La Flambount was my first choice for the restaurant review of Claire and Kevins Excellent Adventure 9/3 - 15. We went twice, once for lunch and dinner.

First of all, this is a new op, and so any crits should be taken as that. We walked in, off the street, hungry and totally clueless who ran the place. The menu looked intgriguing, and the ambience was very old world.

I fell in love with the back garden under huge fig trees, with lots of the Bonaire Wind Machine to cool us. Since I am a closet restaurant critic, I immediately wanted to know who the chef/owner was with this lovely menu. It turns out that chef Strotman Govert (sorry about the spelling!) and his wife Veronique run the restaurant - and it is really really special. Strotman was the executive chef at Buddy Dive when we stayed there two years ago, and we were always in awe of the menu and quality he provided.

We had a good old cheese hamburger and satay chicken sandwich (wow) and many Brights for our lunch. Veronique waited on us, and we immediately struck up a friendship. Their small daughter Camille was nearby, and we had the pleasure of chatting with Veronique and Strotman with the baby in tow.

We went back again for dinner which was election day, two days after hurricane Ivan, and dry - no alcohol served bc of the election (don't get me started on this one). No problem, we enjoyed the night, the ambviance and - you gotta try the cucumber carpachio. It is silky, complex, totally satisfying and light. Kev had the salmon roll - it was delicate, smoky, lovely. For the entree I had seafood pasta which was full of mussles, shrimp, calamari, clams, etc. and had a briny twang with a light cream/tomato sauce. Kev had the shrimp and tenderloin special which was classic presentation with a light hollandaise. The plating was beautiful and carefully crafted - and who was our waitstaff? The chef, in pressed casual clothes. It was a magic act, and totally appreciated.

Understood, the service was slow and they could use more wait staff. This is about the only fault this establishment has, except maybe some more higher end decour (like It Rains Fishes, which has very cool funky feeling). BUT, maybe they should just be themselves with the beautiful garden, the old pub in the front... and focus on the food.

The Goverts have given this historic Bonaire pub a great sound system, with favorite American blues, like Stevie Ray Vaughn and Eric Clapton. The love this couple has for great food and their obvious pride in running their own restaurant is endearing and totally satisfying. Go - you'll love it!
BonaireClaire

Claire,
Thanks for the review, I didn't have La Flambount on my list of things to do next week but I will definitely be there at the end of a long day of snorkling if just to hear SRV in Bonaire with a cold one and the sun going down.

Claire, I totally agree with you! I was there in July with Ann Phelan and her daughter Maggie and we ate out back also. It was a great dining experience! We had mosquito problems, though. Did you?

Yes Ray and Pam, definitely add this to your "must do" list and let us know how you enjoyed it!

I most definitely agree, add Le Flamboyant to your to dine at list along with Paris Bistro.

We were there Sat. after going to the Gallery. Very good food! Sue

Smack and I ate there our last night on Bonaire. It was fantastic!!!

We went there with Jake and Linda, The food and the atmosphere were great!

Just watch out for the Iguana's in the trees above the tables in the garden. We where there ones and a Iguana had pied in our drinks and over our food. LOL.

Greetz Me