Boutique, in the Village Mall.
On a trip to Hawaii, last year, my generous friends took me to a fabulous place, the Gaslamp speakeasy. They said it was a surprise.
Then we walked into the Kailua Town Pub and Grill, a grungy bar, and I was confused. Not for long. We sauntered to the far end of the pub and through a hidden door arrived at a swanky speakeasy, the type of small secret lounge that prospered during prohibition, when liquor sales went underground.
The Gaslamp Speakeasy is a bar/restaurant, serving up fresh farm-to-table food, to 16 lucky guests, with deep pockets. You enter through a vintage wooden telephone booth and must whisper a password, texted to you ahead of your arrival time, The Butler Did It, after you made your reservation.
Everything the Gaslamp serves is unique in presentation and taste, Caviar, Oysters, Wagyu Beef, King Crab Legs, African Lobster. I told you the place is extravagant. A once in a lifetime experience.
Back here. Aruba already prides itself on an authentic speakeasy bar at Apotek, in Oranjestad.
Palm Beach just received its first, named Boutique, in the Village Mall.
The façade doesn’t betray its content. There is a dressed mannequin in one vertical showcase, a vintage typewriter in the other, with a copy of a letter typed by legendary film star Roger Moore to local resident, developer Maurice Neme Sr., who seemed to have been at the time on vacation in Lebanon.
We whispered the password, Bati Ruti, and were let into the tiniest club/bar, by a hostess with a red-hot dress, with a deep side slit. Red lips. We sashayed past the DJ booth, into an embracing space, by interior decorator Maurice Neme. The bar, stocked with premium liquor bottles, is framed by warm-brown library shelves loaded with old LP records. Adding softness and warmth, the walls are covered with muted-color brocade curtains, achieving a cozy, retro effect.
All we had to do was hang at the bar and order a craft cocktail!
The music travels from one genre to the next through the evening to the wee hours, to match the mood of night owls visiting the spot.
Late Night Brunch at Windows on Aruba
Windows on Aruba has been packed every Friday night, for the weekly Late-Night Brunch.
The restaurant at Divi Links has always offered brunch on Sundays, then it added a late brunch for dinner on Fridays, and it has been selling out each time, since.
Executive Chef, Darwin Torres, in collaboration with Food & Beverage director Dominique Bauduin put together a delicious menu filled with a la carte traditional and not-so-traditional brunch specialties, served on small plates and guests are invited to order continuously, over unlimited bellinis and mojitos: Tuna Tartare, Classic Escargots, Lobster Ravioli, Beef Carpaccio, Kofta, a selection of soups, salads and main course such as Grilled Tenderloin, Keshi Yena, Lamb Stew, Asado Negro, and Black Linguini Pasta. The menu fulfills all cravings, beautifully plated, and graciously served.
Dessert? From Crepes Suzette a la Mode to Chocolate Coconut Popsicle, Crème Brulé, Mini Key Lime pie and a novel Hawaiian Black Chocolate ice cream, it’s all delicious
Overlooking the signature 9th hole of Divi Links, the restaurant is stylishly illuminated with colorful lights for a magical ambiance. Adding to the experience, a talented young vocalist, Aniah Alves, beautiful too, with a great selection of songs in English and Spanish.
The club house at Divi Links, the home of Window on Aruba, offers ample parking, allowing patrons to just abandon their cars in the lot, catch the elevator to the second floor, then sit back & relax.
The culinary excellence of Windows on Aruba is due to the ability of Executive Chef Torres and his kitchen brigade, which pairs tasteful cuisine with a beautiful setup, to present most-enjoyable dining/brunching experiences.
For reservations call 523-5017
