Restaurants in San Juan (area 0 P.R.

David G. wrote:

> I will be accompanying wy wife on a trip to San Juan at the end of January. We
> are looking for a " Calvin Trillin stle of eating" suggesstions. Someone who
> knows SAn Juan suggested the Cuban restaurantsMetrople 1,2, and 3 as well as a
> Chinese restaurant (name couldn't be recalled ) at stop 18,Ferndez
Juncos &Todd.
> Does anyone have other suggestions along this line:No fancy food or decor, few
> if any tourists and reasonable prices--the kind of restaurant a resident of
> San Juan would go to for an everyday dinner or lunch

I'd be remiss if I didn't also mention Chayote, Avenida Miramar 603 in the Miramar section of San Juan.  This is fancy food, the kind of food (creative, nouvelle, haute, etc.) I don't associate with Puerto Rico. or at least didn't.  The decor is rather upscale and sophisticated in an international manner as well, although it is informal and dress varies from tasteful sport shirts to jacket and tie (no shorts etc.).  Prices ($5-10+ for appetizers and $15-20 for main courses) are reasonable for the food, decor and service.  There were more than a few tourists dining there, but I couldn't find a listing or advertisement for the restaurant in any of the handouts aimed at tourists.  The restaurant depends on local residents for its business and it appears to have its steady clientele. It's a decidedly fusion menu borrowing from everywhere, but there is a definite local flavor to most of the dishes.  Garnishes are frequently local products and some dishes are take offs on traditional dishes. Brandade de morue was rather different from the traditional French dried codfish dish and was accompanied by a garnish traditionally served with dried cod.  Rice and beans became a Rissotto of pigeon peas with arborio rice.  Many of the combinations were a little too creative for me, but although I'm not a fan of fusion cooking, I enjoyed my meals there.  Wine prices seemed to be reasonable.  Although rum is cheap in Puerto Rico, wine seemed to be expensive in supermarkets and liquor stores.

By all means search out and try the aged pot still Ron del Barrelito.  We enjoy it straight after dinner in lieu of brandy.  The thre star is about ten dollars a bottle in supermarkets, $14 dollars at the airport (supposedly without the local taxes) and goes for almost $20 in liquor stores here in NYC.