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Set sail into an incredible voyage of taste and flavor provided by the creative skills of Chef Patrick van der Donk, known island-wide for his gastronomic expertise
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Set sail into an incredible voyage of taste and flavor provided by the creative skills of Chef Patrick van der Donk, known island-wide for his gastronomic expertise
Palate pleasing pleasures
The stand-alone tables which seats only 20 patrons the five-course chef’s choice pre-fixe menu will take your taste buds on a world tour. Once you arrive at your destination the exciting expedition begins with a toast of bubbles on the terrace.
Inside an amuse bouche showcases the chef’s imagination and previews the palate-pleasing experiences to come.
You can opt to pair your courses with the sommelier’s expertly curated choice of fine wines by the glass or order a bottle from the impressive wine list. With the open kitchen you witness the chef work on his eye-pleasing creations and by the end of the evening you’ll have made many new friends with strangers as you have all enjoyed such an excellent shared experience of culinary bliss. Bon Voyage!.
Price: $130 US
Wine Pairing: $80 US
Patrick van
der Donk
French-inspired, vivid imagination and exceptional palate. That’s the best way to describe our highly skilled Chef Patrick van der Donk.
His gastronomic journey has taken him through different gastronomic routes on the Island of Aruba and in the Netherlands where he is from.
Chef Patrick van der Donk and his wife Ivette (a talented certified sommelier,) have been impressing foodies on this island with their top-notch establishments for over a decade now. Their latest gastronomic adventure is now to be found at The Journey, beside the famous red windmill (De Olde Moulin) just off Eagle Beach.
French-inspired, vivid imagination and exceptional palate. That’s the best way to describe our highly skilled Chef Patrick van der Donk.
His gastronomic journey has taken him through different gastronomic routes on the Island of Aruba and in the Netherlands where he is from.
Chef Patrick van der Donk and his wife Ivette (a talented certified sommelier,) have been impressing foodies on this island with their top-notch establishments for over a decade now. Their latest gastronomic adventure is now to be found at The Journey, beside the famous red windmill (De Olde Moulin) just off Eagle Beach.
REVIEWS
Just another grand slam homerun for Patrick and Ivette
My wife and I have been going to Aruba for 21 years. And we have been enjoying Patrick's culinary creations for 21 years. I don't think I can sufficiently wax eloquent about what you will experience at his new restaurant- The Journey. Do yourself a favor. Go there. Take it all in and savor every moment. You will not find a finer culinary experience on the island.
Extraordinary28402
2023-12-05
A must!! Intimate chef tasting experience
5 stars beginning to end! The entire staff was welcoming and friendly but also seemed to truly care about each other. We enjoyed watching Chef Patrick creating the food we were going to eat, while he chatted with us as he worked. Chef is a true artist! So many of the dishes I would have never tried and was blown away by how wonderful they tasted. We didn’t want any of the dishes to end but also excited to taste the next course. We did not leave hungry The wine pairing was impressive. This restaurant will be on our list every year
Jakejohn98
2023-11-29
We give it two enthusiastic thumbs up!!
Let me start by saying how friendly and inviting chef Patrick is. He is very interesting to talk to about the history of Aruba. The tables in the restaurant are separate so you eat with your party, but there is still time to chit-chat with others at intermission if you like. Now to the food. You know how some food tastes good, others are delicious? Well this food was very delicious! The lemon/ tarragon with the salmon was perfect. The creole sauce was delicate yet flavorful. And the combination of the pink pepper sauce with the lime yoghurt ice cream was perfect with the white mousse . My husband did the wine pairing, I tasted all, the initial rose and the desert wine were the best in my opinion. If you don’t like wine, there is a very interesting bar cart. The portions were good, if not on the large side. Hurry if you like the looks of this menu, he is changing it soon, and does so about every couple of months. I don’t think you will regret trying it, I personally will be back to see what else chef Patrick creates!
Vicki S
2023-11-22
Just go!! You won't regret it!
If you're looking for a culinary excursion, look no further! We've been to several venues on the island and this is amazing and I can't wait to go back. The chef is engaging and the staff attentive. LOVE it!!
pamela h
2023-11-08
The Perfect Journey
This is not only the best restaurant in Aruba, it is one of the best dining experiences that I have ever had. While the restaurant is tucked away in a strip mall, it is worthy of a Michelin star. We dined with a group of eight. Four of which had a special requests. Most fine dining establishments will not vary from their fixed menu. Chef Patrick not only accommodated us, he gleefully accepted the challenge. Prior to entering the establishment, we were greeted with champagne and incredible appetizers. Once inside, the evening kept improving. It was impossible to pick the best course. There was nothing short of excellent served to any of us. The food was spectacular, but what stood out about the Journey was the people. Prior to my arrival in Aruba, Chef Patrick and his wife Yvette, were so kind. Pleasing a large group is difficult, especially at a Prix Fix menu. They both gave us piece of mind and delivered. Our server, Melissa was fantastic. She was the perfect person to guide us through the meal and wine pairing. Her story not only showed her strength, but what great people Patrick and Yvette are. The Journey is still new, and finding an audience. It will. When it does, you will need a reservation months in advance. If you are going to or in Aruba, get there as soon as possible, Please do not miss this place. You will not be disappointed.
toddayo
2023-10-18
Sterrenniveau
Wat word je hier toch enorm in de watten gelegd. Ontvangst met een glaasje bubbels en twee amuses. Daarna een voortreffelijk vijfgangendiner en wij hebben een ontzettend goed uitgekozen bijpassend wijnarrangement erbij genomen. Wat ons ook erg aansprak, is dat je met je gezelschap aan een tafeltje zit en niet met allerlei onbekenden aan een bar. Dit restaurant, gerund door Patrick van der Donk, is Michelinster-waardig!
christel
2023-10-17
Best perfect Dining!!!
Best Culy Experience on the island .in a great cosy ambiance. A must do when you are on Aruba!!! You will never forget this…..awesome!!!
Aruba V
2023-10-17
The Journey (of a Chef)
Last week Carlotta and I made the excellent choice to go to The Journey and enjoy their amazing menu. For those that don't know, I am already 10 years an ovo-lacto-Vegetarian. And in Aruba it is still not readily accepted by restaurants as a viable menu option. Oh, don't get me wrong, it is getting better, much better in fact. But with too many restaurants it is still so that they will have only a (very) few vegetarian/vegan options, and often very simple options. And don't get me started on chef's tables. Several have even posted it on their website that they can't or won't adapt their menu, especially for vegans or vegetarians. And then, you have Patrick van der Donk, chef & owner of The Journey. Those who know him, know about his previous endeavours: Amuse Bistro, Private Chef, etc. For me, his best quality is his willingness to take a culinairy risk and venture into lands unknown. Like all Chef's tables, The Journey has an exquisite menu. What makes them stand out is the fact that Patrick adapted the menu and made a complete vegetarian menu available. I will take you on the Journey of this chef by naming the original menu item and then the name of the vegetarian version that I was lucky enough to eat. (accompanying pictures are below). P.s. I HIGHLY recommend you to also take the accompanying wine pairing option. It will enhance the food and the experience, whether vegetarian or not. Check in (Amuse): Goat Cheese with Honey-Truffle Glaze, Pumpkin Soup with Blue Cheese Croutons 1st Destination: Salmon Rilette - with Sourdough Bread, Lemon and Tarragon Vegetarian Destination: Buratta Cheese with Tomato, Zuchinni Salad, Basil and Truffle Balsamic Vinegar 2nd Destination: Caribbean Coba Fish - with Creole Sauce, Cilantro Vegetarian Destination: (Local dish:) Funchi, Creole Sauce, Creole Vegetables, Cilantro Cream, Black Bean Sauce and Black Bean Foam from siphon 3rd Destination: Oxtail Ravioli - Goose Liver Cream - Prosciutto di Parma Vegetarian Destination: Butternut Squash and Ricotta Ravioli, Gorgonzola and Walnut Sauce 4th Destination Short Ribs - Sweet Potato Thyme Puree - Smoked Eggplant - Onion Vegetarian Destination: Panfried Buttery Portabello Mushroom, Sweet Potato, Fried Onion 5th Destination: White Chocolate Mousse - Strawberry & Pink Pepper Sauce - Lime Yoghurt Sorbet Vegetarian Destination: White Chocolate Mousse - Lime Yoghurt Sorbet with Pink Peppercorn marinated Strawberry, Merengue and Orange Tuile As you can see, Patrick took his time in inventing this menu. He makes sure that all your taste senses are coming along with you on this journey, whether you are vegetarian or not. And as per the wine pairing: from a beautiful Cote des Roses Rosé, to a sensibly sweet Stella Rosa Moscato d'Asti, and others in between, your taste is enhanced, both by the wine elevating the food and vice-versa. So, get your culinairy passports ready and prepare to check into a great adventurous voyage with the chef at The Journey! Special thanks to Chef Patrick van der Donk and his beautiful wife Ivette Benavides from The Journey Aruba!
SuperDiverMan
2023-10-04
The Journey should not be missed!
We have done a few of the intimate dining restaurants but The Journey was in a league of its own. The night started out with just my husband and I as the seating was not full. Chef Patrick came out and sat with us and talked about how the Journey came about. We enjoyed a glass of cold champagne and then headed inside to start our journey. The restaurant is beautifully decorated and the hostess was such a doll. Another couple joined us and we were only a total of 4 that got to enjoy dinner. From the moment I had the first bite of some kind of goat cheese, honey truffle cracker hit my mouth I knew this was going to be an amazing dinner. Every course was so delicious and the time Chef Patrick took to make sure each dish looked perfect was impressive. You can see how much he enjoys making the food and the pride he puts into each and every dish. There was a total of 5 Courses. Now I should say that I do not normally eat seafood but I ate everything he put on the plates and he made me rethink my thoughts on food. I could keep going on and on but I think you get the drift. This is a must do on your next trip to aruba.
day7580
2023-10-03
Culinary experience that’s worthy of a visit.
It’s hard to describe the dining experience we had with Chef Patrick and staff, especially Melissa. From the warm welcome with a delicious amuse bouche all the way to the dessert course we were treated like welcome guests. The five course tasting menu with wine pairings was a symphony of tastes and expert knowledge. It’s difficult to choose my favorite course because each one was fantastic. This was one of the most delicious meals I’ve ever had. If I could give them 10 stars I would!
Patricia P.
2023-10-02
