roses are red,
violets are blue,
elaine, ommi, gina
i just can't beat you.
but of course when i see
the balls (fish) of ommi
i'll remember that we
were cheated by bobbie.
for she will be there
tasting balls. that's not fair!
before even the queen
gets to enter the scene.

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yes ommi will get cooks a crowd and deserves it
so get in and dial because a phone call reserves it
but this isn't fair! we surely don't see
which others have great balls, who can they be?


so gather round owners, chefs, and what ever
bring us your balls, compete so you never
can say that we slighted you or what you cook
bring them to us for a taste and a look

sincerely it would be my fondest wish
to get to taste fishballs in every dish
so come to us restaurants bring us a plate
when will you be here? can we make a date?

we open our board to your tempting treats
ommi please help us to prove that the eats
on our island are great even balls and the rest
other islands of course can't past the test

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I wanted to come up with some clever little poem, but since I'm neither a queen or a teacher I couln't top any of yours. We did get a chance to eat at Cooks this evening and I daresay it was WONDERFUL. The restaurant is beautiful and Ommi is just a fantastic person. When the fishballs arrived at our table, both DH and I said at the same time, "My those are big balls!" Elaine and Sherry, they were delectable and tasty. Yum, yum. Seriously, they were really good!! It was a wonderful meal and very reasonably priced. I had the medium portion of lobster thermidor and DH had the barricuda. Besides the fact that both meals were excellently prepared, the presentation was out of this world. It is a restaurant that I would definately go to again. In fact, we will probalby take our friends there next week when they arrive. We had our picture taken with Ommi and when I get home, I'll have my daughter help me post it.

Bobbie

hmmmmmm, what did DH say about those balls? now i am even more excited about going to visit ommi.

Does the word "big" have anything to do with this???

Bobbie ~ thanks for the review of the unveiling!

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When I said Ommi had some big balls, I meant BIG. DH was just as impressed as me. We each ate one. You certainly couldn't just pop one in your mouth. I would say 2 balls was plenty as an appetizer for 2 people. They were about the size of a tennis ball. They came with a wonderful sauce and several slices of plantain. Really good!

Bobbie

I'm not even touching this one!!!

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Elaine, The old saying goes "you cant eat just one" Besides to much to touch, you need both hands,,,,,,,

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Larry and Darcy

From far they came yet how close they shared,
Both balls they ate with no shame.

Satisfied they definitely were,
From their expression you confirmed because they were out of words.

The Balls...Them Balls...Them Balls...
That's all she wrote in awe.

DH and Bobbie, I just had to dedicate this little poem to you. It was great meeting you and talking to you. We had quite some laughs. We'll see you next week and we'll chat some more.

We'll be back for sure!!

Bobbie

To get off the subject of balls, I had a lovely dinner at Cook's 3 weeks ago, I started wih a delicious glass of red wine, then escargot for appetizer and as the main course the 12 oz. rib eye which was cooked to perfection. There were lot's of vegetables which came on the plate. Ommi would have to tell you what the veggies were as I don't remember. The only one I do remember is the potato which looked like a pear. It was soooo good.

Ommi & I had a nice talk. Before even introducing myself, I asked Ommi "how are your balls". Here we go again with the balls. Heidi, Ommi's wife was there that night. A beautiful lady. Their two adoralble children came in with their grandparents. So cute.

I recommend that you give Cook's a try. It's right up the street (opposite side) after El Gaucho's. I was there on a Friday night when it's was live entertainment which was very good.

Pictures of Cooks Restaurant: http://allaboutaruba.net/cooksrestaurant.aspx

COOKS RESTAURANT - MENU

OMMI & HEIDI WITH THEIR CHILDREN

What a beautiful family!! I can't wait until February to have the chance to meet Ommi and eat and Cooks. (notice no mention of balls?")

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Thank you Liz,

It was a pleasure meeting you and talking to you. I'm glad you enjoyed your dinner. The vegies are fresh Gold Beets with Fresh Red Beets accompanied by Fresh Baby Spinach in fresh tarragon garlic sauce and fresh corn. The pear was spinach breaded mashed potato shaped into a pear deep fried then topped with a fresh spinach leaf.

Vegies have changed a little. Instead of the Red Beets and corn we now have fresh baby corn with real and fresh baby carrot. Gold beets and spinach are still served.

Not to forget...the balls are still available. Just the other night alone we served 36 pairs.

Oh My God, 36 pair in one night!!!! WOW!!! Ommi, those veggies sound delicious, can't wait to try them in Dec.

Trouble maker!! By February, there won't be a ball on the island!!

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Don't panic. These (fish)balls work over time if necessary and they are always fresh.

Good... I'll be bringing up the rear!! Damn, the judge is the last one to try them!! Since I'm there for a month, I could get used to your balls!!

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Please, don't make me blush. I'll safe the best for you since you say you're last.

For Father's Day Cooks Restaurant will have the Following:

A printable flyer for Cooks Fathers Day Special Menu

sitting in our refrigerator are two gigantic balls. we will take a picture of them later. that along with enough leftovers for our lunch make it hard to decide which to eat first. ok, yeah, we are going to taste balls for lunch. gigantic balls. really big balls. the comments about them will be reserved until we get to taste them but suffice it to say the are round and perfectly formed along with being very heavy and of great color.

now on to the meal itself. run, don't walk, to cooks. there were 3 of us for dinner and we all got fish. murray and i had red snapper in garlic sauce. the other diner had grouper. besides the portions being huge and the plate running over with food, it was the best piece of fish we had on the island. everything on the plate is edible including the garnish.

cooks is a little hard to find but it is within a block of el goucho and peanuts and far superior to almost every restaurant we normally go to. an added bonus is a parking lot right next to it. no in town battle to find room for your car.

the report on the balls will be later today or at latest tomorrow.

fish balls! yum! the challenge is on. who can beat ommi's balls?

I need to say, it was our pleasure and honor to have Sherry and Murray visit us at our restaurant. I enjoyed a lot our conversations. They are wonderfull people and it was truely an honor for me to meet them. Hopefully we can arrange a bar hopping, restaurant hopping or ball hopping on their next trip.

I need to mention that Sherry and I are working on a great activity for August, which all of you will enjoy very much. I think as soon as we are ready we will announce. So, stay tuned to VisitAruba.com.

P.S. Elain...please start scheduling a flight for August as well. You won't regret. Trust me.

Ommi, how I wish I could! I love surprises!! Unfortunately, I still work fulltime, and will have to wait to meet you, and get to see your balls mg_smile in February, unless you need another waitstaff person!! Can I get a rain check for the hopping???

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I'm guessing here Elaine, but it sounds to me like Sherry and Ommi are cooking up some sort of a "ball tasting event" in August and without us!!!!

besides being a really nice guy with great balls, ommi also has a great waitstaff that actually seems to have fun working there. add on to that a singer that really impressed us and a totally beautiful restaurant and we are hooked.

ommi, don't give too much away yet. i promise you on this board will be first to know if what we are trying to plan works out.

The food was great and the service was exceptionally attentive, however we were the only couple there!!!! The decor was very nice and we will probably go back next year.

Good news, our website is up and running.

You can make your reservations, check for upcoming events, look at our menus, listen to our local musicians, etc, etc.

Visit us at www.cooksrestaurant.com and remember to bring your VisitAruba plus card when visiting us at Cooks Restaurant for your discounts.

Please be informed that tickets for Saturday's event are sold out since yesterday.
This is amazing because we did only 1 week of local promotion.
For those who reserved their tickets we have them here. As soon as you call to inform us where you are staying at we will deliver or you may pick them up at Cooks Restaurant.

For those who did not get the chance to make it for this event...don't worry. At the end of August or the first weekend of October we will have another event with another local professional.

Keep visiting this board for your information and/or visit us at www.cooksrestaurant.com for your updates.

I hope this is a long running event so I can participate in February!!

Hi Ommi!!

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Hi Elain,

That is exactly the plan. We are planning on a regular event each month. Each month will be with a different artist and the entertainment will be different as well.

In addition, if things go well, we will open Cooks Sky Terrace. This will be an outdoor terrace on the top floor overlooking the Cruise Ship port. This will make it possible for us to put in an elevator that will go to both floors. The elevator will enable everyone who have difficulties with our stairs to be able to enjoy everything we have to offer at the restaurant.

Maybe I am telling too much, but there is a lot more to come, so, stay tuned to VisitAruba.com and our website www.cooksrestaurant.com.

It all sounds wonderful, and I hope things do go well for you!

Dining at Cooks, and meeting you in February is on my "wish list."

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just a quick note for those that don't read the blogs. we stopped by to visit ommi last night and he says he is preparing a special delicacies menu that will be coming soon. we got the opportunity to try a traditional aruban cream soup. it was amazing. if it is a sample of things to come, we will be trying many things on the new menu.

back to cooks. this time murray's stomach was in better shape so we actually stayed for dinner.

started with a shrimp cocktail. the shrimp were huge and perfectly cooked. we followed it with our favorite meal there which is red snapper. it is the biggest, tastiest fish we have eaten on the island. it also has enough garnishing veggies to fill even the biggest appetite.

now comes dessert. ommi picked the desserts and i am not sure what he calls my chocolate creation but it is wonderful. murray was served tiramisu cheese cake. cooks is the only place on the island that serves it. that is a shame because i, who hate tiramisu, have to say it was delicious.

Sherry, you will not believe this, I just saw the picture of Ommi on this post and Ommi is a dead ringer for me! You could hardly tell the difference between us, except he is younger, has a little more hair and a smaller stomach. Seriously.

Sherry, it was our pleasure serving you and Murray here at Cooks. I enjoyed our conversation a lot and I wished there was enough time to chat a bit longer.

Regarding the Shrimps, that is not the only thing that is big in size at Cooks. Remember those Fish Balls? Our dishes as you noted can keep anyone in food for the next day as well.

The chocolate creation is a flourless chocolate cake. It is not a mousse instead it is real chocolate, like a chocolate cake should be.

We are looking forward to your next visit.

So, in other words what you're saying is, you are a mighty good looking guy, lol !!! Ain't that right?????

That does it for me, Ommi... between the big balls, and chocolate, I can't wait to get there!!

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We are looking forward to your visit Elaine. Can't wait to meet you.

Although time occasionally stands still, my ticker's getting closer. With summer almost over, the holidays not that far away, it'll be here before I know it. I, too, can't wait to meet you and your family!

I may start a contest asking what name I should put my reservation in, and since I'm there a month, I can use more then one!!

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i will not refer to the 'big' comment until i ask your wife a few questions, lol. she and i need to have a talk.

not only is ommi a good looking guy but he is a nice guy.

bob, we need a picture of you to prove it.

Thank you my dear. I love you too!

Stunningly handsome. Cooks is on our list for next year so maybe we can get a picture together.

DEAL !!!!