We began the morning of 25 March in our own little ways. I worked out a little in the room and then went for a run. I got a little wet from the rain but no big deal. Mer spent the first part of the morning blogging about our previous day.
When I got back from the run we cleaned up a little and headed to the beach. We walked in the water west along the beach. We took some pictures and enjoyed the views of the hotels, palm trees, and the ocean. It was still a cloudy day, but who cares, we’re at the beach, right?! We took a few photos and sat on the pier over at the ocean side of one of the parks. We saw a Ben & Jerry’s shop over there but we resisted. We had to prepare our bodies for the meals we were to have the rest of the day (ha!).
After our little beach jaunt we went back to the hotel and hopped in the pool. It’s a small, but nice, pool complete with a waterfall. It fits in with the quaintness of the hotel. By this time the sun started to come out a little and we both were able to add a bit of color to our skin. We lounged by the pool for a short time to kind of warm up and dry off.
After our dip we headed up to the room to plan the rest of our day and to get cleaned up. We decided to check out Old San Juan (OSJ) and a few restaurants down there. We hailed a cab right outside the front of the hotel. Luis, our cab driver is a really nice guy. He’s trying to learn better English and Mer gets to speak Spanish with him, so it’s a win-win situation. We’ve decided to try to use him whenever we can.
Anyway, our first stop in OSJ was Punto de Vista (PdV), a small but reputable establishment on a busy corner near the piers where all the cruise ships park. Our first taste of the place were Mojitos, and Ay Dios Mio, change my life!!! I had a traditional Mojito and Mer had a Mojito with passion fruit added. They were made with fresh mint leaves and so very refreshing and tasty. The food at PdV was equally as good. Mer had a shrimp mofongo that, in her words, “was to die for!” I had churrasquitos, Argentine steak tacos with a raspberry chipotle sauce, and tostones. The mix of flavors was excellent! I would highly recommend Punto de Vista to anyone travelling to SJ, PR.
After our meal we walked around OSJ for a while. Mer took some pictures of signs, etc. for her and colleagues’ classes. We also surveyed the restaurant scene as we like to do in all the places we travel. We saw Marmalade, where we ate the previous night, so we started to get our bearings. We also saw a bird man photographer. It was a guy that had several tropical birds (we’re talking large birds) who would then put these birds all over your out-stretched arms and head and then photograph you (for a fee of course). This was very similar to the pigeon guy in St. Mark’s Square in Venice, Italy. On our stroll we also happened by Cuatro Sombras, a little coffee shop that wanted to try. So we decided to continue our lap around the block (to also burn off some of our lunch) and then we’ll return and get a cup of coffee. While there I enjoyed a cup of mochaccino and Mer had a macchiato (espresso size). Following our respite we decided to walk back to the PdV corner and call Luis to pick us up and take us back to the hotel.
We arrived back at Le Consulat and went up to our room to relax and nap, etc before the evening. We made reservations at another one of the top restaurants (according to trip advisor), Niche. After our break we change and get ready to make our way to Niche. It’s a little over a mile from the hotel and a nice night, so we decided to walk. It was a very nice evening stroll, and the temperature was just right. It took about 20 minutes to walk there and we found the place with no problem. We walked in and met Donna, the hostess/server and she showed us to our seats. It is quite a small place with only about eight tables plus the bar seats. Taking up about four of the tables was a group of 4-5 older couples. We perused over the drink menus as we waited for Donna to return. I started off the evening with a recommendation from Donna and ordered one of their famous Mojitos. I was also impressed with their take on it and at this point I couldn’t really tell you which I liked better, either this one or the one from PdV. They’re both amazing! The fresh mint leaves are key. We also ordered a bottle of rose champagne to share throughout the evening. For an appetizer I ordered the duck confit tacos dusted with Dutch blue cheese. They were very tasty and something a bit different. For an entrée I had the Kobe Pork Chop stuffed with spinach and red peppers topped with provolone cheese, black truffles/truffle oil, and French fries. I decided against getting my usual filet mignon and was very impressed and happy with my choice. The chop had a very nice combination of flavors. Mer, for her entrée, ordered the lobster tail over a pumpkin bacon risotto. That had to be the largest lobster tail I have ever seen in my life. It, as well, had an excellent flavor. The risotto was to die for. It was an unusual combination of flavors but they mixed very well together.
Our overall dining experience was excellent, however, there was a noticeable difference in the amount of attention we were getting from Donna compared to the table of 8-10 older folks. They were laughing and carrying on (I would imagine inspired by the amount of cocktails there were having), they were having Donna take their pictures, took pictures with Donna, bought drinks for Donna, Donna introduced them to the Chef, they took pictures with the Chef, etc. Donna was really working it for a nice tip, FOR SURE!!! Even though when we got our bill the tip was already included. To see their interaction was quite funny. We had a great time!
Following our meal we made the short trek back to the hotel and called it a night.
(Click here for more pictures)
When I got back from the run we cleaned up a little and headed to the beach. We walked in the water west along the beach. We took some pictures and enjoyed the views of the hotels, palm trees, and the ocean. It was still a cloudy day, but who cares, we’re at the beach, right?! We took a few photos and sat on the pier over at the ocean side of one of the parks. We saw a Ben & Jerry’s shop over there but we resisted. We had to prepare our bodies for the meals we were to have the rest of the day (ha!).
After our little beach jaunt we went back to the hotel and hopped in the pool. It’s a small, but nice, pool complete with a waterfall. It fits in with the quaintness of the hotel. By this time the sun started to come out a little and we both were able to add a bit of color to our skin. We lounged by the pool for a short time to kind of warm up and dry off.
After our dip we headed up to the room to plan the rest of our day and to get cleaned up. We decided to check out Old San Juan (OSJ) and a few restaurants down there. We hailed a cab right outside the front of the hotel. Luis, our cab driver is a really nice guy. He’s trying to learn better English and Mer gets to speak Spanish with him, so it’s a win-win situation. We’ve decided to try to use him whenever we can.
Anyway, our first stop in OSJ was Punto de Vista (PdV), a small but reputable establishment on a busy corner near the piers where all the cruise ships park. Our first taste of the place were Mojitos, and Ay Dios Mio, change my life!!! I had a traditional Mojito and Mer had a Mojito with passion fruit added. They were made with fresh mint leaves and so very refreshing and tasty. The food at PdV was equally as good. Mer had a shrimp mofongo that, in her words, “was to die for!” I had churrasquitos, Argentine steak tacos with a raspberry chipotle sauce, and tostones. The mix of flavors was excellent! I would highly recommend Punto de Vista to anyone travelling to SJ, PR.
After our meal we walked around OSJ for a while. Mer took some pictures of signs, etc. for her and colleagues’ classes. We also surveyed the restaurant scene as we like to do in all the places we travel. We saw Marmalade, where we ate the previous night, so we started to get our bearings. We also saw a bird man photographer. It was a guy that had several tropical birds (we’re talking large birds) who would then put these birds all over your out-stretched arms and head and then photograph you (for a fee of course). This was very similar to the pigeon guy in St. Mark’s Square in Venice, Italy. On our stroll we also happened by Cuatro Sombras, a little coffee shop that wanted to try. So we decided to continue our lap around the block (to also burn off some of our lunch) and then we’ll return and get a cup of coffee. While there I enjoyed a cup of mochaccino and Mer had a macchiato (espresso size). Following our respite we decided to walk back to the PdV corner and call Luis to pick us up and take us back to the hotel.
We arrived back at Le Consulat and went up to our room to relax and nap, etc before the evening. We made reservations at another one of the top restaurants (according to trip advisor), Niche. After our break we change and get ready to make our way to Niche. It’s a little over a mile from the hotel and a nice night, so we decided to walk. It was a very nice evening stroll, and the temperature was just right. It took about 20 minutes to walk there and we found the place with no problem. We walked in and met Donna, the hostess/server and she showed us to our seats. It is quite a small place with only about eight tables plus the bar seats. Taking up about four of the tables was a group of 4-5 older couples. We perused over the drink menus as we waited for Donna to return. I started off the evening with a recommendation from Donna and ordered one of their famous Mojitos. I was also impressed with their take on it and at this point I couldn’t really tell you which I liked better, either this one or the one from PdV. They’re both amazing! The fresh mint leaves are key. We also ordered a bottle of rose champagne to share throughout the evening. For an appetizer I ordered the duck confit tacos dusted with Dutch blue cheese. They were very tasty and something a bit different. For an entrée I had the Kobe Pork Chop stuffed with spinach and red peppers topped with provolone cheese, black truffles/truffle oil, and French fries. I decided against getting my usual filet mignon and was very impressed and happy with my choice. The chop had a very nice combination of flavors. Mer, for her entrée, ordered the lobster tail over a pumpkin bacon risotto. That had to be the largest lobster tail I have ever seen in my life. It, as well, had an excellent flavor. The risotto was to die for. It was an unusual combination of flavors but they mixed very well together.
Our overall dining experience was excellent, however, there was a noticeable difference in the amount of attention we were getting from Donna compared to the table of 8-10 older folks. They were laughing and carrying on (I would imagine inspired by the amount of cocktails there were having), they were having Donna take their pictures, took pictures with Donna, bought drinks for Donna, Donna introduced them to the Chef, they took pictures with the Chef, etc. Donna was really working it for a nice tip, FOR SURE!!! Even though when we got our bill the tip was already included. To see their interaction was quite funny. We had a great time!
Following our meal we made the short trek back to the hotel and called it a night.
(Click here for more pictures)
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