Page 20 - AB

A9
LOCAL Monday 19 May 2025

Infini Named One of the 10 Best Restaurants in Aruba by Caribbean Journal

In a recent feature by Caribbean Journal, Infini has earned a coveted
spot on the publication’s list of the “10 Best Restaurants in Aruba for
2025.” Known for spotlighting the finest in Caribbean travel and din-
ing, Caribbean Journal praised Infini as a standout for its immersive,
high-end culinary experience. and crowned Iron Chef Aruba,
has built Infini into a space where
“Dining at Infini is an intimate encounter with culinary precision — just dining becomes storytelling. Ev-
a few seats, one open kitchen, and a front-row view of Chef Urvin ery detail—from plating and
Croes in action,” the article states. “For those seeking something rare pacing to personal engagement
and immersive in Aruba’s dining scene, Infini delivers something un- with the chef—is designed to el-
forgettable.” evate food into an experience.

Located inside the exclusive Blue Residences, Infini is not your typical With this recognition from Ca-
fine-dining venue. With their open-concept kitchen, the restaurant ribbean Journal, Infini continues
invites guests to become part of the culinary journey. Each course— to raise the bar for Aruba’s cu-
meticulously prepared by Chef Urvin Croes and his team—blends linary scene, offering something
modern techniques with the bold, authentic spirit of the Caribbean. truly unique for food enthusiasts
looking to go beyond traditional
Chef Urvin, celebrated for his innovative approach to island cuisine dining.q

The Lionfish

And its threat to our marine wild life

(Oranjestad)—Despite its Its natural predators in the local coral reefs. Accord- where people would buy li- lives hunting and capturing
colorful and striking appear- Indo-Pacific are sharks and ing to Patrick van Brakel, li- onfish from across the world these invasive species, using
ance, the lionfish has become barracudas, but in the Carib- onfish expert and hunter from to keep in their aquariums. them for consumption and
a Caribbean-wide problem for bean Sea, local fish do not the Hunting Lionfish Aruba However, lionfish grow, and jewelry making.
Atlantic sea life. The Aruban recognize the lionfish as part foundation, every reef has as these buyers realized that
marine wild life is also affected of their diet. In other words, a “cleaning station”—tiny the fish were too much up- They are caught with a hand
by this beautiful dilemma, as the lionfish has no predators fish that eat algae and other keep, they were let out into spear, an object resembling a
it is foreign to our waters and in the Caribbean Sea. And types of waste on a reef, thus the ocean to roam free. From garbage picker with 4 sharp
has become a danger to our this becomes a major prob- maintaining the reef’s health continental USA, the lionfish prongs. These spears are used
local fish and reefs. lem for our local marine life; and providing food to the fish travelled to and invaded the like a sling shot to catch lion-
if there are no predators to population in the area. How- entire Caribbean area, from fish from a distance. These fish
Originating from the Indo- stimulate population con- ever, as the lionfish feeds off Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao are then put into a collecting
Pacific Ocean, the lionfish is trol of lionfish, these fish can of these tiny fish, it becomes up to New York. In Aruba, lion- tube and taken out of the
a relatively small fish. It has continue to reproduce and harder for the coral reef to fish were discovered in 2009. water. Van Brakel not only
no teeth, but it does protect expand to other parts of the maintain its health. Controlling the lionfish popu- catches them himself, but
itself against predators using its Atlantic, become more inva- Patrick also shares the origins lation is challenge, as each also cooks them for locals
sharp, colorful spikes. It is said sive and dangerous for other of lionfish in the Caribbean female fish can lay up to and tourists at The LionFish
that the sting of a lionfish can types of fish. Sea. It is theorized that the 40,000 eggs a day. Luckily, Snack Aruba in Paradera.
be up to 100 times more pain- For Aruba, the lionfish is a introduction of these fish in the we have people like van This way, he does his part in
ful than that of a bee’s sting. problem especially for our Atlantic happened in Florida, Brakel who dedicate their protecting the local wild life.q