The sauce was light and not overpowering, and the fish was cooked perfectly. The grouper and the surf and turf both came with sides of vegetables, rice, pan-fried potatoes, and Brazillian black beans. The sides alone would have easily been enough food for a meal, and they were very good as well. We did not have any desserts. We did, however, have a bottle of wine. Our dinner for two, WITH a bottle of wine, was $40. On a scale of 1 to 10 for value, I wish I could give it a 13. All in all, we were very impressed with The Kitchen and are all looking forward to going back! (I think we may all order the burger next time because it was so good!)

Re-Veal-ing Experience

I have been in the hospitality and food and beverage industry for the last 23 years. I have been in management for the last 16 years and have held many positions in both the front of the house (dining area) to the back of the house (kitchen). I have always worked for fine dining or hospitality organizations that operate on the very high end of service and quality regarding food and beverage standards. Fortunately or unfortunately, I can have a very critical eye when it comes to dining with regard to quality of service, quality of food and beverage being served, and the price being charged. The main purpose of our evening on Sunday, August 8, 2010 was to celebrate the birthday of a very dear and close personal friend. We had dined at Amadeus in June and had a wonderful experience with both service and food. I am writing this review because the service issues I encountered at Amadeus on the evening of Sunday, August 08, 2010 were so flagrant and offensive that I feel that they needed to be shared. Very seldom do I ever complain or bring service or food issues to the manager�??s attention, as I try to focus my attention on the friends and/or family with whom I am dining. I know from personal experience that any restaurant can have an off night and can make mistakes. But flagrant displays that reveal challenges with regard to the integrity of the establishment and ownership are a different matter altogether. The theme of my review is a crucial ingredient that is paramount to the success of any restaurant: �??Truth in Menu.�?� After we were seated, Chef/Owner Thomas Mitter came by our table, welcomed us to Amadeus, and told us that anything was possible. According to the web site that I reviewed prior to visiting Amadeus, the Chef's mission statement for the restaurant states, �??I am a perfectionist! And I don�??t do shortcuts! I check every ingredient of every dish before it is served, and if I�??m not completely satisfied, it doesn�??t leave my kitchen!" I was thinking that we were off to great start for what would hopefully be a very special evening. Our group received their salad course and two of our guests ordered small salads, while two other guests split a large salad. The small salad and the split large salad were all exactly the same portion sizes but had different prices attached to each item. Some of our guests found that inconsistency offensive. As an added service note, we did not receive bread service until after the completion of the salad course and we had to ask the server to please bring some to the table so that we could have it at least with our entrees. I ordered the veal chop special, and I thought that a nice compliment would be the peppercorn mushroom sauce that is served on the house specialty, �??Beef Tournedos Amadeus.�?� I asked for my veal chop to be prepared medium rare and to be topped with the peppercorn mushroom sauce. When the entrées arrived, I had several challenges with my veal chop: 1) I was not served a veal chop. I was served two long slender strips of meat that I hope were veal (perhaps a shank or skirt steak) but which did not resemble the classical bone-in veal chop that I was expecting. 2) The veal was prepared well done and not medium rare. In fact it was very well done, very over-cooked and very hard to cut. 3) There was no peppercorn mushroom sauce on the veal. I sent my entrée back with the server as I had asked for the veal to be prepared medium rare with the peppercorn mushroom sauce. Several minutes later the Chef appeared at our table and started addressing me in very condescending manner and said that he wouldn�??t cook veal less than medium-well because it would cause stomach problems (including diarrhea) and it would be to tough to eat. The Chef also claimed that the server was "new" and didn't know that veal was supposed to be cooked well-done. I was very surprised by his comments, as I have had veal chops prepared medium rare many times and they were very tender and flavorful. (Additionally, my wife remembers our server being there when we visited Amadeus in June.) Because the chef was being very adversarial, I did not want to pursue this conversation any further in front of guests and I asked the chef to please prepare a New York Strip medium rare with the peppercorn mushroom sauce. I thought that would be fine and we could all move on with dinner and the birthday celebration at hand. When the steak arrived it was prepared properly but there was no peppercorn mushroom sauce as requested. Then, the chef had to come by again with his unfounded, condescending rhetoric with regard to veal being cooked well done. We ordered dessert and dessert was average and very over-priced for the quality that we received. The apple pie was average and we questioned whether it was homemade. We also ordered a vanilla ice cream garnished with strawberries, and it had four sliced strawberries that were green and not fully ripened. For the price of the dessert ($7.00 US) and a dining establishment of this quality, I expect perfect strawberries. The Chef then had to grace us with his presence once again at the end of dinner to again enlighten me on his view of veal preparation. He then offered us all an after-dinner drink �??on the house.�?� In our group of six people, only one person had a glass of wine during the whole evening. When we declined, he accused us of just being �??unhappy�?� so we eventually agreed. He brought us SHOTS of Espresso Vodka. Chef, for future reference, just because you like shots does not mean that everyone else likes shots. For the edification of readers of this review, I verified with three culinary colleagues that are all Certified Executive Chefs with the American Culinary Federation that a veal chop can be, and is best if, prepared between a temperature of medium rare to medium for best flavor and texture of this particular cut of eat veal. The USDA also approves the preparation of veal no lower than 140 degrees (medium-rare). After all of the inconsistencies during our dining experience, from the salads to the veal to the dessert, it appears that "Truth in Menu" is an ethical challenge at this establishment. My personal recommendation is if Chef Mitter is going to stay in the front of the house to please get some hospitality and sensitivity training. Otherwise, make an investment in hiring a really good Maitre D�?? to manage the front of the house so that he can personally focus all of his attention on overseeing every dish that comes out of his kitchen per his mission statement.

Not as Good as Last Time

We first visited Amadeus in June 2010 with our kids (ages 10 and 8 at the time). Although there is no kids' menu, we had a wonderful dinner and immediately put this on our "must visit" list. We found it slightly difficult with one vegetarian child, because there is no kids' menu, no garden salad (this is where I learned about the salad, as mentioned below), and no vegetarian entrees. The service was impeccable, our water glasses were always full, our plates were cleared promptly, and we were repeatedly offered beverage refills. Tonight, we went as part of a group of six. The restaurant is a lovely place and there is much attention to detail in terms of the decor. Unfortunately, we were seated directly in front of the air conditioning vent and three of our six dining companions were freezing for most of the meal. Our server was friendly and one of our companions recognized him from a prior restaurant where he worked. He promptly took our drink orders and delivered them fairly quickly. Unfortunately, he never offered any of us refills (three iced teas, two sodas, and one glass of wine) for the entire duration of our visit. Our salads were good, although one couple each ordered a small caesar salad and one couple split a large caesar salad, and all four portions were the same size. The couples who ordered the caesar salads seemed perplexed by this. Also, there is no garden salad listed on the menu, although I knew from my previous visit that I could order one. We did not receive bread until we were almost finished with our salads and I had to ask for it. Five of our six meals were wonderful. Three people ordered the beef tournadoes (petit filets with mushroom and peppercorn sauce), one person ordered the chicken schnitzel, and one person ordered surf and turf. Although two of the three steaks were overcooked, they were still very tasty and we could cut them with a regular knife. My husband ordered the veal chop, cooked medium-rare, with the mushroom peppercorn sauce that accompanies the tournadoes. When the veal arrived, it was cooked at least medium-well. He sent it back, and the Chef-Owner came to speak with him and indicated that he never cooked veal less than medium-well because it could make someone sick. My husband indicated that it would have been helpful if someone would've told him that it would not be cooked to temperature before serving the entire meal, so that he could have ordered something else. The chef apologized and said that the server was new and did not realize that, and he offered to cook him anything he wanted from the menu. My husband ordered the NY Strip, cooked medium-rare, with the mushroom peppercorn-sauce. Although the steak was cooked perfectly, there was no sauce with it. During our meal, staff appeared to refill water glasses from time to time but we were never offered refills on our beverages. We all sat with empty plates for more than ten minutes before anyone offered to clear them. At the end of dinner, between the six of us we had three desserts and two cups of coffee. I am not a coffee drinker at all, but both of my companions were quite disappointed in the coffee, to say the least. It was thin and bitter. The deserts were all good...not outstanding, but good. The Chef-Owner then came and offered us all an after-dinner drink on him, and we were all resistant - mostly because we were full and tired. He thought we were all unhappy, so we all agreed and he brought us double-espresso vodka shots, which I thought was an interesting choice for a group in which the youngest diners were in their mid-40's and only one person had ordered any kind of alcohol with dinner. When we received our bill, we were charged for the veal rather than the NY Strip. At the end of the day, we were disappointed that the experience was not what we expected or remembered. The service was nowhere close to what we enjoyed in June. The food was okay, but we did not have that "Wow!" sensation when we left. Given our prior experience there, as well as the rave reviews Amadeus has gotten from others, I am hoping that they just had an off night.

Amazing Experience

We went to Pago Pago (at the Westin) for the first time last night to visit Chef Matt Boland. We met him last summer, when he was at Pirate's Nest, and enjoyed his cooking. We stayed in touch with him and were excited to hear that his updated menu at Pago Pago was going to be ready by the time we arrived. First of all, let me say that the service was amazing. I never had to ask to have my water glass refilled (which is one of the most important elements of service, for me), which was much appreciated after a long day of flying. The servers were attentive, accommodating, and willing to do whatever they could for us. One of our companions is allergic to ginger, and the staff made changes to various dishes as needed to that she could enjoy them too. Second, the food was absolutely amazing. One of our companions tried the Gaucho Steak Churrasco, and Chef Matt gave her all four sauces to try with it (portobello dark chocolate sauce, green pepper corn tarragon tamarind sauce, chimichuri, and expresso cilantro barbeque sauce). She described the all of the sauces as "breathtaking." Another companion had the Macademia Crusted Grouper, which I was able to sample. It was one of the best grouper dishes I have ever tried. It was cooked perfectly and absolutely melted in my mouth. My husband and I elected to order several appetizers instead of meals so that we could sample more items from the menu. We had the Ropa Vieja of Duck, the Sesame Crusted Tuna, the Fresh Corn Arepas, and the Thai Firecracker Spring Rolls. I did not personally try the duck, but my husband loved it. The spring rolls were unbelievable...they were full of shrimp and crab, and there was no vegetable filler. The citrus chili dip that came with them was, hands down, the best sauce I have ever had with spring roola anywhere. The arepas came with smoked salmon, and I didn't get to enjoy them as much as I should because I was getting full. I wanted to see how the salmon worked with the arepas (which are kind of like ground corn pancakes) but it was a wonderful combination. The sesame tuna came with humus, wonton crisps, and wasabi sauce. I don't like my tuna seared, so they cooked a few pieces medium for me. The taste of the tuna was wonderful, especially when paired with the humus and wonton crisps. For dessert, we had a sample platter, which I don't think was on the menu. Chef Matt had them make it for us. There were strawberries dipped in chocolate, tiramisu, a small cheesecake with raspberry sauce, vanilla ice cream in a chocolate cup, and another chocolate cake roll which I can't even begin to describe. All of them were wonderful and literally melted in our mouths. The wine list is impressive, and none of us ordered any mixed drinks, so I can't speak to the options available at the bar. The ambiance is lovely, and it is a perfect place for a romantic dinner. My only complaint is that there was not a basic "house salad" kind of option, just caesar, hearts of romaine, and a calamari salad (which looked wonderful, if you like calamari). I would liked to have had a lettuce salad option, but obviously did just fine without it. That is why I gave it a 9 instead of a 10 on food variety. In terms of price, it is definitely on the higher end of the spectrum for Aruba, but the overall dining experience makes it worth the money. I would definitely eat my last meal there.

A meat lover's heaven with great ambiance and serv

Had not back been to El Gaucho for a few years. Did not disappoint! Food was plentiful, great quality meat, excellent appetizers and dessert. Two strolling guitarists provided some light entertainment, performing requests for most tables. One guy got up and joined in - they were very talented at covering up for his less-than-ideal pitch!! Would definitely recommend the Sangria - a medium pitcher is MORE than enough for two and it definitely is more affordable than wine, and its delicious! I had a T-bone which was nicely marbled and delicious and my better half had a surf and turf that was equally good. Service was attentive but not over done, and nothing was ever missing or forgotten. Overall a very positive experience!

Madame Janette

WONDERFUL! Fourth time there and will go back each time we visit Aruba. Noteworthly: Scnitzel - FABULOUS Catch of the Day - Yellow Tail - Presentation and Taste were out of this world. Shrimp to die for! Never a Disappointment at Madame Janette's. Note: We almost didn't go there this time because someone told us that the owner passed away and there was a new chef and the food was not as good!! COULDN'T HAVE BEEN MORE WRONG. Waitress was not as good as usual, but the food was well worth it - she may have been new.

Papiamento Experience

This was our first time at Papiamento's and the four of us are still talking about the "EXCELLENT" food and service - we will be coming back year after year. The Keshi Yena was out of this world. My Brother still talking about the salmon appitizer Our steaks were PERFECT THIS IS A TEN++++++ RESTURANT FOR FOOD AND SERVICE

It doesn't get any better then this

Best of everything!!!!

The Real Deal!!

MJ is the total package for all your dining needs and pleasures.

The Best!

We have been coming to Aruba for 15+ years and average about 4 visits a year. Papillon is our favorite. Whenever we arrive, this is always our first stop for dinner. Tina and her staff are absolutely the best. They are professional and very attentive. We feel the food and presentation are always outstanding! On this visit I ordered their amazing Tuna Trio as an appetizer and their special of the evening...WHITE asparagus with smoked salmon (WOW!) My wife had the risotto which was amazing, as usual. To tired for dessert...but, we'll be back later in the week!!

Overall a very very dissapointing experience.

Overall a very very dissapointing experience. This is clearly not a restaurant on part with establishments in most major US cities. The service was particularly poor. It was slow and disorderly, provided by a callous staff with poor understaning of the dining experience. The ambiance was chaotic. The food however was the largest dissapointment. The steaks were dry, flavorless and overall very low quality. Do not dine here.

The Best Pier Restaurant & Bar

Bugaloe is on DePalm Pier in between the Radisson and the RIU on Palm Beach. Amazing food from such a small kitchen and the bar is horseshoe style ready to serve great, reasonably priced drinks and food. The entertainment is wonderful as well in that most nights there is live music and dancing. The bartenders are friendly and Myrta(sp), a dutch sweetheart of a manager, is always smiling and tending to the needs of the patrons. It is simply the best pier bar I've had the pleasure passing time, and I consider it time very well spent indeed. See you there sometime soon. John Lajoie, Sterling, MA

AMAZING & Memorable!

My husband and I ate dinner here while in Aruba and it was the best meal we had all week...the host was great to help with reservations a few days before and when we arrived remembered us. They gave us a great table by the ocean and were very attentive to our needs. Wine and water came quickly along with a bread basket appetizer. It was so nice to sit with your feet in the cool white sand!! We almost didn't want our entrees to come because the view from the beach was spectacular as we watched the sun go down. Once the food came (we got the filet) it melted in your mouth and was delicious. The portions were good and everything was cooked perfectly. Throughout the dinner, our waitress came by to take special pictures with our camera for us with the ocean and the sunset at different angles and with different lighting...this helped us treasure the memory. If you are going to Aruba, we highly recommend this as a special night out!

Setting a New Standard

Cooks in Oranjestad is really setting a high bar with regards to inventive upscale cuisine, ambiance, attentive service and one of the best wine lists on the island featuring some amazing boutique wineries from Napa and Sonoma only found at Cooks. The quality of the meat that is served must be experienced to be appreciated as it is truly a cut above, featuring such amazing rarities as USDA Prime, Kobe, & Bison. ((( Must Try for Seafood Lovers ))) The Grouper Roulade stuffed with Salmon and served with the most amazing esoteric Saffron Sauce will truly please the most discriminating palates. The synergy between the quality of the cuisine and presentation of the plate is true culinary artistry at its finest, The ambiance is upscale yet casual as the decor is portrays a great marriage between such features as a Baby Grand Piano in the lounge area yet the entire establishment is filled with the most amazing upbeat video music that sets the tone for the amazing cuisine that awaits to be served and provides an energetic atmosphere that accompanies the cuisine like a fine wine. The service staff is attentive and well educated with regard to the cuisine on the menu and there dedication to a truly unique dining experience is very evident from start to finish. The bar staff is top notch with regard to creative flair and presentation of cocktails and proper wine service for the many great boutique Napa and Sonoma wines featured. Your trip to Aruba will not be complete without a trip to Cooks and you will be so impressed that you will want to go back a second time before you leave.

Excellent!

This restaurant is excellent! It's a quaint restaurant with great service and great food. It'a also in one of the best places to stay..Manchebo Resort and Spa.

Fabulous!

This restaurant is excellent! If you want great italian food this is the place to go!

Great food & fun

We actually were at Matthew's several times during our 10 day stay. Very good size breakfast and lunch items at very good prices. Made too order and we were never disappointed on taste and quality. Dinner......filet mignon was excellent and a good prices for $30 compared to other places on the island. The lobster pasta was out of this world. Large portion with chunks and I mean chunks of lobster. Mahi mahi was also incredible. The bartenders and wait staff were excellent. Wednesday Karaoke night is a must see event. Like mentioned earlier, great food at good prices.

Fun fast and friendly

We had a late dinner one night and enjoyed the food and the service was some of the best on the island.

LOVED IT!!!! Back every day for breakfast!

We loved this place. We ate here 5 of the 6 days we were in Aruba. Friendly service and great value.

Amazing Dining "Journey"

Wow. From the moment I walked in I knew I was going to have a wonderful experience. I was dining alone, and sometimes solo women are ignored, but NOT HERE! My waiter Patrick was extremely attentive to all of my needs. The chefs were very quick in bringing around all of the delicious meats and refilling the side orders (loooove the garlic mashed potatoes and the fried plantains - could eat them all day!). Even the manager Hubert came around to ask if I was enjoying my dining "journey" (never heard it put quite like that before...). YES I WAS! My #1 recommendations are the garlic picanha and the grilled pineapple - I had that for dessert because after all the meats I was soooo full! I had such a fabulous "journey" that I had to come back again before I went home. I heard Amazonia is offering a la carte dining also - great idea if you're not a big eater. I will definitely make another "journey" to Amazonia on my next trip to Aruba!

Best in Aruba!

Best place to go to in Aruba!! Rib Night and Karaoke Night are also fantastic! :) -Rachel

Still a great breakfast!

I just LOVE this place for breakfast! The view is relaxing, the service is pleasant and the food is very good. What more can you ask for? The omlettes are well-prepared. My husband likes pancakes and enjoyed his. My ONLY comment would be a request to have toast buttered before it arrives at the table. Cold toast doesn't butter well. Other than that, a continued favorite.

Our First Visit

We had guests who wanted seafood and decided to walk in and try this place. Everyone who ordered seafood was very pleased with the selection. They have other choices for those of us who don't eat fish and the salad with chicken I had was very nice although it could've used more dressing (ceasar). The chicken was the tenderest I've had. Would go back for another meal.

Still Outstanding!

Went there twice during our most recent visit and both times the Gaucho steaks were cooked to perfection! Still the best pumpkin soup on the island! Desserts and drinks were very good; service wonderful. Leftovers make the best sandwiches EVER, especially when paired with slices of Gouda cheese!

Greatly Improved!

Last year almost all the Dutch savory pancakes served at our table were burnt. This year they were delicious! It pays to make repeat visits. Sometimes you're pleasantly surprised!

Restaurant Closed

One of our long-time favorites has apparently closed. We hope they will re-open at the high-rise mall, but see no signs of it.

Our Favorite Restaurant

Our favorite restaurant since our honeymoon in 1979. We brought our children to Aruba to one of our favorite restaurants which was The French Rest. The favorite part when they went was "the bell ringing" and the OOO LA LA!!!. We were so surprised when we went back and they didn't ring the bell. We REALLY missed the "BELL RINGING"!! The food was outstanding,the service was outstanding, and everything else was outstanding!

Excellent

My friends and I went to Aruba for a week and our favorite restaurant and bar was Matthews... the staff was phenomenal... especially Jorge!! :)

Authentic Arubian

This was my second visit to Gasparito's. Family owned and operated. Plesant service and willing to do the little extra's to make your experience memorable. The wine list needs to be worked on,some of the choice on the list were not available...it took three tries to hit a white on the wine list that was available! Nice authentic Arubian home with a pleasant garden setting to dine in if you want to dine Al Fresco. A good place to try goat if you never had it before,very tasty stew. The food is good but not Gourmet.But you can enjoy an authentic local experience hosted by a family that aims to offer an true local dining for those who want to sample Aruba Cuisine.

Casual Elegance

We decided to try Pure Beach because we were tired and wanting to have a quick meal and call it a night. We ended up enjoying this experience more than expected. The seating is comfortable and the ocean breeze kept it very plesant. The service was very good even though the staff was limited and the restaurant was full. The selection choice is limited and we choose the Kobe Burgers and Fries with a glass of Pinot Noir,tasty and just what hit the spot after dining out more formerly the prior three nights.They had a kereoke night going and we ended up staying around an hour or more after dinner enjoying this experience. I will put Pure Beach on my list again the next time we come, as a nice change from the usual dining experiences we have had in Aruba over our past six visits.

Great Meat

We found this restaurant from just walking around the Eagle Beach resorts. We were looking to catch a quick bite for dinner. While wondering around the Bucuti Beach resort we found the Tortuga Grill. It was around 5:00 pm and the restaurant was totally empty - we were the only customers. I had the chicken quesadilla and my husband had the chicken caesar salad - both were excellent. And it was happy hour - two for one drinks! Porch setting overlooking the beach which did have people on lounge chairs - not the place for a romantic meal but definately good food and value. When we were leaving the place was filling up with customers and people were making reservations for later.

A Favorite

Found Amici's on our first trip to Aruba. We always visit a couple of times each time back,and will do so again this year. Great spot any time of day,for breakfast,for lunch,for a snack,for gelato or for a late night drink or treat. Fun spot to people watch as well.

OK Experience

Usually eat here a 2 or 3 times each visit. This place is good for breakfast as long as you are not in a hurry. Dinner is ok if you just want an exceptable meal and a beach dinning experience. Mostly we enjoy breakfast here.

Great Find

Great Find. We ventured into town and wanted to find a great spot for a romantic dinner. Bingo! Going back to Aruba this month(04/2010)and cannot wait to return to Yemanja Woodfire Grill.

Fabulous

We found this jewel last year and couldn't wait to get back again in March. We have eaten at several places over the years but I am declaring that the meals I got here were by far the best meals I have had on the Island. (ever!) From the homemade soups, the dish presentation, flavor and temp of all items on plate. Passed on deserts because we love the banana splits at Amici's. If I had only one spot to dine, it would be here. Can't wait for 2011 to get here.

Slow Service-Great Pizza!

We decided to venture into the "touristy" section of town and found this place. We ordered drinks which were brought to us half an hour later and were watered down. The Bahama-Mama tasted like pineapple flavored water. Stick with the bottled beer. I have to say that the pizza we ordered was wonderful! I didn't care for the screaming kids either, but not their fault. I liked the misters!

Great Food and Service!

We dined here twice during our stay in Aruba. Once with friends and once with just the two of us. I had the chicken kabobs w/peanut sauce both times and it was amazing! The service was also great! It was difficult to find the second time but well worth it!

They could improve

Food with ups and downs. Romantic atmosphere, live music. Staff some kind of disconnected with the guests. The overall experience was fair and we thought a little expensive.

Excellent

A little difficult to find the place, but after we got there, the whole experience was wonderful. Excellent food, great staff, charming and romantic atmosphere. The waiters looked a little confuse for moments, but the overall experience make me desire to visit them again.

Low Quality

Incredible slow attention. The drinks were brought at the end of the dinner. It seemed we were not in the restaurant. Poor quality in the dishes. Probably the cheff were on vacation. Only, the enviroment could be saved.

The Best So Far

I was pleased to find this place ... All i can say its AMAZING !!!! Food excellent so as the service , very romantic place.... If you dont go to this place you will deff miss out on one of the BEST places....

10

Best on the island. Duck and filet are absolutely wonderful.

Exciting and...what a salad bar!!!

First time for us, dining at a churascaria. A most pleasant surprise! The service was wonderful, the variety of beef sliced at the table was a unique experience. The beef was tasty, tender and well cooked. The salad bar lacked for nothing! A tip: Don't fill up on the salad bar! There's plenty to eat...the carvers keep returning to your table with more and more to eat..provided you signal them to do so.

Warm and Friendly

A nice, friendly place for an authentic Italian meal. Coming from New Jersey, where there are an abundance of Italian restaurants, it's nice to find one on Aruba that remains loyal to fine Italian cuisine. Other than being a bit noisy, the restaurant is a fine choice.

A Wonderful Experience

The greeting from Bennie at Chalet Suisse, "Welcome home!", sets the tone for a most enjoyable evening's dinner. Their 'early bird' special is truly an unbeatable bargain in this day of increased prices and diminished size entrees. The wienershnitzel, sirloin steak or sea food are can't be beaten choices. The service is usually impeccable, although we've noticed that for groups larger than four people, the service just fails, for some unknown reason! So...if you are a group of four or fewer, you can rely on very attentive service and an excellent meal. For larger groups, the food is still excellent but service is lacking.

normal food

this place really only has a beautiful decoration ... my partner and I were to eat and will recommend this place. but it was a terrible experince ... the take lobster. this was terrible and did not have good preparation .. My fruit salad is something elemental that had no good presentation,. the pieces were super great and the fruit was kinda cool. the antntion leaves much to be desired. and prices are truly amazing for the quality. also should renew the kitchen and the chef.

Not So Good

We ate at Taste of Belgium 12-20-09 for lunch. Almost everything was pretty much awful. I got a lobster bisque soup which tasted like someone had boiled a plastic spoon in the pot. The bread that came with it had an "off" taste to it....rather dry & moldy tasting. DH got a ham & cheese sandwich with a fried egg on top....again, the bread was dry & foul tasting & the fried egg was cold. The salad was fresh but the dressing was a little too sweet for our taste. The Belgian beer was excellent but expensive for such a dinky bottle. Won't recommend or go back.

false advertising

When my wife and I ate there last year, we ordered drinks in one of their Baby Yard glasses. The menu said it was a 16 oz drink. Well, we took the glass back to our resort, filled it with water and poured the contents into a measuring container. It held only 12 oz, not to mention it was overpriced to begin with.

02/01/2010

Everything was perfect!

Incredible

We've been coming to Aruba for 14 years and had not dined at Gasparito until this year. Wow .. are we happy that we finally did. What a beautiful Cunucu house w/outdoor dining. Wonderful gourmet food. This restaurant is run by a very warm, incredible family that offers outstanding, personal service. In my opinion, excellent customer service is of the utmost importance and this is a place where you will get it !!!!

A Hidden Gem

WOW ... what an incredible find. Tucked away is this incredibly beautiful restaurant that makes you feel like you have been transported to another place. I didn't even know that this inlet existed in Aruba. It was so peaceful with the sunset, a few yachts floating nearby and the flocks of birds flying by at dusk. Just too picturesque to describe. The food was great too. But the most outstanding aspect of this restaurant is the SUPERB SERVICE .... this is what makes patrons return !! Great job ... especially KEESE! There are not enough kudos. Thank you for a wonderful experience.

Worst Service on Island

Several of the cab drivers recommended this restaurant. Upon arriving, it looked interesting. It immediately lost it's ambience when we realized that the service was non-existent. When our orders were finally delivered, they were incorrect and the waiter wanted us to take orders that were cooked incorrectly....if something is ordered rare ... it should arrive rare. Not difficult. We were basically ignored ... had to actually go over to cashier and ask for check. On top of all that the bathrooms were ghastly. AND not handicap friendly at all.

we enjoyed it

So we went here for an after dinner drink and dessert (we were kind of disappointed with Madame Jeanette's service) and were pleasantly surprised. We had never been here before but will return next time (would have gone back this time but it was our last night). We had the Pineapple Tarte Tartin...YUMMY!!! The espresso was good and strong, the coffee was fresh and the port was tasty. Service was outstanding. We were not a high paying table (again just coffee and dessert) so they could have just served us and moved on, but they were fantastic, friendly and interested!

Not quite right

You can't deny their food is good, but I did not find it fabulous this time. They seemed to lose their edge. The ambiance is beautiful, and their menu is impressive. Their wine list ranges from reasonable to out of reach for many. It all seems to be a perfect mix. HOWEVER, the soup was bland, the surf and turf was mostly turf and a bite of surf and the lobster ravioli was very little lobster and mostly pasta. We ordered wine that was not available (unless we wanted it to chill for 15 minutes) and when we asked our server for a recommendation, she didn't know. Also, if I am spending 100's or even 1,000's on a bottle of wine, someone should pour it for me (after the first glass we were on our own). We asked for a dessert menu,which with 4 people and an after dinner drink, would come to at least another $100 on top of our over $300 bill, but were frustrated after waiting 15 minutes to order. We got the check and left. We then went to Papillon and had dessert and drinks there, which by the way was fabulous! I think the problem is that the staff is young and inexperienced. Places like Chalet Suisse always have the same, experienced people, here it seems the staff is not as invested in the restaurant.

I'm Done!

Tried it again after several years, just not the quality you would expect. Every time I go there (3 times in 10 years), I am up all night with cramps...and trust me I have an iron stomach. The Gaucho Steak is good but the rest was so-so. My daughter got a filet mignon that was terrible. She and I could not even chew it...no one even asked why she didn't eat it. So, for the money, go somewhere else. Go to Chalet Suisse, Bella Luna, or for half the price, Iguana Joe's YES Iguana Joe's is SO MUCH BETTER!!!

excellent...as always

As far as we are concerned, no place is like this place. It is delicious, clean, and friendly. Lets face it, you can have good food anywhere...good people are what make it special here. The food? Over the years, we have had just about all of the appetizers, the Rack of Lamb, Filet Mignon Madagascar, Chalet Chicken, Almond Crusted Red Snapper...you name it...we've had it down to the Toblerone Fondue and Creme Brulee. All have never failed to impress. More importantly, the staff is extraordinary. The owner's got it right! He must keep them happy (I HOPE)! Each time you go, you see the same faces that know what they are doing! From the moment Bennie recognizes you (often by name)and welcomes you home, to waiter and wine service, each person is more helpful then the last and NO ONE will walk away if you need anything...right down to pouring you water. They have refined excellent service without being in your face and rushing you out. This year we went twice, once with our children (they usually seat families with children in the same area, we like this since everyone is in the same boat) and once by ourselves since we had someone to watch them for the first time. I spoke with Rudolph but, Bennie, recognizing our name and noticing a reservation for 2, surprised us by arranged a special, private table, stating, you never come alone...let's make it special. As always, it was!

excellent...help them out

We love it here!We have been coming for years and they have never disappointed. Each year, its popularity seemed to be growing, which is impressive since there is another restaurant next door. The quality of the food is excellent, it is very clean and the staff is always friendly. However we noticed this time very few people dined with us. We asked the staff..who were SO friendly. Basically they stated that with the newer restaurants by the high rises, the restuarant market seems to be flooding. So while in the past they were growing, now they seem to be suffering. Regardless, the quality of our food was fabulous...calamari like butter, grouper that was light and full of flavor, risotto stuffed with shrimp, excellent pasta and chicken dishes as well. Dessert was also wonderful. Oh...they also accomodate children by giving half orders of ANYTHING which is awesome when you have two children like mine...One likes plain pasta and the other likes escargot and risotto...once again very accomadating. Then only improvements we could think of...More advertising! One of our friends at the resort stated it best when they said...Oh we went there,it was excellent but there was only a few people there. No one knows about the place!

You Must Experience this one

This is beyond a doubt the BEST restaurant we have experienced in Aruba. We have been to a number of restaurants in Aruba on our numerous trips to the island. And we give this restaurant a 10. From the moment we set foot in the restaurant the experience was the best. The staff is excellent, friendly, helpful and fun. The food is absolutely outstanding, the presentation is the best. We had sweetbread appetizer, sea bass entree and an amazing desert which I am not able to recall the name of. Everything was excellent. Please try this restaurant and definitely make reservations.

Doc Review

Best ribs on the island. Potato soup is to die for. Baby backs are lip smacking. Beer nice and cold.

Doc Review

I could eat breakfast everyday at this "on the beach", special find. Omelets, bacon, sausage, fruit, toast, coffee all good and good for you.

Doc Review

Dinner for two, one of the best deals on the island. Fish was very good, chicken excellant.

Doc Review

Chalet Swisse, "best on the island". My wifes filet was the best she has had in years. I had the duck and was the best I've had since the last time I ordered duck. Just fabulous.

Doc Review

Ruth Chris in Aruba is a far cry from any that I have been to in the states. Our meal was overpriced and the rib eye was just fair. My wife's filet was also just fair. you can get a great steak and save $15.00 per item at Chalet Swiss. This Ruth Chris is off my list.

Muy excelente!!

What a delicious surprise on Palm beach! My husband and I were introduced to this delightful patio restaurant by Raul, a most courteous and gracious staffer. We dined on the shrimp and chicken wok offerings, both were made with fresh and well seasoned ingredients. The free beer and wine - bonus! Raul was delightful, his sparkling personality truly enhanced our dining experience. We ran into a family studying the menu as we left and convinced them to try it. I'm sure they were as pleased as we were! Estupendo! Gracias, Raul!

Great Calamari

We love this place. It is very casual and reasonably priced. The Calamari appetizer is one of the best fried calamaris I have had. It is right in town with a great view of the cruise ships. Good service and a fun place! For those with disabilities, it is on the 2nd floor of the shopping area in town. There is a flight of steps to climb - not sure if there is an elevator in the area.

Elegant Dining

This is a must-do every year for my family. The service is superb, the ambiance is lovely, there always seems to be subdued live music to enjoy while eating, and the food is VERY good! A favorite dish for my family is the Burgerloin (two beef tenderloins stuffed with mushrooms, cheese, etc.). It isn't a cheap meal but you definitely get what you pay for. Try it! But make reservations with advanced notice. This is a busy place which fills up quickly. Note that I think there are some tables which might be difficult for those with disabilities. Wheel chairs or those with walking dificulties might have trouble with gravel-covered ground in the restaurant. However, I didn't notice many (if any) steps and the restaurant is on one level throughout.

Best Pizza!

Great Pizza! The service is a little slow only because the place is packed. But it's vacation - you have all the time in the world and it's worth it for this terrific pizza (and this comes from a NY'er).

Best Tables

Since they opened, Chefs Tables has never disappointed. We knew we could request and when we made our reservations we did just that. The chef, who was once chef at Marandi, makes the most wonderful mustard soup and I couldn't wait to have it again. The veal osso bucco is melt in your mouth good and once again I asked them to prepare it for me and they were kind enough to do just that. We stay, in Aruba for three weeks every November and make it a point to go there once a week. Every meal has left us wanting more and the service is almost as good as the food.

Great Food

My family and I had one of our best meals to date in Papillon. I had a Sea Bass that was out of this world. The service and the people serving us were efficient and delightful. All in all I recommend this wonderful French Restaurant. The restaurant is much better than the book!

Above average

It was our first time at Aquarius. We came with a large group, and so we used the buffet. The food is excellent. It was paid for, so I have no idea about the price range. I would come back here.

Wonderful

What a wonderful experience. My husband had a delicious pork tenderloin and I had my favorite -almond grouper. There was enough leftover for a nice lunch the following day. The setting could not have been prettier, the service was prompt, friendly and efficent.It is obvious that the servers are well-trained. Entertainment made the meal even more pleasnat. No doubt it is our favorite restaurant on Aruba.

Best on the Island

Best food on the island. Every thing was delicious! We went to Gianni's twice during our one week stay on the island.