THE JOURNEY - To Culinary Excellence

THE JOURNEY - To Culinary Excellence reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Review summary

1. S

   Sharon

   San Antonio1 review

   5.0

   Dined on May 15, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Loved the experience of each course served . The presentation and story behind each preparation was excellent. Chef even wrote up a preparation for me for the salmon which I brought home and tried last night. Very great experience that I was able to share with my daughter. One suggestion for future consideration, many folks were too reserved to go up front to see what the chef was doing and how he prepared things. A cool idea might be a small camera pointing down to the plating area that broadcasts to a few small screens on the walls. Having a birds birds eye view of the level of preparation would be awesome.
   

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   THE JOURNEY - To Culinary ExcellenceResponded 2 days ago

   Dear Sharon, Thank you for your thoughtful review! We’re thrilled to hear that you enjoyed each course and the stories behind the preparations. It’s wonderful that you were able to share this experience with your daughter—those moments make everything we do even more special. We’re also delighted that the chef’s salmon preparation inspired you to try it at home! That’s exactly the kind of connection to food and creativity we hope to spark. Your suggestion about adding a camera for a birds-eye view of the plating area is fantastic. We love hearing innovative ideas that enhance the experience for our guests, and we’ll certainly take it into consideration for future improvements. Thank you again for joining us. We hope to welcome you back soon for another memorable dining experience!
   

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2. R

   Richard

   San Antonio22 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on May 13, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 4

   A great chef's table; it was all good. It was a small group of only 6 people that were all fun to interact with. One of the better chef's tables in Aruba. We did 5 chef's tables that week.
   

   THE JOURNEY - To Culinary ExcellenceResponded 2 days ago

   Dear Richard, Thank you for sharing your experience! We're happy to hear that the intimate setting of just six guests created a lively atmosphere and memorable interactions. Your kind words mean a lot, especially knowing you sampled several chef's tables during your week in Aruba. It’s an honor to be recognized among the best, and we’re committed to continuing our tradition of delivering unique culinary adventures. We look forward to welcoming you back for another exceptional evening! Kind regards, Team the Journey
   

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3. S

   Sira VIP

   Baltimore9 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on May 12, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   All the courses were delicious. I wish there were more courses, not because I was hungry but I didn’t want the experience to end. Would definitely do this again.
   

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   THE JOURNEY - To Culinary ExcellenceResponded 2 days ago

   Dear Sira, Thank you for taking the time to write us a review. We really appreciate it. We would love to welcome you back in the future for another culinary Journey. Kind regards, Team The Journey
   

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4. A

   Arie

   Caribbean2 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on May 7, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Again it was amazing as always, perfect cooperation with the maitre and sous-chef, wonderful wines and most of all the best prepared food on Aruba. When you’re on Aruba, it is a MUST go!
   

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   THE JOURNEY - To Culinary ExcellenceResponded on May 13, 2025

   Dear Arie, Thank you for your review and your kind words. We loved hosting you. We hope to welcome you back for a new Culinary Journey. Kind regards, Team the Journey
   

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5. J

   John

   Baltimore4 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on May 5, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   The name of the restaurant is "The Journey", and it truly was a journey. A fantastic journey through the life of a master chief and a master class on flavor and experience. Chef Patrick van der Donk was amazing in not only the food, but in how open he was with his experiences as a chef, father and husband. His food was as stated, truly amazing. We were given two flutes of champagne, closely followed by an amuse bouche which was an excellent indicator that this was going to be a splendid journey. The small soup of pumpkin and carrot was simply amazing. Rich, creamy and flavorful. Complex in it's simplicity. Followed on the side by a Dutch croquette of pureed beef, crispy and perfectly cooked. Soon after, we went inside to begin our journey. We were seated at a lovely prepared table for the two of us and some homemade bread. We followed that on with a hot smoked salmon served cold with a mélange of garnished. Due to my issues with salmon, on short notice, they served me with snapper. Truly excellent. The second course came out perfectly spaced, a playful grouper fried and seasoned to perfection plated on a small piece of toast in a stew of mussels. To die for! It was the best fish I have ever had, period. The next course was a ribeye skewer with baba ghanoush. The meat was so tender and smoked, the whole plate was again a feast of excellence. The main course was probably the most incredible creation I have had, it was a veal cheek and oxtail soup where the meats were blended together and crisped up in the shape of a rectangle place on the "best mashed potatoes" ever. The final pièce de résistance was the dessert. Again, fantastic in presentation and flavors with plating that was well above most high-end standards. This place and the experience is pricey, but it's also a once in a lifetime experience that you will never forget. Take the time, book the journey and you will be amazed.
   

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   THE JOURNEY - To Culinary ExcellenceResponded on May 9, 2025

   Dear John, Thank you for sharing your heartfelt review. We really appreciate you took the time to write us a review. We’re thrilled to hear that Chef Patrick’s passion resonated with you from the opening champagne to the unforgettable veal cheek and oxtail.” Your words capture the essence of our culinary journey, and we're delighted that even the special substitution made a difference. We can’t wait to welcome you back for another memorable experience. Warm regards, The Journey Team
   

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6. R

   Rose VIP

   Orange County1 review

   5.0

   Dined on May 2, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   The chef was amazing and the entire experience phenomenal. Best food I’ve tasted during my time in Aruba - 10/10 would recommend to anyone.
   

   THE JOURNEY - To Culinary ExcellenceResponded on May 9, 2025

   Dear Rose, Thank you for your glowing review! We love the fact that you found your experience phenomenal and enjoyed what our chef has to offer. Your kind words and 10/10 rating truly motivate us to keep delivering the best culinary journey in Aruba. We can’t wait to welcome you back for another unforgettable experience. Warm regards, The Journey Team
   

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7. R

   Rich

   Philadelphia7 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on April 21, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   What a great night! Five of of went to celebrate my wife’s birthday and it was exceptional. We did the wine pairing which is definitely recommended. Each course was better than the next
   

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   THE JOURNEY - To Culinary ExcellenceResponded on April 29, 2025

   Dear mr Super, Thank you so much for taking your time and write us a review. We really appreciate it. We loved hosting your dinner party and would love to see you back next time you are on the Island. Kind regards, Team the Journey
   

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8. F

   Frank VIP

   Dallas22 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on April 17, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   What a wonderful experience. Chef Patrick and his wonderful team present a memorable culinary experience. The food is thoughtfully, lovingly, and meticulously prepared with attention given to every detail. Delicious flavors and fresh ingredients combined in such creative ways. The wine pairings are simply perfect. We appreciated the special butterfly adornments to commemorate our anniversary. Chef and his staff are approachable, welcoming, and warm. The setting is so comfortable. We will be back!
   

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   THE JOURNEY - To Culinary ExcellenceResponded on April 29, 2025

   Dear Frank, Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re thrilled to hear that Chef Patrick and his team made your anniversary celebration so special. It’s wonderful to know that you appreciated the attention to detail, the thoughtfully prepared dishes, and the perfect wine pairings. We’re so grateful for your support and can’t wait to welcome you back for another memorable culinary journey!
   

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9. C

   Christine VIP

   New York City1 review

   5.0

   Dined on April 10, 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   A wonderful evening enjoying Chef Patrick’s culinary vision! His passion for food is deftly expressed with each thoughtfully curated course. The intimate design of the evening- only a few tables are served each night- allowed Chef and his assistant, Jeremy, to engage with guests and share their experiences that have shaped this concept. Chef prepares 5 courses, with each harmoniously balancing depth and complexity. An optional wine pairing is a delightful complement to the meal. This was my first journey with Chef Patrick but am already looking forward to another when I return to Aruba next year. Aruba has many wonderful excursions but Chef Patrick’s “journey” is one you should put at the top of your list!
   

   THE JOURNEY - To Culinary ExcellenceResponded on April 14, 2025

   Dear Christine, Thank you so much for taking your time to write a review. We really appreciate this. We are thrilled that you enjoyed Chef Patrick’s culinary journey and appreciated the passion and care that go into each course. It’s wonderful to hear that the intimate setting allowed for meaningful connections and storytelling—this is precisely the experience we love to create. We are delighted that the balance of flavors and the optional wine pairing enhanced your evening, and even more excited to know that you plan to return next year! We truly appreciate your recommendation and look forward to welcoming you back for another unforgettable journey. Until then, wishing you many more delicious adventures! Team The Journey
   

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10. M

    Morgan VIP

    Raleigh13 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on April 1, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4

    The experience starts at 7 kind of. It actually started around 7:15 with sparkling wine and a small appetizer. This meal ended at 10:30, with an intermission at 9ish. This meal was way too long and late for our table. The food was good, but the time it took to have the meal ruined it for us. Would be much better if they started at 6:00 and got rid of the intermission. We were ready to go at the intermission. The chef was really nice and a delight to talk to. He is definitely a master of his art.
    

    THE JOURNEY - To Culinary ExcellenceResponded on April 8, 2025

    Dear Mrs Morgan, Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We're truly sorry to hear that your experience didn’t meet your expectations, and we appreciate you bringing this to our attention. We always aim to provide the best experience, and we're disappointed to hear that we fell short during your visit. Kind regards, Team the Journey
    

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