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Dining: Donna and Giorgios
Bonaire Talk: Dining: Archives: Archives 2003 -2006: Archives - 2003-03-01 to 2004-06-17: Donna and Giorgios
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By steve rosen (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #3) on Tuesday, May 18, 2004 - 3:12 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

from my published travel journal entry.....

"Every night, on the narrow main road into town, we passed an italian restaurant that was always busy. A big handpainted sign and twinkling white lights in the trees beckoned to us as we passed. It was outdoors, like most places here, and so close to the road that gravel and dust peppered the air as tires hit the dirt and stone shoulder that was inches from the tables.

One night we decided we would go there for a little dinner then catch a movie. We sat down (roadside) and were greeted nicely. Glasses of water were delivered and we waited for menus.

No one came, even though they were bustling all around us in the small terrace.

Someone dropped some bread at the table and said "the menu will be here soon".

I joked that maybe they only had one menu.

We waited and waited, getting irritated, knowing we were going to miss the movie and we were hungry.

Finally, we flagged down one of the pretty dark mocha-skinned waitresses.

"Can we see a menu? We are trying to get to the movie."

She said, in the sweet bonaire accent "that table has the menu, but you are next!"

"There is only one menu?"

"yes", she said.

"seriously??"

"yes....it will be here soon"

Another 5 minutes passed. Then, grunting, leaning back to carry the weight, like Moses bringing the tablets to our table or the drive-in waitress on the flintstones, she wrestled with and carried over a huge, wood framed chalkboard menu, easily almost 5 feet tall and 3 feet wide. She plopped it down in the sand with an "oomph!" and asked if we could see it okay.

We ordered, missed the movie, laughed and got over our impatience and had a stupendous meal.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John Stigaard (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #115) on Tuesday, May 18, 2004 - 10:02 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Yes, I really enjoyed having dinner there. It is worth the wait and the food is outstanding.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By herman mowery (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #379) on Tuesday, May 18, 2004 - 10:32 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

You have to learn to slow down on Bonaire but isn't the food worth the wait? It's the way meals should be, good food, close friends and conversation. *&^$%$%#!! PBD setting in again.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Kelly Jo Lott (Extraordinary BonaireTalker - Post #1121) on Tuesday, May 18, 2004 - 11:04 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

I agree with you, Herman. We are just so used to rushing everywhere, that it's so nice when you finally realize, hey, I don't have anywhere to be. I love that realization. Ahhhhhh

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Israel A. Sanchez (BonaireTalker - Post #34) on Tuesday, May 18, 2004 - 6:51 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Awesome way to break the ice! What a great story. I'm sure most of us in this board, if not all, can relate to your story. Kudos for the great attitude and not becoming another pushy, obnoxious tourist. I now have to try to place. Just piling up excuses to go back! Coach Izzy

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By susan stine (BonaireTalker - Post #15) on Tuesday, May 18, 2004 - 8:28 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

We also ate at Donna and Georgio's and we had an absolute wonderful experience. I was able to meet Donna in person and I had the grilled lobster and the stuffed mushrooms as an appetizer. The meal itself was served with a wonderful dish of pasta and our entire group truely enjoyed our meal. And before we left the little restaurant on the side of the road Donna came up to me and she offered me a gift, which was a wonderful rubbing of a fish and I can only say that most of my experiences with the people there were all like that. I was very flattered to be treated so well they made me feel as though simple old me was important and I can't wait to go back.
sincerely susan
and thank you everyone!!!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Carole Baker (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3455) on Wednesday, May 19, 2004 - 12:02 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Welcome, Steve and Susan....I couldn't resist this one...here's a look at THE menu! Can't wait to enjoy another meal at Donna and Giorgio's in a few weeks! Carolemenu

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Carole Baker (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3456) on Wednesday, May 19, 2004 - 12:08 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Here are some more shots from Donna and Georgio's....The handsome fellow is my husband, Joe...anxiously awaiting the fabulous food about to come. CarolerestJoe

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By steve rosen (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #8) on Wednesday, May 19, 2004 - 2:16 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

The wait wasn't the problem, just that we didn't know about the single menu concept. We thought they were ignoring us!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Sue Ryan Goodman (BonaireTalker - Post #43) on Wednesday, May 19, 2004 - 6:24 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

I guess I'm in the minority for not finding anything to like about D&G's. We went there in February with our 2 kids and arrived early with only a few tables seated. The wait to order wasn't too bad, but it then took forever to get drinks and then our food, despite letting them know the kids were hungry and asked for their food (pasta & pizza) with our salads. Then the food was a big let down - my husband's steak was tough, dry and horribly overcooked (he asked for medium rare & it was beyond well done). By this time we had been there well over an hour and the kids were already asleep in the truck, so we just asked for our check, which also took forever, and decided to never return.

I had heard such wonderful things about D&G's that I was very dissappointed and will not return.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By gregg brewer (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #531) on Wednesday, May 19, 2004 - 7:58 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

Sue,

I agree with you...food choices and service were much better at crocantino's (for italian)....I've tried D&G's twice and decided to stick with my other favorites

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Cynde (BonaireTalk Deity - Post #11111) on Wednesday, May 19, 2004 - 12:40 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Gregg, Croccatino's is good:-) Menu, we have a local bar on the warf in Dana Point, they have the same type of menu...the waitress has to bring it over, prop it against something while you read what you want...and that's in California! Turks...great food, great drinks...great atmosphere:-) They do however, have ONE Online Menu:-)

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By susan stine (BonaireTalker - Post #16) on Wednesday, May 19, 2004 - 12:49 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Well I am sorry to here that. I only wish your experience was as wonderful as mine, maybe it was the special attention that was given to me from Donna but I do not think so because we ate first. Our group also ate at Gibi's and he himself was a treat. I just adore him., when we finally found the small local restaurant I ordered what I had set out to try which was the kabrito stoba and the pika simboyo. The stew was delicious and topped of with the pika sauce which Gibi's daughter made (I think it was his daughter) up for us special was excellent. Then after we ate Gibi came over and sat down with our small group and we all must have talked for and hour or more. The last place we ate was Casa Blanca Grill another great dining experience all of which I can not wait to return to. Maybe with some trinkets from california.
Oh yes I have the Bonaire bug see you soon susan

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Carole Baker (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3459) on Wednesday, May 19, 2004 - 6:34 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Craig, what a show! Absolutely fabulous. You have captured a lot of the flavor of Bonaire in your slide show. I will be certain to pass it along to my diver friends who have not yet experienced Bonaire...this just might be the last "push" they need to get the reservations going! Thanks again for letting us in on your fun. Carole

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Carole Baker (Supreme BonaireTalker - Post #3461) on Wednesday, May 19, 2004 - 6:37 pm:     Edit PostPrint Post

Oops....pasted this in the wrong spot! LOL. Carole

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Linda Stoltzfus (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #222) on Thursday, May 20, 2004 - 11:40 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

In 2002 we had excellent meals at Donna & Giorgios. We took leftovers "home" for lunch the next day. I couldn't wait to return. Then in 2003 we took another couple with us, bragging all the way, and the food was tough, cold and generally a bad experience. So in 2004 we didn't return...there are so many other restaurants to experience....maybe next year we'll try again!

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Leslie McIntyre and James Astley (New BonaireTalk Poster - Post #9) on Friday, May 21, 2004 - 9:21 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

It's interesting how some reviews are glowing and others mediocre. I guess all restaurants have bad days. We ate at Donna and Giorgio's in late March, each ordered something different and each had a great meal. Our friend decided he'd like to end his meal with a glass of port and a cheese plate - neither of which was on the menu. The waitress looked puzzled, then got Donna, who came over to our table, talked to our friend for a moment or two, and went back into the restaurant. Ten minutes later a cheese plate with four different cheeses, and a very nice glass of port arrived. The price was nominal. Excellent service. We certainly plan to go back when we return to Bonaire in August.

 

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Harrie Cox (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #135) on Tuesday, May 25, 2004 - 5:59 am:     Edit PostPrint Post

I have been to Donna's & Giorgio several times, but the last time, 2004-05-23, we had less good experiences.
Of course the menu-board is part of their ambience, and I also think one plate isn't enough when fully booked, but at our visit, there was a new waitress, quite unexperienced, who made lots of "mistakes", after I had asked her where she came from (Venezuela btw). People that came long after us got the board earlier, so our order was taken later, and food served later too, we didn't get any water until our food was served already, as was the bread, coming with the food. When taking off the dishes, a big gulf of oil was spoiled on the table and our belongings, only followed by a "Oops", and we had to clean it by ourself.
No complaints about Donna herself, she was running like hell, and stayed friendly, but she needs to coach and control her new servants a lot better.
Food quality was good, not excellent, and I must mention the live music, produced by 5 or 6 locals which was great.

Harrie

 


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