The Old Man & The Sea Restaurant

I hate to spoil the party because this restaurant has such great potential. My first experience was early Oct. '08. Even a reservation would not get me seated. After checking in and being ignored for 45 minutes, I was finally able to convince the hurried bartender to serve me three glass of wine for my party. A half hour later, and still unnoticed in the staging area, my party finally walked next door to the Fishbone for a spectacular meal. I later email the restaurant to relate my experience and apologize for leaving, but they never answered the email. In the spring of '09 a friend and their party of six all loved the venue but expressed disappointment with the quality of food. Putting my own prior experience aside, discounting my friends disappointment with the food, and with an awareness the restaurant had only been open a month prior to my first experience, my party of six decided to give this beautiful eatery another shot. Unlike 2008, the restaurant although busy was less frantic, the staff more comfortable and attentive, we were greeted and seated promptly. Our waiter was humorous and could not have been any more welcoming and helpful. We ordered and were served with efficiency but forgive me if I don't elaborate on what we all ordered for appetizers, for the entire experience was overshadowed by our entrees. Five of us ordered fish, and one filet mignon. All five fish entrees were overcooked and dry, the filet ordered medium well was barely cooked less then rare. All six entrees were returned to the kitchen and within a reasonable amount of time prepared correctly and returned to our table. Once home and relating my recent experience to my friend who has expressed disappointment with their meals back in the spring, could not believe how closely our experiences matched. Their fish too was well overcooked and meat entrees undercooked, but none complained at the time. This is a great concept restaurant, beautifully decorated and inviting and could be described as a venue "to die for". But despite the concept and all the attention to aesthetics, and its artsy decor, until they put a chef in the kitchen, itâ??s just a pretty place!

we already knew it was beautiful and romantic because we had toured it a few nights before but beauty is not the main thing for murray and me. we both are food oriented. atmosphere is secondary to good food and romance doesn't need a location. i had tostones con pollo to start. it was great. murray had the house salad and it was beautiful. the bacon wrapped filet mignon was his choice and i had the penne and shrimp a la vodka. we both sampled each other's food and agreed that they were excellent. although it wasn't listed, they had murray's favorite dessert which is flan and i had bananas foster. they were both wonderful. this place is a definite 10.

perfect in everyway...except dessert. Meal consisted of the "Concert" for 2, 6 items for 2, shrimp, chicken, snapper, lamb, tenderloin, scallops and one other, it escapes me, however, it was by far the best meal we've had in aruba in 12 years. Service,ambience outstanding. Call for reservations, it was full when we were there. Cab ride is a bit of a bummer, 60.00 rd trip, but worth every penny. Meal for 2 adults and 2 teens, 325.00, worth every penny. Dessert menu needs updating, my dessert was cheesecake and not that good. Great ladies rooms, lovely place to just walk around.