A quick mention of some dining experiences this past trip...

Patty, Michael and I ate at the following this time around: Tipsy Seagull (also known in our family as the Drunken Parrot), Garden Cafe, Bistro de Paris, Le Flamboyant, Den Laman, Centro Pizza and Wil's Tropical Grill. We had a very nice pie from Centro Pizza in Sabana the arrival night since we were so late, and it was excellent. Tipsy Seagull is our usual Sunday night stop, eating right out by the water, Michael slept through dinner (10 month old), it was pure bliss. A wonderful clear sunset (I am convinced the Green Flash can only be seen by those with a minimum blood alcohol level of .12) and some great fish soup and prawns on a skewer made it a great dinner.

Next night was Garden Cafe, a great time with Raja, ribs and steak on a hibachi, Patty loves the mixed Lebanese plate and huge vegetarian selection, we got a great picture of Michael with Raja (we explained Santa lives on Bonaire 11 months out of the year and operates a small international cuisine restaurant - babies believe stories like that :-) ).

Next was Wil's Tropical Grill, I think the food was very good here as it was last trip, and Michael was very well behaved, thank goodness.

We then hit Bistro de Paris, a great little French restaurant highly recommended. The owner Patrice was very child friendly, and this was the only night Michael was noisy and restless. Fantastic fish soup, and my first taste of yellow tail snapper, and a very tasty vegetarian dish made special for Patty, and a long conversation with Patrice made this evening a great hit. One note: the prices on the menu is guilders, not dollars... I almost made the mistake of thinking it was dollars (the menu is not too clearly marked), and one young American lady came in, took one look at the menu, and ran screaming from the restaurant (I exaggerate) but I am sure that is why they did not stay for dinner. It is highly recommended.

Also highly recommended is Le Flamboyant, our second time to this French restaurant. I can't remember the dishes, but Le Flam and Paris will be on our dinner lists for our future visits.

The last evening we ate at Den Laman, our local friends treated us and we had never been. I had the barracuda with a mashed potato cake and a side of the fries (I must have fries every night on Bonaire), and the barracuda was very very good. The restaurant was very noisy though, and the service a bit uneven. But we had a good time.

Lunches - we ate at home, except we had Mezani two days in a row, the salads and sandwiches are excellent, as well as the ever present French Fries. (or Dutch Fries as the case may be). If you are in town and need a quick sit down lunch, I recommend Mezani for reasonable prices and fresh ingredients.

There were no waits for tables, and service was usually outstanding.

C