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Photograph by Skye Dunlap
Aruba's executive chef, Denis Simon, enjoys a palm tree's shade as he displays the island-themed restaurant's Caesar salad.
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Beach it at Aruba's
By KELLY WILKINSON
In addition to its island-inspired cuisine and its brightly colored decor, Aruba's Island Grill offers one more draw: a beach.
Scuba gear, aquatic murals and poolside dining all attempt to separate the restaurant from the hotel and provide an appropriate setting for the likes of fresh fish, icy drinks, and spicy side dishes.
Because Aruba's is connected to a popular conference hotel, lunch is the most popular meal, says John Koon, director of sales and marketing. But Aruba's also draws a significant number of non-hotel guests because of its proximity to several industrial parks and a regular Friday night reggae band, Koon said.
Fish and island-spiced food are some of the more popular offerings. Each day's fresh fish can be prepared char-grilled, roasted, grilled, blackened or sautéed, and comes with either Haitian style hot sauce, mango-black bean relish, papaya-sweet pepper salsa or coconut-lime sauce.
Another Aruba's specialty is rotisserie chicken, cooked with traditional jerk seasoning and served with plantain fritters and banana chutney. Aruba's crab cakes, served with sweet peppers, chilis and mango black bean relish are also recommended.
There is also a line called Heart-Healthy Choices, developed by one of Aruba's chefs after he suffered a heart attack. The menu lists a breakdown of calories, fat and cholesterol for each meal. Among the Heart-Healthy Choices are ground turkey steak, broiled salmon filet, shrimp and chicken steam-fry and roasted turkey salad.
Appetizers on the lunch menu range from a $2.95 house salad or soup of the day to an $8.95 bowl of Caribe-style gumbo stew. Aruba's salads range from the $5.75 Caesar to the $9.25 swordfish salad served on mixed greens. Sandwiches range from $6.95 to $8.95, and lunch entrees from $7.75 to $9.75.
Aruba's dinner menu isn't as slanted toward island cuisine as is lunch, but still offers the fresh fish. Appetizers range from the $3.50 soup du jour to the $7.95 island-shrimp cocktail. Entrees begin at $12.50 and continue to $18.50, including steak, lamb chops, roast island-style chicken, shrimp and ribs.
Aruba's also offers an extensive drink menu, including fruity drinks and 12 imported beers on tap.
Aruba's Island Grill is in the Sunnyvale Hilton at 1250 Lakeside Drive in Sunnyvale. The phone number is 738-4888. Hours are 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. The restaurant is available for conferences.
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Cupertino, California Since 1947
