Page 14 - AHATA

Tuesday 24 June 2025 LOCAL
A8

Po-Ké Ono Brings Bold Asian Fusion to Aruba’s Dining Scene

Innovative eatery blends island culture with modern Asian cuisine

Oranjestad, Aruba – In Ono continues to gain
a culinary landscape recognition as one of the
known for its diversity and island’s premier destinations
creativity, Po-Ké Ono for sushi, poke, and bao.
stands out as a vibrant and Its growing popularity is
contemporary addition to a testament to Aruba’s
Aruba’s restaurant scene. evolving food culture—
With locations at Azure one that embraces global
in Palm Beach and the influence while staying
Renaissance Marketplace rooted in community and
in Oranjestad, the concept craft.
introduces a refreshing take For those seeking a modern
on Asian fusion dining— taste of Asia in the heart
casual in style, yet refined of the Caribbean, Po-Ké
in execution. into fast-casual dining, the Ono offers a flavorful and
Established in 2020, Po-Ké The ambiance is designed to quality of ingredients and memorable experience
Ono was envisioned as a be welcoming and relaxed, thoughtful preparation worth exploring.
space where flavor, culture, with a philosophy centered reflect fine-dining roots.
and creativity intersect. The around accessibility and Many of the restaurant’s
menu features an array of enjoyment. Whether dining core ingredients
signature dishes including indoors or grabbing a quick are sourced locally,
poke bowls, steamed bao, bowl on the go, guests can emphasizing sustainability
and sushi, crafted with expect a consistently high and support for Aruba’s
precision and a focus on standard in both service agricultural community.
freshness. Drawing on Asian and cuisine. With extensive The result is a dining
influences, the restaurant menu options, including experience that honors
delivers bold flavors in an selections for vegan diners, both the island’s spirit and
approachable format, Po-Ké Ono caters to a wide the culinary traditions it
appealing to a broad range of tastes and dietary draws inspiration from.
audience of locals and preferences. Open daily from 11:00
visitors alike. While the concept leans AM to 10:00 PM, Po-Ké
Adriaan Laclé

One of Aruba’s richest men in the

twentieth century

(Oranjestad)—The name struction of the famous La
Adriaan Laclé may ring a Quinta Carmen manor—
bell to locals as one of the now a restaurant. Though
bigger roads on the island, he himself never lived in
but about a century ago, the beautiful manor, his
Adriaan Laclé was a rich own house also reflected
businessman, well-known his success and good taste.
for his generosity, wealth, Today his house still stands
and taste. in good condition and can
be found in the back streets
Adriaan was born in 1866 of main street Oranjestad.
and was the eldest of Regarding his personal life,
six children. Not much is it has been said that he
known about his childhood was married twice during
upbringing or any of his his lifetime. He had his first and Maximilian Arends, on the opposite side of the
earlier business ordeals, but daughter during his first it past 18 years of age. respectively. Their houses road to them—though cur-
during his hay day he often marriage but lost his wife Perhaps two of his most are still standing; Eloy and rently under renovation af-
helped people get loans, soon after her birth. During well-known daughters are Maria Monica’s mansion ter years left in ruin.
was a well-established his second marriage, he Maria Monica Laclé and functions as a townhall, Source: De Kolibrie op de
trader, and owned sev- fathered 16 children. How- Maria Veneranda Laclé, used to host civil marriages, Rots (en meer over de ge-
eral plots of land. In fact, ever, it has been said that who went on to marry suc- while Maximilian and Maria schiedenis van Aruba) by
he commissioned the con- only 11 of those 17 made cessful brothers Eloy Arends Veneranda’s house stands Evert Bongers.