Monday, August 22, 2011
New Restaurant Review: KishiKishi at Bonaire’s Butterfly Farm
There’s a new eatery that recently opened, called KishiKishi, located on the way to Lac Cai at Bonaire’s Butterfly Farm, offering a quiet, restful ambiance for the perfect lunch.
I had the opportunity to spend a weekend lunch at the new restaurant and sample its menu. Although the menu is not large, it truly focuses upon locally produced foods, as well as traditional Antillean or Caribbean dishes.
The day I tried out the restaurant, Sharon greeted me at the entrance, gave me her slow Jamaican (and quite beautiful!) smile, and then seated me while I waited for my lunch companion. I ordered a carafe of water with lime and fresh mint--do be aware the KishiKishi is not connected to the island’s water supply, and therefore they must purchase water and there is a charge to the guest. With a little prompting, Sharon explained that she, in addition to being our server, was also responsible for the preparation of menu items in the kitchen, so she was amply suited to explaining the menu.
The “Small Bites” section includes items such as spring rolls stuffed with yam, goat cheese, and thyme, served with a honey-sour cream dip, or two can share a butterflybread served with three dips, which are spicy, fresh, and creamy.
Main courses consist of sweet pumpkin soup with coconut milk, served with brown bread, or catch of the day, cooked in banana leaf and served with crunchy baked yucca and papaya salad, or a vegetable terrine with grilled peppers and zucchini, served with a really green salad and bread. Those lunching can also order a slow-cooked beef stoba (stew) made with yam and coconut, served with crispy funchi and veggies, or the Bonaire plate, with offers small, but typical Bonaire bites with a surprising twist. And of course, there’s a dessert menu, too!
Both my lunch companion and I opted for the identical menu--we started with the spring rolls and then moved on to the pumpkin soup. The spring rolls were delightfully light and perfectly deep fried. They were served with a sla salad in a sweet vinaigrette. The pumpkin soup arrived with brown bread, and it was also quickly consumed. Both of us were very full afterward and couldn’t possibly consider dessert as well, but we were welcome to sit and chat as long as we wished.
KishiKishi, located just off Kaminda Lac, is an absolutely quiet and peaceful setting in which to enjoy lunch with a breezy, outdoor flair and away from the traffic and noise of Kralendijk. If one is visiting the adjoining Butterfly Farm, it will do well to plan the visit so that lunch can be enjoyed either before or directly after the visit to see the butterflies.
KishiKishi is expanding their dining options by adding in occasional events. They are currently offering a Caribbean Soulfood (Jamaican Style) BBQ every Sunday from 1:00 to 7:00 PM. To get more information regarding their current events, phone 796-8989. (Source: Bonaire Insider Reporter, photos courtesy of Elly Albers and Susan Davis)
