Afternoon Tea in the City?

Adding my vote for C &C. Very good tea, cakes and sandwiches, fun / slightly silly atmosphere, very well priced.

cj530 in San Francisco Bay Area

San Francisco Experience

Will second ( or third, fourth??) the recc'md for COI. Was visiting in April and it was by far the most singularly "SF" evening (and we had some amazingly good meals) . Not just for interesting food, but the whole experience - really outstanding.

cj530 in San Francisco Bay Area

San Juan / OSJ - restaurant report

This was our wedding anniversary celebration. We relocated from the States last year to the west side of the island, so we wanted to stay away from traditional Comida Criollo**, which we can have any time. Over three days we had nine meals. Of those, these are really worth mentioning:

Breakfast at La Bombonera, (259 Calle de San Francisco)
Cavernous, fluorescent lit, replete with formica and vinyl. A little care-worn. PACKED with patrons. Why? - Mallorcas - a testament to the power of Sweet and Salty. Fresh, lightly eggy bread, buttered. Layered with a bit of ham and cheese. Griddled till gold, pressed hot and melty. Dusted with powdered sugar. Cheap. Heaven on a plate, sugar dust in my lap.

Lunch at Pikayo, (Museo de Arte, Santurce)
Having been three times in under a year, we are no longer making visits, but pilgrimages. Replete with fabulous, beautifully presented food in a spectacular room, each has been a treat.

Highlights of this meal included an appetizer special of squid and chorizo in a light broth of cilantro, butter, garlic and white wine with slices of crisp green asparagus. A meaty and tender hunk of swordfish with a slick of tamarind fruit glaze and a crispy pan fried snapper fillet bathed in a smoky paprika sauce. For dessert we were sharing the ethereal chocolate soufflé. Instead of bringing the normal portion with two spoons, the kitchen very thoughtfully prepared two petite soufflés and presented them individually with small shots of crème anglaise. A nice touch. Bourbon Man, (a.k.a. my husband), had his usually menu-perusing drink, followed by bottled water. I was drinking Spanish Cava that I never learned the name of. A by-the-glass recommendation of the waiter; light and dry and well paired with the meal. But then again, wine with lunch is just about my favorite “on vacation” signifier.

Dinner at Trois Cent Onze, (311 Calle Fortaleza)
The Moorish tile and glass rosette on the front of the building only hint at what lies inside – a really pretty and comfortable dining room and one of the most well-prepared meals we’ve shared. One word to sum up the food, décor and staff? Genuine. The food, flawless without being precious. The décor, alluring without being pretentious. The staff, warm and helpful without being intrusive.

We enjoyed everything, especially:
Foie gras laced with raisins, honey and served with brioche toast. A Caribbean lobster tail broiled, split and sauced with a champagne beurre blanc. Lovely little rack of lamb, perfectly cooked medium rare and accompanied by a salpicon using local squash that’s been cubed and baked with broth, butter and herbs, finished with a touch of cream. For dessert we shared the crème brulée of the day - a nutty, sweet pistachio. Capped off by an outstanding glass of Sauternes.

** We made one exception to the traditional Puerto Rican food rule:
El Jibarito, (280 Calle Sol) - The room is nothing special, the waitstaff can be indifferent, but if you want the real thing, this is it. The portions are big and inexpensive, the beer is cold, and if you visit PR without tasting their Mofongo de Yuca, you will have missed a real treat.

cj530 in South & Central America & the Caribbean