I'll be hopefully arriving in Bonaire (can't wait-can't wait) on this Saturday January 7 at 8:40. I have a whole other thread on my scary tight connection. Now that Stifflers sadly has closed, I really liked that place! What options are there for late night dining and what's the latest any place will serve. I hope to be seated at Lions Den enjoying a nice first nights dinner, but having other options is definitely a good idea. Any suggestions would be helpful.
Thanks - Kristin

Pasa Bon Pizza will be open at that time.

Kristin...Pasa Bon peperroni pizza...man, my mouth is watering just thinking about it! We hit it on our arrival night last time and boy did it taste good after a long 24 hours getting to Bonaire! Susan T...do you think Lisa will deliver to So Cal? LOL!

Hey Cynde ... there have been more than a few nights here in VT when I wished Lisa would deliver here! Pasa Bon is ALWAYS our first night stop. Great place to kick back after a long day of travel.

I have two words: Pasa. Bon.

It is outstanding.

Geez, whassup with all the Pasa Bon Pizza raves these days? You fans of Pasa Bon gonna start mentioning it in the Photography topic next?
(Laughingly signed Scott the overly opinionated pizzaholic/non-fan of Pasa Bon)

Susan-Cyn-and Kelly-wow I guess it's a unanimous pasa bon! We didn't get to try it on our last trip, but will on this one! How late do they serve? Where are they located in relation to Buddys, we aren't renting a car, can we walk? I guess it will be a toss between the pepperoni or the fish pizza. I'm leaning toward the pepperoni since i've never had fish pizza, but if I were inclined to try it it would be here. Do they serve beer or wine? Seems like a silly question, but you know after a long travel day thirst must be quenched! Thanks for your response, I'm sure we'll enjoy!!
Kristin

Scott- have read some of your posts and had to respond, my husband and i wound up in one of your photos from your last trip in August, we were snorkeling in front of Buddys. We live in NYC and know that it is the pizza mecca by far, and I agree with you fully on that! No pizza like NY pizza. But we're always up for trying something new and we'll give pasa bon an enthusiastic try, not comparing it to NY pizza, it truly is different everywhere! Any suggestions you have for late night dining? I'm trying to gather all the info I can before Saturday!
Thanks-Krsitin

Kristin - try the fish pizza, its to die for! My mouth is watering just thinking about it!

HEY!!!! What about the spicy sausage? Drooooollll.....

If you won't have a car, and are arriving late, you might be able to get to Rum Runners at Capt. Don's or the Lion's Den at Buddy's -- I believe both are open til 10pm. I think Pasa Bon is open til 11pm, but it's a bit of a walk from Buddy's.

So, since you live in NYC, we might (or might not!) share some views on this pizza thang. It's been more than a few years since I lived in metro NY, but I did spend most of my life just outside of NYC on Long Island. Every neighborhood in NYC, Queens, Brooklyn, Nassau or even Suffolk seem to have their incredible pizza joint -- my faves in NYC I guess were John's down on Bleeker, some of the Ray's (can't remember if it was Original Ray's, or Famous Ray's, or Famous Original Rays, or....); heck, the slices down in the depths of Penn Station at the place next to the LIRR ticket counter were pretty damn good compared to what passes for pizza in other parts of the world.

But, like you said, comparing pizza to NYC pizza is not fair. I actually had a Greek Pizza slice here in NH last week that was pretty tasty. But on to my more concrete thoughts about pizza on Bonaire:
Pasa Bon Pizza: have eaten there twice. Not impressed with service or attitude (seemed over-stressed and over-busy) or food. Crust not particularly tasty, sauce kinda acidy and almost burnt tasting, cheese certainly not top notch mozzarella to my taste. A fish pizza was interesting and fairly tasty, and their salads are satisfying in a simple way, but one time we tried some kind of casserole with (if I remember correctly) meatballs and pasta, and it was totally ruined by, again, an acidy and burnt tasting sauce. And yes, everybody, I DO realize this is just my opinion and someone else might love it.
Rum Runners: a brick oven pizza, extremely thin (almost like a tortilla) and hence not very filling, but they can be pretty tasty. Gale had them build one last August with no sauce, mozzarella, caremelized onions and black olives that was quite good. They'll put fresh basil on top if you ask. The view is outstanding and the services varies grossly from night to night: prompt, courteous and fun one night, surly and slow the next. And you can cut thru the gate between Buddy's (actually the old Lion's Dive part of Buddy's) and Capt. Don's and be there in like 2 minutes.
Garden Cafe: I love Raja's lebanese food, and some of his pizza's, while somewhat offbeat, are very good. One with spinach and mushrooms is tasty, and he makes one with an odd name that has tomatoes, eggs, cheese and perhaps something else that's really good.
Cappricio: I've only tried the pizza there once quite a few years ago, but remember it to be tasty, much more on the authentic italian side, but not particularly huge or filling. The rest of the food is so great there I've never gone back to ordering pizza.

So, there's my final, more formal analysis of the pizza situation on Bonaire. Bon appetit.

Becky and Jeanine-okay now I have to choose from pepperoni,fish or spicy sausage. The selection is growing so this is going to be tricky, but we're looking forward to it. Will definitely post our selections in our trip report upon return, which I don't want to think about yet since we are so looking forward to getting there. Thanks for your response!

Scott-I've been living in NYC since 1990 and I agree Johns pizza and a few of the Rays have awesome pizza. Ever try Arturos Brick oven down in Greenwich Village? Probably my favorite NY pizza! We tried the pizza at Rum Runners when we were in Bonaire in August, actually had it several times and thought it was delicious!! Can't remember what kind, just that it was really good! We'll give pasa bon a try, and Garden Cafe sounds like one to try too. Capriccio is on our list that is way too long to conquer in 6 days, so if we get there, we may want to try something different. We will let you know how the pizza tasting works out. I know you and
Gale are Buddy fans, and it's only our second trip, but we had such a great time there and can't wait to return. Thanks for all your input
Kristin

Kristin, You will pass Pasa Bon on your way to Buddy's. It is just north of town on the right side of the road -- look for the stop light on their fence and sign! They are open Wed thru Sunday from 5 -11pm. And yes, they serve beer and wine! I am a HUGE fan of their fish pizza as well as the pepperoni and spicy sausage. They also have a great antipasto salad that is big enough to share with three or makes a meal in itself. And hard as it may be, save room for the chocolate cake for dessert!! I don't want to comment on the walking as distances are a personal thing. What I think is close others will not even try. Safe journeys. Susan

Scott, I feel like I must chime in. I love Pasa Bon Pizza!!! I fell in love with their special fish pizza my first time there.(I never thought I would like fish on a pizza but I will try anything once) It is to die for!! I am not from NY but I do love pizza and theirs is one of the best!!!

Think Lisa's Calzone folks. Best I have ever had! Molten Lava Cake for dessert - mmmmmm. Man I wish I was there instead of here in snow country:-{(}

Susan-Thanks for the directions! I may have to be bold and try the fish pizza, sounds so weird but everyone is raving about it. Might as well try for myself. Ahhhh-good pizza, wine, Bonaire, does it get any better? Can't wait. Thanks again for your help!

Kristin, I've had the fish and the peperoni, both excellent. I had to go back again for the peperoni though..lol...Tom, now I will have to make 3 or so trips so I can try the Calzone...I love those!

Scott, please ignore my pizza raves, in Southern California, we really don't know what good pizza is...we are "pizza challenged"...it's not our fault, we just don't seem to get any real good New Yorkers out here that seem to stay and show us the error of our pizza raving ways...lol...some think that California Pizza Kitchen is "real pizza" lol! Have you heard of California Pizza Kitchen?

Disclaimer: If you are a New Yorker living in California the above was just a joke, a quip based on my childish sense of humor, and way to manny Christmas COOkies

We have California Pizza Kitchen's here in Orlando, and they seem to do quite well. I am not a pizza fan because I don't tolerate the red sauce anymore, but more places are making the white pizza, which I try now and then. California Pizza Kitchen is also selling frozen pizza's here, and I buy them for my daughter, who is a big fan.

I love California Pizza Kitchen. lol

Wow, we've made it to Ahia and Florida! cool! We buy the frozen pizzas a lot as well. I think their good, but then again, I ain't no pizza afficionado...lol! Gail, there used to be a lot more brick and mortar Cal Pizza Kitchen's, but they are few and far between now...odd!

Kristin,
Look, do you want to be rushed in some hot smoky pizza joint?

Pack a nice bottle of wine and two glasses in your carrie on.
Grab a chunk of cheese, some french bread, 1/2 lb of hard meats.

Put two chairs at the water edge, remove your shoes, open the wine, and enjoy.

Sounds good to me Jerry! I have always gone out to eat the first night of arrival for over 12 years, but this next trip which is 36 days from now, I am seriously considering doing just that! Too much rush when I first get there anymore or I am just getting too old for that rushing around especially with the time change in the winter. It is not so bad in spring and summer months when AA arrives at 8 instead of 9pm.

Hot smokey pizza joint?? That's not the Pasa Bon I know! I love the garden like setting that is much more restaurant than "pizza joint." Our first visit to Pasa Bon was after a particularly long and difficult journey and a long and frustrating check in and Pasa Bon was a real oasis for us. Unwinding with a beer/wine was just what both of us needed.

susan, the only person in pasa bon who isn't on total "island time" is joe. i've never seen anyone in such a constant state of motion. but he always has time to stop at the table and chat for a few minutes. and yasmine is really sweet too...as is lisa (especially for an ohio native)...we love it at pasa bon.

Forgot to mention: I love going to Pasa Bon at least once a week while on island, I go for the pepperoni pizza myself! LOL Joe has always been very nice and gracious to us when we go. It's one of the few places where I go and they even remember my name, granted, I go to Bonaire pretty often, but nice, just the same! Means a lot.

Cyn-I think I may have to try Pasa Bon twice, for the pepperoni and the fish. I'm only there 6 nights though! So many places I want to try and so little time. What fun trying to figure it out though!

Jerry-That image sounds totally wonderful, but with our luggage situation it would be more work to try to carry and get supplies the night we arrive! Although we may choose to do just that one night at sunset! Ahhhh-can't wait!

Susan-unwinding with a beer/wine in a garden like setting after a long day of travel? Now that's a nice picture as well! I think the first night will be pepperoni!

Susan, what's the cat's name? also, is Joe the tall guy?

Cynde, the tall guy is Joe. He is the very friendly person who was our waiter in October.

I can't wait for him to again be my waiter in......., well the next time I am on Bonaire.

(Message edited by vtscuba on January 5, 2006)

Tom, that's what I thought. The cat's name is eluding me for some reason...hmmm...

debbie? debbie? hmmmm...i think i remember you. it'll come to me...give me time. i think we've seen you on bonaire.

Yeah, Pat, Aren't you the guy I saw on the beach yelling "Wave" to your wife? LOL

Cynde ... the cat is PIA (stands for Pain in the A)But I don't think she is one! All of this is making me want to get there right now! Hey Tom-let's blow this VT snow and go!

Susan, how could I forget PIA? I knew it was something "cute" like that...LOL!

Susan, I am packing my gear. I hope Pamela doesn't wake up till I am out of here;-{)}

yeah debbie, that was probably me. i was also the guy who woke up your renters last year when they had a rental car mix-up. 33 days from now we should be at the airport. i guess we'll see you in about 36 days or so, right?

Pat, I almost forgot about that last year and you know, after all that he decided to keep the car! Who figure? Your day talleys are correct! I will be seeing you guys in 36 days! Can't wait.

Howdy all! Now I have a question. I was just on infobonaire because we are arriving on the 8:00 pm AA flight and saw that Pasa Bon is not open on Tuesdays. Is that correct? Someone please, pretty please, tell me that the information is outdated. If it is correct and Pasa Bon is only open Wed-Sun, where does one eat late when arriving on Tuesdays?

Jeannie, yep, Pasa Bon, closed on Monday and Tuesdays.

City Cafe says it's open till 2AM, but I don't know if that is correct or not.

Rum Runners is open till 10PM

Lions Den is open till 10PM

What were the hours of the GE Jeannie?

And then there's always KFC

That's all I could get from the links on infobonaire.com

Cyn you are so funny! Thanks for checking out the links. I looked at some too. GE said they like to take their last seating at 8:45. We have not tried Rum Runners, Lions Den, or City Cafe so I guess we will go to one of those. We are trying to do only new restaurants this trip (except for Casablanca and Pasa) so any of those three fit our vacationing requirements. LOL - we are such vacationing snobs!!! I need to start a thread: how does one do Bonaire on a shoe string budget! Cheers!

Operative word there is "like to". If you call in the reservation and it's for four people or more, I'll try to talk the chef into staying late. Usually people on that flight don't have any problem getting here by 9:15. I need a few days advance notice, and I will get back to you quickly to confirm or say that he can't do it that night.