Lastly was El Gaucho, the Argentinean place for amazing steaks. In many aspects Gaucho has been a staple, a must, a favorite, and even a "first night in Aruba" restaurant. The chimichurri sauce is amazing and the flavor of the churrasco is incredible. However we had a very atypical night. Since Gaucho opened, between me, my family and friends that have gone we have about 50 visits under our belts (literally) and when we went we had a nasty problem. We had 8:30 reservations and were seated by 8:50. We ordered and about 70 minutes later, TWO of our four orders came and they were both rare when we ordered medium well done. My friend sent hers back and my other friend was so hungry she ate hers rare. What made the problem really grow was that our waitress, Nancy, after taking our orders was nowhere to be found. We had no explanations as to why everything was taking so long. My wife went to complain and the manager came out 10 minutes later with our two orders. But they were not the cuts of meat my wife and I ordered. We ordered tenderloin 12 oz. These were 8 oz. We asked if we could eat them and then when they cooked to more (8 oz.) steaks to bring them to us. The manager said no. We were all about to turn our subdued displeasure into real Colombian/Italian anger.

At this point it was obvious the four of us would not be eating together. Apparently what happened was Nancy failed to turn our orders in (either at all or correctly). The manager tried to quick talk us but we figured out she just didn't put it in because of the incorrectness of the doneness as well as wrong cuts. The real point is, is that we were not visited once by Nancy during the 70 minute wait, no one had the decency, class, courage or professionalism to let us know. If someone approached us 30 or 40 minutes in and said there was a problem we would have been disappointed but not angry. We sent our 8 oz. cuts back and waited for the 12 oz. cuts (as we had ordered). They arrived and we ate our delicious meals.



It was approaching midnight now and what started as a pleasant 8:30 evening turned into a 4 hour frustrating marathon. It ruined our night. But wait there is more. After dinner the manager again tried to smooth talk us and we were fully expecting a free meal or for the wine we drank to be free but nothing. Nada. Zip. After I paid the bill (without tip of course) he came back and offered dessert/after dinner drinks. Since it was midnight and we were full we all ordered dessert and tea just to get the freebie. It was a pale excuse of what they should have done which was give us a free night or offer for us to come back another night on the house.



I would never imagine such bad service at El Gaucho. I think part of the problem was when we sat down, we were 4 young people, obviously not a family, not 2 older couples and not people they would give the wine list to, although we had to ask for a wine list and we did order wine. The family of 4 next to us had a problem and the manager was quick to their table, "yes sir" "yes sir"...maybe we looked like we had coupons or monopoly money but we are very unhappy. Great food, horrible service and a wasted night and a bad experience. If you go, go with caution, pay attention, do not let Nancy wait on you and see if they offer the wine list. If they don't a red flag should go up that they do not think you have money. Be careful.

there should be no qualifiers such as age or family groupings to get you a good meal with good service anywhere. we had a similar nightmare at el gaucho several years ago and have never gone back. i am glad you posted. people need to be aware of problems so that they can stay away from places that cause them. if we stay away, one of two things will happen. they will improve or they will close.

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We have bever had good service at ElGaucho. Stopped going there two years back.

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Sorry to hear about everyone's problems, but we've never experienced anything like that. We've been going to El Gaucho for 19 years, usually twice a year, and usually 2 times on each visit. In all of those visits, we've never had a bad experience. It still remains one of our favorite restaurants.

However, we have had problems in other restaurants in Aruba, places that most people rave about. So I guess it depends on when you're there. All restaurants have off nights, and evidently we've just experienced off nights at different restaurants.

I would agree with Carol, I've experienced excellent nights and bad nights at almost every restaurant I've frequented, both in the states and in Aruba. That said, there does seem to be a pattern developing at El Gaucho - we haven't eaten there yet, and will probably choose French Steakhouse over them this year...

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and speaking of french steakhouse, we were there last night and it was the best its been in years. the meal was wonderful. don't forget to ask for the hot sauce with the churrasco.

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I also agree with Carol. We learned from the beginning to get early reservations at El Gaucho. We actually go 6-6:30 to avoid the crowds. We have had nothing but wonderful experiences there, but have had bad (well not really bad, but extremely slow or wrong food delivered) at other fine places mentioned. One being the Sunset Grill. It turned me off to the point where I just won't go back. I think the reason we like Don Carlos' so much is because they treat you like royalty, at least they do for us. Very attentive, polite, friendly, good suggestions to entrees and even substitutions (which for some reason I always need). Those are the places you are going to frequent (not to mention GOOD).
Hey I watched that stupid restaurant reality show and its not easy to coordinate the kitchen when you have a full restuarant. I think it takes alot of experienced people to time everything right. Never worked in a restaurant but from watching that show...you have to have the right staff to make everything flow. And heck...we all have "our days"
.

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"These are a few of my favorite things"
...Elisa
defecting to St. Thomas 5/24-5/31/08, Lauderdale by the Sea 2/4-2/11/09; St. Croix Oct. '09!

I agree about off days. (Captain's Table seems to have a lot of those) Unless something truly awful happens, we give a restaurant three chances. And we remember to have the chef's special at least one time.

El Gaucho had its three chances - all in the off season. We always had reservations. It was never crowded when we went but service was always slow. Of the six different meals we had none was anything to write home about. The last time we went our meat was so chewy we were figuring calories expended on the exercise of chewing it. We couldn't stay long enough to send it back (had we even seen our waiter to do so) because we were meeting another couple.

But many people think it's the best.

Go figure.

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Gee Elisabeth, you and I must go to the same restaurants on the same nights!

I also bad experiences at the Sunset Grill, and won't go back now.

On our last trip, our most disappointing meal was at the French Steakhouse. The food was not good, the presentation was terrible, and the service was very slow. It was so bad, we wondered if the chef and their key staff had the night off. However, this is the first bad meal we've had there. We'll chalk it up to an "off night" and go back again.

Good to hear Sherry, we'll definitely be there at least one night next month, and I'll be all over the hot sauce with the churrasco! We're also staying at CL, FS is close by, right? How's Murray's speedo/ak47 combo treating him?

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The French Steakhouse is walkable from CL - it's located at the Manchebo Beach Resort which is just a couple of hotels away. It's been one of our annual favorites - we never miss the Ambassador's Special because it's such a great deal (and the food is always wonderful!)

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~Amy~®
19th trip to Aruba: April 11-19, 2009
20th trip to Aruba: Sept. 17-Oct. 4, 2009

costa linda is in easy walking distance of french steakhouse. walk across the parking lot, hang a right at the chain fence (toward bucuti) and walk down to manchebo beach resort. it's in the lobby.

the speedos are great and the ak47 has been replaced by a knife for close in fighting.

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WOW! After an hour and not being served together, major
red light!!!!! We wanted our 17 year old son to try some
Argitenean(sp oops!) Grill and decided to forgo the smoky
and noisy Gaucho and we chose Tango's. If you want a
better cut of meat(my opinion) and better service suggest
next time you give Tango's a try. Brad our 17 year old was
so impressed, on his own he called for the Manager and thanked
him for a wonderful steak...................................

later,
millertime

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ARUBA....One Happy Island

Later,
millertime

I'm impressed at hearing what your son did. That says alot about the kind of son you raised! Very cool! It's nice to hear he gave a "put up" instead of a "put down." (that's not a strike against you crisllita. I would definetly complain loudy about that service!)

I'm not a meat eater, so I guess I won't have an El Gaucho nightmare...ever!

*amie*

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Amie
Stylish Crochet Patterns
See me on this t.v. show!
"I'm not an actress. I just play one on t.v."

Amie... You took the words right out of my mouth! I was going to say the same thing about Millertime's son's upbringing! Millertime... a lot to be said for you and your wife!

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Thanks for your kind words, Brad is a great kid and



All Boy!!!!!

later,
millertime

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ARUBA....One Happy Island

Later,
millertime

You done good Millertime! Maybe the apple didn't fall far from the tree.
"Children learn what they live"

Children Learn What They Live
By Dorothy Law Nolte, Ph.D.


If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn.
If children live with hostility, they learn to fight.
If children live with fear, they learn to be apprehensive.
If children live with pity, they learn to feel sorry for themselves.
If children live with ridicule, they learn to feel shy.
If children live with jealousy, they learn to feel envy.
If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty.
If children live with encouragement, they learn confidence.
If children live with tolerance, they learn patience.
If children live with praise, they learn appreciation.
If children live with acceptance, they learn to love.
If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves.
If children live with recognition, they learn it is good to have a goal.
If children live with sharing, they learn generosity.
If children live with honesty, they learn truthfulness.
If children live with fairness, they learn justice.
If children live with kindness and consideration, they learn respect.
If children live with security, they learn to have faith in themselves and in those about them.
If children live with friendliness, they learn the world is a nice place in which to live.

Copyright © 1972 by Dorothy Law Nolte

Andrea... My daughter is a special ed teacher and quotes from that so many times. It's right on!!

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Thanks everyone for your input. As you all know, we are protective of our Aruba and only want the best for each visit. I have been going since 92 and in 99 met my wife on vacation in Aruba. Aruba truly has given me my wife, but I won't let one experience ruin anything.

Full trip report/website to follow!

Thanx again!

chrisllita

Wow, sorry to here of such poor service...we have not personally had that happen.

I'm sure everyone in here already does this...but for maybe the newbies to Aruba...we also have been going since 92 and we have found (especially in this last trip) that if WE make a habit to initiate friendly contact with any local people, whether it be waiter/tress, bar tender, bellperson, store checker, whatever...that we got courteous, prompt, friendly and most times, fun service/company in return.

Twice, as we got to our favorite bar at the Pirates Nest, it seemed pretty dead. The first thing we did was make lively contact with the bartender, which led to contact with a great couple sitting next to us (who were giong to leave prior to that) and then the steel-drum player came over and visited, and it turned into a great time, not because WE are anything special but because we made the first move and Arubans respond to that very quickly! Even Americans will if you give them extra time!! hahaha

Another time we did the same at the grocery store and, surprisingly, the girl stopped checking us out and went and got us some 'better' eggs than what were sitting out just cause she thought we would like these better! Very Cool!

Works good for us, and doesn't hurt a bit....
LRW

Hi - new to the website, but not to Aruba. We just came back last week and I tend to agree with El Gaucho's declining service. It used to be great years ago with both food quality and service. The last time we went about 3 years ago we waited very long after our reservation time and then the quality of the food was disappointing. Since then we have avoided going there and went to the French Steakhouse instead and was very satisfied. Excellent steaks and we have been going there from about 3 years ago. Also, two newer restaurants which I highly recommend is Bella Luna which was formerly Pavorotti's (Italian restaurant) near the high rise hotels. The food is excellent and the manager was is Italian can't be more gracious and accommodating. The other one is very new and is Mirandi. This is a must to go to. It sits on a beach and has the open-dining effect but you're actually under a hugh straw structure. You can sit on beach sand or on decking. The prices are much better than the Flying Fishbone and the variety better AND it's more conveniently located - right next to the airport. Had a great time at both.