On the eve of the Dia di Betico holiday we hopped on the Kukoo Kunuku’s red, windowless bus, to experience the new wine tour visiting four of Aruba’s top chef-owned restaurants, with a friendly sommelier on board to guide us through the hardship.
Bottom line, we wholeheartedly recommend the tour, additionally we suggest to change its name to Wine & Dine, because the progressive tapas-style dinner we were served at four different locales was fantastic.
We climbed on board at the Marriott Aruba Resort and Stellaris Casino, but the bus would pick you up anywhere. Armed with maracas, and shaking them to Carnival music, the first leg of the trip brought us to White Modern Cuisine at the club house, Gold Coast Residence. Our sommelier poured some Villa Sandi Millesimato prosecco into delicate flutes while we admired the spectacular sunset. He graciously orchestrated the introductions. We went around the lovely long table learning the basics about our bus buddies.
Then we got to taste Chef Urvin Croes’ signature amuse, a Cheese Ball with truffle mayo. The bite was chased by Yakitori Glazed Tuna, paired with Pine Ridge’s white blend of Chenin Blanc and Viognier, and followed by chef’s legendary Corn Chowder accompanied by Josh Cellars Chardonnay, reminding us that Chef Urvin is Aruba’s #1 Iron Chef, and a national treasure.
The highlight of the stop: Marcus and Cindy Wiggins, the owners of Kukoo Kunuku dropped in for a short interlude, thanking us for tripping with them that evening. They are a charming duo.
Back on the bus, maracas, music, this time Rock ‘n Roll.
At Screaming Eagle on the terrace, surrounded by gently wafting white curtains and twinkling lights we savored Chef Erwin Husken’s amazing Pork Belly appetizer, with white cabbage & red onion salad, bacon bits, and nam phrik
mayo, paired with a Gewurztraminer Riesling, a wow combo. No wonder the food was so good, chef Erwin was honored as The Caribbean Chef of the Year, in 2017.
Another short trip, with the people on the bus now fully into their maracas!
At Hostaria da Vittorio we nibbled on just-baked focaccia bread and appreciated every bite of Chef Vittorio’s homemade cheese-stuffed ravioli paired with Caposaldo Chianti. The restaurant, by master Chef Muscariello, is the only authentic Italian restaurant in Aruba, importing all its products from Italy, boasting the Ospitalita Italiana seal of approval by the Government of Italy, for serving 100% genuine products.
Just around the block and at the busiest portion of Palm Beach, we stopped at AZIA Bar & Lounge for dessert, a collection of the Gianni’s Group of restaurants best sweets: Chocolate dipped strawberry, cream filled profiterole, mini chocolate lava cake and vanilla custard in a shot glass. Our dessert platter was paired with Josh Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon, a full-bodied wonder.
Wouter Koeneman, our sommelier, an account manager at Pepia Est, wine purveyors, and a super friendly driver made the trip complete.
Maki, the operations manager at Kukoo Kunuku was the perfect host!!
Great night time tour. A wonderful way for the young and the restless and the old and the reckless to spend an evening of out-of-the-box food and wine.
Book early because you don’t want to miss this bus!
