2 Fools and a Bull

We returned to 2 Fools this year and were warmly greeted by the proprietors, Paul and Fred (AKA Fool 1 and Fool 2). One in our party has some dietary issues and last year 2 Fools handled it so well that we wanted to see if they could match their performance realizing that being consistent at the high end is often quite difficult. To our surprise and satisfaction, they exceeded their performance of the prior year and our hats are off to them for doing so.

From the initial champagne greeting and being introduced and getting to know your fellow diners to the end of the evening everything flows smoothly and well. Paul and Fred are the consummate hosts and they complement one another very well.

After being seated everyone is directed to a menu board that sets out what can be expected during the evening. It is pleasing to see optional beverages listed as well as their price - there is no surprise here. Choose beverage X and you are going to be charged $Y - that is called full disclosure and transparency and that is a fair and upright way of doing business that is appreciated here.

And then the fun begins as you are served full size servings of four or five courses (depending on the night) of some of the best food made in the most impeccable fashion that you can imagine. MASTER CHEF, FRED is talented beyond compare and rather than simply modify the dishes of others to accommodate dietary issues, he prepares unique dishes to do so - which is much appreciated and the way it should be done.

Seating around a counter actually works here because it is not a long semi-circle type of counter but more like three sides of square which brings people a bit closer and more accessible for discussion purposes. To reinforce the interaction, occasional breaks or interludes are strategically placed during the evening and they work quite well.

Every night is a unique experience here and the repertoire is bountiful and endless.

These people simply have their act together and it shows in every way and results in a first class result.

Part of our objective this year was also to compare the 2 Fools and Carte Blanche experiences and we have concluded that, though both are very good, 2 Fools is the superior one and we will be returning next year to enjoy it again.

BE A FOOL FOR THE EVENING AND EXPERIENCE ONE OF (IF NOT "THE") THE BEST DINING EXPERIENCES IN ARUBA. This place is not rated #1 without good reason. There is nothing here that we find that we can be critical about and we strongly encourage and highly recommend this place to all. Be sure to make your reservations early. GO AND ENJOY.

Visited March 2013
5 of 5 stars Value
5 of 5 stars Atmosphere
5 of 5 stars Service
5 of 5 stars Food

These two fools really know what they are doing from start to finish. This experience is not only full of upbeat fun, the food and wine are absolutely divine. Period. Do yourself a favour and make a reservation. Well in advance. You will thank me.

This was our 5th trip to Aruba. Our special treat is each night to dine at the best of the best restaurants. I don't know that it is in my vocabulary to come up with an appropriate word to describe the 2 Fools experience. First off, experience is key here! From the moment we walked up to the entrance and was warmly greeted by Paul through the last bite of the otherworldly dessert....and the special escort upon exiting from Fred (including a hug) the food, the atmosphere, the company, the wine pairings...AMAZING!!!...I would challenge the most discerning foodie to try to beat it. The evening begins with cocktails on the patio and meeting the other diners. Since the venue is small (16 guests) the tone is set for a relaxed and luxurious experience. The menu is then introduced and the experience begins....WOW! WOW! WOW! Paul keeps the conversation going with his and Freds backgrounds and interesting stories involving the menu selection. After the first two courses, guests are encouraged to get up and move a bit and explore the historic building or just chat with the new acquaintances. Every detail of your evening is thoughtfully planned and expertly executed. The portions are perfectly sized to enjoy every last bite. The flavorings are exquisite. Make your reservations online and don't hesitate to go on the wait list. We visited twice in the course of two weeks and were promptly notified when an opening became available which luckily we were smart enough to jump on! Nothing on the island compares!

During my last visit to Aruba I had the good fortune to get a place at the table from the wait list twice. The first trip was due to curiosity, the second was due to complete satisfaction. At first I was unsure about spending 4 hours at dinner with strangers. The combination of Paul's ability to host and make the group feel like new found friends, and Fred's magic with the food, make 4 hours fly by.The first thing that I decided was that I had to surrender my palate to whatever was coming and that was a complete pleasure. You sit for a 5 course meal with opprtunites to take breaks and retreat to the patio or take a tour of the house, the wine room, the kitchen. Our first vist we had an appetizer of Tuna Tartar and Wahoo Tataky with a shot of Saki, Cornish Hen Salad, Dover Sole, Beef Wellington and a Dessert Called Cupcake, but was much more than a cupcake. Paul's wine pairings are excellent and add to the evening. On our second visit a week later (luckily off the waitlist again), we had the Cornish Hen Salad and Dover Sole again (no complaints with repeats as they are so good), a Shrimp Ravioli with a tall shot glass of Lobster Bisque, Lamb and Veal from the Bull (the Bull is a centerpiece rotisserie oven) and a Chocolate Dessert that was incredible. After you have finished your meal, you take your final drink and join Fred and Paul for the evening Staff Meeting on the patio. It is the perfect way to complete the experience with the 2 Fools and your new found friends.

We were warmly greeted by our hosts Fred and Paul and invited to a welcome champagne cocktail with the other 12 dinner guests. This unique way of introducing the other guests before being seated allowed for comfortable interaction throughout the evening. Fred prepares his special menu with all the skill and lifelong experience of creating an amazing dining experience where know-how and creativity combine to yield spectacular results. Paul provides the wine accompaniements, should you partake, and we found that the choices were all beautifully paired with Fred's menu. The two of them work very well together, playing off each other's personalities and both of them are very committed to making it one of the best dining experiences you'll have while on Aruba. Be prepared to spend some time at 2 Fools as everything is cooked fresh and plated right before you. This is an experience that should be savored and can only be done if you have the time to invest in it. Actually the time flys by unnoticed. Two Fools and a Bull has been a truely memorable dining experience for us in Aruba.
Doug and Dan

Had a wonderful dinner at 2 Fools and a Bull. The concept is similar to a dinner party and you receive whatever the chef makes for the evening in 5 courses (there is no set menu.) When you enter you meet the other diners on the patio in back for a welcome glass of champagne and mingle a bit. Once seated, the fun starts with the various courses - all of which were great! The wine pairings are excellent as well but are optional and you can choose a bottle of wine or drinks from their bar. The hosts are nothing less than charming and it's just an all-around fun evening of food and drinks. It's like being at someone's house for a dinner party since the group for the evening is limited to 17 people. Reservations are a must!

lieve broer fred en fool paul,

Ik wist niet dat je zo heerlijk kon koken {grapje}
Bij ieder gerecht was het alsof er een engeltje over mijn tong plaste.het eten plus aale wijntes heerlijk heerlijk heerlijk. Voor alle vakantie gangers op Aruba die nog niet bij de 2 fools zijn geweest moeten er snel naar toe {anders ben je een beetje een fool}. Echt een aanrader.

Groetjes liefs Marianne uit Meppel {bedankt voor de heerlijke avond.

We heard about this new restaurant from a conceirge at Marriott Ocean Club when I mentioned I couldn't get into another restaurant. I am so glad she did. The Four of us met some wonderful people who were sharing our dining experience that night. The food selection was fabulous and the wine pairings (I am told that as I don't drink) were fantastic. The two fools (Fred and Paul) were very entertaining and I wish them great success. They just opened up in February and they need the word to spread about this place because it is well worth the price to dine there! You will not be disappointed!!

I guess not many locals have discovered this great place yet, but please do! You won't be disappointed. We celebrated the birthday of our daughter and had a wonderful evening. Great, delicious food, excellent wines, in a perfect pairing with the dishes and a most hearthy hospitality by our hosts. We believe it is one of the very best venues on the island and definitely worth the money. It is not only a great dinner but a most wonderful total evening experience.

This absolutely made the trip for my girlfriend and I. If you are on vacation and are looking for memories, this is your place. Hands down the best on the island.