Feature Story XpBonaire IslandLife
Boudoir is located in downtown Kralendijk and for many years has been a favorite place to have breakfast or lunch. They open as early as 8 in the morning so you can enjoy your cup of coffee, fresh juice and your energy packed breakfast before starting your workday or whatever your daily activity might be and you can come anytime during the day until late in the afternoon for a variety of lunches.
Located next to the former parking lot, now under construction to become an apartment building with an open area for shopping on the ground floor, Boudoir has airy outside seating with lots of shade and a beautiful air-conditioned area inside.
Monique
In September, 2015, Boudoir was taken over by a new owner, Monique Bouwer. Monique has been living in the Antilles for many years. Born in the European Netherlands, she studied hospitality and there she met her former life partner who came from Aruba. They went to the island for vacations and she fell in love with the island, its culture and the endless possibilities in the hospitality industry.
In the 23 years Monique lived on Aruba, she worked in hospitality and was a wife and mother to her two children. When her kids grew older, she decided to switch from her night hours and began to work in wholesale during the day to be able to spend quality time with them.
When her children left the nest for their own studies, Monique was ready for new things in life and moved to Curacao for two years before taking the position as Commercial Manager at Bonaire Food Group (BFG) in 2014.
A year later, while talking to a customer at BFG about her son coming to the island after finishing his chef’s studies, she was offered Boudoir by the previous owner. Monique thought it would be a great opportunity for herself and her son and agreed to take over Boudoir in September, 2015.
Boudoir
After 1 ½ years working as the chef at Boudoir, her son decided to expand his experience and took a job at Marriott. Monique herself took over the kitchen at Boudoir. Together with Coromoto, called Coro, who started out as a kitchen help years ago and now has become second in command in the kitchen, they run the kitchen’s smooth operations.
While Monique originally decided to take over the Boudoir concept as it was, she has slowly started to try out new foods. As a real food lover, she loves cooking and experimenting with new combinations and these she serves to her friends before introducing the new dish to Boudoir.
One of the newer and bigger changes has been the introduction of the avocado menu, a power food and a delicious ingredient in modern cooking.
The avocado is rather a unique fruit. While most fruits consist primarily of carbohydrate, the avocado is high in healthy fats. Numerous studies show that it has powerful health benefits. The monounsaturated fat helps to protect against heart disease and lower blood pressure. The oils provided by an avocado are recommended as part of a balanced diet to prevent high cholesterol. The avocado is also a rich source of the antioxidant, vitamin E, plus a group of carotenes which are thought to help keep the eyes healthy.
New Menu
In October, a new menu was introduced. Here some teasers for you:
At breakfast Boudoir offers coffee, tea, eggs of your choice, fresh juice, fresh fruit, cereals and great sandwiches.
Besides the breakfast menu, there is an all-day menu offering Dutch pancakes both sweet and savory, pasta dishes, soups, salads and sandwiches.
- A pancake with arugula and beef tips prepared in a teriyaki sauce.
- Crisp quesadillas loaded with avocado and prepared with peppers, zucchini, jalapenos, black beans and fresh cilantro with chicken, beef or shrimp as an add on.
- Avocado fettuccini, a fettuccini pasta served with an avocado based alfredo sauce, no heavy cream added.
- Mixed greens salad served with crisp bacon bits, goat cheese, avocado and drizzled with honey thyme sauce.
- Poke bowl of fresh local catch marinated in soy sauce served with mixed greens, vegetables and avocado.
These are just a few of the items served at Boudoir. Prices range from US $6 for a sandwich to about US $15 for a delicious and healthy lunch. Besides the menu items, Boudoir also offers specials that will change depending on what fresh ingredients are available on the island.
New opening Hours
As of November, Boudoir changed their hours and are open longer!
They are open 7 days a week.
Monday – Saturday 8 am to 6 pm
Sunday - 9 am to 3 pm
Tip
When you are pressured for time, but would like to enjoy a healthy meal, please be aware that the avocado dishes, salads, etc. are made just before serving and will take about 20 minutes to prepare. To be sure you have your food on time, call an hour in advance to order your food and they will make sure your food is ready while you are on your lunch break.
Info
Boudoir
Kaya Grandi 26 F+G (in the walkway next to DIGICEL)
Phone : +599 717 4321
Open Monday–Saturday 8 am – 6 pm
Sunday-9 am – 3 pm
