RESTAURANT OF THE WEEK
A PERSONAL REVIEW OF RESTAURANTS AROUND THE WORLD

BRISAS DEL MAR
SAVANETA, ARUBA

Don't be fooled by the humble exterior!

This is a great little spot located right on the edge of the Caribbean Sea.  Sunsets are just fabulous from the open air restaurant.

The exterior of this little bar and restaurant is rather odd looking but once inside, you'll be treated to a traditional down home Aruban meal.

We first experienced this place in 1986 and on our frequent visits to Aruba we always dine here at least twice during each visit.

You might start with the conch fritters.  They also have traditional shrimp cocktails and even a lobster cocktail.  You'll be tempted with fish and seafood soups that are quite good along with a nice bisque.

The "seafood platter" is not at all like something you'd find at a Red Lobster in the U.S.  It's a mix of various seafood more or less in a white, stew like broth.   The people at the restaurant are extremely accommodating and I usually ask them if they can serve me up an order of "breaded conch."  Breading in this part of the world means frying as in the fried seafood we're used to in the States.  Conch (usually pronounced konk although in Aruba it's pronounced "consch") is a large sea snail that is a favorite throughout the Caribbean.   It is taken out of it's huge pink shell and pounded to tenderize the meat.  It's a little on the chewy side but very flavorful and sweet.  They always serve it broiled at Brisas but they'll usually fry it if you ask.  You'll often find baby shark on the menu, too, and it's really quite tasty.

You'll find some local Aruban specialties like keri-keri on the menu.  That's more or less minced fish.  And try the pan bati, a cornbread type side dish.

The restaurant offers a small wine list along with a house wine and cocktails.

I can't remember the name of the woman who owns and runs the place but she's a treat.  She's always there and loves what she does. They used to offer a wall for business cards.  During our frequent visits, she helped me place my radio business cards from these stations on that wall:  WHYT-Detroit, WJR-Detroit, WFLA-Tampa, U-92 Tampa, and WYCD-Detroit.  But the card wall is now gone!

The only slight negative about the place from my point of view is the fact that the restaurant has hired a chef complete with a big white hat.  It used to be that only a bunch of local cooks worked the kitchen and not a full fledged chef!  Presentation has improved, if that sort of thing matters to you.   But for me, give me the old way of doing things!

From the hotel zone, your taxi (or your rental car) will pass through downtown Oranjestad and by the airport.  Not too far past the airport on the main road you'll notice a little sign to the right pointing you to the restaurant.  Just follow that little road and as it winds to the left, you'll see Brisas on your right.  But watch carefully.  It comes up quickly.

Casual, open-air Caribbean dining.

The Brisas del Mar web site is here.

OTHER ARUBA RESTAURANT REVIEWS:

Amazonia
Buccaneer
Cafe Baci
Chalet Suisse
Charlie's Bar
El Gaucho
Gasparito
Kowloon
Laguna Fish Market
Marina Pirata
Mi Cushina
Old Cunucu House
Valentino's