Seaside enchantment in the sandThe only thing more romantic than

hand-in-hand walks together on a beau-tiful beach is dining surfside by tiki torch-light with your bare toes touching in soft white sand. The soothing sound of gentle waves and the myriad of stars in a tropical night sky set the stage for a night to re-member forever. Aruba has many beach-front dining options with tables in the sand, each with their own individual ap-peal. And if you reserve early enough in many of these retreats, you’ll also be treated to a spectacular sunset over the sea.

Mother Nature provides the soft carpet of powder-white sand at these fine dining establishments that are typically known for their gourmet specialties, which in-clude some or all of the following: fresh catch of the day, seafood, meat specialties, comprehensive wine lists, and signature dishes and drinks. You’ll find them surf-side on beautiful beaches dotted all over the island.

Barefoot Aruba offers creative cuisine and elegance in flip-flops right on Surfside Beach, and their covered dining area is also carpeted in sand. Simply Fish at the Aruba Marriott Resort is one of the top

fish and seafood restaurants on the island, and they also offer a special sunset sail package with De Palm Tours that ends with dining on the beach that’s perfect for couples in love. The Flying Fishbone, near the quaint fishing village of Savaneta, was the island’s very first toes-in-the-sand dining locale, and it still delivers extreme romance for two. The new Pure Ocean at the Divi Aruba Phoenix Resort also offers romantic surfside dining with lovely lit-tle lights in the swaying palms and the rhythm of the waves as your soundtrack. Pure Beach, their seaside lounge nearby, also offers trendy bites served on comfy couches right on the sand; it’s a perfect spot to start an enchanted evening. Last but not least are the special lovers’ dinners in very private surroundings like the seaside palapas for two at Bucuti & Tara Resorts.

Alluring alfresco & heavenly hideawaysIf you’d prefer that your sandals and

stilettos remain on solid ground, but still seek a dining spot very close to the sea, this island has many magical spots like that, too. Pinchos Grill & Bar is situated on its own sparkling private pier with underwater lights that allow you to see

the colorful tropical fish swimming right by your table. Romantic Matthew’s is steps from the sea and the surf, and La Vista provides amazing sea vistas from inside and out and also the largest nightly sea-food buffet on the island including a raw ceviche bar. The lovely French-inspired Amuse Bistro along the strip next to the highrise hotels is one of many alfresco options that are just perfect for people-watching while you cuddle. E

Romance on the Menuby Susan Campbell

Steal away with your significant other to canoodle tête-à-tête at these very special spots. Barefoot in the sand, secreted away inside a sophisticated enclave, or glammed up to the max in a trendy

gourmet hot spot, we guarantee you’ll always find romance on the menu at these first-rate dining establishments.

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If you’re dressed to the nines and seek-ing an inside escape, then Windows on Aruba offers an über-upscale and sophis-ticated vibe with a panoramic glassed-in view. Or hide away in your own dimly-lit corner amidst 7 West’s modern neon décor. If an indoor nautical theme is more to your liking, then the lovely Driftwood for fresh-fish lovers will cook up your very own catch if you go on one of their deep-sea fishing outings, and Buccaneer is all decked out as an alluring under-water grotto replete with huge tropical fish tanks and cozy private booths for two. The new Sea Salt Grill in the Renaissance Marketplace is also all about les fruits de mer and is so close to the marina you can smell the salt air. For vegan, vegetarian, and organic farm-to-fork dishes, you and your sweetheart can also embrace Bucuti’s new inside/outside Elements. Although Aruba is famous for its fresh fish and seafood, lovers who are passionate about red meat are also more than well accommodated at many top establishments like Ruth’s Chris Steak House, L.G. Smith’s Steak & Chop

House, and French Steakhouse, all classy indoor enclaves with air conditioning should you need to cool down a bit from your steamy attraction to one another!

The international language of loveFeed each other amazing tidbits from

around the globe at some of Aruba’s finest international restaurants. Discover amore at Italian La Trattoria El Faro Blanco, or how about some Cuban cuisine, killer mojitos, and sultry live Latin music at

Cuba’s Cookin’? Asian delights and a Zen atmosphere soothe at Sushi-Ya, and if you want to curry more favor with your special someone, treat them to some hot Indian cuisine at Taj Mahal or Tandoor. For international and distinctly Aruban fare, a visit to the lush garden terrace of Papiamento is a must; it’s one of the most romantic hideaways on the island. And it’s not just the meat that sizzles at El Gaucho Argentine Grill, the entertain-ment is pretty hot, too! Or enjoy some E

At the California lighthouse|+297.586.0786|latrattoria@setarnet.aw|www.aruba-latrattoria.comOpen daily 8:30AM-11:00PM | Happy Hour 5:00PM-7:00PM | Live music 7:30PM-9:30PM

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satisfying Swiss and international cuisine by candlelight at charming Chalet Suisse, and hearty, creative European fare lives at the Promenade both inside and al-fresco in their delightful garden. But if music truly be the food of love, then play on at O Restaurant & Lounge where you can persuade local crooner/owner Edjean Semeleer to serenade you tableside with a love song! You might also enjoy the sweet tinkling of the ivories at Fusion Tapas Wine & Piano Bar where you and your signifi-cant other can enjoy an eclectic range of tapas-style shareables. And don’t forget to ask about special “lovers’ menus” for two wherever you go because many resorts and establishments offer them, but don’t always present them on the regular menu.

Exquisitely unique venues Aruba has some unique dining venues

where passions can be fueled by food and wine. You’re bound to turn the libido level up a notch if you head to Screaming Eagle where you can actually dine privately in a gorgeous canopied bed. Or you can also

embark on a dreamy sunset dinner cruise with Red Sail Sports or Pelican Adventures and let the seas chart the course of your next move. There’s also a very special tour with Kukoo Kunuku with champagne toasts and an alfresco dinner under the stars at Casibari Café near Aruba’s en-chanting natural rock formations.

Who says you must do all your roman-tic dining in one spot? You might want to plan a progressive dinner along the lively streets of the Palm Beach strip or around beautiful downtown Oranjestad to experi-ence as many delights as you can in one night. Choose one establishment for an appetizer, another for a main course, and finish up somewhere really special for dessert. There are no set rules for romantic dining except to enjoy each other’s com-pany and your fare, to the fullest!

You might also want to take your ro-mance “to-go”! How about packing a fab-ulous picnic basket full of gourmet treats and bubbly or wine to share privately in a special spot away from prying eyes? This island is awash in special spots: restless seas,

quiet beaches, hidden caverns, tropical gardens; ask your resort concierge for some suggestions and maybe they will also help you plan the menu, include a blan-ket, and maybe have their in-house res-taurant create something very special to go. Full-service food shops can also help fill the basket. Check out Ling & Sons for pre-packed goodies or gourmet items like Dutch cheeses, and don’t forget to include some sweets for your sweet like Belgian chocolates.

Aruba is one big happy romantic is-land. So get out and get closer over some fabulous dining delights. The tropical sun shouldn’t be the only thing that makes your holiday hot and steamy! K

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