As time seems to be short - what does it always seem there is so much work to do AFTER a vacation. We did our annual 2 week trip to Bonaire - April 22 - May 8. This was probably our BEST trip ever, but more on that in the trip report. This is about restaurants. We always say we are going to broaden our horizons and trip different, well spoken about on BT, restaurants. Well we did do 2 new ones (at least one was definitely new and one we found last year but right at the end of the trip). I cannot tell you how much we enjoyed La Barca and Sunset Restaurant & Bar. La Barca of course is new. We went there 2 times this year - it was fabulous! I had their fish special the first night and it was cooked to perfection accompanied by delicious sides. The second night I had to do the fillet of beef because our friend had it the first time. It was done exactly the way I wanted it, served with delicious oven roasted potatoes and a garden side salad. My husband had the same thing both times (it was so good he said). It was a pasta dish (Metro...?) it was shell type pasta with a light meat sauce. He said it was fabulous and it must have been he didn't share and didn't leave anything. I can't even remember what our other friend had I was paying too much attention to mine.

Our second favorite this year was Sunset - located where the old Den Laman restaurant was. We did discover this (through Kirk who runs it) last year. We went a total of 3 times. You could easily do a few appetizers and a salad. Their appetizers are stupendous. And the view doesn't suck!

We were disappointed this year in Cactus Blue. We normally go there about 4 or 5 times and we only made it the first night. The appetizers that we have had in the past were only "OK" not real tasty. We also found it a bit pricey as we only had an appetizer, 3 garden salads & an order of ribs. The total bill (no alcohol) was much higher than we have experienced in the past. We also missed seeing Corrine.

We did try Pasa Bon pizza but upon arriving were told - "we only have 2 tables of 2 so we would have to split you up". No offer to put the tables together or any explanation why it couldn't be done. Now we didn't question it so "shame on us". Too bad because it smelled heavenly. Next year we'll probably do take out.

We probably should have tried a few new restaurants but we are basically "stuck in the mud" people, going where we know the food will be great. We did The Rib Factory twice, Lion's Den a couple of times - gee we had to have eaten out at least 13 times!! Can't remember where else we went. We wanted try It Rains Fishes as we haven't been there for about 3 years. Oh well there is always next year!

Good old Joe. He's my hero..........

After hearing so many good things about la Barce we had to try it also, which we did about a week ago. The setting I really liked. Nice and roomy setting (no tables jamed together) and a really nice atmosphere. The little Italian guy was funny but way to busy even with a little over half the tables occupied.... Every beer we ordered we had to order again and still took forever to be served..... That is a shame, but, things happen..... After about 1,5 hours we were kind of ready for our starters and when that funny little Italian guy came to our table empty handed we wondered what he came for .... Then he and asked us if we wouldn't mind to order again since the kitchen lost our ticket.... So we did.... All in all dinner took us a little over 3,5 hours without desert.....
Food was ok but not to special if I may say so. I had the meat lasagna. Esther had the Wahoo with shrimps from the oven which was cooked to perfection but without any flavor or creativity, just like my lasagna. Our table companions had Pizza and some pasta dish. The pasta dish was really good but the Pizza was definately not Lisa's. (They better open again next week because I dearly miss my friend Joe.... )
I will definately try La Barca again some other time because someone who can be so creative without any pooha in decorating a restaurant must be able to be a little more creative on their plates too. Maybe we caught them on a bad night.....
One thing I did not like and that was the restroom. I am not a big guy but was almost unable to close the door without climbing on the pot.....So it was kind of good that the beers where not coming any faster......

gail, pasa bon pizza is heavenly...make sure you get there next trip. we always make reservations. actually, we make reservations at every restaurant on bonaire. often not necessary but it doesn't hurt.

With Pasa Bon, what we liked to do was stop in and order take-away on our way back from the our last dive of the day. Then we'd go take care of our gear and put on dry clothes. By the time this was done, a quick run by for pizza and then dining in the comfort of our Sand $ condo. No skeeters, no waiting, no worries mon.

e.

Thanks for sharing. We are going to stay at Den Laman in Oct good to know there is a good place to eat there.

La Barca is good! we were there last night, and food was very good. Ha poached Dorado, and shrimp in a veggie sause. Guarden salid, and potatoes. Looked at the wine list, and it looked good? We don't drink. The meal was served, and prepaired to perfection. I hope this place makes it! The phone number is 717-4514

(Message edited by ronindiana on May 18, 2010)

Actually that is what we decided to do next year - on our last night there we will just relax at the house, the girls always take the tanks back to Buddy's, do some souvenir shopping and we'll pick up a pizza and take it back.

Although, maybe we shouldn't wait until the last night if it's as good as everyone says - and do it twice!

Restaurant La Barca is the place to go for dinner.
Excellent restaurant. Great service, excellent food for acceptable prices. Our main courses were delicious, but the dessert was a real surprise. We had the Bon Bon Cioccolate which was SUPER delicious.
I will definitely go back and can advise this restaurant to everyone.