Fine Dining in Aruba

"Let's Go Down To The Sunset Grille"   Those words are part of the lyrics of a 1984 Eagles song and give you my thoughts on the Radisson Hotel, Resort and Spa's signature restaurant on the island nation of Aruba. The Sunset Grille is a AAA Four Diamond, Wine Spectator 2008 Award of Excellence restaurant that has also been named Caribbean Travel & Life magazine's  "Best Restaurant in the Caribbean". These pedigrees certainly got my attention, but the food and service truly won my heart.   Our recent trip to the "One Happy Island" of Aruba (that phrase is stamped on their license plates) was an incredible vacation. The weather is perfect, very little rain, a constant 10 to 12 mph breeze and the fact that they are outside of the hurricane zone makes Aruba a fantastic destination. Aruba is a mixture of Dutch tradition and architecture with the easygoing lifestyle of the Caribbean. This eclectic mixture also carries over to Aruba's cuisine.   The Radisson's Sunset Grille appeals to the eye as well as the palette. The Art Deco interior is reminiscent Miami's South Beach sector. Earth colors and hardwood floors are accented by hammered brass, glass dividers and mosaic covered pillars. When you enter the Sunset Grille you will be greeted by the genuinely friendly staff who will show you a display case featuring the evening specials and a climate controlled wine cellar. Your choice of seating includes the main dining room or the covered balcony that overlooks a waterfall, garden and beach. There is not a bad seat in the house.   Realizing that all food products served on Aruba are imported, I was amazed at the number and types of items on the menu. I was also pleasantly surprised at the reasonable pricing.  I began my meal with the "Chop House" Martini Salad, Chopped romaine lettuce, hearts of palm, sliced egg, tomatoes, blue cheese, bacon and sweet pepper with creamy Chopin vodka dressing. This salad came to the table in a large stainless steel martini shaker and was served "shaken not stirred" into a large martini glass. A very unique presentation. Sue started out with the Lobster Bisque served with a puff pastry shell. This was another unique presentation and an extremely tasty example of this traditional soup. The Sunset Grille specializes in Angus Steaks so I decided on a Roasted loin veal chop topped with thinly sliced onion rings served with apple chutney, maple balsamic glaze with a garlic and spinach custard. This was a remarkable combination of flavors and textures. Sue chose a petite fillet, which came with baby corn and an edible flower. Once again, a beautiful presentation.  We also tried the sautéed mushrooms and Gorgonzola scallop potatoes. We highly recommend these items! They were sooo…good!!     The Sunset Grille's wine list includes more than 100 different wines of all styles and prices. We had a Chilean Merlot that was a perfect match and very reasonably priced. Somewhere along the evening our wait-staff said we looked like we were on our honeymoon, and at the end of the meal we were presented with our "honeymoon" cake. This warm chocolate lava cake was a perfect end to a perfect dining experience. There are also many other incredible desserts on the menu. The staff took our lead of a casual fine dining experience and were truly our friends by the end of the night. The ambience was upscale and the food was fantastic. While we went for the USDA Prime Angus beef, the Sunset Grille's menu also includes lamb, chicken and a huge number of fresh seafood items. There are also many healthy "Spa Cuisine" items. There is definitely something for everyone at the Sunset Grille. Reservations are recommended, call: 297.526.6612 or 297.526.6613. You can also make reservations and review the menu at www.sunsetgrillearuba.com  Located in the Radisson Aruba Resort, Casino & Spa, J.E. Irausquin Boulevard 81, Palm Beach, Aruba