TASTY
TIDBITS FROM OUR MEMBERS
TEXAS DE BRAZIL
Texas de Brazil, busier than ever, hosted
many incentive groups and wedding dinners varying from 15 – 200 guests during the
last couple of months, including international groups from Irwin Mortgage, WTVR, U. S.
Air, First Savings, GSK All-Stars, Serta Mattress and many more. Local visitors included the crew of Sea Trek,
Aruba’s unique underwater experience, who celebrated their second anniversary dinner
there. Also, the crews of Atlantis Submarine,
Seaworld Explorer and the new Rhino Riders took a break from life at sea for this
carnivorous feast.
All guests, welcomed with a Brazilian
caiprinha (a typical Brazilian cocktail made with rum, fresh lime, and sugar), were
extremely satisfied with the over-40 item salad bar and all the cuts of beef, lamb, pork,
chicken and sausage. They all truly enjoyed
the unique dining experience, and some even danced the night away to the tunes of the live
band in the elegantly-appointed lounge!
“The entertaining concept works well
with groups and large parties,” states Rachel Noordermeer, Texas de Brazil’s
General Manager, “because we offer a variety of cuts of meat and a gourmet salad bar
all at a fixed price.” The perfectly
suitable private rooms and lounge together with the Brazilian concept are the perfect
ingredients for a successful and fun group dinner.
WATERFRONT CRABHOUSE
Danny Hoogers, Editor-in-Chef of
Miljonaire Magazine, and wife, Daphne reviewed Aruba’s upscale spots for their
glamorous, 500-page glossy Dutch quarterly which screens fine eateries, spas, resorts and
shops for a discerning Dutch clientele. The
Waterfront Crabhouse, home of the largest lobster tank in the Caribbean, fits that bill
perfectly well, they reported. Armed with picks and protected with plastic bibs, they
feasted on French-born Chef Patrice Costa’s lobster platter and enjoyed the freshly
baked corn bread and key lime pie. “It’s
a tough job, being the editor in chief of Miljoonaire magazine, but someone’s gotta
do it!”
Waterfront stocks live lobsters in
various sizes, shipped in daily by York Harbor, Maine lobstermen. The delicious crustaceans arrive on board American
Airlines, and at the end of a short, sizzling rendezvous with Patrice, turn into truly
enjoyable signature dishes. Dishes range from
a tangy, zippy lobster fra diavolo to more traditional surf and turf, and various
imaginative combinations with succulent crab legs and plump Cajun shrimp. Handpick your dinner and enjoy it broiled and
stuffed with crabmeat, or kettle steamed and served with draw butter on the side and lemon
wedges.
L. G. SMITH’S STEAK & CHOP
HOUSE
New in town is L. G. Smith’s, a
trendy downtown restaurant offering uptown quality and ambiance. Just steps away from the Crystal Theater and
Crystal Casino in the Renaissance Resort, this new American steak house delights diners
with a sweeping view of the harbor and the bustling boulevard below that shares it name. Simple but sophisticated décor is comfortable and
contemporary, including a unique waterfall and custom touches of onyx, stone, crystal, and
Murano glass. Blue neon accents classic
beiges and rich dark woods.
The restaurant offers a varied and
well-priced menu boasting quality ingredients, generous portions, and excellent value. Starters include fried calamari, beef carpaccio,
seafood ceviche, marinated Portobello and the CHOPS special salad. From the petit filet to the abundant cowboy
rib-eye, USDA-inspected, aged prime steaks from corn-fed cattle of the Midwest are
perfectly prepared to your taste. Juicy NY
strip, porterhouse and top sirloin cuts of certified Angus beef in a variety of sauces are
accompanied by mouthwatering garlic mashed potatoes, steak fries, baked Idaho potato,
sautéed vegetables and asparagus Hollandaise. House
specialties for non-beef eaters are offered as well.
Dessert indulgences range from crême brulée and warm cinnamon apple tart,
to Belgian chocolate mousse, mango cheesecake, and Häagen Dazs ice cream.
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CUBA’S
COOKIN’
Cuba’s Cookin’ presents the
Back Door Lounge. Every Friday and Saturday,
the laid-back sofa filled lounge will be serving premium beverages in a very intimate
setting influenced by some mellow music. Wednesday
night starting at 10 pm is Bohemian Night, where the restaurant and lounge are filled with
guests enjoying the best live Latin music and dancing provided by “Son by 3”
until 2 am in the morning. It’s just the
best dance party on the island! For large
groups or reservations, telephone 565-9082.
CHEZ MATHILDE
Chez Mathilde is known for its
world-class French cuisine, impeccable service, and finest wines served in an elegant 19th-century
family home in the heart of Oranjestad. Its
new lavishly furnished and appointed lounge area has become a popular meeting place for
business or pleasure, to enjoy a drink or appetizer mid-day, after-work or later in the
evening. Comfortable seating and soothing
music enhance the delightful ambiance.
Don’t miss out on the lunch special
priced at $ 25.00 plus 15% service charge. This
special set menu includes appetizer, main course, dessert and bon bons. Chez Mathilde is an incredible place to meet in an
informal way for business or just with friends and family.
New wine, lunch and dinner menus will be available in early May.
VENTANAS DEL MAR
A Caribbean barbecue bash takes place
every Tuesday night at Tierra del Sol. It is
an evening that features the best of Caribbean cuisine and hit a few balls at one of the
top golf courses in the world. This exciting
“Tee it High and Let it Fly” barbecue invites golfers at all skill levels to
compete for the longest drive from the Clubhouse’s back lawn during a festive outdoor
barbecue feast. The longest male and female
drives win a free dinner priced at $ 35.00 per person plus 15% service charge. This all-you-care-to-eat feast includes salads
(potato salad, cole slaw, penne pasta, and mixed greens), Caribbean corn chowder soup, and
entrees of grilled red snapper with Creole sauce and plantain chips, curried jerk chicken
with tropical fruits, grilled IS sirloin with wild mushroom sauce, assorted cakes and
pies. $ 2.00 corona beer and margaritas! Sides include fresh sautéed vegetables,
oven-roasted fried potatoes with garlic and herbs, fried Aruban rice, and fresh baked
bread and rolls.
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DRIFTWOOD
Diners at Driftwood often order their
unique, potent white sangria. To make one
gallon, use 4 oz sugar, 4 oz orange juice, 4 oz Cointreau, 4 oz melon liqueur, and 1 oz
lime juice. Fill pitcher with white wine (not
dry) and shake well. Add fruits such as
watermelon, cantaloupe, and pineapple.
Driftwood specializes in fresh seafood
from the Caribbean with the fresh catch caught daily by the owner himself. This authentic Aruban seafood restaurant is
totally decorated with driftwood, collected by the owner and wife themselves when they
first opened this restaurants, to lend a rustic and cozy feeling.
SMOKEY JOE’S OPENS AT PLAYA
LINDA RESORT
With much anticipation, Smokey Joe’s Island Grill opened at the
Playa Linda Resort. It is the sister
restaurant of Iguana Joe’s, both under the guidance of Managing Director Rudsel
Maduro, recently-elected AGA board member. Now
going though a pre-opening trial period, the grand opening of Smokey Joe’s is
scheduled for the middle of June.
Open daily from 5 pm to midnight, Smokey Joe’s offers al fresco dining in a colorful
festive atmosphere; its authentic Caribbean menu features the three most abundant and most
popular foods of the Caribbean: seafood, chicken and pork.
As for the drinks, Smokey Joe’s continues the tradition of Iguana Joe’s,
whose potent potions served in half-liter carafes are legendary. Smokey Joe’s has
added several new drinks to their bar menu, among them the Fortified Fruit Juice, a
delicious blend of pineapple juice, orange juice, cranberry juice, banana liqueur, white
rum and a dash of Smokey Joe’s proprietary XXX 151-proof rum.
Smokey Joe’s also offers a unique selection of Caribbean appetizers, such as their
Caribbean shark bites. This as well as all the other seafood served are delivered fresh
daily. “Don’t expect to find salmon
and sole on our menu”, says Executive Chef Jose Lago.
“Our fish selection is strictly limited to fresh fish caught locally.” The daily catch often includes selections of
grouper, mahi-mahi, snapper, and wahoo. Another
popular item on the menu is the slow-basted open-fire rotisserie-grilled chicken, which is
offered in Jamaican Jerk, Cuban Mojo and Honey-Hoisin style. For the meat-eater, the
thick cut tender filet mignon fits the bill. But
the ultimate treat has to be the finger-licking enjoyment of eating Smokey Joe’s
grilled baby back ribs. Aruba Joe’s acquired the secret recipe for the world-famous
best ribs in the Caribbean from the legendary Grill and Ribs Company of St. Maarten, and
now both Iguana Joe’s and Smokey Joe’s feature it on their menus. Smokey Joe’s has no compulsory service charge
and no item on the menu (including their 10-oz. filet mignon) over $19.00. |
July 10, 2001
