Hi all,

If you're planning on partaking in the weekly BonaireTalker gathering at Gibi's, please be advised that plans/location of that dinner will be changing effective this coming Tuesday.

Gibi approached me this past Tuesday to tell me he was closing down his restaurant location at the end of this week due to economic reasons, and offered to continue the regular gatherings at his house, catered by Gibi himself, of course.

We were supposed to hook up to discuss this in greater detail today, but we didn't manage to hook up.

So, for those of you coming down soon, please keep checking back to this thread to see where in fact we will be meeting for the BT gathering on Tuesday nights.

Also, those of you who are regulars (and Josie Estill especially, since she started the whole Tuesday night thing), please also comment on what you think of doing this at Gibi's house (he says he has more space for groups), or elsewhere (and suggest alternatives).

In closing, before you all start commenting, Gibi's provided many first timers' first taste of local cuisine in a local atmosphere, and I would think we'd want to continue with that sort of theme, if it's even possible.

Jake

I vote for catering at Gibi's! Directions are needed!

I'm sad to hear he is closing down his little place...he worked so hard in there. I hope it all works out for him either way it goes.

If his neighbors don't care about folks hanging around for dinner, then it should be OK with us, too!

His food is fabulous and his company is superb, too. I know we will be looking forward to seeing him again and enjoying his food next May when we return.

Good luck to Gibi no matter what he does...he is a lovely man. Carole and Joe

We haven't been back to Bonaire since the Gibi's tradition (our last BT dinner was at Antriol Catering), but as long as he still wants to host, I would vote for that. He sounds like a gracious man, and it would be good for his family if BT could continue to do business with him.

Jake,

I read your words to say that Gibi's house is a different location from the restaurant. No problem, 'just the facts, ma'm'. :–)

I made it to a BT dinner only once; it was a good thing, especially the company next to me at the table, though I haven't been able to see everyone since. I can't think of a better host or food so would vote for Gibi's catering.

Sorry to hear Gibi's is closing but if he can and wants to continue the meeting, I can think of no one better to host them. Just let me know where and when to show up.

Sorry to hear about Gibi's. We haven't been to a Tuesday nite dinner but had plans on doing so on our next trip. We still would like to participate not matter where. From all of the comments Gibi is a fantastic cook and host, so vote to keep him. Andy

We went to Gibi's for the first time last August and enjoyed his wonderful food and the friendly company of the BTers. It made for a very fun evening. I think it is so gracious of Gibi to offer to host us in his home. If he's willing and it's not a great imposition, I'm in favor of continuing the Gibi tradition in a new location. I particularly enjoyed the opportunity to experience local cuisine and atmosphere as Jake pointed out.

So sad to see him go...

I think Gibi has made a generous offer and I know I would like to continue this tradition!

Jake, please ask Giby to consider opening up his "home" to the public on certain nights so we can all partake. Antriol Catering operates in the back of his house and it's great. I would MISS Giby and his excellent food.

I am really sad to hear that Giby's is closing...I patronized his place numerous times on days other than Tues...he will be missed

I would love to continue to eat Gibi's wonderful cooking where ever he continues to cook.

Mmmmmm, I want some wahoo, onions, cole slaw, and funchi!

MaryW

Add us to those who say let's keep going to Gibi's, at his home. Gibi himself, as well as his local cuisine and local atmosphere, is a big part of the success of the Tuesday night tradition. We've been twice in the past 5 months and enjoyed both times immensely :-) I wish I was home, I'd post some pictures of our recent Tuesday night there (with the tiara's and flamingo hats). Gibi is in many of the pictures smiling with everbody, and of course the ladies all received his three kisses. There is one great picture of Bas, one which he said is worth money !! hehehe :-)

We wish Gibi well in what ever he'll be doing after he closes.

Denise and Teddy

Although long time Bonaire visitors we had never heard of BT and of course had not been to one of the Tuesday dinners. We were really looking forward to this on our next visit in January. Please post the location and time; we plan to be there.

Another vote for Gibi's cooking....his house would be great! Hope his family doesn't mind the crowd.

I also vote for continuing the "Gibi's" nights with Gibi.

Denise this is for you:-{)}

Thanks Tom !!! That's Darlene, the Queen and her Princesses, Annie and I :-) What a night! I am definitely including some of those pics in my trip report ....

Tom, thanks..I was hoping someone would print a pix..can u send any more??

Okay.

And

Oh excellent..thanks Tom..love all of them..what a fun time. When is his last night??

So very sorry to hear this..Had many a mmemorable meal there. Now, where am I going to be able to get my goat stew???

Rose Inn has great Goat Stew when they are open. I have not hit it right for a year plus. There is a snackette on Kaya Jean BF Vitte near Boomer Realty. It is SUPER SUPER. Antriol Catering does goat too. I will miss Giby's.

don't have to miss Gibi's if we take up the offer to haveit at his house :-)

and here's Smack and Tom, arriving...
Darlene, isn't there's something just a little odd about those hats :-)

I'd go whereever I could to get Gibi's cooking and his wonderful smile and attitude.

I will VERY much miss visiting his restaurant at other times from the BT nights ... and I also would love to see him perhaps open his house at other times to those of us who love his cooking.

Gibi, my friend, I'll see you somewhere come February!!!

Josie

King Gibi and Susan :-)

nice curls !!!

ooops try again

last one ...
"I've only had juice, REALLY!!"

We just returned from Bonaire on Wednesday and had dinner at Gibi's the night before. We tried the previous Tuesday but Gibi's was closed due to illness. I'm glad I got to eat some of Gibi's famous goat stew. I vote to eat at Gibi's home if he is willing to have us!

I am soooo glad Alison and I got to have a taste of Gibi's this past summer and because of that I would encourage him to continue the BT dinners at his house if he is willing!
Love the pics Tom...I've been waiting to see the flamingo hats collecting cooties! And tiaras to boot!

we will miss Gibbys world famous resturant...where you can see the Wahoo walking right into the resturant as you order it..many nice memories of sitting under the big tree and having dinners and lunches..please continue the tradition of allowing Gibby to be the BT host for dinners, we look forward to it...funchi and hot sauce and Galina stoba and peska hasa and "half and half" Gibby introduced us to it all......Best of luck Gibby in your future endevors.

Just make sure *someone* posts directions if Gibi decides to have it at home. I'm already lost, and I haven't even hit land yet!

Sorry to hear Gibi's is closing - and glad we got there once last December, and got to meet Jake, Josie, Dan, and other BTers there. We are definitely in favor of Gibi's offer!

David, Janet, and Sarah Frank

I wonder if Giby would consider a private dinner at his house...Jake, if you talk to Giby would you ask this question? ....sorta restaurant at home

Boy! Have I missed a lot! I am so sorry to hear that Gibi's is closing. It has always been a must when I am in Bonaire. The two just go together!!! I vote for his house if he is still willing, but Jake and Linda would have to make a nice offer to pick me up to get there! Tom and Denise, great pics of our New England gathering group and new friends at Gibi's!! Can you believe that most of us were not drinking alcohol!! What a fun night that was!!! Just one more happy memory from Gibi's!!

Wow... well I, too, vote for "anywhere Gibi is". It will be great to meet at his house, but I will surely miss the leisurely dinners under the big tree. Certainly the end of an era, but hopefully when this door closes, another one opens.

The pics are hilarious !! Bas just makes me laugh looking at that picture... and the hats... they are sure making the rounds, aren't they! And I love all our little princesses..... heee heee

Wherever Gibi's cooking, y'all can count on me to be there eating.
Yo Gregg, read Jakes original post. BT dinners @ Gibi's house is the plan presented for our consideration.
I thought he was charging not enough at the restaurant.

Has there been any new developments on where the Tuesday BT meetings are held now? I am headed there for the first time on Saturday and considered Gibi's and the BT Meeting to be a "MUST"! I just hate to miss out on meeting some of the folks I have read about to hear all the stories

Seb,

looking to eat at Giby's home outside of a BT dinner....

I am very sorry to hear that Gibi's is closing down.

I vote for anywhere Gibi is!! I don't know if I could survive a trip to Bonaire without a taste of Gibi's cooking!!!

Tom - love the pics!!!

I just spoke to Gibi, and he says he will be open tonight for the last time at his restaurant location, and then he hopes to start with Tuesday nights at his home if people are amenable (although I will say I have concerns about first-time attendees wanting to show up at someone's home in a residential neighborhood - someone they don't know at all).

Hopefully I can actually get some more details from him about that before next Tuesday...

Jake

Jake, maybe people could meet somewhere centrally located and "car pool"? That would help alleviate a little of that nervousness I would think.

That would require people being on time (otherwise the provider of transport can be twiddling her/his thumbs for as much as an hour based on when people have been showing up to Gibi's). Not impossible, but for people who live on island and deal in "Bonaire Time", and visitors who are on vacation, doing such time-specific coordination may be a real challenge...

Jake

We'll find a way to make it work --- we HAVE too, Bonaire wouldn't be the same without at least some of Gibi's food. How about a sign for Gibi to put by his fence/front door: "GIBI's BT dinner here: Tuesday nights at 6:30 pm" or something like that.

Jake, when you see/talk to Gibi next, please send him my fondest regards. Tell him I'll waitress for him when I'm there ...

Josie

How about a map posted here, and Gibi puts out a green light?

Heck, I don't have any problems rubbing shoulders with the neighborhood folks; they HAVE to be a nicer class of people than the crowd here in Loonyville (Miami, right next to the Miami-Dade Election Office).

I'm about to gag on all of the white shirts, ties, and pasted-on smiles at the circus across the street. Some of 'em look a little nervous after their last debacle, and now I'm hearing that they lost either 48,000 or 58,000 mail-in votes. Florida, sheesh!

Count me in as a "for sure", and I can pay in advance if Gibi needs it. Seeing as he's been burned before, it's perfectly reasonable. If he's not up to it this soon, I'll still be here for next Tuesday.

Linda said she would draw up a map.

We did our final dinner at Gibi's Terrace last night. We (Linda, I, and kids) were joined by Ed Ginocchio, Carlos (who handles logistics for the local utility company and usually ate at the table near the kitchen by himself), Renee (snorkling queen), Bob Bartikoski, and two Dutch folks - Rob & Sonja, who were there to dine and then joined us at our table for the final night.



We verified with Gibi's wife Emma (seen above) that she was cool with the idea of strangers invading her house on Tuesday nights, and she said she was definitely willing to give it a shot for the foreseeable future :-)

For written directions, here goes:

At the intersection of Kaya International (the road to the airport) and Kaya Industria (the road that Lisa Gas, Warehouse Bonaire, and Consoles Cash N Carry are on, turn east, passing Lisa Gas on the right. At the next 4-way intersection (with Kaya Nikiboko Zuid), take a left (this is the place where you would have normally gone straight and ended up at Gibi's Terrace).

Take your next left on Kaya Hulanda. The paved road turns to the right, so take that right. Gibi's house is the second one on the right at Kaya Hulanda 39. Can't miss it - it has arches and 6 palm trees in front.

At some point we'll got take a picture and post that, along with the map Linda has promised to draw.

See you there next Tuesday at 6:30pm.

Oh, and Gibi's phone number is 567-0655 in case you get lost or have questions.

Jake

I think this is a great idea. Authenic Bonaire at it's finest. When I was in Antigua, we were invited to the home of some locals for a dinner party. It was the best part of my trip. Just sitting around the house, chatting about the island. Gibi's (the restaurant) was about as informal as you can get. I can only imagine how cool it will be to be at his house for dinner. Thank you, Gibi, for opening up your home to us. And hugs and thanks to Jake and Linda for all they do... too numerous to mention!

Now, if I was just going to BE there next Tuesday... ahhhh....

Moose Hugs all around !!

That is awesome news!!!! Will someone give Gibi a big hug from me!! I would suspect with these new arrangements that one would need to make reservations at least a day in advance so Gibi and his wife could be prepared for the amount of people that are coming.

Hello All!

Ed called me from Gibi's just now. They just finished clearing out the restaurant. It is now officially closed.

On the bright side, they are at Gibi's house and Gibi, his wife Marilyn, his brothers and Ed are getting his home ready for BT Tuesday night dinners.

I spoke with Gibi and he is very excited and honored. He was very happy that everyone chose to stay with him and not go anywhere else.

Ed says Gibi has a lovely home with a very large patio area. He only lives a few blocks from the restaurant location.

Next time Ed call's (he and Gibi are working on projects on the island together) I will have him ask if he wants his address made public, if he wants reservations or not. Any other questions, let me know as I will be probably talking to Ed tomorrow morning.

Hugs to all!

Liz

What is Gibi going to be doing, other than Tuesday nights :-) now that the restaurant is closed?

Gregg, the mist clears...

Denise, down girl, he's taken! ;-) Seriously, I think he ought to start a take out business, but that idea may be fueled by my own selfish desire to be able to swing by and pick up Gibitreats.

Whatever path he takes, I certainly wish him the best, as I'm sure we all do. Gibi is who they mean when they say "he's a prince of a guy."

Looking forward to "Gibi's Home Style".

I am coming with a buddy next week....is it possible to join in the fun? Just two crazy Texans hitting Bonaire for the first time....ya'll don't be mean to us OK??

We are inbound on Saturday...but any evening that is convenient for Gibi & the BT group works for us! Plz leave us a note on the forum...and hope to see many of you there!

Monty,

Tuesday night, 6:30pm, is when to be at Gibi's for the BT gathering. See you then!

Jake

We'll be there....Hope we can find it!

I've copied the directions and the phone number....

Lookout Gibi!! The Texas boys are in town

(BTW...we're pretty mellow , just like to dive, talk, & have a great time!)

Looking forward to the grand opening of Gibi's II (or whatever)

In Texas we have a traditon of a 'housewarming gift' for new starts.....any helpful suggestions?

Here is the promised map to Gibi's

HOO BOY!! GREAT !!!! It's just around the corner from my pied a terre at Bonaire Town Homes. Walking to Gibi's -- just like old times.

Tell Gibi I can't wait for February!!! We're arriving at the AE flight on a Tuesday -- we'll be right over!!!

Josie

Thanks Linda

Thanks, Linda! I have saved it and printed it out in case we need it....doubt that, tho..it looks pretty easy to find. Thanks again for helping us out. Carole

Thanx Linda.

Perhaps someone can give Gibi a BT talkers flag that he could put up outside the house on BT night so we won't go disturbing the neighbours!

Great Idea, Julia!

Thanks for the map, Linda.

So how did it go Tuesday? Inquiring minds want to know. Liz??

Hi Seb,

I spoke with Ed briefly Tuesday night from Gibi's home. He said everything went great! Gibi turned a room leading to the terrace in his yard into a commercial type kitchen! Food was great as usual! I'm sure Jake could give further details as I wasn't there and only can give second hand info.

Liz

It was very nice. Gibi and his family made us all feel very welcome.

One of the major changes was that Gibi is now charging a flat price for all meals (NAF 21), but also including bread and salad. A side-benefit of the flat rate is that you can combine meals now. Ed had a snapper filter, chicken leg, and goat stew combo, while I did snapper, chicken leg, and chicken stew. Yum.

At the table, from left to right: Kitty, Marc, Ed, Renee, ??? (don't recall his name but he's from Tampa and works in IT at the USPO - good buddies with the guy on his left), Randy from Texas, Stan Eker, and a couple from Connecticut whose name unfortunately also eludes me (they were snorkeling with Renee).




Gibi & Emma posing in front of their home



A longer range view of Gibi's house


Jake

Jake,

???'s name is Monty Blandford

Hey Liz. Thanks to you for the update, and to Jake for the pictoral and prose. Fixed price sounds like a fine idea. Let's see, bread, rice, funchi, fries - EXCELLENT!

It sounds great! Gibi has a very nice house. The table setting looks fabulous.....I'm getting hungry just looking at the plates!

What a handsome group of happy folks!!

Thanks, Liz, Jake and everyone for the information and pics, etc.

Good luck, Gibi!! Such a nice fella, he is! Ayo.

Looks like all had a good time! Jake, I must ask, what is "snapper filter" is that a new type of fish? ;-)

Hmm. Snapper Filter would either be really fleshy and tasty Snapper gills, or an attempt by someone who is wickedly distracted trying to type "filet" but the fingers don't type what the brain is thinking :-)

Jake

Jake

Is it BYOB?

Nope. Gibi is fully stocked with beer and other beverages.

Jake

Jake...I NEVER do that...just ask "Greta the Great"...wink...

Awesome News!!! Thank you soooooo much, Gibi and Emma too for opening up your house for all us BT folks!!!!!!!
Jake and LIz thanks for the update. Can't wait to get back in March!!!

Way to go! Hope Gibi can keep this up till we get back...looks like the wonderful menu continues..what a wonderful man!

From "The guy to Randy from Texas' right" (mONTY):
We had the best meal of the week at Gibi's home. Vielen Danke to everyone who had a 'hand' in making it come off! The company was excellent and Gibi's food was sublime...as expected! Be sure to try the goat stew! Not to be missed I will miss it until my next visit!

OK I'm convinced - sign Patty and I up
for January 18 - we'll be there with
bells on. :-) Thanks Gibi for the
generous hospitality!

Carl

Carl Hopefully we {George and I} will see you there that night... possibly with a few others..
and hopefully you will have on MORE than Bells!!!

(Message edited by scubahb on November 16, 2004)

Hi, We are coming to Bonaire in 2 weeks for the first time and are VERY excited!! I have been reading BT posts for a while now and I can't wait to meet people! Gibi and Emma are amazing people to open up their home every tuesday!! We would love to come to Gibi's on Tuesday Dec. 14th, if that is OK? Should we call first or is it OK to just show up? I can't wait to try goat stew!!

-Dawn

Go ahead and call him, but you can also just show up. I'll most likely be there as well unless I'm traveling on the 14th.

Jake

Thanks Jake! Hope to see you there!

Dawn

Looking for an update on what seems like an awesome opportunity! Have the dinners at Gibi's home been happening regularly? My mouth is watering already and I'll have to wait until March 1 to join in.

David

Just found my answer on other threads, thanks anyway. (Somehow the recent threads didn't show up when I searched on "Gibi's", but I browsed around and found them.)

David