Top Choices in San Juan, Puerto Rico for dining and going out (1/06)
Our 3 top places to visit are quite different but all highly recommended. Let’s start with Dragonfly (moderately priced) located in Old San Juan at 364 Calle La Fortaleza (787) 977-3886. This is the Hot Spot and place to be! An Asian fusion menu with beautiful hostesses/servers and fantastic DJ music in the bar lounge, this is our #1 pick if you are in that mood. The staff is overly friendly. This place doesn’t take reservations so get there early or be prepared to wait a bit. It is worth it when you finally get a seat. The atmosphere is electric with a dimly room surrounded by candles. Start with one of their signature martinis and drinks and you are off to a good start. I suggest the spicy calamari and fresh sushi. The Tuna is to die for prepared in a Szechwan peppercorn sauce with caviar is not to miss! The scallops and beef melt in your mouth accompanied by the sticky rice. Stay after for the bar scene as this place gets packed to the rim! Be sure to dress to impress.
If you are in the mood for an upscale classy elegant dinner, Compostela (Very expensive but you get what you pay for as we highly recommend it) at 106 Condado Ave (787)724-6088 in Condado (near Old San Juan) is your place. This restaurant keeps racking up the dining awards and is where you want to be to enjoy great food and impress your date or spouse. The waiters are dressed to the tee in bow ties and the service is impeccable. Start with the cod fish terrine, potato bline with ossetra caviar, foie gras, veal sweetbreads. Make sure to have the billecart champagne with any of those fancy appetizers including the seafood. Next try the Tuna with chives and couscous which melts in your mouth. Live Maine Lobster and Fresh Halibut with squash puree are also favorites. Head Chef Jose Rey pulls out all the stops to make sure you are dining first class. Plenty of meat dishes, paella and rabbit with garlic sauce are featured. Enjoy some Quinta do Vale Meao Red Wine with your meal as Wine Spectator gave this 95 pts. A bit of a chocolate taste goes excellent with these entrees. There is a huge wine list to choose from with rare wines that other places don’t get. Don’t miss the chocolate cake soufflé’ with homemade ice cream and a port to end your meal.
http://www.bodegascompostela.com/
Lastly, “Miro”(Moderately priced), also located in Condado is a fantastic more casual Spanish style restaurant to visit. Not far from Compostela, call them at (787) 723-9593. This down to earth place is famous for the great food and tapes so you can try numerous items. I preferred the grilled calamari, deep fried cuttlefish, seafood salad, and the eggplant stuffed with crabmeat(delicious). The main course favorites were the seafood in black squid ink rice; baked tender codfish with potatoes, onions and herbs; grilled prawns and don’t be fooled by the name- The Sea Snails were out of this world. Many fancy desserts to choose from including the eggplant seed with caviar & crème catalana.
Best Beach is Isla Verde where it gets very crowded on the weekends and holidays. The water is warm and crystal clear. Best affordable place to stay is the Coral by the Sea about one block away and next to the Ritz Carlton. www.coralbythesea.com If you are into salsa dancing, The El San Juan in Isla Verde and The Marriott Hotel in Condado are the best places. Old San Juan caters to younger ages and many bars and nightclubs with great shopping during the day.