This was our third visit. We learned during our first visit too much of our time could be used up eating breakfast and lunch in restaurants. As soon as we arrived and checked in at the Plaza, we headed for the Cultimara. Even though it was late afternoon the day before Easter, we were able to get most of what we needed. We always buy plain yogurt and then add preserves, granola, or fresh mango slices (yum!). Yogurt, a currant bun (like raisin bread in a roll), and some juice satisfied us for breakfast every day. We also used the hot pot in the room to make coffee and tea. Lunch was usually crusty rolls, butter, Gouda cheese, tomatoes, and more mangoes. We did buy a nice piece of Brie from the Warehouse that lasted for a couple of lunches. We usually get our fruit and tomatoes from the little fruit stand by the town pier - nice produce and good prices. We like to freeze the juice boxes to take with us when we go out for the day.
After getting up at 2:30 AM to catch our first flight and traveling all day, we were exhausted. We wanted "comfort food" and we wanted it quickly, so as soon as we had unpacked and taken a shower, we headed for the Swiss Chalet. Suzy greeted us with a big smile, and told us she had just returned after being out for a few weeks for an operation on her leg. We both ordered the house salad and a spinach rosti. While waiting we enjoyed bread with delicious garlic butter and a glass of the house white. If you go to the Swiss Chalet website, you can check out their menu and also print up a coupon that entitles you to a free glass of the house wine. Our rostis were wonderful, but so big we couldn't finish them!
On Easter Sunday we ate at the Tipsy Seagull. This is probably one of the most scenic restaurants (I think) on Bonaire. We were seated right next to the water - any closer and we would have been wet! All meals start with bread and olive tapenade. We then had salads that were only "ok" due to less than fresh greens. I had grilled shrimp accompanied by a dill sauce - they were ok, couldn't really taste the dill in the sauce. Bruno had grilled mahi mahi, which was ok - nothing spectacular. The meals came with potatoes and a vegetable mixture.
On Monday we went searching for Wil's Tropical Grill. This restaurant is run by Wil and Sue who used to be at the Lighthouse, but opened this new place last November. Wil's Tropical Grill is located just down from the Cultimara before you get to Rendevous. It is diagonally across the street from The Lost Penguin. The restaurant is located in an old Bonerian house, but most of the seating is outside. The inside is used mostly in inclement weather. The outside seating area is located on a tiled terrace shaded by beautiful trees. Even though you are close to the road, you don't really notice the traffic because of the way the seating is arranged. They have a lot of the same menu items that were at the Lighthouse as well as a few new offerings. All meals start out with a mixture of chopped sundried tomato, parmesan cheese and cracked pepper which is topped with a splash of olive oil and makes for wonderful dipping with a piece of crusty bread. I had the mixed greens salad and Bruno had the conch fritters to start - the salad was a nice portion of fresh baby greens and Bruno said the fritters were the best he has ever eaten. For the main course, I had the special, which was cheese ravioli with asparagus tips - it was the best ravioli I have ever eaten outside of Italy. (We lived in northern Italy for two years and I know good ravioli!) Bruno had dorado with a spicy bean mixture - also pronounced delicious! For desert I had the carrot cake - probably the best I have ever eaten - it has a ginger cream cheese frosting - wonderful! Bruno had the chocolate lava cake - also wonderful.
Tuesday, we went to It Rains Fishes. All meals start with bread and olive tapenade. My salad was nice and fresh - Bruno had garlic mushrooms from the Tapas section of the menu (very good). I had the grilled garlic shrimp - they were delicious! (They bring you a finger bowl when you order the grilled shrimp! ) Bruno had the fresh catch of the day which was dorado with their mustard sauce - he said it was great. For desert, I had creme brulee and Bruno had apple tart with ice cream - both delicious. Service was great until just before desert when the tables started to fill. We got kind of lost in the shuffle and had to wait quite awhile for our water to be refilled (had to ask twice) and for our desert order to be taken (15 minutes after receiving the menus). But, this continues to be a favorite restaurant with consistently good food at a reasonable price ( house white is very nice also).
Wednesday we went to ChibiChibi - we got there before 6:00, but there were a lot of people already there and so we didn't get to sit in our favorite place on the bottom floor next to the water. We were on the bottom floor, but not next to the water. Halfway through dinner a "rogue wave" soaked everyone sitting next to the water! There were no boats going by - it was really weird. After a couple more still large, but not splashing into the dining area waves, the water calmed right down again. Anyway - the food. Salads were "ok" again due to less than great greens. I had the coconut shrimp with mango chutney - they were nice and tender and the chutney was great. Bruno had scallops which he said were real good. Both dinners came with potatoes and mixed vegetables. For desert, I had the coconut cake - kind of dry ... Bruno had cheesecake with mango topping - he said it was good. After we got back to the room, we discovered a coupon in the coupon booklet we got from Budget for a free bottle of wine with dinner - hopefully, they'll have it again next year!
On Thursday we went to Rendevous. We had never been before, so decided to try it since we had read some good things about it. They have a big tapas menu, so we decided to have a tapas dinner. If you wanted bread with your dinner, you had to order and pay for it - it came with garlic butter. We each had a salad which was nice and fresh. We ordered garlic mushrooms (ok, but small portion for the price compared to It Rains Fishes), fried onion rings ($3 for five small onion rings), grilled shrimp ($5 for three grilled shrimp on a small mound of cole slaw), grilled calamari (Bruno ate that - said it was "good"), and fried spinach balls (these were really good). If you ordered before 7:00 and spent Nafl.25 each, you got a free bottle of wine. Unfortunately (for me), they only had red - Bruno drank it - said it was good. we later found out that the man who used to own and operate Rendevous sold it to a young man the chef) and his girlfriend (our waitress). We were the only people in there - we arrived before 6:00 and left after 7:00. We went down to the waterfront and walked for awhile, then went to Wil's Tropical Grill for desert! This time Bruno had the carrot cake and I had a creamy frozen lime mousse with blackberry sauce that was to die for!!! We decided to come back the following night for our last dinner. I don't eat meat and am not a big fish eater, so Wil said he would make something special for me .
So Friday night we went back to Wil's Tropical Grill. I forgot to mention that this is THE place to go for "frou frou" drinks! Sue wanted us to try her newest drink - "Blue Lagoon". I can't remember what all was in it - blue curacao was one ingredient which gave it this beautiful tropical bluegreen color. She serves it in this really neat glass with a dark blue curved stem - really reminds you of the Caribbean Ocean! Bruno decided he had to have the conch fritters again and Wil had made me a wonderful salad of Belgian endive, match-stick cut apple, bleu cheese, and baby greens with a lemon ginger dressing - delicious! Bruno had the tuna (only the very freshest) with a pesto sauce which he said was absolutely fantastic! Wil made me tempura battered mushrooms served on a skewer with teriyaki sauce. They were served with stir-fried vegetables and rice - delicious beyond belief! For desert, we both had the frozen creamy lime mousse with blackberry sauce (you just cannot imagine how yummy this was!). If you have any special dietary needs, Wil can make you something special with a day or so notice. The meals we ate at Wil's Tropical Grill were the best we had during our stay. Not only is the food wonderful, but Wil and Sue go out of their way to be sure that everything is perfect and that their customers are satisfied.
Obviously, dining is a big part of our vacation! We like trying new places, but have our old favorites as well . . . can't wait 'til next year!
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By Carol Eddy (Experienced BonaireTalker - Post #500) on Monday, April 11, 2005 - 9:55 pm: 
