But on the whole, now is prime time to experience San Juan; the capital city is well into its recovery and businesses certainly welcome the return of tourism. It was very tasty and paired well with our food! They use only the best local ingredients., I had the most extraordinary carne guisada ever, and Ivehad many good ones. Picture a metal square oven with the heat coming from the top. Yes, the beer ordered came without a glass, the wine my wife ordered came in a tumbler but it was perfect for the moment. In a large, sturdy resealable plastic bag, combine the cilantro, orange and lime juices, garlic, oregano, olive oil, 2 tablespoons of kosher salt and 1/2 teaspoon of pepper. ten "Best New Chefs" across the U.S. Photo: Dianne Pulliza. "It doesn't matter if you call the party for tomorrow at noon; everyone's on island time," Jose Enrique says about throwing a party on his home island of Puerto Rico. La Cueva del Mar, a laid-back seafood hangout with several locations, throws buttery hunks of Caribbean spiny lobster over mofongo and makes a potato chip-like variation on tostones using breadfruit. Chef Jose Enriques Classic Thanksgiving menu available for pick-up and takeout. While not cheap the ingredients and island flavors impressed and Id highly recommend you visit on your next trip to Puerto Rico. The menu changes daily, try the Red . The red snapper is a soft, flaky white fish thats dipped in a batter and fried. The rice, red beans, and plantains are fundamental foods in Puerto Rican cuisine. Was seated in half empty restaurant. The smoked pork turnovers, snapper and mofungo were highlights. Puerto Rico's most celebrated chef, Jose Enrique Montes, has been on the front line of the island's relief efforts following 2017's Hurricane Maria.A finalist for a James Beard Award for five years in a row, Jose Enrique started providing food for the hungry masses immediately after Maria's wrath ripped through Puerto Rico, opening his namesake restaurant's doors in Santurce, San . It paired perfectly with the chocolate ice cream. Wefelt very lucky to get a reservation on short notice. +1 787-522-6444. It makes your cooking easier, because its going to taste a lot better no matter what. There is no sign outside his come-as-you-are destination in the Santurce district (the same area where Enrique grew up), but theres also no missing the building, a cottage spangled with Art Deco geometries and painted bright fuchsia. A family dinner, for instance, might include roasting pork for eight to 10 hours, butchering it on a huge table and serving it with avocado salad, pickled red onions, local cheeses, bread and tons of hot sauce. The Snapper is deboned for ease of eating then deep fried. The Colarrubia fish was on a wow level too. Chayote, a type of squash, is stuffed with Jose Enriques picadillo. Dan and I keep a running list of all of our favorite restaurants around the World, and Jose Enrique in San Juan, Puerto Rico always makes the list! Altogether, these recipes make for a meal that will easily transport you to the Caribbean. Im partial to La Casita Blanca, which serves homier specialties like patitas con garbanzos (pigs feet with chickpeas, a treatise in melting textures) and bacalao guisado, a thick soup of cod and vegetables. Phone +1 787-724-3969. 1045 AVE ASHFORD CONDADO SANTURCE. The stuffed eggs, aka deviled eggs, had new and unexpected complexity. The chef prioritizes fresh Puerto Rican produce which influences the ever changing menu of the restaurant. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Soon after, the Travel Were in the Age of Food Talent. At his restauranta casual place in an old house where weekend parties erupt on the street outsidehe writes his menu on white boards, which allows him to add dishes in the middle of service. So basically, Puerto Rican food is everything we want to eat this summer, which is why we've tapped the chef to come up with an outdoor party menu. My uncle would make Thanksgivinghuge turkeys stuffed with blood sausage. In 2013 Jose Enrique was featured in the 25th Anniversary edition of the Be sure to save room for dessert. Though if you want to make it a truly island-style party, do as Enrique does and don't rush. The fish lays on a portion of earthy deep flavored yam mash and everything is topped with a classic Caribbean combination of papaya and avocado. The menu offers a variety of flavor-packed small plates that swing between Puerto Rican and Asian flavors: smoked pork belly dumplings, brie-stuffed pastelitos (mini empanadas), sliders filled . The star of the dish of course is the Filet which is pounded down very thin, breaded, then fried. The stand out entree was the fish special. Thats what a Best New Chef does: takes a cuisine you dont think you like and turns you into a convert.Kate Krader. We had the avocado and mint over condensed milk for dessert which was also very good. I had a similar dish, albeit beef, last time I visited and simply cannot forget it. I LOVED this dish and it was probably my favorite of the entire trip! 31 reviews. (787) 936-7317. Fish is Enrique's favorite protein to cook with, "because there's just so much there." Whetstones New Agency Wants to Represent It. El Bosquecito Familiar. 1.3 miles from Go In Puerto Rico. Jose Enrique has become Puerto Rico's most decorated chef an emissary for the hearty, mingled foods of his fertile homeland. I highly recommend this restaurant for a relaxed night away when you know the food is going to be outstanding.More, The restaurant is located in a non descript building along Condado waterfront. Jose Enrique. Read all his columns in the archive. AILSA CHANG, HOST: Puerto Rican rap star Residente dazzles audiences with songs that . "It feels good to have a glass of Bil." Our Rating Neighborhood Santurce & Ocean Park Hours Sun-Thurs 11:30am-11pm, Fri-Sat 11:30am-midnight Transportation Bus: 5 Phone 787/725-3518. The stuffed eggs, aka deviled eggs, had new and unexpected complexity. Bishop Daniel Fernndez Torres of Arecibo, Puerto Rico, delivers the homily during Mass Oct. 22, 2017, at St. Rafael the Archangel Church in Quebradillas, Puerto Rico. Inside is pretty casual, with a few paintings scattered around. Equipped with a flexible whiteboard menu and an obsession with fresh ingredients, Enrique's putting a face to a movement that champions local eating and farming on an island flush with resorts and rainforestsbut few restaurants serving fine Puerto Rican food. If you happen to be in the Santurce neighborhood of San Juan, Puerto Rico, around 4 in the afternoon, stop by Jose Enrique's restaurant. It was deep black and porky, speckled with chunks of delicious fat. Puerto Rican musician Residente is gearing up for his biggest fight yet - challenging the meaning of America. Even better were the blood sausage spring rolls I had another night, baked in crisp spring roll wrappers with a serious swath of cream cheese, which melts into a rich sauce. Then you have all these young hippied-out kids who are just, ya know, living off the land, man. Thats what a Best New Chef does: takes a cuisine you dont think you like and turns you into a convert.Kate Krader, 1 boneless pork shoulder roast with fat cap (5 pounds). We had the best mofongo, period.More, This was our first time at Jose Enrique. You'd start the grill, drink some more and play dominoes. AMAZING. Jose Enrique, San Juan: See 1,020 unbiased reviews of Jose Enrique, rated 4.5 of 5 on Tripadvisor and ranked #42 of 1,120 restaurants in San Juan. A shot of the restaurants hot sauce flared the flavors. But the place is packed and people have a long wait for a table. The Police and The Rolling Stones are also great on the beach. Enrique is the chef and owner of his self-titled restaurant in San Juan, where he has brought the world of Puerto Rican cuisine to the limelight of the American food scene. Colirubia, Jose Enrique-style. The problem is that, in Puerto Rico, agriculture was killed for a long time. Im not sure how this place stays in business, let He hasn't In 2013, Chef Enrique was named one . After fifteen minutes sitting without any attention, we got up and left. For appetizers we had chicharrn and the fish strip goujonettes, very good. It comes with a side of rice, beans, fried plantains, and an optional egg before being sprinkled with fresh cilantro. This hip restaurant by the Plaza del Mercado serves fresh, fantastic Puerto Rican food. The flavors and textures were superb. A Long Weekend In Sunny Isla Verde, Puerto Rico. "After eating so much, I can't have a beer," he explains. With rigorously tested recipes and the most trusted restaurant, drinks, culinary travel and home coverage, we inspire and empower people everywhere to discover, create, and devour the best in food and wine. If its sense of place youre after, Enrique plants his flag squarely in the terrain of the islands foodways. Puerto Rican food may not be something you're all too familiar with, but it embodies the spirit of island cuisine, focusing on fresh fish, tropical produce and large family style meals surrounding the grill. Mircoles - Domingo 12pm - 11.00pm . Octopus and lobster salad was delicious ordered the whole menu. Then he flips it over and the skin gets blown up and crispy. We also ate at the two most expensive restaurants in PR and would say that Jose Enrique was the one we would classify as "must visit" if you are a foodie. The poppers are filled with layers of flavor and the broth that drenches the poppers was exquisite. He and his staff were in the throes of a hectic lunch service. 5 Pro Chefs Reveal Their Go-To Specialty Ingredient, Jeff Bezos Eats Betty Crocker Pancakes So Hes Relatable Now, I Guess, These CheesyGreenPea Fritters Are Delightfully Cheap, The Best Herbal Teas, According to Bon Apptit Editors. The menu changes constantly so it iswritten daily on white eraser boards. Claimed. The printed menu showed some wear so clearly they've been preparing the same dishes for a while. Fish and fruit can make for odd mates, but the trilling note of lime juice helps to achieve tight harmonies. Restaurant recommendations you trust. Other Projects In San Juan . Like all the greats of his generation, Enrique espouses the local and seasonal. Placita: Skip this - See 290 traveler reviews, 173 candid photos, and great deals for Esperanza, Puerto Rico, at Tripadvisor. Each of the dishes we sampled were just great but the standout for the eveningwas the truly unique swordfish schnitzel. Chef Jose Enrique's gained an avid following on his island home of Puerto Rico and the mainland for his pared down cooking style and dedication to fresh, local ingredients. Food & Wine, a Dotdash Meredith Brand, is an award-winning online resource for anyone passionate about the culinary world. 1021 Avenida Ashford Condado San Juan, PR 00907 I ordered a couple of alcapurrias, torpedo-shaped fritters stuffed with fillings like corned beef or salt cod, and a Medalla Light, one of Puerto Ricos ubiquitous commercial beers. The sauce trio! The quality of the meat was incredible, not a single chewy section, not one tendon. Mapa. It can easily take 90 minutes or more to snag a table at Jose Enrique during prime dinner hours. Since opening his Jose Enrique in 2007, he has opened and owns a brasserie called . They also serve a whole lot of Baja-style fish tacos. Music is also a huge must. Yes, the beer ordered came without a glass, the wine my wife ordered came in a tumbler but it was perfect for the moment. By the time the meal came around, it would be 11. Marmalade Restaurant & Wine Bar. They offer swift introductions to the islands transformative ways with plantains smashed and fried into crackling tostones, or mashed into garlicky mofongo laced with pork cracklings and to staples such as carne frita (chunks of fried pork), picadillo criollo (spiced ground beef thrumming with olives, capers, tomatoes, and peppers), or steak with frizzled onions. Hed cook pork. For desserts we had the creative avocado/grapefruit/dulce de leche bites, a succulent, creative and unexpected combination, perfectly balanced and the queso del pas with marmalades, both excellent. Puertorico. With a squeeze of fresh lime and a dip in the aioli sauce, this starter is easy and simple yet fresh and delicious comfort food. The Mamey Ice Cream as well was rich and sweet with a chalky mouth feel. I may have been the only one who ate them The fried pork bits were similar to chicharrones and were very good with the sauce trio! We had a reservation but there were plenty of empty tables.'' Service by Angel was outstanding, highly recommended.More. We'll get back to you soon. Get menu, photos and location information for Beach Club at Bahia Beach in Rio Grande, PR. We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from. The servers were fantastic. I seriously cannot stop talking about it. Next, Enrique says he'd serve shooters of chilled avocado soup, a cold, bright blend topped with sweet seasoned watermelon and salty queso fresco (see the recipe). awards were just a few inspiring reasons for Jose Enrique to proudly This was our first and best meal in our trip, and even our teen daughters really enjoyed it. It's like, this is actually what people want to eat, so give it to them. Please enter a valid email and try again. As soon as we walked in, our waitress brought over the food and drink menus and one of my favorite thing about Jose Enriques, its trio of sauces!! We rank these hotels, restaurants, and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location. It is essentially a shake with flan and condensed milk. They were also not to be missed. Won Best New Chef At Jose Enrique, San Juan, Puerto RicoWhy Hes Amazing Because hes elevating Puerto Rican cooking, using ingredients from the vast market across the street from his restaurant. One year after opening, CondeNast Traveler magazine included Jose Epic Trips Mini Trips Sailing Trips Guides PROFILE Once the first appetizer came out, we knew that this chef was on a higher plane. Note: your question will be posted publicly on the Questions & Answers page. Fried porgy over mashed sweet potatoes. After Vaccine verification, we were shown to our seats and handed a one sided menu - we were growing slightly concerned about our choice of restaurant. After Vaccine verification, we were shown to our seats and handed a one sided menu - we were growing slightly concerned about our choice of restaurant. "This is what would happen: We would go to the beach and start drinking at noon. The Seafood salad, aka octopus ceviche, was perfect. Alongside the steak are two fat, oblong tostones, and mamposteao, a Puerto Rican staple of rice and beans; Enrique uses short-grain rice so the dish takes on a risotto-like creaminess. Cozy, casual, and crowded Ad Choices. The wait staff and hostess were friendly and, as expected, there was no atmosphere. Cut tubers and pumpkin into large dice, add to pot with water, and season to taste. We welcome you with open arms and with 'un abrazo tropical' into a modern Puerto Rican dining experience driven by Chef Jose Santaella. Our third course was called Lick Your Plate Chicken, and it truly was. You have rainforests left and right; water along the coast; and mountains are 20 minutes away. Whats your favorite thing to cook?For myself, Ill make something if I'm going somewherejust bread, cheese, and hot sauce, or something. Share. Though if you want to make it a truly island-style party, do as Enrique does and don't rush. This was my first schnitzel made of swordfish with a side of seasoned avocado - unusual and delectable. But I did notice that the true-minded Puerto Rican dishes served in these restaurants were uniformly more satisfying than the ones that werent. He has no need for a tweezer crew to assemble a dish. Restaurants near Go In Puerto Rico, San Juan on Tripadvisor: Find traveller reviews and candid photos of dining near Go In Puerto Rico in San Juan, Caribbean. Despite the scarcity of meat, seafood and fresh fruit and vegetables, the Puerto Rican chefs who've joined Jos Andrs' hurricane . QR Code Menu. Book ahead because it is very popular! Prepared perfectly. The quality of the meat was incredible, not a single chewy section, not one tendon. Reduce the oven temperature to 300 and roast for 4 hours longer . Jose Enrique, San Juan, Puerto Rico La Mar, Lima, Peru Le Wine . The chef's first award-winning restaurant has achieved such accolades as appearing in CondeNast Traveller magazine's list of 105 best new restaurants. Mashed fried . All rights reserved. Its ideal side is a platter of grilled plantains (essential to any Puerto Rican meal) and eggplants, though the eggplants are treated like baked potatoes, slit open and filled with crme frache and chives (see the recipe). A native of the Santurce district, Chef Jose returned to his hometown of San Juan, Puerto Rico in 2007 to open his self-titled restaurant Jose Enrique. Puerto Rican authorities are also looking to social media to reduce violence. My uncle would make Thanksgivinghuge turkeys stuffed with blood sausage. This steak was served super rare at our request. Our waitress also explained each of the dishes, as they are almost never as they sound by reading the menu (which, deceptively, looks a little meh). 2023 Cond Nast. Direccin 176 Calle Duffaut, San Juan (Puerto Rico) - Pulse para abrir. To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. The Peanut and Cashew Ice Cream had pieces of nutswhich added texture to the ice cream and delivered the nutty flavors. Born 1977; San Juan, Puerto Rico Culinary School The Culinary Institute of America (Hyde Park, NY) Background Riche (New Orleans), Bili (Vieques, Puerto Rico), San Juan Water Beach Club (San Juan, Puerto Rico), Caf Centro (New York City) Quintessential Dish Crispy fried yellowtail snapper with mashed batata (sweet potato) and papaya-avocado salsa How He Got Into Cooking A lot of people cook in my family. Marmalade Restaurant and Wine Bar. Jose Enrique Puerto Rico Authentic Puerto Rican Cuisine. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. Its hard to get a variety of things, though. We ordered the chefs special and WOW we understood immediately why it was a menu staple. Carretera 181 28 Esquina 846, Entrada Ciudad Universitaria. Since launching the restaurant a decade ago, his cuisine has only moved closer to its cocina-criolla roots. #3 of 18 Restaurants in Trujillo Alto. It also spotlighted how purposefully the cooking at Jose Enrique eschews the hodgepodge tactic. The pork came jumbled among pieces of yuca, cooked to the point that they barely held together in starchy blocks. Influences the ever changing menu of the dishes we sampled were just great but place... 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