The fall edition of Bonaire Culinair begins Thursday!
Bonaire Culinair is here again! Visitors and residents can enjoy flavorful dishes at many of Bonaire’s most popular restaurants during the 15-day culinary event. Three-course dinner menus are only $39.50 per person. Make your reservations soon because Bonaire Culinair will end on October 6, 2022.
Bonaire Culinair at Joe’s Restaurant.
On Tuesday evening, my friend Meredith Schnoll and I were lucky enough to be among the first to enjoy the Bonaire Culinair dining menu at Joe’s Restaurant, located in the heart of Kralendijk. Upon arrival, we were greeted by friendly staff and escorted to our table. The atmosphere at Joe’s Restaurant is always pleasant, with just the right amount of lighting for our dinner. Joe’s Restaurant is a favorite among many visitors and those that live on Bonaire. In fact, this month is Joe’s Restaurant’s 10th anniversary! Bart and Jessica, owners of Joe’s Restaurant, are a delightful couple who are passionate about outstanding food and service. Since opening in September of 2012, they have served many delicious meals to numerous happy customers.
Starting the night off with a glass of wine.
Once seated, Jessica, came to take our orders. We asked her opinion about wine, and like always, she chose the perfect white wine to complement our courses. We sat and chatted about our day on Bonaire with an air of excitement about the upcoming meal.
As we enjoyed our first sips of wine, house-made breadsticks and olives were placed on the table. A creamy tomato sauce with hints of cumin accompanied the crispy breadsticks, a flavorful combination. After we finished the breadsticks and olives, another complimentary bite-sized dish of tuna tartar arrived at our table. It was paired with wasabi mayonnaise and a crisp of cassava. The flavors blended perfectly together.
The special Bonaire Culinair menu at Joe’s Restaurant.
We thought that our appetizer was next, but we realized that we were mistaken as a plate of hot, fresh bread rolls with sweet chili butter soon arrived at our table. The primal urge to immediately devour hot bread took over, and we dug into the rolls before snapping a photo. The sweet chili butter melted onto the fresh bread was a delectable combination.
The appetizer course.
The appetizer I chose was the pickled Wahoo. Not only was the dish presented beautifully, but the flavor profile was equally impressive. Complementing the Wahoo was a red beet gel, a red beet marshmallow, sweet and sour red beet, yellow beet, and horseradish foam. The beets are specially imported, and the care put into the sourcing of quality ingredients is evident.
Meredith’s choice was the couscous salad with feta cheese and eggplant. She relished each bite and proclaimed that the dish was a success. Thankfully, she was nice enough to share a taste with me, and it did not disappoint!
The optional course.
After our appetizer plates were cleared, I was treated to a special surprise when an optional second course appeared at the table. This course can be selected as a special option for $14.50. On the plate was a portion of Filet American topped with greens, picalilly egg salad, and a slice of Lemon sole. This dish was enhanced with a subtle seasoning that did not overpower the main ingredients.
The main courses.
Meredith and I both selected the grilled red snapper filet for our main course. I typically do not order fish, but I stepped out of my comfort zone in an effort to provide a thorough review of the evening’s culinary offerings. The herb-encrusted red snapper filets were grilled and seasoned to perfection. The generous portion of snapper was paired over a serving of the creamiest risotto I have ever tasted, along with freshly sauteed vegetables. Drizzled on the plate was a light, savory sauce of coconut and lemongrass. Bart, the Chef, has a special talent for creating dishes that combine unexpected flavors that fuse together to make his cuisine both delectable and memorable.
The dessert course.
The special menu for Bonaire Culinair includes a dessert of Banana Waffel Cake served with milk chocolate ganache, caramel drizzle, coffee crumbles, ice cream and a sprinkling of crunchy hazelnuts. Given Bart’s penchant for expertly combining unexpected flavors, we were pleasantly surprised to taste a hint of masala curry in the dish. This dessert was undoubtedly one of the most crave-worthy treats on the island.
An after-dinner sip of YESS!
Just when we thought that our fantastic meal was complete, a sip of Yess! arrived at our table. Yess! is a coffee liquor with a sweet, fruity, and spicy flavor, complete with hints of caramel and black pepper. YESS! is produced locally on the island and is sold exclusively at Joe’s Restaurant.
About Joe’s Restaurant.
Joe’s Restaurant is owned and operated by Bart and Jessica. Bart is a skilled and creative chef who is passionate about providing quality meat, seafood, and vegetarian dishes to enthusiastic diners. Jessica and her team provide professional-level service with a smile. As Meredith and I were leaving, we discussed making reservations for another night next week so that her husband Steve can join us to sample the Bonaire Culinair menu.
The three-course dinner menu for the Bonaire Culinair event is $39.50 per person and includes an appetizer, a main course, and a dessert. Don’t forget to check out the two optional courses for an additional $14.50 each.
Joe’s Restaurant is located in the heart of Kralendijk. If you haven’t already enjoyed their hospitality, put it on your next trip’s to-do list.
Joe’s Restaurant is open for dinner Friday through Tuesday from 5:30 PM – 10:00 PM
Location: Julio A. Abraham Boulevard 87
Phone number: +599 717-9182
About Bonaire Culinair.
Bonaire Culinair is a 15-day culinary event that takes place semi-annually at Bonaire’s popular restaurants around the island. Why not step out of your comfort zone and try a new restaurant or two?! Bonaire Culinair will close on October 6th, so invite a few friends and make your reservations soon!
(Source: Bonaire Insider)
