Restaurants and Dining

Bonaire Restaurant and Dining News

Tuesday, January 04, 2011

Bonaire’s Chez Nous Restaurant to Feature Fundraising Four-Course Dinners

Those visitors lucky enough to be on Bonaire right now can enjoy an unusual treat this week, when they attend one of the four-course dinners presented by the island’s cooking school, Chez Nous Restaurant.

Each year for the past seven years, some very fortunate local student chefs were sent to spend six weeks in Italy learning how to prepare authentic Italian feasts from the Emilia Romagna region of Italy.  Chef Antonio Mazzotti of Riccione Locande Girasoli has taught past students, and he will also teach the 2011 students, as these fund-raising dinners will assist in sending our young chefs to Italy in 2011.

Starting tomorrow and running through January 9th, a resplendent four-course Italian dinner accompanied by hand-picked wines will be prepared under the guidance of Chef Mazzotti, bringing a true Italian flair to the meals.  It’s a great opportunity to sample fantastic food and mingle with locals who support this important function.  The dinners will begin at 6:30 PM each evening from January 5 through 9, 2011; reservations are required and can be made by calling Sara at 786-9299 or sending an email by clicking here.  Cost is $60.00 per person.  (Source: Italy Stage 2011)

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Holiday Dining on Bonaire Shines This Year With a Variety of Options

Dining out is especially popular over the holidays, and Bonaire is no exception.  Many of island’s restaurants are offering special menus, and the Bonaire Insider has collected a sampling of different options.  Remember, Christmas Day, Boxing Day (December 26), and January 1st are all legal holidays on Bonaire, and some restaurants might not be open on all holidays, so if your favorite restaurant is not represented here, be sure to check availability.  Reservations are highly recommended for any holiday dining.

Unbelievable Restaurant features a special holiday buffet for groups of 15 or more with a variety of budgets.  For smaller groups, couples, or individuals, the à la carte menu will be available, too.  For reservations, phone 717-3000, or email info@unbelievablebonaire.com.  View the group holiday buffet menu by clicking here (in PDF format).

Hotel Restaurant Roomer will be open for dinner on Christmas Eve from 4:00 PM through 9:30 PM.  There will be a special Christmas Breakfast Buffet on both Christmas Day and Boxing Day for only $17.50 per person.  The buffet will begin at 7:30 AM and be available through 11:00 AM.  For reservations, phone 717-7488 or email info@roomerbonaire.com.

Norka’s Deli Cafe offers special Indonesian Rijsttafel (minimum two persons), including a small version, large version, or vegetarian version.  Norka does ask for one day’s notice for any Rijsttafel, so phone her at 717-4376 to make a reservation.

Sunset Bar & Grill offers a wide variety of menu options throughout the holidays, including a two-course dinner on Christmas Eve, a traditional Christmas Dinner on Christmas Day, Boxing Day Specials on the 26th, a three-course festive dinner on New Year’s Eve, and Happy New Years Creations on January 1st.  Their regular menu will also be available on all holidays except for New Year’s Eve.  For reservations, phone 788-2698.

(Source:  Bonaire Insider Reporter)

Tuesday, December 07, 2010

Antillean Wine Company Announces Events Including the Beaujolais Noveau at El Mundo Restaurant

Join the fun on Thursday December 9, 2010, at El Mundo Restaurant, when the Antillean Wine Company partners with El Mundo for the formal introduction of Beaujolais Noveau Chateau Cambon 2010.

The event starts at 6:00 PM with drinks and an appetizer and will be followed by the arrival and opening of the first bottle of Beaujolais around 7:30 PM. Following the official opening, a main course will be served accompanied by the Beaujolais, finished with an after-dinner coffee. Live entertainment will be featured and the attendance fee is $45 or FL 80.55. Make your reservations at El Mundo by calling 717-4601 as space is limited.

Antillean Wine Company is also pleased to announce the arrival of several new products at their store. Balsamic vinaigrette and olive oil from Tuscany and Sicily are now in stock, along with Limoncello from Sicily. On the wine side, red, rose and white from Deutsches Weintor have arrived and have a lovely dry flavor. Pinot grigios from Villa Sandi and La Gioiosa, including the Gioiosa blush are now also available. This week they should also receive Crane Lake wines including cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay and white zinfandel.

Don’t forget the monthly wine tasting on Saturday December 11 from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. The wine tasting will be held at their store at Kaya Industria #23 and the entrance fee is FL 17.50 (about US$ 10.00), with six wines and snacks. Everyone is invited. (Source: Antillean Wine Company)

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Thanksgiving Day Dining

Next Thursday, November 25, 2010 is the day the US celebrates Thanksgiving. For those of you searching for Thanksgiving fare on Bonaire, Cactus Blue will be offering a special Thanksgiving menu.

Cactus Blue’s menu combines traditional Thanksgiving favorites of turkey, pumpkin and sweet potatoes with a flavorful Caribbean twist. Choose from pumpkin and plantain fritters served with a guava dipping sauce, lobster and pumpkin bisque, jerk roasted turkey served with corn bread stuffing, sweet potato and fresh crispy vegetables, char gilled pork tenderloin basted in honey and rum and served with sweet potato and fresh crispy vegetables and finish with Caribbean pumpkin pie. The menu for the day includes some additional delicious seafood and dessert treats. To view the full menu, click here.

The price is $35 or FL 62.65 and reservations are recommended. Cactus Blue is open from 5:30 PM until 10 PM. Happy Thanksgiving! (Source: Cactus Blue)

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Enjoy a Taste of Bonaire on Friday, August 27, 2010

To officially close the end of Celebrate Our Planet week, the island will be hosting a food festival, Taste of Bonaire, on Friday, August 27, 2010.

The event will take place in Wilhelmina Park in Kralendijk from 6:00 PM until 9:00 PM.  This is a popular cultural event focusing on food, music, handicrafts, and a lot of fun.  All are invited to attend the evening’s event, when everyone can enjoy small plates of signature dishes from some of Bonaire’s eateries.  For visitors, it’s a time to rub elbows with the locals, as people mix and mingle enjoying their food and looking at the various items available for sale.  (Source:  TCB-Bonaire)

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Patagonia Restaurant Opens for Lunch

Patagonia Restaurant has just announced that effective immediately, they are adding in a new lunch menu which is available Monday through Friday.  Also, they are launching lunch (or dinner) in a new air-conditioned room, so either cool comfort or al fresco dining is now available.

Patagonia, located at the Harbour Village Marina (under the lighthouse) has been a favorite for several years for their Argentinean steaks, chops, grilled meats, pasta or fish dishes.  Starting today, they will open for lunch during weekdays, when they will be serving an assortment of burgers, steaks, sandwiches, and salads.  Prices are moderate.

Their other news is that Patagonia Restaurant is opening a room where lunch or dinner dining can be enjoyed in air-conditioned comfort, so now patrons have the choice of choosing this option, which is certainly welcome during Bonaire’s hottest summer days in August and September. or dining al fresco next to the sea!  For reservations for lunch or dinner, call 717-7725. (Source:  Patagonia Restaurant)

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Bonaire Bids Farewell to the Wounded Warriors

Yesterday, Bonaire bid a fond farewell to the 2010 participants of the 5th Be A Diver-Wounded Warrior Scuba Certification trip.  The men and their families have had a very busy week, but all have certainly enjoyed the island and all it has to offer.

When we last checked in with the Warriors, they had just completed their dive certifications.  They have spent much of their rest of their days diving, both by shore and by boat.  On Tuesday afternoon, they enjoyed lunch in Kralendijk, compliments of the Bonaire Talk Community, as well as a private shopping spree with gift certificates provided by Jewel of Bonaire.  Tuesday night they dined at Patagonia Argentinean Restaurant, compliments of the Palacios Family.

Wednesday evening was certainly special as the men and their families were guests of honor at a reception held at the home of Lt. Governor Glenn Thode and sponsored by Caradonna Caribbean Tours.  Everyone enjoyed their motorcycle escort provided by the Bikers Bonaire.  During the evening, the men were named Bonaire Ambassadors by the Tourism Corporation Bonaire.  After, a dance group from Rincon performed traditional dances for the group.  View images from Wednesday evening by clicking here.

Thursday brought more diving and then in the evening, everyone gathered at the Deco Stop Bar at Captain Don’s Habitat to watch the Week in Review with dinner following courtesy of Dive Training Magazine (images available by clicking here)

It was a little rainy (well, very rainy) on Friday morning during their Bonaire Tours island tour, but everyone ended at a complimentary lunch at KFC.  In the afternoon, more touring, this time provided by Bonaire Quad Tours, with finally a Texas-styled BBQ sponsored by Jack Chalk and his family and Adams Unlimited.

Saturday morning, it was an early morning transfer to the airport for their check-in, but, even then, these heros were given paid departure tax tickets, once again sponsored by the Bonaire Talk Community.  For five years now, the island has always come together for these annual events to show these men and their families who have given so much exactly what it means to be grateful for their sacrifices.  This week could not have been possible without the sponsors and those donating funds and/or services.  We’d like to thank everyone:  9Line LLC, Adams Unlimited Public Relations & Marketing, AERIS, Bikers Bonaire, Bonaire KFC, BonaireTalk.com, Bonaire Quad Tours, Bonaire Guided Motorcycle Tours, Bonaire Tours & Vacations, Budget Rent A Car, Captain Don’s Habitat, Caradonna Dive Adventures, Inc., Care Coalition, Caribbean Travel & Life Magazine, Chat & Browse Bonaire, DEMA/Be a Diver, Destination Weddings & Honeymoons Magazine, Dive Training Magazine, Henderson, H.S.A. International Training Center of New Jersey, Islands Magazine, Jack Chalk & Family, Jewel Of Bonaire, Net, N.V., OCEANIC, PADI, Paradise Moon Bar & Restaurant, Patagonia Restaurant, Princeton Tec, Rum Runners, Sport Diver Magazine, Tourism Corporation Bonaire, and Wounded Warrior Disabled Sports Project, as well as the anonymous donors.

We look forward to seeing you again in 2011!  Te aworo (until next time)! (Source:  Bonaire Insider reporter)

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

La Barca Restaurant and Bar Launches New Expanded Menu

This past January, the Bonaire Insider reported the opening of a new Italian restaurant on Bonaire, La Barca Restaurant and Bar.  On a recent visit, I was surprised and pleased to see that the restaurant had launched a new, expanded menu offering even more enticing options.

Choices for antipasti range from salads to carpaccio to soups.  For the first course (primi, traditionally pasta), one can choose from the risotto del giorno (risotto of the day), lasagna, gnocchi, linguine, or a variety of penne.  For the main course, one now can choose from a variety of fish or seafood dishes, beef, steak, or vegetarian options.  New to this expanded menu are pizzas, offering the traditional Margherita, Parma, Cotto e Mozzarella, Napoli, Diavola, Four Cheese, or Vegetarian.  Home-made desserts offer the traditional tiramisu or panna cotta, but also chocolate souffle, pastry with custard and fresh fruit, or the dessert of the week.

On my recent visit, I once again decided upon the gnocchi, which on my prior visit had melted in my mouth.  This time it was a spinach and potato gnocchi in a Mediterranean sauce with the fresh fish of the day, barracuda (pictured above).  The “first-course” pasta dishes are large enough for a complete meal, and I never quite manage to get to the second course!

After dinner, the traditional limoncello appeared for my dining companion and I, straight from the Amalfi coast of Italy.  This is an after-dinner digestivo, an Italian lemon liqueur consumed to aid digestion.  While enjoying our limoncelli, we began chatting with a family at a nearby table, who’s son, Noah, offered a piece of his pizza for us to try.  It was excellent, and some day soon, I will have to pick up a pizza to take home.

The proprietor and wait staff are very attentive.  If desired, the proprietor will give an explanation of how each dish is lovingly prepared and what goes into it.  His enthusiasm for the dishes he offers is catchy--one wants to sample them all!  On this occasion, just prior to leaving, I was asked to sample and critique a new apple pie that the chef was testing................how could I refuse such an offer?  The pie was perfect--not too sweet, not too tart, just right!  It had a light, flaky pastry and was beautifully presented.  With such attention to detail, La Barca will soon become a favored restaurant on Bonaire.

In fact, the evening I was there, the entire restaurant did fill up, so advance reservations are definitely recommended.  La Barca is on the oceanfront promenade and enjoys a cooling breeze.  For reservations or additional information, contact La Barca by calling 717-4514 or cellular 795-1932.  The restaurant is closed on Tuesdays.  (Source:  Bonaire Insider reporter)

Monday, August 09, 2010

The Wounded Warriors Are Certified Divers Now

As was reported earlier, the Bonaire Insider will be chronicling some of the activities this week on Bonaire while the island hosts the Wounded Warriors--severely wounded U.S. military men and their families--as they complete the dive certifications and enjoy Bonaire.

The group arrived in the early hours on Saturday morning, and they were then transported to their host hotel, Captain Don’s Habitat.  After a hearty breakfast at Rum Runners, the group received their Marine Park orientation, received their dive tags (sponsored by an anonymous donor), and immediately began their first open water training dives.  It was a full day, especially after traveling overnight, but the group kept their energy up to enjoy a pizza dinner sponsored by Caribbean Travel & Life/Destination Weddings & Honeymoons, Islands, and Sport Diver magazines.

Sunday morning broke bright and early and the group was back in the water to complete their training dives.  After a lunch, sponsored by the Wounded Warrior Disabled Sports Project, the group, now certified divers, jumped on a boat to head off for the first boat dive of the week, to Forest at Klein Bonaire.  View images of the men and their families as they prepared for diving by visiting the Bonaire Insider Photo Gallery by clicking here.

Back at the resort, everyone showered and changed for the evening’s dinner at Paradise Moon Bar & Restaurant, sponsored by AERIS and Oceanic.  It was one very long table that nearly filled the restaurant, but everyone enjoyed their dinners, including the restaurant’s famous Walking Sticks appetizer, a variety of entrees, and a plethora of desserts, including Grandma’s Sizzling Apple Pie, Gooey Peanut Butter Pie, fried cheesecake, home-made ice-cream or sorbet, chocolate cake, and tiramisu.  Throughout the evening, one warrior or another would pop up to give plaques of appreciation to many of the sponsors present--Dan, from AERIS and Oceanic, Michael and Diana from Chat ‘n’ Browse, and Pam and Carl from Paradise Moon.  Dan, who sponsored the evening’s dinner, also raffled off several dive computers, and it seems like luck was with the ladies last night, as two of warriors’ families won.  View images of the evening’s events by clicking here.

I had the opportunity to chat with two of the couples at dinner, and they have surprising stories to tell.  One couple grew up together, but, as happens many times, went their different ways as they grew older.  Their lives became intertwined again when the the warrior was in the hospital, scheduled for twelve surgeries over two years, and one of his nurses just happened to be his childhood acquaintance!  One thing led to another, and the two were married earlier this year.

A second couple has a similar story; both were acquainted when the lady sent a message to the warrior............who never answered.  Not realizing the warrior was in a coma, she was understandably upset with not receiving a reply.  However, three-and-a-half weeks later, suddenly he responded, and the couple began seeing each other.  They, too, are newlyweds, having married last December.

Today, the group is doing additional boat dives around Bonaire and Klein Bonaire.  This evening, they will meet Bonaire’s legendary Captain Don Stewart at Habitat’s “Meet the Captain” cocktail party, before enjoying a BBQ dinner, compliments of the BonaireTalk.com community.  The Insider will be checking in with the group again later this week.  (Source:  Bonaire Insider reporter)

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Posada Para Mira Opens For Dining and Private Parties, Serving Local Food

Bonaire now has a new spot to relax and enjoy some local food and entertainment on the weekends. Posada Para Mira recently opened its doors for business--it’s located on the road from Rincon to Dos Pos at the highest point on this hilly stretch of road just above Rincon, with an excellent view of the town and the surrounding hills.

Posada Para Mira specializes in Kushina Krioyo, local traditional dishes.  Patrons can also choose from various snacks and drinks. Available for private parties during the week, the restaurant opens to the public on weekends.  Each Friday features a happy hour starting at 4:00 PM.  Live music from local bands, as well as DJs from Bonaire and other areas, can be found regularly on the weekends entertaining the posada’s visitors.

Posada Para Mira is open to the public each Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 4:00 PM until midnight. (Source:  Bonaire Insider Reporter)