-Kokomo, Beach Boys
After spending a week in Aruba, I am in complete withdrawal. I dream about the fresh catch-of-the-day plates served with a ton of sides like fried plantains, pancakes (yes, delish!), steamed veggies, and rice pilaf. There are several fish that are native to the beautiful island - red snapper, grouper, mahi-mahi, and barracuda. We tried them all, and my favorite is the grouper, the most flavorful and tender of them all.
Pan-Seared Red Snapper in Creole Sauce, The Flying Fishbone
Beautiful presentation and wonderful tangy kick to the tomato-based Creole sauce. Served on a bed of delicious Funchi (fried cornmeal pancake). Yum!
Catch of the Day: Pan-Seared Grouper, The Old Cunucu House
Fantastic crispy texture and buttery garlic sauce. Chomp chomp.
Grilled Barracuda in a Garlic Butter Sauce with Mashed Potatoes, The Flying Fishbone
Slightly chunkier fish with a tougher texture close to tuna and salmon. We saw them while snorkeling in the waters!
Fish Cakes, Pinchos Bar & Grill
Wonderful combination of different fishes, including salmon, wahoo, and red snapper. The atmosphere here is gorgeous and perfect for the ultra-romantic.
Deep-Fried Fish Eggs, The Old Fisherman
Not for the faint-hearted, but very fresh and filled with roe! Note the abundance of sides: french fries, rice, coleslaw, fried plantains, and pancakes.
Shrimp Coco and Keshi Seafood, Gasparito
Right: Seafood baked with Dutch cheese, or keshi (cheese in Papiamento). Left: Shrimps are not local to Aruba, so I might advise you to steer away from them.
Before: Red Snapper, Local fish market
After: Red Snapper with Papaya Sauce, Gabriel Ayala of Club Arias
This is the signature dish by Gabriel Ayala (Executive Chef, Club Arias). Reserve a private dinner with him, and I promise your significant other will adore you more. For those planning a trip to Aruba, Club Arias (located in Savaneta) is a fabulous place to stay. Expect good food, great people, and exceptional service.
Apple-Rum-Raisin Dutch Pancake, Linda's Pancakes and Pizza
What's a meal without dessert? Since I cannot live without it, I had to throw in this gorgeous Dutch pancake. Thin, soft, buttery, crispy, and simply delightful.
Oh Aruba, my dushi! (I know it sounds like douche-y, but it actually means sweetheart in Papiamento)
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