Dining
Landmark Moments by Susan Campbell Every once in awhile you deserve to truly spoil yourself and pull out all the stops to create a landmark moment to last a lifetime. Aruba has many unique dining establishments guaranteed to enchant you and provide an experience that you will cherish forever as an ideal night out.
Restaurateurs everywhere are constantly seeking those special ingredients that can turn a fine meal into a truly epic adventure for their guests. However, there’s no magical recipe. There are many factors to consider beyond simply serving great food. For some people it might be the over-the-top VIP service. For others it might come down to the alluring ambience or the romantic location. And for others still, it might just be the discovery of an outstanding dish they never realized even existed. It’s a beautiful thing when it all comes together at every level, like a well-crafted bouillabaisse that allows each ingredient to shine to its fullest. And it’s always worth the splurge! Fortunately, this island is chock full of possibilities where experiencing that kind of magical night to remember is always feasible when you’re seeking to treat yourself and your companions like royalty. Here are some superb places to start… 60 Nights
Special starry, starry nights
What’s more conducive to inspiring sweet nothings and maybe even a proposal, than dining right on the beach and basking in the flickering flames of tiki-lit torches under a tropical night sky? Start with the Flying Fishbone, the island’s very first restaurant to offer upscale toes-in-the-sand dining. It’s located near Zeerovers the island’s legendary fishing region, which is why their Savaneta Seafood History special is the most popular dish on the menu. The fresh fish and seafood Flying Fishbone
is right off the boats! But beyond superb fare, the ambience is enchanting and often accompanied by a stunning sunset. Another stellar surfside escape is Divi Aruba Phoenix’s Pure Ocean. The newly refreshed menu highlights organic, locally grown food and lots of surprises like the Lobster Seafood Martini, which is a citrusmarinated lobster, shrimp, and scallops tossed in avocado, tomato, and mango salsa. Dine under their giant palapa or on the beach serenaded by the sea. Just outside of Oranjestad, you’ll find out what “elegant dining in flip-flops” means at Barefoot. Their seriously creative cuisine is served by the sea where bare toes are not only accepted, but expected; even the inside dining room floor is covered in sand. Dishes like Vanilla Skewered Scallops with saffron mayo and Lobster Cappuccino bisque have put this charming oasis at the top of the foodie’s must-do list. Cap it all off with a Let’s Go Nuts dessert – a trio of nut-based ice cream covered in caramel sauce. Bottom photo courtesy of Flying Fishbone