Gloria’s Market
Gloria, Movies, Dining & Entertainment, just opened the elegant doors of Gloria’s Market, an upscale food and liquor store. They are still stocking the shelves, and a few items are still missing, but I wanted to tell you here, first.
Gloria’s Market delivers a beautiful shopping experience with many different and unique products from around the world. I notice quality Italian pastas and olive oils, balsamic vinegars from Modena, charcuterie of every kind including many types of sausages, Spanish dry cured Jamon, Dutch, Greek, French and Italian cheeses, Italian Torrone, Christmas Panettone in fancy gift boxes, Lavazza coffee, French green pepper corn, Fleur de Sel, de L’ile de Noirmoutier, highly appreciated flowers of salt, escargots, real frozen duck liver pate, smoked duck breast and chestnuts, Lavender, Sicilian bay leaves, snacks from around the globe, Himalaya salt. Did I mention German marzipan? My favorite.
The store opens from 10am to 9pm, seven days a week, I imagine that it will carry the Tropical Bottling liquor portfolio and Balashi beers.
Best of all, they make gift baskets. They are fully stocked/equipped to create the best baskets under the sun, in honor of the holiday. Am hoping to get one, one day, they are beautiful.
Mercat’s Sunset Aperitivo
Marcat is the new name of La Vista. The popular restaurant at the Marriott Aruba Resort & Stellaris Casino was fully renovated and now baptized Mercat, serving food with a Mediterranean accent for lunch or dinner.
Breakfast? We don’t have to introduce it. You know how fantastic and bountiful it is.
The renovations also included the air-conditioned bar, now facing the al-fresco wraparound terrace. And accessible through an automatic sliding door. The bar offers a special every day of the week, except Sunday, Mercat Aperitivo, $25 for two cocktails and a shareable platter, 5 to 7pm, with live DJ mixing on Friday – you get a choice of three different shareables.
Press members were invited to experience the Aperitivo just recently and enjoyed an amazing spread of Keshi di Hulanda with cheese-meister Niels and his team – they have a special event coming up on December 2nd, which you shouldn’t miss if you are a cheese lover. Keshi di Hulanda, is located next to La Cabana Beach Resort & Casino in the small strip mall, north-west of the parking lot.
The cheese specialists of Keshi Di Hulanda brought some of their best varieties to Mercat, and paired them with nuts, candied fruit and fruit spreads, chased by some fantastic Mercat hors d’oeuvres, courtesy of Executive Chef Andres Davila and Food & Beverage director Kristofer Bremström,
Tapas Brunch at TDS
Tierra del Sol introduced a new Sunday brunch concept, once a month, with an a la carte Tapas menu. We found Avocado Toast, French Toast, Eggs Benedict and Huevos Rancheros on the menu as a tribute to breakfast. Two sharable platters, Jamon Serano & Manchego and a Mediterranean Mezza plate, are listed for those who like to start with a small bite as they sip their first Prosecco.
Next month, says Jorge Estrada, the F&B director, a Mimosa/Bellini/Bloody Mary option will be added to the menu.
We appreciated the Angus Tartare, the Crispy Pork Belly, the Gyozas, that are really Fried Wontons, the Albondigas, and the mini Johnny Cakes. We will return to go through the rest of the menu, I am determined to try it all: Ceviche, Tuna Tostada and Salmon Poke, next time.
We noticed General Manager, Iberostar Grand, Arnauld Le Launchon circulating to check on things. Dominique Meyer, Manager, Tierra del Sol, and Ashiko Martinus, Manager, Villa Rental & Operations were enjoying family time, on their day off. It’s a good sign that they wish to return to their workplace on weekends. Compliments to Chef Reginald Brete, for the tasty experience.
Campeones Cantina & Tequila Bar Celebrates its first birthday.
Local press members were invited to return to Campeones, at the Marriott Ocean Club, on the occasion of its first birthday. The cantina serves a yummy Mexican menu with an impressive collection of Tequila and Mescal varieties on display at the bar.
The place, as you know, is beautiful — they spent a lot of time picking just the right wall and floor tiles, mosaics, faux window and doors, other hanging décor elements, in lovely color schemes, making the space look like a small village plaza somewhere in Mexico, the perfect stage for chef Natassja Moya to present her own modern interpretations of Mexico’s diverse and exciting culinary arts.
We tried the Hibiscus and Classic Margaritas and enjoyed a parade of small dishes from Fish Ceviche to Fish Tacos, chased by Chocolate Tacos for dessert.
Complex General Manager Raul Lemmerling, dropped in for a friendly chat with the members of the media.
Hosts Noemi Tromp and Tessa Trejo, of the marketing department, report the cantina also has a designated area where private parties may be organized, any time during opening hours, 5pm to 11pm.
The final classy touch? Reyes de Aruba, Mariachi, the group of four musicians/singers has a fantastic sound!
