I see it far too often. People use their vacation budget on a cruise and are so excited about visiting other countries. They do a lot of research on which excursions to take. Where the beat beaches are. Or which ports have the best shopping. All important information. But people don't seem to take enough time to find truly local restaurants in the places they visit. Restaurants where you can experience the flavors and foods. It is too easy to find a chain restaurant. The Hard Rocks, Hooters, KFC and TGIFs welcome this. But if travellers spent just a little more time, they could eat and drink at some great places.
During our touring of Curacao, we had approached lunch time. Our tour guide gave us a couple of options. We could have lunch at the resort buffet which I am sure would have had some tasty food. Or we could go to a local spot. It was an easy answer. Go local!!
Our tour guide took us for a drive down by the docks - right in the water. Now looking at this place from the outside, you would think you were entering an abandoned shack. It had a small porch with a couple of tables. Once you insider you were immediately in an area they used the the kitchen. There was a stove top which had a larger pot of stew cooking and to one side wa a deep fat fryer which had various things sizzling away. I joked to my wife that we were about to have the ultimate "open kitchen" meal.
The name of the restaurant was Purunchi.
As we walked further into the restaurant there was another area with a few tables, just beyond the kitchen. We checked with the hostess who brought us to get another "room". And it's in quotes because it wasn't technically a room. At least not using any standards I am familiar with. This room was a dock. Plain and simple. Connected to the main building by a few thin ropes.
As soon as you stepped "onboard" you knew you were on the water since the platform moved quite a bit. Have you ever heard of those small planes where they have to balance the passenger load in order to take off safely? It felt similar to that here since as soon as we sat down, the dock took a dramatic lilt to our side. Thankfully , another set of guests were seated on opposite side which balanced it. Although only temporarily since one person in that party said she was getting seasick!! So we tilted yet again! I never felt in danger. It only added to the charm of the place.
As for the menu? There isn't really a menu. They had three kinds of fresh fish. Whole red snapper, grilled mahi mahi and barracuda. I never give up an opportunity for a whole fried fish sonI ordered the snapper. My wife ordered the mahi mahi.
Alll the dishes come with a salad, grilled plantains and avocado. All nice side dishes, but it is all about the fish. And such great flavor. While the snapper was perfectly cooked, crispy and moist, it was the mahi mahi which was the star if the show. It had been marinated in what I will call and onion salsa which has nice hints of vinegar. They served a bowl of that on the size along with some rice and polenta. The onion and vinegar added such a nice contrast to the fish. And that sauce!! I will see if I duplicate it home. It seemed to be carmelized onions that had been macerated with a savory vinegar. And great addition!!
There was also a spicy salsa that had some fruity ghost peppers. Perfect amount of spice and fruitiness.
And the aftermath?
Could we have had a good meal at the buffet? Probably. But we had a great meal and even better experience by eating local.
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