Oranjestad — The Manchebo Beach Resort & Spa hosted two culinary evenings at the charming Ike’s Bistro in collaboration with Romar Trading over the past weekend.
Both Saturday and Sunday were dedicated to tastings of Michelin-star chef Tokuyoshi’s Contamination Cuisine, as interpreted on the island by the culinary brigade of the Manchebo Beach Resort & Spa under the guidance of local chef de Pena.
The Japanese-born visiting chef who works in Osteria Francescana in Modena, Italy, rated #3 on the list of the world’s best restaurants, practices his own genre of Contemporary Cuisine, adding techniques and cultural influences of his own Japanese background to each of his traditional Italian dish.
Chef Tokuyoshimet Chef de Pena last year at the Mistura Festival in Lima, one of the largest food events and culinary hotspots in the world. Chef de Pena, responsible for the transformation of former Italian restaurant Giorgio’s into Ike’s Bistro, in November 2012, came up with the idea of inviting chef Tokuyoshi to Aruba to mark the completion of Ike’s Bistro US$350,000 re-do and this week’s inauguration of its brand new bar and lounge area.
In honor of their encounter in Aruba, the chefs served an exciting 5-course tasting menu, including a wine pairing with both making an appearance in the restaurant at the live-cooking station where guests could get a closer look at their culinary artistry.
Romar trading provided the wines starting with Margherita Prosecco, followed by Pinot Grigio Santa Margherita and concluding with Chianti Classico Santa Margherita.
Both evenings enjoyed an excellent turnout as guests enjoyed Tinctured Squid, Earth Soup and Flower in the Wood Salad, Mediterranean Seafood with Rustic Mashed Potato, Trittico Parmesan Cheese Risotto, Angelp alla Griglia Toscana and a delicious Tiramisu!
The re-do of Ike’s Bistro is part of Manchebo’s 3-year, US$ 3 million renovation project that completed this week, with the addition of the new lounge and bar at Ike’s immediately enjoyed by resort guests and locals.
