One of the most memorable pictures of Bonaire comes from dining at the restaurant with the "back porch view" of the sunset -- Richards. Richard himself, I believe from Boston originally, gives a guided chef's tour through the menue on the blackbord while you sip your favorite drink and listen to the water breaking softly against the shore on a few feet from your table! The fresh seafood is outstanding and time seems to stand still for just a minute while thoughts meander through your mind. This is our favorite place to eat on Bonaire.....

Richard's is a wonderful place to eat with great atmosphere.

Be sure to try The Green Parrot's all you can eat BBQ buffet on Saturday's. They have grilled ribs, steak, chicken and smoked fish with some of the most incredible potato salad I have ever eaten! The salads and fresh vegies are fantastic. You need to reserve a table close to the water, if you care to sit and look at the tons of fish eagerly feeding on bread from the other diners

My favorite is Mona Lisa, in town. Mona Lisa has fastastic food with a small, almost pub like atmosphere. I highly recommend the 3 course meal for 2. The wine selection is nice there and you can enjoy an intimate, leasurely dining experience with true Dutch flavor.

Oh, and one more thing....I do not recommend Den Lamin Seafood. There was POOR service, mediocre food and fairly pricey for what we tried. In comparison to all the other places, I know we won't go back.

For local food, try Mi Peron.....I hear the stewed goat is good, I had chicken! I also passed on the opportunity to try Iguna (tastes like chicken, they say!) up in Rincon on Rincon Day but I did have some of the famous ice cream, ponche creama. Bon Dia!

Richards is great, as is the Mona Lisa. If you go to Richards put on mosquito repellent.

Cappricios for Italian is great. Their lobster pasta was out of this world.

Browsing these comments, I have to agree that Richards can be good...sometimes. However, our last time there (Jan/99) was highly unsatisfactory, with poor service, resulting in cold food and wine that arrived long after everyone had finished eating. Over the years the quality of the staff has seemed to fluctuate. Hope that things will be better the next time we try it.

Another two favorites with our crowd are "Beefeater" and "Rendezvous". Get a table in the garden at Beefeater, and try one of the local specials. The stewed goat is good! and the meal is at a reasonable price. Rendezvous gets the vote as a good choice for a special occasion.

Beef eater is now closed. The owners are still trying to sell it and they are quite willing to negotiate with the right people. Could be a gold mine for the right combination of menu and management.

That's one of the biggist disappointments I've had since I heard that the Leeward Inn had closed.The Beefeater was one of my favorites and I know we will miss it when we're there. Any news on why they've closed it? Also, any word on when or if Papa Don will open his new place?

Papa Don and Ditta are still looking for a new home. Beefeater closed becuase Richard and Brigitte were jus working too hard, running a whoesale supply company and managing their rental properties. They really needed a rest. I agree, I will miss the rest. as well

What a bummer to hear that Beefeater is closed! It was always such an great place and an easy walk from Divi Flamingo. I have to agree that the site should be a gold mine for the right people.
I hope that there will not be any more disappointments of the culinary sort by the time we return next January.

Oh no! I am totally depressed to hear that my "home away from home", Leeward Inn, has closed! We spent 5 wonderful vacations there, and Don and Ditta treated us just like family! What happened? Does anyone know where they are now or what the latest is on this friendly pair? And what will Bonaire do without Papa Don's famous pizza??

And Bonaire lost it's only stop light, too.

Don and Ditta can be reached at The Sitting Coconut. tel. 5516

It must have been mentioned on another thread. The Beefeater will be reopening November 1 under the same owners. Hello, banana curry, here I come.

Amadues is alive and well, open 7 (yes seven) days a week for luunch and dinnner. It is being run by a new management team and I had coffee with them this morning. It looks like we are all in for a real treat!