Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Eating
Few would dispute the fact that San Juan offers the best eating in the Caribbean. Indeed,
there are probably enough cutting-edge restaurants here to justify a trip in its own right.
When in doubt, head to Calle Fortaleza in Old San Juan, the eclectic heart of San Juan's
21st-century fusion cuisine revolution. Most restaurants have at least one vegetarian dish,
though vegans may have a more difficult time.
The recession's hit hard here, with many restaurants altering their menus to include
small-plate offerings with more palatable price tags. It's rare to find dress codes required
for dinner.
OLD SAN JUAN
St Germain Bistro & Café
INTERNATIONAL $
(156Sol;dishes$8-14; 11:30am-3:30pm&6-10pmTue-Sat,10am-3pm&6-10pm
Sun; )
Kudos to the chef for transforming the main-course salads - so often the dullest
dish on the menu - into something fresh, tasty and filling. Then there's the aromatic Puerto
Rican coffee, the delicious sandwiches and the homemade cakes, which can only be de-
scribed as melt-in-your-mouth heavenly. Nestled on the corner of Sol and Cruz, the St Ger-
main is a bright neighborhood place with down-to-earth service, interesting clientele and a
distinct European feel. Perfect for lunch, a light dinner or Sunday brunch. Crepes and wine
feature for Sunday dinner.
Marmalade
FUSION $$
( 787-724-3969; 317 Fortaleza; dishes $16-29; 6pm-11pm Sun-Thu, 6pm-mid-
night Fri & Sat; )
Promoted as SoFo's best culinary innovator in a street full of them,
this starkly minimalist eating establishment is decked out like the Korova Milk Bar in Stan-
ley Kubrick's
A Clockwork Orange
. Step inside the trendy interior to sample house spe-
cialties such as paella bites or grilled pears with Parma ham.
Trois Cent Onze
FRENCH $$
( 787-725-7959; 311 Fortaleza; dishes $24-35; dinner daily, lunch Fri & Sun)
With its well-established French connection, 311 has the words 'elegant,' 'refined' and
'sophisticated' written all over it, conjuring up classy European cuisine without too many
of those Latino-fusion makeovers (alas, no
mofongo
with a camembert twist here). Glide
