Kilbride offered tastings of the Matanzas Creek Sauvignon Blanc from Bennett Valley Sonoma County California where the Matanzas Creek Winery is located on the site of a former dairy farm. The winery’s first vintage picked up a native malolactic yeast strain from the former dairy barn, and that particular strain is now called MCW, and is used by wineries around the globe. Kilbride also introduced Byron Pinot Noir from Santa Maria Valley, Santa Barbara County California, where Byron specializes in producing small-lot artisan Pinot Noirs.

His third selection, Tenuta di Arceno, PrimaVoce, Tuscany, Italy, a Super Tuscan, came from an estate which dates back to the time of the Etruscans in the 8th century B.C., and still bears an original Etruscan name.

As an added interaction Kilbride decanted the Freemark Abbey Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley, a wine which earned 92 Points when rated by Wine & Spirits. The Freemark Abbey winery, was founded in 1886 by Josephine MarlinTychson who was the first woman the build and operate a winery in California.

The older wine, developed and came to life when decanted, in the conversation pieces decanter, as seen in our images!

El Gaucho Argentine Grill continues to nurture the culture of food and wine pairing and frequently hosts international wine artists, reports Joost Röben of the Arion Wine Company.

The Starks have been coming to Aruba, and the Radisson Aruba Resort Casino & Spa for the past ten consecutive years, and at different times, to different hotels on the island since 1984, more that 22 trips to date. “We are grateful for your economic contributions to the island,” said Darline,” but mostly we are grateful for the relationships you forged with our people, considering Aruba your home away from home.”

Pictured here the Distinguished Visitors ceremony, at Mira Solo Sunrise Café.

Matei who is a repeat-repeat patron of Amazonia Churrascaria reports Cihan can’t wait for his 64^th birthday, for an encore party, same time, same place, same menu, don’t change a thing!

Notary Yarzagaray who purchased the building from Cohen spearheaded the project of renovation and restoration studying Antillean architecture and collecting information regarding the efforts made in Scharloo, Willemstad, Curacao.

Having completed the project, the building now serves Notary Yarzagaray-Bodeker & Partners, as a second location, in addition to L.G. Smith 20.

L.G. Smith 12 is presently a gem of Caribbean architecture featuring many typical colonial elements including French doors, louvered windows, polished wood floors, vintage lighting fixtures, color glass vitrages, and plantation wall and ceiling moldings on the inside.

On the outside, painted a cheerful shade of yellow the building shows off Dutch gables, a colonnade with porticos, and rows of potted flowering plants.

Every detail, down to the ornamental gates and garden walls, are true to the original colonial building style. “I knew we could not bulldoze this monument,” says the Notary, “it had to be restored to its own former grandeur, and given a total facelift.”

The building is also nicely decorated. The white walls in the marble tiled foyer display art by the late Juancho Dijkhoff,  one of the pieces finished after his passing by artist Elvis Tromp. Several works by Eliza Lejuez grace the office walls, all themed around the renovation of the property.

Many original features were preserved such as the typical Dutch wooden staircase leading to the second floor, constructed in the early 1940s, the colorful mosaic floor tiles, and plaster-of Paris corridors, the style of the old Delft Blue inspired kitchen was reproduced paired with modern bathrooms.

We wish the firm success in its new location, L.G. Smith 12 is certainly something to be very proud of.

Chef Urvin Croes is proud to introduce White, Modern Cuisine, his own contemporary eatery, unveiled on February 1^st at the Palm Beach Plaza Mall.

The creative and innovative Aruban-born Chef was trained in the Netherlands and in Italy, enjoying a solid career since
Upon his return to the island Chef Urvin joined the culinary artists at Windows on Aruba, to further perfect his art. He also contributed his talent and energy to the successful launch of Amuse Bistro, Playa Linda Beach Resort, as that the minute he finished culinary school, winning gastronomic awards, and working in fine establishments including the Michelin starred Grand Hotel Karel V, in Utrecht Holland.

restaurant’s Sous-Chef. At the pivotal moment in his career, he spread his wings to open his own restaurant, White, promoting the harmony between food and wine, balancing quality and flavor, in their purest form.

White welcomes visitors to the second floor of the Palm Beach Plaza Mall featuring a stylish air-conditioned dining room, and an airy terrace lounge serving retro and contemporary cocktails, paired with an original lounge menu.

The restaurant menu, conceived and presented by Chef Urvin includes hot and cold appetizers, land and sea dishes and desserts served in a relaxed pace, an enjoyable culinary journey rather than just rushed dinner!

The all-white dining room has a young and eager staff, ready to guide patrons through a sensual experience of sight, smell, and taste, with delightful, novel presentations of all-star favorites.

On the menu: Pan fried Duck with crispy rice, orange, and apple compote, cucumbers, hoisin and maple glaze; Steak Basket, tenderloin with braised onions, French fries, salad with pink dressing and veal sauce; Caramel and rum mousse with caramelized bananas and arequipe; Passion fruit mojito with passion fruit caviar, and Chef Urvin is his kitchen theater. White is open from 6pm to 11pm.

Gabriela found her favorite medium in early 2003, making her first vitrage with Murano Glass. She immediately became hooked. Glass is the perfect channel, she enthuses, it expands the boundaries of light and color, and working at the torch, feels like painting with fire, every movement brings surprises, allowing the expression of personal style, color mixing, and the use of different tools to create most amazing results. The Beauty of the Bead as a form of Art lies in the fact that where the artist’s creative process ends, the Jewelry comes to life, lending sophistication and elegance to the wearer, long into eternity.

About the technique:

Lampworking is a type of glasswork that uses a gas fueled torch to melt rods and tubes of clear and colored glass. Lampworking delivers the highest quality glass which is much less breakable. The unique beads are made with precision and care. We hope you find them as exciting as we do!

Finding the perfect piece:

Becoming the owner of a piece of Art made in Aruba, immediately attaches sentimental value to the purchase. Your one-of-a-kind piece can also be ordered in different colors and styles, befitting your individual look.

Miguel recalls the Pali Coco apartments in Noord, purchased at the time by the Caribbean Palm Village Development Company with the dream of creating an upscale tourist complex, just minutes off the Palm Beach strip.

He’s been coming to work ever since, making a point of getting to know all members, their children and their grandchildren, enjoying an excellent relationship with the property’s many, loyal, repeat guests.

Miguel’s son, Hiram, also in hospitality, works at the Radisson Aruba Resort Casino & Spa in the Food & Beverage department, having inherited the love for the industry from his dad.

General Manager Astrid Muller and the Treasurer of the Board Randy Croes hosted a lovely luncheon in honor of Miguel, celebrating his Silver Anniversary, at Scabeche Restaurant, in the presence of other resort department heads.

Miguel contributes his high level of energy to the fact that he frequently walks, from the Caribbean Palm Village to the Marriott Resort and back, and to coaching a little league baseball group of kids, twice a week.

Catch Miguel on duty and with a moment to spare, and he will tell you the entire history of Caribbean Palm Village, he has an excellent memory for names!!

During an elegant luncheon celebration, at the Sunset Grill restaurant, these top performers were applauded by management and by their peers, and received well-deserved kudos for their fruitful efforts.

Rowald Croes, was voted Colleague of the Month in October, nominated by Suyene Muyale who praised his enthusiasm and courtesy towards guest and coworkers, at the casino at the Radisson.  Diocelina Zambrano was voted Colleague of the Month in November, nominated by Marciano Geerman who paid tribute to her skills as a landscaper, and her considerable competence in many other areas. Marvinia Richardson was voted Colleague of the Month in December, nominated by Fransisca Van Esta Tjallingi who nicknamed her Marvelous Marv, and congratulated her for handling all Christmas bookings efficiently and reliably.

Among Supervisors, Vickaria Rafael, was voted Supervisor of the Quarter, nominated by Rufo Ruiz, who complimented her on her ability to handle anything which comes her way on the night shift, with competence and common sense.

Also nominated: Ramon Velasquez, Fernando Giraldo, Marilu Erasmus and Robert di Vecchia for October; Kenneth Lacle for November; Pablo Miranda and Jeremy Santanilla for December, and Marcel Angela and Patricia Alexander as runner ups for the Supervisor of the Quarter title.

This week’s manager cocktail party honored Grace Devitt with a commemorative plaque. The devitts bought pre-construction, making a leap of faith, trusting that the ‘hole in the ground’ will indeed become one day an upscale resort. Grace and her late husband have enjoyed their Aruba get-aways for many years, and Grace continues to come here with family members and friends, never skipping an opportunity to connect with her Dushi island, a total of 28 trips to date.

General Manager Astrid Muller and the Treasurer of the Board Randy Croes greet and mingle with their guests every Tuesday, for a fun happening. Director of Activities Mislady Fingal entertains with games and contests, while Harold and Ankie of Scabeche restaurant oversee the circulation of delicious hors d’oeuvres.

Board Member Dr Craig Zendzian, Executive Housekeeper Norma Gumbs and Director of Engineering Theo Van Loon are pictured here among guests, lending the gathering a cozy, friendly and welcoming ambiance.    Congratulation to the Caribbean Palm Village on its silver anniversary

Lily Polsbroek, Senior Sales Manager, Germaine Wever, Plaza Club Manager, Bibi Ohab, Executive Housekeeper and Fransisca Fransisca van Esta Tjallingi, Senior Manager of Catering and Convention Services enjoyed a special party given in their honor, acknowledging their diverse contributions to the complex resort operation and finally recognizing Lily Polsbroek as the winner of the coveted title.

Lily was nominated by no less than three different resort executives among them Director of Sales & Marketing, Arianne Valentino. She received kudos for helping organize a flawless Royal Visit to the resort, as the liaison person between the Radisson Aruba Resort Casino & Spa and the officials of the Dutch kingdom. Lily also filled in quietly and efficiently as Sales Manager for Europe and Latin America during the last quarter of the year in the absence of the designated person. Positive, outgoing, always prepared to host travel agents and groups, helpful, poised and multilingual, Lily is a dream of an executive, she loves what she does and it shows, and the resort and her colleagues love her right back, too!

As for the three other stars nominated, in his recommendation, Spa Manager Albert Cruz stated that Germaine Wever distinguished herself during the last quarter of the year welcoming the resort’s many repeat visitors, and fulfilling all guest expectations of the Plaza Club.  Director of Operations Bob Curtis who nominated Executive Housekeeper Bibi Ohab reported that her department finished the Kenexa survey with a 100% response rate, a high employee engagement score, the second highest score in the hotel and above the hotel average, in addition to excellent Cleanliness and Guestroom scores, leading to first finish in Medallia, a Customer Experience Management Survey, for 2011.

In his nomination, Rob Smith informed that Senior Manager of Catering and Convention Services Fransisca van Esta Tjallingi shows a tremendous commitment to groups and catering clients. Detail oriented and meticulous, she prepared flawlessly for the Royal visit and worked around the clock to ensure they were satisfied with every detail, resulting in rave reviews from the Dutch queen. A recent Trip Advisor Report also heralded Fransisca’s efforts and told the world what the Resort already knew, this lady is an ACE, and a great asset to the organization.

Pictured here the nominees and their colleagues at the appreciation party!