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If you are gonna treat yourself to a one-night outing, consider the Night Brunch at Aruba Marriott. You won't regret it. In these times, we find ourselves with tons of options of things to do during the weekend and it's important to pick the ones that are more fun and offer the best value for our buck. The Aruba Marriott resort hosted the second edition of the Night Brunch on February 4 and I couldn't be more excited to attend. Once the menu was published it seemed they really invested some time trying to please all kinds of tastes... the appetizers had warm, cold, creamy, spicy dishes, and for the ones that still crave some breakfast items during brunch... the classic dutch pancake and the waffles were offered. The main courses looked fantastic, all kinds of protein covered and even a vegetarian option with the pumpkin risotto. It does not stop there, signature cocktails and mocktails using top-shelf spirits... and of course Bellinis, even Sangria! This is not a brunch that expects to satisfy the patrons with mimosas, this is next-level. Click here to read the menu. The ambiance. Taking place at the terrace from La Vista, the atmosphere couldn't be nicer. Dining while listening to the tunes played by a live DJ and at the same time enjoying the fresh air gave the event a very special feel. To get on the theme, the Aruba Marriott team dressed the terrace with neon signs and greenery that makes for cool spots to Instagram your experience at the same time giving the whole affair a special occasion vibe. Right at the entrance, a flute of Bellini says hey! from the first minute you are taken care of. The cocktail bar right there encouraged me to have a Casamigos Mule and a Gordon's Grenade. Both massive and refreshing. Signature cocktails start from $16 dollars and are an add-on if you feel like upgrading from the Bellinis. Now let's talk about food! Lately, I have become an appetizer person. Many times when out I feel like ordering several and having a taste of many things without committing to the volume of a main course. I think it's a great strategy especially when you want to have a wide tasting of the restaurant. The prosciutto will always be a great appetizer and will always be ordered when is listed on the menu. The special thing about this one was the lemon zest on top. The Angus Sliders with caramelized onions and Brie cheese were a hit at our table, with sweet potato chips to add that crunch. The spicy shrimp as well, another heavy hitter, dressed in spicy mayo, topped with sesame seeds and chives. A lemon wedge to add brightness and some flower petals for the looks. The Tuna Nikkei was fantastic! Tuna and watermelon cubes, topped with some peanut crumble. Sweet, sour, fresh, acidic... I would have easily had a kilo of this one. For those that are passionate about sweet breakfast, here it is: The chicken and waffle dish was just !!! First time ever having it, never really appealed to me, I am not really the most passionate about fried chicken but this one time I felt it was the chance to taste it and I did not regret it. The fluffiest waffles, the crispy chicken, whipped cream dollop on top, and the base sauce, like a toffee caramel was just unbelievable. If they dare to remove it from the menu I'm protesting outside. The dutch pancake, I mean, just what you expect, is on point. Super slim, in the end, you feel like you had a bite of a sweet buttery, syrupy sheet. The main dishes were just as great. I had a bite of each, good thing about going with friends, is agreeing to order different things so you can try it all. The Pumpkin Risotto pic speaks for itself. Creaminess topped with roasted tomatoes, corn, almond crumble, and parmesan. The Red Snapper was a favorite. Laying on top of this sweetish red curry and layered with charred scallions and this delicate sweet potato crisp. The Short Rib was very reminiscing to a dish from Venezuela, the Asado Negro. Tender and pully-aparty. Another BIG success, The Black Rice Paella. When I see a squid ink dish on a menu I have to get it. The aioli added a twist while the roasted red peppers kept the classic paella element in there. Desserts. The culinary team in charge of the desserts showed up and showed off with these creations. Works of art really. The alfajores were in my opinion the best choice after all the excesses of the night. The culinary and marketing teams at the Marriott Aruba have done it again, constantly raising the bar for all of us to enjoy. If you really want to treat yourself to a complete experience where dining, mixology, and fun are top-notch, this is the plan to make. $75 and worth every single penny. Make sure to follow Aruba Marriott's social channels to be made aware of when the next one is happening. Aruba Marriott Social channels: Instagram: Aruba Marriott Facebook: Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino 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

It's so hard to find different things to do and try in Aruba! Planned a date night at Bentang Bali and had a taste of their quintessential dishes to mix things up. According to their social media activity, Bentang Bali was born in late 2019, which is actually amazing, not every business survived the lockdown and quarantine. For quite some time I have been curious every time I passed by and was waiting for a special outing to go give it a try. My friend, the fabulous dinner date Ali Hector casually texted that day to make plans and Bentan Bali jumped out to be an option: Somewhere both of us haven't been. The Place. Bentang Bali is located downtown Oranjestad, right behind Royal Plaza Mall (click here for location) and it is a small restaurant... let's say under 20 tables, all indoors. The décor has some Indonesian elements, wood, and warm colors, a little old-fashioned if you will. It is overall simple and peaceful. I do not enjoy loud music in restaurants. The service is attentive but not intrusive, it was a quiet Tuesday night. The Food. The menu has great options but it's hard to understand why they have things like Wings, Escargot and a whole "Do you wanna go local?" section that has nothing to do with Indonesian cuisine. Stewed goat, Keshi Yena, Funchi, and Pan Bati. That was a little discouraging to be completely honest. Would you trust a sushi joint that has Lasagna also on the menu? Here is the menu To be able to have the most complete experience, we decided to order appetizers, and mains. On the menu: Spicy Chicken Liver and Korean BBQ Meatballs. Chicken Liver is a personal favorite, whenever I find it on a menu I gotta have it. This one was spicy, not too greasy, topped with some green onions for brightness. The portion is generous. Great for sharing ($10) The Korean BBQ Meatballs were made with pork. I thought they were gonna be saucier. The slaw in the bottom was really chunky and I noticed it was prepared right before because the sauce did not have the chance to impregnate the cabbage. Would not order again. (12$) When we were looking at the menu one picture caught our eyes: The Nasi Rames - Taste of Bali, and after asking our server, he indeed expressed that is one of the best sellers. In pictures, you don't really get to see the scale of this dish. It is LOADED with food. You get Chicken Sate (skewers), Fried shrimp crackers (kroepoek), fried rice, coconut rice, a boiled then fried egg, Indonesian salad (Gado Gado), fish cake, curry chicken thighs, noodles, and beef, all served on top of a smoked plantain leaf. It was tasty, I am not going to lie! The peanut sauce was stellar, Ali enjoyed it very much! ($27) Like I always say, dessert time is the best time and after the chef's recommendation here is the Tiramisu Pandan. Pandan also known Screwpine is a tropical plant which leaves are a very popular ingredient in South Asian cuisines. They get dried and then pulverized to extract the emerald green powder that is characteristic to have this grassy vanilla, coconutty taste. I had to google for the info of course. This dessert was also a generous portion and VERY good. The mix od sweet Pandan with the bitterness of coffee made this a very interesting one. Final Thoughts. The first that comes to mind is: pricey. I am not gonna lie, these dishes are priced at the same prices of some hotel restaurants dishes. The bill was $140 for two people which is not a low ticket considering the area, no parking facilities, etc. A beer is $7. It is hard to compete pricing Indonesian food high when you have some other fantastic options on the island. We all know them. The Service was nice, tables were clean and set the old way with the napkin folded on top of the plate. The food portions are generous and tasty. I know some of these flavors are not everyone's cup of tea, which probably explains the inclusion of more known dishes in the menu. Would you go on a date there? It does not seem like the place for a first date. According to Ali, it is the perfect place to have the breakup though! 💔 Wanna know more? 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

A morning with yourself, good coffee, and waffles in the middle of Oranjestad. Dushi Delicious could claim the title of best-kept secret downtown Oranjestad. Located right at the beginning of Main Street (Google maps location here), the place can go unnoticed because if you are passing by, you will only see a couple of tables and umbrellas and what looks like a bar area inside... but that is just the facade, followed by the bar there is an alley that was transformed into a secret garden, an oasis in this island. Monsteras and string lights filter the sunlight just enough to create this calming atmosphere that is so enjoyable in the middle of town. You can go there and really get away from everything for 5 minutes or two hours and not bump into anyone... just you and your coffee. I went there for breakfast. First of all, they have plenty of healthy options, highly appreciated to have in the early months of the year after all the excesses of the holiday season. Here is the menu: The prices are in U.S dollars, I know... but we have to remember that the location is surely expensive and there's lovely service and attention to detail here. It is definitely not a rip-off. I don't mind paying an extra dollar if it's worth it. The food After some consensus made among friends, they expressed that they are disappointed they don't offer more savory options, personally, I don't mind it that much, I love a sweet breakfast. I saw some Baggette sandwiches being served and they looked great! This was the waffle "I'm coconuts about you". Presentation-wise I expected it to be more coconutty, maybe some toasted coconut flakes or something else that connects more to the coconut theme but it was delicious. It looks sweet and syrupy but it is not that sweet. In the middle, there's a dollop of homemade coconut yogurt, just the right amount of tartness to brighten up the whole thing. This is an Oatmilk Capuccino. For me, the star of the visit (even though I have not tried much yet) has to be hard to beat. The foaminess is there without the heavy trouble that dairy and coffee together can bring sometimes. I am sure I am going to have one every time I set foot in Dushi Delicious. Honorable mention to the Passion Fruit Lemonade I had the other day in the afternoon. The flavor! The looks! Every corner of the place is filled with details and thought. The bar also looks fantastic There's an entrance next to Apotek, on Klipstraat where you can find more parking spots and there's even a table if you want to be outside. I have to say that Dushi Delicious is a place that is best enjoyed mid-week and by yourself. Take yourself out on a breakfast date, I encourage you! I heard they stay open some days til 9 pm and they have a full bar, so if you want to turn this into a drinking occasion you can! To the people investing downtown, putting their hearts into bringing this iconic area back to life. I appreciate you! I bet you wanna know more... Dushi Delicious Social channels: Instagram: Dushi Delicious Facebook: Dushi Delicious Aruba 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

Three hungry friends drove to Delicious Burger and left with some thoughts... at the end, the question is: who is this for? Established back in 2019, Delicious Burgers has been on the radar as the only food truck that offers Certified Angus Beef® and makes the famous Smash Burgers. To help you understand the difference, a Smash Burger is different from the regular because a ball of beef is flattened on a super hot griddle, making the surface area bigger which allows getting tastier and greater seared burgers. If done right, they should stay juicy! So on a random night, two hungry friends and I drove to Savaneta to have our first Smash burger. I had no expectations, did not check their social accounts for their latest updates, just wanted to be truly surprised. Here is the Menu: https://qrco.de/bbqjoh It looks good and nicely branded, they make sure you get the Certified Angus Beef® message. A screen shows pictures of each dish which is a brilliant idea, especially when you are in front of a truck and you can't decide off reading the menu alone. There is no evident seating area for waiting or eating... later on, we discovered they have a picnic table in the back of the truck, not really visible. I assume their clientele most likely take away their orders or eat in their cars. We went BIG and ordered the BIG SMASH BURGER. (Afl 25 | $14) Described as: Double Certified Angus Beef®, double gouda cheese, bacon, egg, shoestring potatoes, lettuce, tomato, and homemade sauce. I saw on the menu the Bacon Cheese Fries and asked to have them instead of the regular fries that come with the burger. These were Afl 7 or $4 extra. After a little bit of a wait (be patient, these monsters take some time to be assembled), we got our boxes, and OH BOY the impression. I tried my best to make justice of the massiveness with a video, hoping it translates. There's no really a way to tackle this one but with your bare hands and things are going to get messy, the sauce is gonna ooze out, you're gonna get burger from ear to ear trying to get a bite. The thing might fall apart altogether. Let's talk about flavors. I personally think I got the out-of-hand order. There are a lot of things going on inside that may clash with one another. All tasty, the shoestring potato adds crunch and texture, the egg adds bounce, the bacon adds the smokiness, cheese is generous, sauce too. I am certain that a lot of people enjoy this indulgence, and reading their Facebook reviews, everybody says the place is great. I personally think it was too much for me. My honest opinion is that the quality and sear of the beef get lost in the sauce. Maybe next time I get the burger with the sauce on the side and see what happens. By all means, I am encouraging you to go give it try and form your opinion. I know locally there's a huge crowd for these. Quality of ingredients is there for sure so the last thing you will get is a disappointment. Shareable? for sure. If these pics made you hungry, well... plan your drive to DB. By taking a look at the menu the Arepa and Salchipapas are my next bet for sure. Expensive? maybe your wallet will have to decide on that. My order was around $20 including a soda. Just make sure you are not going for a cholesterol test in the days after your visit! 😄 Delicious Burger Social channels: Instagram: Delicious Burger Aruba Facebook: Delicious Burger Aruba 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

I Visited De Suikertuin Bistro recently to check if it still keeps the favorite status among downtown lunch seekers. De Suikertuin has always been a special place to me, with lots of breakfasts and wine afternoons spent there over the years. The charm of the Cunucu house with thick walls and wooden ceilings is like no other. They have made it an oasis in the middle of Playa (Downtown, Oranjestad) where you can have it all: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Click here for the location on google maps. Lunch. Lunch places are important. Aruba has hundreds of restaurants but sometimes is hard to find decent lunch options, especially if you are looking for a variety of cuisines under one roof. De Suikertuin Bistro has a great menu and the prices are great too! HERE Of course, it's hard to show you many options with only one visit but here is what we had: Started freshening things up with a Chia Cucumber Lemonade, which sounded crazy but we decided to give it a try! It was so good! I am here for the festive decorations! Apart from the menu, they offer daily specials. It was hard not to order the Mexican Chicken Soup (A+ item on the menu) but taking a look at the specials, gave the Chicken Corn Chowder a chance. Generous, hearty, and nicely presented on a board with butter and bread. That is the Couscous salad with chicken and feta. Nicely seasoned and chilled. For main courses, We decided to go for a Waldorf Salad Sandwich and Mushroom Gratin to share. Gotta love a baguette sandwich. The salad inside was fantastic! would have again without giving it a thought. The Mushroom Gratin first of all was massive, covered in a thick layer of Gouda cheese, mushroom, and cream inside. Definitely an indulgence. I noticed they have a full bar set up and a list of craft beers if you want to turn your lunch into a celebratory occasion. Also, the coffee is great! If you are looking for a place to have lunch located downtown, where you can eat in peace, have different options, maybe a cocktail or a coffee... this is my recommendation. It has been a favorite for years! Follow De Suikertuin Bistro on Facebook or Instagram and check out their daily specials and events. 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

On a rainy Wednesday, a couple of friends went for breakfast at 7 AM. This is how it went down at Amore Mio. Nobody can deny Amore Mio's fame for quite some time among the locals and tourists for their Pizza and Sangría, plus it's right in the heart of Palm Beach (click here for location), close to the party! I have been hearing about their brunch and breakfast offerings and have been curious to give it a try. So a group of friends decided to go on a rainy Wednesday morning to have a good cup of coffee and something a little above toast and jam. The Ambiance. When I say this is a prime location I don't lie. Easy parking in the back of the restaurant, walking distance to every hotel on the strip, and minutes away from the beach. The terrace of the restaurant is just on the side of the road so an entertaining view is assured. After the rain, the day was becoming beautiful and the sky was turning into that intense blue that December brings. Charleston, our server was quick on his feet to take our orders and bring us the coffee to get us started on our daily quota. Maybe the reggaeton playlist blasting that early in the morning would not be my mood choice but hey, whatever keeps these guys making a good coffee. The Food. The menu is short and uncomplicated (click here to view) and has a nice selection of the classics like the avo toast, the eggs Benedict, the Açaí bowl, the omelet... it's all in there. For drinks: Coffee, juices, and smoothies. I was surprised that there was not an American Breakfast available, I often find myself craving one. The greatest star of this experience was the coffee. It was freaking fantastic! I forgot to ask the brand but I assumed it was Lavazza for the branding of the cup. The Crema, that reddish-brown froth that rests on top of your coffee, is formed when air bubbles combine with fine-ground coffee's soluble oils, giving it a fuller, longer taste, indicating quality and a skilled barista, was there on both of the cups I drank. This was a simple black coffee, nothing pre-made that comes out of a pitcher. A+. Deciding on having both sweet and savory dishes our order was French Toast ($6.50), Bacon Eggs Benedict ($7), and Matcha Bubble Waffle ($10.50). The french toast was good. Appreciated the fact that it was not overly sweet. Adding too much sugar to bread as rich as Brioche can be overpowering. It's not really a big portion, a third slice would have been welcomed. The Bacon Eggs Benedict was tasty and neatly presented, that satisfying visual of a runny yolk will always have a special place in my heart. The croissant was a little stale but overall, bacon and eggs are a combo that you can't beat. The Matcha Bubble Waffle was sweet. I thought it was gonna have a greener hue due to the matcha powder, however, it was nice. Add syrup on top to live life to the fullest 😎 I'll definitely go back. Just the coffee would be enough reason. The location is practical and the prices are not crazy... I still have more items on the menu to taste but you can't do it all in one sitting 😅 Follow Amore Mio on Facebook if you want to learn more. Here is their website to check their menus: https://www.amoremioaruba.com/ 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

Always on the lookout for special things, I went to try Drunk's Denial and their liquor-infused delicacies. Here's the story. Drunk's Denial is Located at Paseo Herencia Mall and it's all about indulgence and creativity. Created by Tessa Pietersz, her forever love for baking and joie de vivre led her to put her baker hat on during quarantine to mix and match baked goods with iconic liquours. According to bakingbusiness.com.au, adding alcohol to baked goods, whether it’s beer to bread or champagne to a cake can give the finished product a more complex finish with the flavors of fermentation, while liquors can produce herbal, smoky, and floral flavors and aromas. When it comes to baking, sweet whites and sparkling wines can be used to substitute some of the liquids in cake recipes for a bolder, more intense flavor, or for saturating finished cakes, like a rum-soaked pound cake. Nothing new, this has been part of baking for centuries in cuisines and cultures all over the world, which is why is appreciated by everyone. The Experience: The best way to start a dessert time to me is with a glass of sparkling wine but you can also have coffee! Drunk's Denial has a variety of specialty coffees to choose from. Whiskey, Rum, or Brandy in coffee sounds fantastic too. Sit and enjoy, it's a great place to go people-watching without being on the side of the road. Tasting. Chocolate and Red Wine Cake. This one was one of my favorites. You can feel the tartness from the wine. The topping is red wine mousse. Pistaccio and Rum bundt cake. This one with chopped salted pistachios on top is *chef's kiss* Whiskey and Pecan Cake bundt cake. Strong but not overwhelming, The sweetness of the icing also infused with whisky helps to balance everything out. Almond and Amaretto cake. 1st place to me. Buttercream, lemon zest, almonds, and Amaretto makes this the perfect combination of flavors. Very Italian-inspired, something that I love. Coffee liqueur and chocolate cake. What more can I say about a coffee-chocolate combination? the greatest thing there is. The creamy coffee mousse and chocolate shavings create a rustic-elegant look. Wait, there's more. Drunk's Denial is not just a cake shop, the liquor-infused products range beyond that. They make other things that I have yet to taste like crepes and waffles. There's a selection of alcohol infusions and toppings to build-your-own decadent mix. That also applies to cakes, you can start with a plain cake, infuse it, and top it with products like brandy apricot, elderflower gin lychee, whiskey pear, limoncello lemons... everything home-made. They are exploring savory things and currently are offering these Tequila pickled cucumbers. If you fall in love with one of these cakes and want to have it for your birthday or gift it to someone special, you can pre-order them, they will come wrapped like this one: The holidays season is coming and I think these would make the most elegant gift or thing to bring to a holiday party. Also, not a bad idea to go there for a date or birthday! In conclusion, Drunk's Denial is not here to tell you they have reinvented the wheel but certainly they are offering us a new and elevated experience. Make sure next time you are walking around the hotel area you make a stop to try something new and interesting. Make sure you follow to be made aware of promotions and specials. Currently, they have "buy 3 mini cakes and get 4". Prices start at $11. Drunk's Denial Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/DrunksDenial Drunk's Denial Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/drunksdenial/ Follow this blog's Instagram @itsthefoodelife and my personal page @enriquebalestrini for more FoodE updates. Find me on Facebook too: The FoodE Life

Lucca Trattoria Aruba is here to tell that Italian restaurants can be great while having a sense of nowness. The place takes its food, quality, and aesthetics seriously. Located in the same building as Brutto in Palm Beach Aruba, Lucca Trattoria sits casually, alfresco, with a casual Terrazza feel. When the group began operations Lucca was the first that started making waves amongst the local foodies. Quickly I heard about the "Straordinaria" section of the pizza menu, which listed 8 varieties of pizzas with the most indulgent and luxurious toppings. A visit was long overdue! Stunning and simple at the same time. The natural wood tones are complimented with mint green accents and a fantastic lighting design. I am so glad to see the standards rising here in Aruba, entrepreneurs are bringing it. An outing to Lucca can be anything you want: a get-together with friends, a pizza night, a pasta feast, or a coffee date. They offer everything you could desire. No Friday night is complete without a cocktail and Lucca has 8 fantastic choices for you to pick. I am a Spritzer aficionado and Lucca has 3 on the menu: the Spritz de la passione, Banana Spritz, and the Spritz Tropicale, all unique recipes. Italian place + Aperol seemed like the proper thing to do! Plus these are loaded. No just looks and no substance here. If you are up for dinner I highly recommend you start with bread and butter. Home-made bread and a unique recipe of pesto butter is the perfect bite if you're feeling hungry and want something to calm the anxiety while you read the menu. The appetizers menu has all the Italian cravings you can think of. From Arancini, Polenta, tomato soup, carpaccio, burrata... are all there but with their own flair. The Carciofi Lucca ($12) were amazing! the tastiest pickled artichoke hearts in parsley, lemon butter, very Pasta al Limone vibes. Can't recommend these enough! you're gonna lose your mind. Carpaccio di Manzo ($17) was our second choice. All you can expect from a great carpaccio, delicate, thinly sliced, well seasoned, shaved parm... the basil mayo was a nice touch. If you are a cheese lover, you can go all the way down that road while dining at Lucca. For main courses and by recommendations we ordered one pasta dish and one pizza to share. This is the Mezzaluna Bosco ($20) little pockets of pasta filled with goat cheese served on cream with cherry tomatoes sauce. Mix a little to make it pink. Silky smooth and delicate and by no means overpowered by the goat cheese. Now let's talk about pizza. Lucca takes pizza seriously. SO much that they shipped in a 3 ton Stefano Ferrara oven from Italy to make their pizzas the right way. The dough goes through a 3-day long fermentation and proofing process to make it more delicious and surprisingly more gentle on your body. Sauce made with San Marzano tomatoes and no less. The great and most valuable touch comes from the guys behind the counter, pizza masters that pridefully claim they are making the best pizza in Aruba. Of course, I had to do the most and order the Imperiale Deluxe (what a name!) which is the most indulging thing I've seen in the shape of a pizza. Burrata, truffle oil, prosciutto, straciatella, arugula and parmesan shavings. You can't tell me you did not get hungry by reading this. It is truly a beauty. And a sin. The dough is insanely good. The leoparding (culinary term used to call the dark spots in pizza dough) is so beautiful. It is $28 and it is worth every cent. More drinks to recommend: The Watermelon Spritz (not on the menu, just ask for it) The Mojito Frutti di bosco ($12) Basil Margarita ($14) Oxford Street ($14) Wines and beers are also an important part of the drinks menu. Peroni beer and Barolos are present. I had to do desserts to show you and report! Here they are: Cannoli Luca: sweet ricotta with a touch of lemon zest. ($8) Tiramisu: the classic made with real mascarpone. ($8) What a treat! A good Italian restaurant will never ever not make me the happiest. Lucca you have made a client for life. Lucca's social media channels: Facebook: Lucca Aruba Instagram: Lucca Aruba Take a look at the food and drinks menu here: Follow this blog's Instagram @itsthefoodelife and my personal page @enriquebalestrini for more FoodE updates. Find me on Facebook too: The FoodE Life Photography: Carlos Delgado Instagram: Carlosdelgadx

Brutto emerged with brand new shine from the vestiges of an old establishment to quickly become the place to see and be seen. Is it worth the hype and will it last? Quite often in Aruba, we hear and see a place where everybody eats and has a cocktail during the weekend all over social media. I call it the flavor of the month: usually is the most recently inaugurated restaurant or bar... and then a couple of months later you see how the hype fades away and the crowd moves into the new place to be. My biggest question is why they couldn't keep the fame longer and stay relevant. Brutto opened without any fanfare or highly PR'ed event, they put the honey out and let the ants come to have a taste. Bold move in a highly social media-driven society, where we are bombarded with ads to attract traffic every time a place opens its doors. They didn't do much, just put the sign up and opened their door. The restaurant is beautiful I have to be honest. Every detail is considered, branding everywhere, from the dinner rolls, napkins, to even the chopsticks wrapper. Tableware, glassware, furniture, surfaces... top of the line, something that reveals their origins. Brutto is part of an international group of restaurants with a presence in Venezuela, El Salvador, and Panama. When you've swum in a bigger pool, you know everything counts if you want to stand out and succeed. Also, you should have hard-working people steering the ship: Laura Cure Peters and Adrián Morúa on top of their game at all times. You won't catch them standing in a corner giving orders left and right, if they have to move around tables and serve mimosas to the brunch-goers, you'll see them doing it. Now, what is the place all about? How's the food, the drinks, the service? The Food and Drinks. Brutto's menu is a fusion of Japanese and American cuisine, with ingredients and techniques from all over the world. Lots of things to share, sushi, risottos, big treats, sweets. It's got it all. Impossible to read and not to find something to your liking. Click here to give it a look if you're feeling curious. Brutto offers 12 unique cocktails trust me they check all the marks with looks, quality, and value. You get the real deal made with the best spirits. We've had enough of those watery cocktails. The first one we tried is one of their signatures: Carnaby Street. Made with Gin butterfly, cardamom, some coriander, and orange peel. It is massive! easy two regular size cocktails fit in this Gin glass. Perfect refresher to get into the night. The first bite was the Tuna Taco. Fresh and uncomplicated. The crispy shell had a truffle hint. At Brutto the sushi is highly esteemed. They take pride in having the best-crafted rolls and recommend stars from the menu like The Angus with outside skirt, The Dragon Brutto with salmon, prawn and crab trifecta, or the ATP by recommendation from Adrián. You are definitely paying for fish and deliciousness. They make sushi with less than 80 grams of rice per roll. The AAA tuna and Japanese basil-flavored mayo is a clean bite. Insuperable quality. $18. Another hit from the menu is the White Tuna Crudo. Yuzu, the most popular acidic fruit in Japan is mixed with soy, clarified butter, and truffle oil to pack the punch of flavors in this one. $14 Moving from raw items I wanted to taste couple more appetizers. Definitely one of them caught my attention: Onion soup dumplings. French onion soup is one of my favorite foods in life and I was not gonna miss these. I am familiar with soup dumplings but never had something like these. This is a fantastic interpretation of the classic dish. Melted cheese on top, juicy filling that makes a bite so complete and heartwarming. I absolutely went nuts about it. If you go to Brutto and don't know where to start, start with these. The KFC stands for Korean Fried Cauliflower. Cauliflower Tempura dressed in Asian BBQ sauce with hints of star anise. Generous and sweet. Consider it a fantastic side dish. A cocktail break is my favorite before the main dish. Jeanpierre was fast to recommend us two: The Spritz In A Bag and the Apple Mule. The mega favorite Aperol Spritz with golden berry comes in a bag with a floating rubber duck. A+ for creativity. The Apple Mule is not your average mule. 5 Gummy Bears are there for the extra joy! The main dishes section of the menu is called Big Treats. Ranges from the Whole Lobster (MP), Truffled Mushrooms Risotto ($22) to the fine-dining restaurant staple: Branzino ($60) Their take on the Branzino is the Robatta style for grilling, Furikake Asian spices, tamarind, and fresh herbs. Every bite is tasty yet delicate, the fresh parsley branch on top is the classic Italian touch. I know Branzino is a highly esteemed dish among the restaurant people. From the dessert menu, I had the Sweet Corn Fondant not knowing what I was in for. Here's a video: I have no words to describe what it feels like to have the first spoonful of this cake and its creamy interior but the closest one is Cachapas! Thank god for the Venezuelan influence on this one. Food is supposed to make you feel things, to take you places you remember with love. It's cool to have more options to go out, to have a drink, to people-watch but it's better to have a place that is excelling in every aspect of the equation. Food, drinks, service, and vibes are up there, showing what 14 years of experience in managing restaurants are capable to achieve. I can't wait to go again and have that little knob of butter covered with Shitake mushrooms, herbs, and truffle that announces the beginning of the dining experience. Brutto's social media channels: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bruttoaruba Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bruttoaruba/ Follow this blog's Instagram @itsthefoodelife and my personal page @enriquebalestrini for more FoodE updates. Find me on Facebook too: The FoodE Life

In Aruba, options are scarce when it comes to places to have business meetings and at the same time enjoy top-tier cocktails and bites. The Lobby at Aruba Marriott Resort is the place to go. Aruba Marriott's lobby is famous in and of itself! Gelato & Co., prestigious jewelry stores, boutiques, Starbucks, and "The Lobby": a circular cocktail/sushi bar that has been making waves for some time by being the venue where Aruba Marriott Resort has hosted culinary experiences like The Ceviche Pop-up, Secrecy, and their latest Sushi Pop-up, all massive hits. Every day, The Lobby puts out their shiniest glasses to serve guests and the general public that is after a well-crafted cocktail or a bite. Having a business meeting there is the best idea and I would like to explain to you why: They open at 4 PM, so still happens during working hours, the ambiance is serene, air-conditioned, their table surfaces are large, perfect if you need to take notes or have your laptop out, and there are no crowds. Now add great food and cocktails, what's not to love? After locating the best-looking table that afternoon, I asked Beto (our great waiter), what was his favorite cocktail from the menu and he suggested the Hibiscus Margarita. This is how it looks like: What's in it: Patrón Citrónge, Patrón Silver, Cointreau, fresh lime, and Hibiscus syrup on a large glass garnished with a Hibiscus flower. 10/10 for taste and balance. With some even delicious cocktails, you feel you could not drink more than two. I could easily have 5 of these, it never cloys. Let's dive into the food. Salmon sashimi looking like out of a magazine opened our appetite. Nothing like a chilled fresh Salmon slice slightly dipped in soy sauce. The Sushi there is beyond. Many many people put it on top of the list of places to have a Roll in Aruba and I am here to support that statement. The freshest fish, the perfect temperature, and the most creative combinations of ingredients and toppings are there to give you the most delicious and good-looking sushi. Dragon Roll Z (best sushi roll name): Breaded shrimp, cucumber, cream cheese, avocado, spicy crab, and green onions with eel sauce. This caterpillar-looking roll is jam-packed with flavors and textures: creamy, crunchy...100 % would order again. Dushi Aruba Roll: Eel, avocado, cucumber, tuna, mango sauce, and a touch of Pica di Papaya. A must-have! the mango sweetness and the heat provided by the famous Aruban hot sauce is a no-brainer if you want to try something different. Now part of almost every menu a Poke Bowl is also a great choice. The Lobby combined a tuna tartare with fresh veggies, rice, and a touch of Sriracha. What a beauty: A fantastic vegetarian option on the menu is the Portobello flatbread. The visual is striking and the taste of the caramelized onions, goat cheese, mushrooms and pecans combined was just incredible. Coming to The Lobby and not having one of their Martinis is a missed opportunity. By suggestion of Beto, I ordered the Green Apple Martini. Ice cold and strong to kill a horse. I suggest having this one as your first drink if you want to loosen up a little. The bottom line is: If you are looking for a place to have that business meeting where you want to be comfortable in every way possible and have at hand everything you need if you crave a drink or something great to eat, on top of that, made by the best hands and with the best ingredients, The Lobby at the Aruba Marriott Resort is the place to go. If you decide to stay longer, the vibe picks up after dark when the live DJ plays some tunes or a live singer enchants the clients. I heard it's also a great place to get a nightcap. Make sure you follow Aruba Marriott Resort on Facebook if you want to stay up to date with the events that might be coming in the future and you don't want to miss out on. Follow this blog's Instagram @itsthefoodelife and my personal page @enriquebalestrini for more FoodE updates. Find me on Facebook too: The FoodE Life

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