Usually we stay on board and Matt cooks an amazing dinner, but this night we decided to go out and try something new. It was Thursday night so we started at Karel’s Beach Bar for happy hour. It turned out to be good timing as the bartender/manager we met Don De Leon was leaving and heading to Aruba for a few years. Of course, we will have to track him down when we get there next month.
Karel’s is right on the water and always treats us to a beautiful sunset. I walked a little down the water’s edge to capture some pretty photos of Sugar Shack.
Sugar Shack enjoying a peaceful sunset.
We have not eaten out much on island so we had a lot of options to choose from. There is a casual place called Diver’s Diner right down the road as well as a fancier place called It Rains Fishes which is on the waterfront. But we headed toward a Brazilian place that never seems open when we walk by (of course it could be a night only place and we walk by during the day). On the way, we passed a cute little place that looked like a French cafe with tons of arepas (a Columbia/Venezuelan dish) but all of the outdoor tables were full (they only had about 6) so we peeked in next door at a place called La Cantina Cerveceria. We were looking for something casual and thought this had the same menu as both menus were out for perusal. We walked under this beautiful pergola dimly lit with decorative lights and entered a private, beautiful, garden courtyard. I was sold on the setting, but Matt was sold on the IPA (which he had been missing since we arrived at the islands)
La Cantina entrance.
Garden courtyard.
Saison and IPA for Matt – oh happy day!
This menu was different than we thought, but they had a lot of fresh fish. It was not crowded so we served pretty quickly. They start you off with complimentary appetizers including mixed olives, bitterballen (a Dutch staple, but not my favorite) and assorted nuts.
Complimentary appetizers to start.
After we ordered, a delicious bread platter arrived on top of a cutting board that was shaped like Bonaire and Klein Bonaire with BREAD, assorted spreads and cheeses (I had already eaten my bread ball before the photo).
Check out the bread board in the shape of Bonaire and Klein Bonaire!
We were already getting full and our meal had not even arrived. But not long after, the fresh tuna with three shrimps arrived accompanied by a bowl of fingerling potatoes.
Tuna, veggie salad, and shrimp.
It was a pretty tasty meal, but I think Matt’s favorite thing was the Saison and Blonde IPA! I topped off the dinner with some local ice cream and we happily called it a goodnight!
Here are some more photos I took of Sugar Shack around Sunset time.
Pretty orange blooms on this tree in front of Sugar Shack.
Another pretty tree, but this one has red blooms.
Sugar Shack looks so pretty in the orange and purple hues.