La Mer: A Hidden Culinary Gem
Some of Aruba’s most enchanting dining experiences can be found outside of the hotel areas.
One of the newest establishments to welcome adventurous foodies is La Mer. A less than ten-minute drive from Palm Beach and 15 minutes from the Eagle Beach area, this locally owned restaurant oozes vintage Caribbean charm with fine-dining execution of menu and service.
With a setting that balances relaxed but chic island vibes with meticulous attention to detail and design, the well-thought décor is a delightfully fresh departure from standard white-tablecloth fine dining.
The brainchild of Dutch restauranteur Rutger Herber, who also owns and operates popular local restaurants Two Fools & a Bull and Chicken & Lobster, La Mer showcases dishes curated from inspiration from the Mediterranean kitchens of France, Italy, Greece, Spain, and Portugal.
Rutger sourced the talent behind the scenes in the kitchen and the front of the house in the dining room from Aruba’s seasoned pool of hospitality veterans. The kitchen is helmed by Chef Mitchell Pereira, who worked his way through the ranks of the kitchen at various restaurants and hotels on the island while also attending culinary school. He was eventually scooped up by The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba, rising to Chef de Cuisine at the resort’s BLT Steak followed by an appointment to Banquet Chef, overseeing the cuisine for the many lavish events hosted at The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba.
General Manager Alex Myer, with more than three decades in hospitality in Aruba and a pedigree of vast wine and spirits knowledge, navigates the nuances of managing a finely tuned service team while bestowing personalized attention to each table.
The menu is well-rounded, offering appetizers from lobster bisque and charred octopus to local burrata cheese and steak tartare. There’s a myriad of seafood main courses to explore, including poached Maine lobster, Mediterranean sea bass, Dover sole, and a featured daily local catch. Classic pasta dishes like capellini with fresh clams, lobster ravioli al pesto, and fettuccini carbonara will tempt those craving Italian. Meat dishes feature ultra-premium Demkota beef sourced from North and South Dakota and rack of lamb from Colorado. A premium wine list and intriguing craft cocktails complement the dining experience.
La Mer is open seven nights a week from 5 pm to 10 pm. It is located at Wariruri Condominiums at Rooi Santo 31. For more information, visit the website at lameraruba.com or call +297-280-9206.
