February 14th, 2016
This winter in order to get guaranteed warm weather you better go way south, past Florida…..needless to say, my friends, Jody, Cindi and I took off for La Isla del Encanto, otherwise known as Puerto Rico. I think the best time to go to Puerto Rico is February. The temperatures? 77 degrees to about 84 degrees. I cannot believe that on my last day there I was complaining that it was too hot. Well, that stopped me on my tracks when arriving in Baltimore it was a mere 34 degrees. Brrrrrr!!!
My friends had not been there. I told them that the airport could be a little hectic. Guess what? It made a liar out of me. Smooth arriving and picking up the luggage. It early evening, and after a little wine on Ashford Avenue in the Condado section of San Juan we took off for some Puerto Rican fare.
Ashford Avenue is a tourist destination. Oceanfront hotels and a great avenue to do some shopping, exercising or hitting some of the hotels for a little nightcap or some gambling.
We decided to stop at Orozco’s Restaurant at 1126 Ashford Ave. Tel. 787-721-7669. This little restaurant has surprised me on other visits. Even though is in a tourist area, the food is true Puerto Rican. It is small and cozy. You can sit street side or go inside. Latin music is always playing.
A little Sangria for us….it was the first of many Sangrias on the island.
We ordered some Corn Fritters or Sorullos de Maiz. Every restaurant has them. They are served with a sweet sauce. They are stuffed with a little bit of cheese. I was trying to have my friends get a taste of “comida criolla”.
Plantains are a staple of the Puerto Rican cooking. They are used like a potato. You get it in different ways…..tostones (fried plantains) or Mofongo. The traditional Mofongo is shaped in a mortar, adding bacon crumblings, garlic, and broth until mashed to the right consistency. Then it would be turned over on a plate and served with broth on the side. The purists still like it that way like my cousin, Sonia, who was with us through the whole week.
Through the years as innovative chefs in the island learned that the Mofongo could be stuffed…..a new way of serving started. You can get it stuffed with lobster, crab, beef, pork, you name it. We ordered the one stuffed with beef.
Another walk after our meal completed our first evening in Condado.
January 3rd, 2016
We really should not complain here in Southern Delaware. The temperatures so far have been great and it has felt like summer all through the Holidays. But, as we start a new year, and being that it is January, the temperatures dipped a bit this a.m. Thinking about the blue waters of San Juan. Getting to Puerto Rico is pretty easy. It is a relatively short flight and there are daily flights from Baltimore (BWI) and Philly.
Every first Sunday of the month the Mercado Urbano or Farmers Market takes place at 1054 Ashford Avenue…9 a.m. until 5 p.m. It is a great way to get up close and personal with farmers, and artists. It is a family affair with plenty of food for everyone. This will be the first Mercado Urbano of 2016!!
This time of the year in San Juan the temperatures will be in the low 8Os, which is great for walking and exploring the Condado area. Mercado Urbano is also ocean front.
Fresh coconut water.
Local produce.
Every Sunday there will be paella.
Local cookies…bring back childhood memories.
Cod Fish Cakes or Bacalaitos. They are so good, and yes they are fattening.
Fresh Pasta.
Throughout the day there are plenty of activities. On Sunday, December 3rd from 9 a.m. until 10 a.m. Yoga with Lara. All you have to do is bring your mat.
From 10 a.m. unti Noon you can participate in Boot Camp with Spartan Fit.
From 3 p.m. until 5 p.m. there will be live entertainment on the stage.
Shop around for Puerto Rican cigars.
Every household in Puerto Rico has “pique” or hot sauce, locally made.
And please stop by to meet Carla from Carla’s Rosaries. All made by Carla…they are beautiful. Check her out on Facebook. Her website is http://www.carlasrosaries.com.
This customer was so graciously posed for a photo.
If you are in the metropolitan area of San Juan, please stop by. It is a lot of fun!!
February 19th, 2015
I am praying that it gets a little warmer at the Delaware Beaches…..but I remember well a couple of weeks ago when visiting Puerto Rico we went to the Mercado Urbano or Urban Market that takes place at Ventana al Mar (Window to the Sea) on Ashford Avenue in Condado the first Sunday of every month. A popular place to be in order to get up close and personal with many local artists….and taste that delicious Puertorican food.
The rosaries did attract our attention. They were beautiful. Meet the artist behind Carla’s Rosaries and bracelets…Carla. Very friendly and most accommodating. So many of us asking questions…could you add this other medal or replace this one for that one. With a smile on her face she obliged.
 
Carla’s Rosaries are sold in Puerto Rico at Carla’s Sweets in Guaynabo and at Carla’s Sweets cart at Plaza Las Americas in Hato Rey. Please visit http://www.carlasrosaries.com. Tel. 787-792-9777 You can find Carla’s Rosaries on Facebook, as well. Please note that Carla’s Rosaries can be purchased online.
 
Carla is also the baker behind Carla’s Sweets. So successful in San Juan. I will have to try them next time, but in the meantime you may visit http://www.carlassweets.com. Shop online, shipping available.
Carla’s Rosaries and bracelets are made with semi-precious stones. The metals are not silver, but alloy and pewter. With time the rosaries will take a “vintage” look. With a bit of care they can last you a lifetime.
 
Please open http://www.carlasrosaries.com, to read about her story. At times when a door closes, another opens. It was pretty much the case for her. Going through a difficult time in her life, she went to a family retreat. She stated that during the retreat she felt anxious….a couple acknowledged the fact that praying had changed their lives. Carla started to cry. Some began to pray for her and gave her a Rosary, blessed by the Virgin of Medugorje. They also gave her the novena of the Divine Mercy, which is supposed to be prayed at 3:00 p.m. Her story is passionate, she is devout of the Divine Mercy, very spiritual, and very much at peace.
Carla wanted to wear a rosary, not in a traditional way. She loves accessories….so Carla’s Rosaries began. Carla’s Rosaries can be worn in a traditional way, or you can wear them like a scarf…worn like that by Carla on the above photos.
   
The Mercardo Urbano or Urban Market will be at Ventana al Mar on Sunday, March 1st, and you can be sure that Carla’s Rosaries and bracelets will be making a statement like they usually do.
Note: You may have your rosary blessed.
February 15th, 2015
 
While we celebrate Groundhog Day in the U.S. on February 2nd, the French celebrate Fete de Chandeleur or Crepe Day!! Walking on Ashford brought us to the CrepeMaker, located at 1302 Ashford Avenue in Condado. Tel. 787-545-5138. Find easily on Facebook as CrepeMaker de Puerto Rico. In San Juan, they have 4 locations.
Visualizing the fact that at this time of the morning, the weather is warm with plenty of sun in Condado. Outdoor seating available but if it gets too warm for you, there is plenty of seating indoors.
The CrepeMaker was a pleasant surprise for us. So many types of crepes for breakfast, lunch and dinner. They also offer wine and beer.
I thank them for letting me take the photos. They were very busy.
At the time of our visit the majority of customers were getting the Breakfast fare….Better Cheddar, Florentine, El Rancho, the Western Crepe…you name it.
Waffles, topped with powdered sugar, cinnamon, bananas, strawberries, and whipped cream on the side. Nutella? They do have it.
My Very Veggie was totally awesome!! Marinated sun-dried tomatoes, sweet red onions, roasted red peppers, fresh baby spinach, basil, tomatoes, mushrooms, melted mozzarella and their signature pesto sauce. The crepe was crispy and perfect for that particular morning.
You can also find at the CrepeMaker soups, fresh salads, and crepe combo specials for kids.
Have a good one!!
February 11th, 2015
 Beach in Condado Local talk radio in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware I heard this a.m. that some legislators want to introduce a law in Puerto Rico where parents of overweight children are going to be receiving some fines.
At times pictures are worth a thousand words…..Have you been to Puerto Rico? Have you tried any of the local food? Full of flavor and probably not the healthiest if you make a point to eat it all the time. Large portions, as well.
I just came back from PR and look at these photos. And I participated in the chowdown.
Well, the fries were made from sweet potatoes. That helped. Adding the plantains and cheese….that side salad is what pretty much you get in a lot of places. Don’t ask me why the tomatoes have to look that way on this tropical island.
Two side dishes that were shared, but meant to be for one person. The second photo shows half of the portion of the beef. The salad was excellent, but not the norm.
Good way to start the day? Of course!!
A popular booth at the Mercado Urbano in Condado….the Roasting Pigs!! Lechon Asado. The line never stopped.
A little paella after the Lechon Asado….yum!
Fresh pineapple to clean your palate? Maybe.
Instead of dessert, why not finish with a tiny fried bacalaito….cod fritter.
Heavier meal at lunch for many Puertoricans….who can resist this at Dona Ana in La Plaza del Mercado in Bayamon.
A side salad with stuffed plantains…with local beef.
Rice and beans because the stuffed plantain was not enough.
And cheesecake, which is nothing new, but it was drizzled with Guava.
The “pirulis” reminded me of my childhood. Did not buy any, by the way.
Back on Ashford Avenue in Condado, you can find a good salad on the second floor of FreshMart.
This roasted chicken on Ashford in Condado was awesome….totally surprised me. Fried plantains, of course and “some” veggies.
Pizza from Via Apia on Ashford in Condado.
Exercising at Ventana al Mar…We were too busy eating and checking things out.
But the best fresh vegetables and fruits can still be found from the vendors that sell out of their trucks. A scene still found in the Metropolitan area of San Juan.
Self control? I used to have so much of it. Back in Delaware trying to get rid of those unwelcomed pounds…..but, It Was Worth It?
So, you decide…fine the parents for overweight kids? That’s ridiculous!
NOTE: Where to eat the above mentioned foods in Puerto Rico…..stay tuned.
February 10th, 2015
Walking on Ashford in Condado is a past time for many that are visiting the island of Puerto Rico….plenty of upscales shops, restaurants, and hotels on this very popular Ave. I hear the community is involved in making sure Condado lives up to its name.
Ashford Avenue is within walking distance of beaches and everything else to make your vacation a special one. As a matter of fact Ashford Avenue is parallel to the beach. Taxis, and public transportation can take you to Old San Juan, a city over 500 years old.
The Art Deco Buildings are beautiful and one in particular is the Miami building located at 868 Ashford Avenue and built in 1936. The colors are peach and light blue.
“The Art Deco style represented luxury, glamour, exuberance and faith in social and technological progress.” Bold geometric designs, lavish ornamentation, and colours characterized this style.
Congratulations to San Juan, Puerto Rico since the National Register of Historic Places has recognized 3 iconic hotels and has welcomed them as members. They are the Caribe Hilton San Juan, built in 1949, Condado Plaza Hilton built in 1963 and the Condado Vanderbilt Hotel built in 1919.
The Condado Vanderbilt is located at 1055 Ashford Avenue. http://www.condadovanderbilt.com The style? Mission/Spanish Revival. This is a 5 star hotel, known for luxury and special services. Ballrooms, banquet meetings…the hotel is oceanfront. So, I stopped to check it out with my Puertorican cousins, Sonia, and Margie. Resort wear is the choice for dressing.
The hotel has been updated completely. The marble floors, I believe are the original ones.
 
We stepped into the Vanderbilt Court…here are some of the photos.
Please visit http://www.condadovanderbilt.com/our-story-condado-en.html to learn more about the history of this gorgeous hotel, which is very interesting.
LOCALISTA – Puerto Rico Disena. Location? Condado Vanderbilt Hotel.
A must stop shop for everything designed by independent designers. Local brands and Puertorican designers, promoted by Localista. Website? http://www.puertoricodisena.com. Catching our attention…..
La Mantilla by Marx Rosado is a modular surface that works well as a wood carpet, a flexible parquet, a non-permanent wood flooring or a cover for horizontal and vertical surfaces. It is open modular assembly.
Jewelry by Marcia Budet. You can find Marcia Budet on Facebook as Designer Marcia Budet.
The clutches made in crystal clear acrylic Plexiglass with original photography, I loved. They were made by designer Natalia Subira.
Promoting Puertorican designs, buying local…http://www.puertoricodisena.com/localista-a-design-store.
And then, as you come out of the hotel head over to Ventana al Mar….and forget that is winter at home. Have a good one!!
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