My wife and I are heading to Bonaire for the first time. Although I can and will eat just about anything, she is highly allergic to ANYTHING that comes from the water (fish, shellfish, whatever). Even fancy scalloped potatoes will hospitalize her if the sauce has a fish stock base. Suggestions for finding burgers, steaks, and chicken?

Michael -

Casablancas has wonderful steak among other things that your wife would enjoy. You should try their fried calamari - awesome!

You should also go to Pasa Bon Pizza for great thin crust pizza. And you shouldn't miss the chocolate cake either.

Michael, Casablanca and Pasa Bon are two of my favorites in Bonaire (Though I am sure your wife will not be eating the calamari!!). I would also suggest Bobbejan's for fantastic ribs and chicken (open weekends only), Lost Penguin for burgers. Don't overlook Wil's Tropical Grill and It Rains Fishes as they have non-fish items. Bistro de Paris has a great lunch and dinner menu for someone who can't eat fish and you can also get roasted chicken to go from Cultimara or on Saturday from the Carnicera.

Swiss Chalet
Bobbejan's
Burgers at Chibi Chibi

Croccatino's is a great Italian place, offering meat dishes and pasta.

I would highly recomend Den Laman at Sand$

Dave

Michael, If you guys like ribs try the Rib Factory on the second floor above Kentucky Fried Chicken in the mall. Ron

Mona Lisa made an effort to make me a special meal last visit when I was on medication and could not have certain foods. I think you will find that if you ask, most of the restaurnts will accommodate your needs.

My husband is highly allergic also to any kind of shellfish, or saltwater fish. He has found that when cooking the food, if the same spatula or whatever, touches the seafood, and then touches his food, he's a goner. He carries the epi-pen for emergencies, but I'd rather SKIP the emergency.

Has this been a problem for anyone with allergies? Thanks for any info.

Kelly,
I was going to mention the same thing: make sure that the server communicates to the chef that the food cannot come into contact with ANYTHING that's come into contact with fish, including utensils, cutting board, etc.

I have a friend who became violently ill (not in Bonaire, here in Mass) because the chicken she was served was cut on the same cutting board on which shellfish had been processed. The chef had merely wiped it off, not washed it, and she had to be rushed to the hospital because of it.

Thanks to everyone who responded. My wife is comfortable in the fact that she will not starve and will not be limited to Cheerios for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Ditto on the recommendation to the chef about contact contamination. The last event was from an order of chicken fajitas that were prepared with the same spatula that was used for some shrimp fajitas.

My wife is also allergic to shrimp and lobster. She does not travel without an epipen (spelling alert: ephenedrin preloaded an dready to jut jam in if anaphalactic shock starts. Might be something your birde would wish to discuss with her Doctor. Seconds count...