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For those who enjoy the unlimited perks of brunch, Windows on Aruba stepped it up to a new level: Brunch at Night...on a Friday! Is not often that we are willing to wake up early on a Sunday, rush out to a restaurant and have some friends in for the plan, we all like to sleep in... Cleverly, the team at Windows on Aruba alongside CAVA Wines and Spirits came up with the idea to throw a monthly brunch at night. 4 hours of all-you-can-eat à la carte menu, unlimited sparkling wine as well as crafted cocktails. A rather dangerous mix! Let's not forget where it happens: Windows on Aruba is one of the most beautiful establishments in Aruba. Located inside the Divi Village Golf & Beach Resort reigns supreme on top of the clubhouse, giving you almost a 360 degrees view of the golf course and the sea beyond it. It's really stunning. They have a legendary fine dining service and the now top-rated Sunday brunch. In the past, they have hosted incredible culinary events, like the Michelin Star dinner back in 2019 that not a single person that attended can forget. Late Night Brunch at Windows on Aruba welcomes you at 6 PM. One of the best parts of it is to see the sun go down (glass in hand) from the comfort of their tables. Subtle tunes filled the ambient mixed live by Oscar, on a charge of the music flow for the night. The service, exceptional as expected will stay on top of everything never letting your glass get empty. The Bellinis are not pre-mixed on a pitcher, every single glass is served at the moment and to your liking. Just a splash! La Cava provided Ron Diplomático and Canaima Gin for Mojitos and Orange Gin Tonics. Fantastic option when you are done eating and want to keep the party going. Ok enough of me talking about the vibes. Let's get into the food! The menu is vast (link here) and targets every craving imaginable. The appetizers section shows an eclectic selection going from the classics like tuna tartare and escargot to Japanese dishes like Kushikatsu and Omurice. Everything beautifully presented. Some pics: My favorite was the Norwegian Salmon by far! Great combination of flavors and temperatures with the hot potato cake, cold salmon, and crème fraîche. Having indulged enough on the appetizers, my pick for the main course was the grilled Lamb lollipop. Me and my friends were obsessed with this dish. For documenting purposes 😉 here is a pic of the grilled tenderloin: We were having a great time but couldn't leave without trying and photographing some desserts... They were delicious, especially the black ice cream. One last Canaima Gin before leaving. Tasted even better served by Angelica, the Venezuelan lady behind the bar. It's impossible to try all the dishes from such an extensive menu which leaves me with the curiosity to come back next month. We had a fantastic time that night! Windows on Aruba made sure that the good dishes and drinks never stopped flowing. I think these late-night brunches are a brilliant Friday plan. I hope other restaurants jump in the wagon and start organizing these kinds of evenings. It was a massive success. If you want to join for the next one, make sure you follow Windows on Aruba on Facebook to stay updated and run to make your reservation, these tables sell like hot potato cakes with Norwegian salmon. Special thanks to the Windows on Aruba Team for the hospitality and the Divi Resort management for the invitation. Follow this blog's Instagram @itsthefoodelife and my personal page @enriquebalestrini for more FoodE updates. Find me on Facebook too: The FoodE Life

Some legendary places in Aruba can't live up to their reputation anymore. Sadly, Texas de Brazil is one of them. Texas de Brazil lives in the mind of many as this place of indulgence, where maybe once a year we could go for a night of sinful eating. It is legendary! Back in the days companies that threw Christmas dinner parties there were considered big spenders and the employees and guests would see that as a generous splurge. No better place to go as locals to satisfy meat cravings and for sure the best salad bar known, full of delicacies, every cheese imagined, every green, fresh and crisp and pricey items we usually don't eat on the daily, like asparagus, mushrooms, hearts of palm... were there in massive bowls for an all-you-can-eat frenzy. Located in the literal busiest area of this island, it is hard to miss and it has been a staple on the list of franchises that adorn the hotel strip, Texas de Brazil reigned there, crowning La Hacienda Mall. It has never been cheap. I remember the first time I visited I payed around $100! but hey, an all-you-can-eat of the finest cuts of beef, poultry, lamb... plus the massive salad bar made us believe it was a steal! Once-a-year splurge, who cares! Who is gonna pay $100 somewhere else for a 3-course dinner when you can have endless courses there? Then COVID hit and Texas has been opening and closing for periods, I assume the operation cost is high and the patrons flow hasn't been the best. Buffet-style are not really on trend right now with all the anti-covid-protocols. It's my first time in years and the place and uniforms feel a little beat by the time. It needs a facelift for sure. So recently, two of my closest and myself decided to treat ourselves to a TdB night. Upon arrival, our hostess seemed very annoyed, struggling to find my last name on the reservation list. I get it, it is not the usual one, but it's not a Russian one either! At least we were informed that they are having a local special price, 85 florins per person (wait for it). And OFF we went. Alejandro was the nice gentleman that was assigned to our table. Polite, easy going and smiling all the time, gave us all the details and responded to every question. Found out that they have two kinds of Sangria, the cheap one and the premium one. What the hell, sangria is sangria so we ordered the cheap one. A glass pitcher arrived minutes later, filled with the sweetest sangria you could ever imagine. I personally didn't feel the taste of alcohol. I don't think someone can genuinely enjoy drinking 4 glasses of that iced syrup. Also, a lady kept coming to our table to top off our glasses when they weren't even an inch below the rim. That move felt very intrusive and pushy. What was the point? to empty the pitcher as quick as possible to make us go for a second one? no ma'am. Pão de queijo (cheesy bread rolls) were put on the table and we said ok let's go. The hot items included a seafood chowder, black beans and some Fish and Shrimp termidor (I personally felt it was just a bechamel-style sauce). The soup was bland, the seafood in it seemed those that come in a mix bag. My biggest heartbreak came with I approached the salad bar. I am telling you again, this was a legendary part of the Texas de Brazil experience. It was so underwhelming, to say the least. The only green was lettuce, no asparagus, arugula, spinach or anything else, the cheeses and cold cuts section was very simple, platters and bowls scattered to fill up the space that once was full with way more options. A sad slaw, dry hearts of palm... AND NO SUSHI! it's gone. I was shocked. It is all in the pictures. I won't lie about this. I tried a spoonful of some of the prepared options. The Tabbouleh was wilted. Best one was the corn and bean salad, seafood second. Now to the main act: Meat servers' rounds felt slow. Some of the Picanha had a strong freezer taste. The spicy one was nice, the flank steak was also amazing. The lamb was terrible, none of us could eat it, it had also a very strong taste. I am not gonna talk on the behalf of my friends but I don't think we paid the 100 and something florins happily (60+ U.S dollars). There will be a 15% of service charged added to the bill 🙃. Overall, I feel we experienced a downgraded version of the real deal. The international website shows how extensive the offer actually is. They expanded to even Dubai! Texas de Brazil was a place of indulgence and celebration that topped the list of many locals and tourists when it came to dining options in Aruba. The business and potential is there and their employees certainly add a value to the experience, now it’s time for the management to tap into what is needed to return this restaurant to its golden era. Follow this blog's Instagram @itsthefoodelife and my personal page @enriquebalestrini for more FoodE updates. Find me on Facebook too: The FoodE Life

Starbucks Aruba has a new Barista Champion: Gillianne Alders "Gilley". Tough choice made by Janella Werleman, Chanteau Ogilvie and yours truly. Little do we know about the craft behind our daily coffee order at Starbucks. There's a whole standard of excellence to be followed. Back on Thursday, September 9, la Crème de la crème of all Starbucks outlets in Aruba gathered to earn the coveted spot of Barista Champion of Aruba. Natasha Rasmijn representing Starbucks Renaissance Mall, Alexsia Geerman representing Starbucks Paseo Herencia, Gilliane Alders "Gilley" representing Starbucks Renaissance Marketplace and Alexander Laclé representing Starbucks Gloria proved all of us how skilled and knowledgeable they are when it comes to their passion: coffee making. Being a coffee lover myself, a person that can't fathom the idea of a day in life without having a cup of the brown elixir, I was thrilled to be invited to join the panel that would decide the next Barista Champion of Aruba. It was time to start the competition and the Starbucks brand standards were top priority when it comes to score their skills and craft. Being an outsider myself, the afternoon was filled with new information about measurements, ingredients and blends. Competitors were eager to showcase how good they are at it and the timer was set to 15 minutes to complete 4 coffee preparations: Cloud Caramel Macchiato, Iced Americano, Latte (including Latte art) and one of their choice. That was the first part of their race. Following those, the competitors were challenged to give a complete explanation of their blend of choice and method to prepare a Pour Over, old school way to prepare coffee. The table was decked out with different things. As a proud latino I recognized the technique. Back home in Venezuela we are used to brew coffee using a cloth filter, it was the grandma's way. Nowadays, things are more specific and grams and milliliters matter when it comes to the perfect taste and intensity. Who knew! Huge technical aspects, use of the station, timing, charisma, engagement and knowledge were crucial to evaluate the participants. This evaluation was nothing casual, points were discounted on every mishap they had which made the race to the prize very tight. After calculations and deliberations, the judge's panel agreed on a winner: Gilley! she was the one! It was an incredible tight race as I said and we were convinced that all participants were worthy of winning. The prize: the opportunity to travel to Costa Rica to participate in the 6th Barista Championship Experience where Baristas from 16 countries from Latin America and The Caribbean will have the opportunity to share their craft and passion for coffee. I left the judging experience full of new information about the coffee making process, origins and overall huge respect for Natasha, Alexsia, Gillianne, Alex and all those individuals behind the Starbucks counters. They know their stuff! Massive congratulations to all! Their passion, knowledge and charisma made me aware of how valuable their contribution is to a habit that we could consider simple: going to Starbucks for a cup of coffee. Behind those counters are incredible individuals that care about their craft and want to make our days better every time they serve us. Follow Starbucks Aruba on Facebook and Instagram for coffee inspiration and updates. Thanks to the Starbucks Aruba team for this incredible experience. Stay updated with Insta Stories and posts following my social platforms @itsthefoodelife on Instagram and The FoodE Life on Facebook. Photography coverage by Carlos Delgado @carlosdelgadx

2ndSon is the new street food pizzeria in Palm Beach, Aruba. What is their deal? Photos by Carlos Delgado (@carlosdelgadx) 2ndSon set operations this past August to bring -according to their instagram bio- a hip, young, high quality and fresh new stile of street food, combining new taste with daredevil attitude. Located at The Village, Palm Beach Aruba, 2ndSon has the advantage to be in the heart of the party alluring those side-walking customers. Initially they stayed open til late-late, and when hunger struck those leaving the bars, 2ndSon was there with Pizza slices and tubes of noodles. The times we are living in are constantly changing and they have been challenged with different rules. By now they have different opening hours, til midnight as of today (September 2nd). Why a second chance? I was curious to visit 2ndSon since they opened but I haven't been out to party lately... I put suggestions box on my instagram @itsthefoodelife and several people suggested me to go. Finally, long time pal Josh Ras @top.rankin messaged me raving about their food and the pork belly pizza, enough to put it on top of my list. Often happens that new businesses are still managing operation flaws during their first weeks and I happened to go there on a night that was not so bright. Left underwhelmed and with 30 bucks less in my pocket. I could't believe that a highly recommended place by legit people was so-so, specially knowing their origin and that Rigo is the mind behind it. For those unfamiliar (as I initially was), Rigo comes from the Urataka empire, enough for me to think there's gotta be more to it than a bad night. Long story short I was there a week after with my two buddies @carlart_ and @carlosdelgadx to give it a second chance and taste as much stuff as we could. The Concept. The food offering basically is pizza and pastas. Talking to Armin and Alysha, on charge of the marketing, he explained to me that this is not only about a slice of pizza before going to bed at 2 am. This is about unexpected toppings and combinations of high quality stuff both on their pies and pastas, also they change their menu every couple days to include their latest mixes, like spicy bbq popcorn chicken pie. Concept is sidewalk vibe. Get your slice or pasta and eat on the couple standing tables available or take it elsewhere. Soft drinks and water bottles are available. This is the menu on display that night. The Food Let's get down to the food business. Pizza slices are big, I would say around 7 inches and prices start at $4 the slice. Specialty ones go from $5. These were massively loaded with a cheese mix of mozzarella, gouda and cheddar plus the toppings. I was told Elio, in charge of the kitchen changes the cheese mix constantly to twist things up a little. I would say these are Aruban-style pizzas if that is a thing. This was the BBQ popcorn chicken. It was Fantastic to be honest. The dough taste is super recognizable from Urataka, made fresh every day. If you like Urataka, you're gonna like this one. The Bastard: Ribeye (quality jumped out) and honey mustard. Rarely available but hey ask for it! maybe you're in luck to find it that day. Mac and cheese and noodles are also on the menu. Tried the Loaded mac and cheese ($13). Pork Belly, Chicken and Steak strips on top of creamy macaroni topped with Sriracha mayo and chopped parsley. It was very tasty and the loaded word is not a joke. Cholesterol tests the next days are not recommended. The classic cheese and pepperoni pizzas are also available. If you're a bunch you can also order the whole pie to go. Also (!!!) they have their own hot sauce: Diabel den Shelo. Smokey, thick and hot it was VERY good. Tourists friends, don't bring a magnet to your friend next time you visit, get the hot sauce. $5 Don't skip the Popcorn chicken by itself. It was fantastic. $7 Credit where is due. Local entrepreneurs need support. They dared to open a place in this economic climate, knowing things are shaky and did it taking into consideration aesthetics, branding and creativity when it comes to the food offerings. Sure, they are starting the journey and improvement is being made to reach their full potential. It will be hard to say no to a slice of pizza next time I leave the bar at 3 am. BTW they are taking orders for Lobster Mac and Cheese on their instagram or facebook page. Give them a follow and help them grow. Follow this blog's Instagram @itsthefoodelife and my personal page @enriquebalestrini for more FoodE updates. Find me on Facebook too: The FoodE Life

Lima Bistro is now open for lunch! Chef Teddy Bouroncle invited me over so I can share what's new with you. Lima Bistro, already a favorite place for tourists and locals, recently opened for lunch and I am sure it's gonna be a massive success. Think about a work lunch, a celebration, ceviche craving or the nicest view of Oranjestad: All possible. It is not just sandwiches, salads or wraps, Chef Teddy made sure to craft an interesting menu that would meet the expectations of all sorts of crowds. New and exciting items and the good ol' best sellers are there. Best part: Menu prices are reduced! Save a buck, go lunch at Lima Bistro. Let's Get Into It! I will recommend you to start with a Pisco Sour! If you haven't tried one let me describe it: Foamy cold lemonade with a boozy kick. If you're into ice cold lemonade, you'll love this cocktail. It's difficult to choose from the appetizers menu. New items listed and the best sellers from the dinner menu are part of it. If it's your first visit to Lima Bistro, you can't miss the Ceviche and the Scallops. Make sure you express your preferences about heat in your food for the Ceviche, it has a slight heat in it. First: Grilled Shrimp. Honoring the Peruvian influence these shrimp come on top of a creamy Causa Limeña (creamy potato and ají purée). Golf sauce and potions along herbs, fresh cherry tomatoes and grilled avocado. Great combination. $14 Mussels: If you wanna think about food by the beach, this is your winning horse. Fresh mussels with a pico de gallo and corn situation on top. Served on an ice bed and only 8 dollars! Go for it! Scallops: Carrot strings with chives on top. Scallop treasure below with rich Soyu butter. I believe it is one of the most liked dishes on the menu. Order it and find out why. Main Courses. Crispy Chicken: for all you chicken lovers out there, this crispy chicken breast lays on top ginger and vegetable wild rice and red curry sauce. On top, charred cucumber, red chile slices and herbs. You would think a fried piece of chicken and rice would be heavy but this one felt fresh and bright. It was fantastic. Local fish: Chef Teddy would do it all to source fresh fish everyday. This time the option was Brazil, a local catch. Served with Farro for some nuttiness, beets and grilled green onions. What's not to like? Truffle Yuccas and salsa Huancaína: I am a fan of the popular Papas a la Huancaína side dish from Perú and finally seeing a spin on the menu was a triumph. This salsa made with ají amarillo is a classic! Cocktails. A cocktail for lunch should be welcomed more often. This one is called Week Creation (A.K.A Sir Davide). Sir Edmond Vanilla Gin, Campari, Pineapple Juice, Lime Juice and home-made Vanilla Bean Syrup. Cheers! Desserts. Dessert at Lima Bistro is not your typical cheesecake from the supermarket (we all know restaurants serving those). These are things you won't find anywhere else and believe me when I say you should leave space to indulge in one. Grilled Pineapple: Caramelized Pineapple a la parrilla slices with tomatoes (what?!), Arugula (what?!) and Vanilla bean ice cream. Dare to try it! Strawberries and bacon: Now, let me tell you something... this is UNHOLY. Whipped cream, baked merengue, Vanilla ice cream, and caramelized chopped bacon. I couldn't imagine it and I am sure neither can you but when that massive jar arrived to the table... and after having a spoonful of all things together WOWZA! I beg you to try it. Not for the faint of heart OR ANYTHING ELSE AT ALL. Truly a mindfuck. Only available on the lunch menu. Oh well, oh well. Not surprised at all to have come to Lima Bistro for lunch and left in bliss. Lots of people already love the dinner service and for sure lots will join the lunch brigade. Prices lowered, Oranjestad harbor view, great and inventive food. Now it's yours to try. Follow Lima Bistro Facebook page and Instagram for more info and content. Follow this blog's Instagram @itsthefoodelife and my personal page @enriquebalestrini for more FoodE updates. Find me on Facebook too: The FoodE Life

Bohemian on a Thursday night seemed like a good idea. Here's my experience dining at this secret garden in the middle of Palm Beach, Aruba. Bohemian has been fairly new to our culinary scene in Aruba, their social media indicates they started operations in 2018. Located in the heart of Palm Beach it shows itself grand and mysterious with steps that lead to a massive wooden door and lush trees that shelter the bar and dining area. The stylish and warm interior is beautiful and take you out of the busy strip feeling and into a chill ambiance. I had been to Bohemian for a wine glass by the bar before but the opportunity for dining never presented itself until that night. They offer different vibes starting Wednesday with Rumba Gitana and Flamenco, Thursday with sounds of Violin, electro lounge Friday and Saturday, and Salsa on Sunday. The clientele seemed to be loving the Violin being played in front of them. It definitely elevated the experience. Let's dive into what you get once you step in... you get greeted by the staff wearing suspenders and berets, definitely different and stylish. Our server DJ was very nice and casual without being intrusive or persuasive. They let us pick our table and was quick to deliver the wine and food menus. Also he was very kind to suggest us a different wine since the one we ordered was not in stock considering the price range we were willing to spend on it. To me, that is great! nothing more annoying that a server that is trying to push the pricier bottle from the list. Our bottle suggested by DJ was Château Maucaillou Le Bordeaux de Maucaillou for $39. Oak and woody. We really enjoyed it. Let's go to the food part! Me and my friend never miss an octopus dish when there's one on the menu. Grilled octopus with a fennel and curly parsley salad and some dollops of Rouille sauce. It was VERY good! cooked and seasoned to perfection. The price tag that the tentacle holds is $22. One tentacle won't be enough for two hungry diners. We almost ordered a second tentacle but last minute made the decision to change it for Calamari & Chorizo Ibérico de Bellota. Unfortunately the calamari was very hard to chew. Definitely a miss. Looked good though! Now, after reading the options and even though it seemed a little heavy for a 9PM dinner, we ordered Paella de Bohemian. Glossy rice beans al punto with herbs, clams and mussels in the shells, chicken thigh bone-in and even a small lobster tail. Lemon wedges to brighten it up. The price is hefty but the quality is there. This is definitely a shareable. $42 Dessert time is the best time. Indulgence on a Thursday night just because. My lovely dinner date asked for Moelleux au chocolat: french way to call a Chocolate Lava Cake. Vanilla ice cream and a mint frond all with a slight dusting of confectioners sugar. She expressed it was good. $12 I went for the big guy. Profiteroles au Chocolat Chaud: Massive portion of 3 Choux pastry balls filled with ice cream and covered in chocolate sauce. $12. The slow motion speaks 1000 words I would recommend Bohemian as an option to scape the arid island climate and get into a dimly-lit luscious tropical garden with french flair. Different vibes for some days of the week are offered depending of what you're into. Our server let us know that they have a full cocktail bar available (and nice to look at btw) which is an alternative if you want to sit and sip cocktails by the bar while enjoying the music. That I would love to try next, the cocktails. What did we learn? that Bohemian is a unique option to the other restaurants of the hotel strip of Palm Beach, hidden from the stares of the walking tourists. We learned that the French and Spanish flair is very present on their wine and food menus and that also their price range is up there a little bit but competitive, considering their neighbors. Here is a link to their Facebook Page and Instagram. Follow this blog's Instagram @itsthefoodelife and my personal page @enriquebalestrini for more FoodE updates from Aruba! Find me on Facebook too: The FoodE Life

When Chef Teddy Bouroncle decided to put all his eggs in one basket (his own words) we knew greatness was coming our way. He did what needed to be done. Lima Bistro has been open for quite some time now and has been the talk of the town. I put a question box on my instagram page @itsthefoodelife to ask where should I go next and people flooded the inbox to suggest that I should go to Teddy's place located on the Harbour House, downtown Oranjestad. After a small struggle to figure out where the designated parking space was we arrived to the restaurant to find it almost full, mind you, a Thursday night in playa (local way to call Downtown Oranjestad) alive and happening! The charm of the place is enhanced by Maria Eugenia, Teddy's wife as hostess and Mattias his own son serving the beautiful marble and wood tables. The vibe is vibrant, perfectly lit and well-curated with ornaments that mean something special to Bouroncle. He told me the story behind the Pucará Bulls (photographed below), a symbol of protection and happiness in Peru. Of course your evening has to start with a Pisco Sour cocktail! a dangerous drink classic from Chile and Peru. It is basically a sweet lemonade, Pisco and couple drops of bitters, the white foamy surface is egg whites. Word on the street is that you shouldn't have more than two "piscos" because they get you drunk quickly. Of course I payed no mind to that. Going into the menu, you could believe the restaurant is mainly Peruvian cuisine but really has international touches too. The menu is short and concise: 8 appetizers and 8 mains. Maybe they have something special going on that day which they will tell you about. Prices go from 11 to 13 U.S Dollars. The main courses start from $23. They are going to have us guessing what is going to be pulled out of the bag every Friday with changes on the menu but don't worry the classics will stay. The food They smartly placed a heavy hitter on top of the list, The Scallops. These sea shells with scallops in a shoyu butter sauce, topped with chips and chives were absolutely insane and should remain forever in the menu. What a way to start dinner. When you read Salchipapas on the menu you can't help but feel intrigued about what Teddy has done to twist and elevate the street food snack. Well look at it: Potato strings deep fried on top of mashed potatoes, chorizo and a runny egg, slightly truffle flavored. Yes you read it right and you need to have it when you visit. Make sure you order it only for yourself, you won't want to share this. Of course a good ceviche had to be in the menu. Teddy's legendary Ceviche Pop-up at the Marriott years ago solidified his rep as a ceviche master. Chunky pieces of fish, sweet potato purée, cancha corn and all sorts of deliciousness together in a bowl topped with crispy calamari rings... And the Best Ceviche Award goes to.... The tuna tartare is a staple on many menus on the island but I am sure you've not seen it like this. What's under that crispy tortilla is magic. Staying on the tuna portion of the trip, the sashimi style with capers and leche de tigre is a great bold choice. Layers of tuna topped with a rich sauce. The capers touch is strong, I would say only for capers enthusiasts. How could I not try a cocktail of Chicha Morada? It's like going to the beach and not taking a dip. This one is Pisco based with elderflower and blackberries. Here's Yunior behind the bar showing off his creation. I was spying the orders running and even though I did not venture into the mains this time I got to photograph some of them for your viewing pleasure Third cocktail of the night and suggestion of Teddy's son Mattias, the Chilcano. I can describe it as a cousin of the Moscow mule but Pisco based. He told us it's very common to see the Chilcanos flowing in family gatherings back in Peru. Since you feel like family here in Lima Bistro, seemed right to have one. Dessert time accompanied by a chat with Chef Teddy and his wife María Eugenia made the evening even more special. Showing you here it's the Crème Caramel or Quesillo, served with authentic vanilla ice cream and powdered butter. Told Teddy he should try a batch adding Rum to the mix of the Quesillo, I'll let you know if he reports back. The evening was coming to an end and I left with my belly and heart full. Things are specially outstanding when they are made with love. HUGE congratulations to Lima Bistro for the massive success they have reached and the many more to come. Cheers! Follow this blog's Instagram @itsthefoodelife and my personal page @enriquebalestrini for more FoodE updates. Find me on Facebook too: The FoodE Life

The first restaurant I visited when in Aruba 14 years ago was Salt & Pepper. I decided to revisit the place to see how they've been doing and if it still has the vibe I loved that long ago. Salt & Pepper is a place my grandpa soul loved so much the first time I went. I have always been a fan of souvenir and curiosity stores and this restaurant has walls filled with a collection of salt and pepper shakers that I could spend hours looking at. The style is very old dutch café, very wooden, dimmed light, vintage-style bar and an outdoor terrace to sit and people-watch. I was hanging out by the beach with my friend by who recently arrived from Holland and thought it could be nice to go somewhere and have dinner. I had one thing on my mind: French Onion Soup. Also it has been extremely hot in the Happy Island and a cold beer was needed too. Look at me craving soup when it's hot. Love a contradictory moment. S&P welcomes walk-ins and the casual style of the place would allow us to sit and enjoy our beer and dinner in our beachy clothes so nothing to worry about. We chose a table inside to escape the tourist traffic and a loud singer on a stage nearby. Don't get me wrong, there's a place also for those vibes but we wanted to have a quieter time. The Menu: extensive. I always struggle a little with extensive menus because of my indecisiveness but the restaurant's pride is their big offer on cold and hot tapas at affordable prices. Found my onion soup there and I was happy. Everything else was gonna be extra. Our server was not Casper the Friendly Ghost folks but when I'm determined to have a good time I'll stay unbothered. The French Onion soup pictured above was only $7! It was massive and served in a way I have never seen before in a regular soup dish instead of a tall bowl. Layers of Dutch Gouda cheese covered a delicious golden brown broth perfectly seasoned. 100% would go back just for that one. On the menu something else caught my attention, The Prosciutto and Brie Salad. It was also a generous serving of chopped greens and things, Prosciutto, walnuts, sliced Brie cheese and sweet balsamic dressing. Unforch, it had too many white and red onions in it which overpowered the other goods. $13.50 and a 🙁. The onion rings were fantastic! super crispy. $6.50 for 5 thick rings. My friend's picks were: Chicken wings, Chicken Pincho with Peanut Sauce and Onion rings too. He expressed everything was tasty! In the past I had the Burgers which I highly recommend and their Vegetable creamy pasta which was also a mega hit! I spent some time before leaving going thru the walls admiring the salt and pepper shakers in the most unusual shapes and themes. On their social media people are encouraged to bring a pair of shakers in exchange for a glass of Sangria. It's up to you to decide if that's a good deal or not. Would I go back? Yes! Salt & Pepper is part of fond memories. Would I go with a date there? I think it's a fun idea. Something else to see. They also offer Breakfast (going for that one next, the menu looks great), Lunch and Sunday Brunch. All the info is on their Facebook Page I link the menu here. Well that's all on Onion Night at Salt & Pepper 🧅 Follow this blog's Instagram @itsthefoodelife and my personal page @enriquebalestrini for more FoodE updates. Find me on Facebook too: The FoodE Life

The Ritz-Carlton Aruba threw their monthly Sunday brunch at Solanio last weekend and I was there to discover and report all the gems that make this brunch special and would encourage you make the reservation call to attend next month. I absolutely love the culinary offer of The Ritz-Carlton Aruba, from BLT Steak to Casa Nonna NY, they've always brought it. Having heard the best comments from Father's Day brunch back in June it was necessary to pay a visit to July's edition. The front of house at Solanio was very much alive with a bunch of guests and visitors. They were there for a reason and I wanted to start discovering what's the deal. I like to start my brunch journey with a coffee and a breakfast item. So I quickly made my way to the omelette station which was incredibly busy, understandably! most people love an omelette for breakfast. Next to it there is the waffle station where I ordered these: Fluffy inside, crispy outside and perfectly sweetened. Headed over to the fruit station (which was impressive, full of exotic fruits) and put the classic strawberry/blueberry toppings + a dash of Maple syrup. What's not to like? Having my appetite opened with the waffles and coffee (a mimosa also slipped in), I was ready to start with the savory items. First stop: the seafood chowder. This I could have had the whole pot of it. So delicious and legit. Octopus chunks all over. The deep fried croutons and pica di papaya were the perfect complements. The sushi station seemed popular as well, I tried a couple rolls and they were nice and cold as I like them. They had a veggie roll that was fantastic. If you are a shrimp cocktail lover the raw bar had some jumbo ones and condiments displayed. I could not wait to indulge into the Oysters but they seem to fly off the tray every time. I persevered and finally got them! Every single one of them were perfect. The freshest taste as it should be. I like them simple with just lemon juice. These only would be enough to come here every month (and get your money's worth to be honest). Walked around to see what else I could try and saw the carving station where there was a basket full of the famous popovers! So I fixed myself a dish with some steak, pork belly, one popover and let's talk about the dark horse of the day: The Mashed Potatoes! WOWZA! These mashed potatoes made us question if we ever are gonna get over them. If I could have fixed myself a doggie bag, this would have been in it. It was time to leave some mimosas flow freely until we were ready for dessert. The culinary team at The Ritz-Carlton Aruba really outdid themselves with the quality, taste and presentation! Little works of art. Here they are: If you feel that this review made you hungry it's time then to plan on visiting next month's brunch! Make sure you follow The Ritz-Carlton Aruba facebook page to stay up to date with announcements not only for the brunch but to other culinary events. A massive thank you to the team at service on Sunday for their hospitality! I will definitely will see you all soon. Follow this blog's Instagram @itsthefoodelife and my personal page @enriquebalestrini for more FoodE updates. Find me on Facebook too: The FoodE Life

By many years El Mexicano, a Mexican food truck located in Noord Palm Beach, has been a famous joint for an after night out meal. Just recently I added the truck to my constant rotation of places to go during the week when I want a quick delicious dinner that won't break the bank. On Taco Tuesdays, they add an extra taco to their orders, that is pay 2 get 3! Every local street food lover in Aruba knows the "Mexican truck" has been a legend for quite some time now and recently that I found out they have this Taco Tuesday promo going on, I gotta spread the word if you haven't heard. According to their facebook page, they are back Tuesday to Thursday from 8pm to 2am and Friday & Saturday from 8pm to 4am. Last Taco Tuesday order pictured: You can pick soft (flour tortilla) or hard shell tacos. They come with shredded lettuce (#shreducce), onions, your protein of choice and mysterious sauces. You can also pick the level of heat: no heat, mild and HOT. Custom order? they'll do it. Everything is great. If you want to venture into other items from the menu, I can suggest you the "Parrillas". These are a box of fries with meat and sauces on top. Not for the faint of heart. Not for the fit friendly guys. Personal favorite is the Quesadilla Azteca; next level quesadilla, this one comes with bacon and mushrooms. It's fire as the kids would say. Here's the menu: Prices as you see are super wallet friendly. They are in Aruban Florins (1 U.S Dollar= 1.75 Florins). They have other specials going on during the week but I'll leave that for you to discover. Full disclosure: This is not a sponsored post. Follow this blog's Instagram @itsthefoodelife and my personal page @enriquebalestrini for more FoodE updates. Find me on Facebook too: The FoodE Life

It's always a struggle to find lunch or breakfast spots downtown. Went to Bits & Cheeses and now I have added it to my list of recommendations. What is it about? what's their offer? what's the tea... Bits & Cheeses has been around for some time now, first time I knew about them I was at an event and saw this spectacular charcuterie board with their logo on it, later to find out that they have a location on Wilhelminastraat 63. Soon enough saw some friends hanging out there on insta stories. The place is small but doesn't feel crowded, thing I appreciate in terms of service and comfort. Post covid times not a lot of us feel comfortable going back into crowded spaces. The Menu I went there for lunch but saw some nice breakfast offerings like Mediterráneo or Piemonte Breakfasts (both $8), consisting of sourdough bread toast with eggs and some toppings. Also some foccaccias and rustic breads topped with home-made hummus, olives, tomatoes, pancetta or mortadella. All in the savory side. For Lunch, the menu has some gourmet sandwiches, raclettes and paninis. Everything has delicacies in it like: Truffle Gouda, Pancetta Pepata, Gruyère cheese and more. All under $10. If you are into salads, they have couple options on the menu, both the Italiana and Green Goat seem to have a sweet and savory side to it with ingredients like honey balsamic vinegar or blueberry dressing. For the pasta, the menu had 3 options which is great for Mr. Indecisive (AKA Me!), few options on the menu always make my life easier. Following my friend suggestion I ordered the truffle pasta. Rigatoni in truffle oil, portobello mushrooms, red onion confit and roasted pumpkin seeds, Granapadano cheese on top. It was delicious and even though the description may sound heavy, it felt very lightweight and balanced. My only note to the reader, if you are a big appetite person or like big bowls of pasta, the portions could be small for you. The Pasta Blu, according to my lunch date it was also delicious. Pasta dishes are $12. They have a wine selection menu and they guide you with the pairing depending on what you are having. I didn't even have to ask. Always a nice detail! again, whatever makes my decision making process easier I appreciate. Over a couple of glasses of wine we ordered a two-person charcuterie board. What an aesthetically pleasing thing to look at! Was it good? I don't think I need to tell you, the visual speaks by itself. I will definitely go back and I highly recommend you put it on the list of downtown options. Reservations definitely suggested. They also open at night, I'll update you on that when I go and see what is there to try on the evening menu. Follow my instagram @itsthefoodelife and @enriquebalestrini for more FoodE content and updates.

The first of the year culinary pop-up at The Lobby of Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino was all I expected and more. Oh how we missed the social life and the ability to go out and sit at a table with our friends on a Friday night! The team at the Aruba Marriott Resort put together an event to celebrate the International Sushi Day last month at The Lobby (their lobby sushi and cocktail bar) with a special menu crafted by the masters Romeo Penacino and Ever de Peña that hit all the right spots. The Lobby, already a very well known sushi and cocktail bar expanded its capacity and dressed in a more celebratory manner to accommodate more attendees and celebrate the culinary holiday. Sake Cocktails crafted by the team of mixologists to enhance the senses that night along with a live DJ. No Better way to end the work week that some good sushi, drinks and tunes. But now time to talk about food. Creativity really showed up at the menu with a mix of daring combinations and all-time-favorites served at The Lobby regularly. Foie Gras nigiri? Sign me up! Some of these rolls and sides are part of the Regular menu of The Lobby at The Marriott, so I don't have to worry if one of these days I crave them again. Thankful that in Aruba we are blessed to be able to go out and attend events again. Looking forward to see what the team at the Aruba Marriott is gonna bring next, they always do the best. To stay pending of events at Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino follow their Facebook page clicking here Follow me on instagram