May 31st, 2014
My uncle Guiso, who is in his 8Os said to me…”this is true Puerto Rico, local color at its best”. Uncle Guiso does not go on the computer, let’s hope. Here is a photo of part of my group as we enjoyed La Placita in Santurce, Puerto Rico, on a Saturday evening.
It is Saturday and going to La Placita is something Puerto Ricans do every week. In reality it is the Plaza del Mercado, the true market in every sense of the word. La Plaza del Mercado was established in 1910. It was a farm that was donated to the Puertorican Government with the condition that they would build this type of market. Many years ago, before supermarkets came into the scene, people went to these markets and got everything they needed. They got to know their vendors up close and personal.
This Plaza del Mercado in Santurce is the only one in Puerto Rico with its own Code of Arms. You can see it on the photo above displayed. It is located at Stop #18 between Ponce de Leon and Baldorioty de Castro. It opens Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Sunday until Noon. Website? http://www.placitasanturce.com.
After 6 p.m. locals gather and the open air block party begins.
You can buy drinks from the bars around La Placita, like we did. That’s my group waiting for twilight.
You can also buy homemade coconut ice cream. The best!! The vendor will be strolling with his cart anouncing “Helao de Coco”.
I know that Cuban cigars are sought after, but in Puerto Rico the cigars are also well known. Right at La Placita you will find the home of Don Rey Cigar. Don Rey Cigar has been preserving the tradition and artistry of cigar making. In 2005 they made a cigar that measured 62.5 feet and earned them the award for the longest cigar in the world given by the Guinness World Book of Records and, therefore, breaking Cuba’s record holder. If you want to know more about Don Rey Cigar, please visit http://www.donreycigar.com.
They call him El Azuceno….he sells the most fragrant flowers, and in Puerto Rican homes you can usually find them displayed in vases. El Azuceno was there that evening, but you also can find him in different areas of metropolitan San Juan.
 
Surrounding La Placita, many restaurants and bars have opened and all of them compete to see which one is the most popular. La Placita is a place where many Puerto Ricans come to socialize after work. Puerto Ricans are gregarious and love to party.
We went to Tasca El Pescador. Usually, know for their good food. On that particular night, it left us very disappointed. The food was okay, but nothing to write home about. It should have been excellent. Everything we order was so local. The service was definitely lacking.
Like I was saying….Puerto Ricans love to party and dance….and when it is on the streets, it is even better!
February 13th, 2014
 
You cannot blame me for the continuation of my posts on the Island of Puerto Rico. Have you looked outside today? Delaware Beaches are getting rain but the tri-state area is getting snow. So, Puerto Rico, is a quick get-away for many. Only a few hours from major airports in Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Maryland, and Philadelphia, PA. No passport needed. Puerto Rico is a Commonwealth of the U.S. English is spoken for the most part throughout the island.
One of my favorite cities in Puerto Rico is Old San Juan. Strolling through Old San Juan will set you back over 500 years. Gorgeous cobblestone streets, wear comfortable shoes. This walled city is so unique that the United Nations Educational Scientific & Cultural Organization, also known as UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site. It is a 7 block museum, where people, live, shop, dine, and party.
A few months ago a friend stayed in Old San Juan with her husband. Both were so surprised to see and experience how Spanish the island is. Not Latin American but Spanish from Spain…food, buildings, and traditions.
I don’t have to think twice when someone asks me where to stay in Old San Juan. My answer is always the same: El Convento Hotel, located at 100 Cristo St. Tel. 787-723-9020. Website? http://www.elconvento.com.
 
Hotel Convento…the word convento is convent; it was a Carmelite Convent 356 years ago. In 1959, under Operation Bootstrap….Operation Bootstrap gave U.S. companies tax incentives to come to Puerto Rico. Hotels, Pharmaceutical companies and Oil companies came to the island looking for those benefits.
Robert Frederic Woolworth, heir to the Woolworth fortune, began converting the convent into the El Convento Hotel in 1959. Since then, other major renovations have taken place in the 1990s and in the 2000s. The hotel has 58 rooms, and several restaurants.
 
El Convento has a rooftop pool. Visiting the Island of Puerto Rico would not be complete if you do not visit its beaches, as well. El Convento has beach and pool privileges at La Concha Hotel located on Ashford Avenue in the Condado section of San Juan and in Isla Verde at the Marriott Hotel. These are both great beaches if you are in San Juan.
The forecast for the Delaware Beaches looks pretty good this week-end. Hard to believe that you think it is warm when the temperatures raise to 40 degrees!! Oh, well spring is around the corner.
See you,
February 9th, 2014
I am so sure that Puertoricans are getting ready for their weekly trip to the “lechoneras” or pig on a spit local eateries or cuchifrines in the country side. Plenty visitors to the island of Puerto Rico just park themselves on the beach. Believe me, that would be the thing to do after the winter we have had and continue to have in the U.S. But, a visit to this island would not be complete without a sampling or tasting of the local cuisine. It is called “comida criolla” or “comida del pais”.
Puertoricans usually go on Sundays and the “restaurants” can get very crowded, so, the best day would be Saturday. That’s what we did.
We stopped in 3 Lechoneras. Arriving with our stomachs empty and looking forward to so many of those dishes that I have not had in a while. By the time we finished, we were totally satisfied and I was thinking that if I had another morcilla, toston, pork or lechon, chicharrones or crispy fat, bananas, cuajo, rice, it would be too soon.
From San Juan the town of Cayey is about 34 miles or 55 kilometers. It will probably take you about 45 minutes, hoping you do not hit a traffic jam or “tapon”. The town of Cayey is surrounded by La Sierra de Cayey. It is mountainous, with cool weather and foggy mornings, especially in the “winter”. Don’t laugh, it is true, Puerto Rico has its winter. Definitely, much cooler in the months of January and February.
La Ruta del Comelon was iniated by me on this trip. It is for those that like to eat or sample the different foods PR has to offer. Full of spices, and herbs, the “comida criolla” has a special aroma and taste. It is just Puertorican yum!
La Ruta del Lechon or the Pig on a Spit Rute is well known and documented. It is in Guavate which is part of the town of Cayey. The first “Lechonera” we tried was El Cunao which is in the area but not considered a true Ruta del Lechon. Located on Carr. 1, Km 65.4, Cayey, PR. Tel. 787-263-0511.
Some of the Lechoneras can be very simple and others look more like full-fledge restaurants such as El Cuano. It is still run by the same family. It started small and now it is a thriving restaurant. Every Puertorican has a favorite and my cousins thought this was one of theirs.
Richard took care of us and he took me through a tour of their restaurant. The pigs were ready to roast for Sunday and even though you might not like this picture, it needed to be taken because it is how they prepare the pigs for roasting on the spit.
After they are roasted and it does take awhile, then they are carved and ready to eat.
These ladies’ job was to peel plantains for the mofongo and tostones, and green bananas which are cooked in Puerto Rico and eaten as a vegetable and at times in a marinade. Really good!!
On the photo, on the right, is Richard, who also makes the best “pique” and hot sauce.
We decided to share our bounty, due to the fact that this was not the only place where the Ruta del Comelon would take us. Of course, drinks were ordered.
Tostones made out of green plantains, I do love and these ones were perfectly cooked. Thin, crispy, with a soft center and also huge!!
Morcillas are blood sausages with rice. They a bit of bite to them which made them even better. Don’t wrinkle your nose because if you have not tried them, you don’t know what you ar missing.
Cuajito….this is another one that you don’t want to analyze too much but was so good I would go back for more. It is stewed hog maws or the stomach of the pig…the lining of the stomach. It does sounds disgusting but you just have to try it. Next to the cuajito are green bananas cooked and eaten as a side dish.
Roasted Pig…..the top part is the crispy….you got it; the fat. Even thought this first tasting of the roasted pig was very good….the one we all decided was the best was at the last stop….in a later post.
The next table had sat down to enjoy one succulent lunch….and no, I was not stalking them.
Not missing and very much enjoyed was the pique made by Richard.
My brother and his wife….they were ready for the next stop.
On a personal note….my husband who passed away 5 months ago….we met in Puerto Rico and he would have loved my plate….He was a foodie when that word did not even exist. He loved Puertorican food, and my plate would have been much enjoyed by him.
Have a great day!
September 14th, 2010
Back in May when I visited Puerto Rico I met Paul Gonzalez when he was promoting the Puerto Rico Coffee Expo. I told him that I was a coffee afcionada and that I would be more than pleased to put the information for this great event on my blog.
Puerto Rico is known for its coffee. I remember my grandmother always having her afternoon coffee. It is a ritual. A relaxing time to share with friends and neighbors.
“Puerto Rico es Cafe” is the motto for the Puerto Rico Coffee Expo which will be held Saturday 9/18 and Sunday 9/19 at the Puerto Rico Convention Center located at 100 Convention Blvd., San Juan, Puerto Rico 00907.
The Puerto Rico Coffee Expo will bring together the coffee community and related products in an effort to stimulate and reposition the Puerto Rican coffee industry.
The Expo will gather coffee brands, producers, roasters, distributors, restaurant owners, coffee shops, barista, coffee lovers, artisans, private organizations and government agencies that promote the coffee industry development.
The public will have the opportunity to learn more about the history, brands, new trends, barista art, and special coffees.
The exhibitors at the Puerto Rican Coffee Expo will have the opportunity to showcase their products and services to thousands of local and international visitors, while stimulating and promoting the production and quality of the Puerto Rican coffee.
This event will be opened to the general public and is free of charge.
The coordinators of the event is the Cube Group, Inc. It is a Puerto Rican organization founded in 2010 with the main objective of developing high impact cultural, socio-economic and entrepreneurial events in Puerto Rico. It is composed of three young guys who want to establish an annual event that will contribute to the culture, economy, and education within the fascinating world of coffee.
If you would like more information, please visit www.prcoffeeexpo.com, or write to the e-mail info@coffeeexpo.com. You may also call 787-568-7646.
Talk to you later…..I cannot imagine the aroma at the Puerto Rico Convention Center during the event…Have a great one…
Note: Information from this post was taken from the press release sent to me.
April 13th, 2010
It has been 13 years since I last visited the island. I was visiting for serious personal reasons; not on holiday.
I flew from the Philadelphia airport. The airport was so quiet at that time of the morning; but not for long.
I heard noises coming from my gate; loud voices, kids screaming. Oh, how can I forget that some things never change!!
Latins are loud but Puerto Ricans have a Master’s Degree in Loud Speaking. I am including myself in this group. There have been times when I have had to tone myself down; just a few notches.
Spending almost 4 hours in an airplane will get you to meet the person next to you. I met Christina. Her parents were in the plane, as well. By the time I got to Puerto Rico, I knew her whole life story. I started to get a little worried when she asked for a bag in case she needed to throw up. She was pregnant and morning sickness was tugging at her. I just told her to please throw up to the other side. She was presented with a trash can bag. Can you imagine me landing in PR after all these years looking like, oh, well I am not getting into it.
Hey, I am kidding; I was ready to help her. She made out fine and full of happiness and with plenty of aspirations for the baby. She herself was one of 11 children from the same parents who were 47 and 53 years old. Yikes!! I wish her the best.
It was a smooth ride all the way until we hit San Juan; I missed the clapping upon arrival. I was surprised because it was a bit shaky.
I cannot imagine anyone contradicting me on the following. This airport has never been able to handle a smooth retrieval of luggage. Single file through just one revolving door for all the planes arriving that day. Then on to the actual waiting of luggage.
But, everything was forgotten as soon as I saw Sonia, Guiso and Margie; my welcoming committee.
I thought about leaving my blog quiet for those days but some time ago, when I started writing this blog, Roxana pointed out that Puerto Rico has beautiful beaches, as well. Therefore, I am taking this opportunity to write my experiences in La Isla del Encanto.
One thing Puerto Ricans do well is find the perfect places to eat. So lunch, drinks, catching up and a quick tour of my old stomping grounds; the Condado area, Ashford Ave., and on our way to Old San Juan; one of the oldest, most beautiful and romantic cities in this hemisphere.
I found some areas have remained untouched. Others, I wish they would have left them alone. This island is in economic chaos but building is still going on in Old San Juan. I love its cobblestones in the Old City and the narrow streets, the balconies, the vendors and the Port of San Juan.
Even though I have rated the Piraguas (snow cones) in PR as the best in the world, I did not have one. They really are the best.
The new Convention Center is strategically located taking advantage of its views towards Catano, home of the Bacardi Distillery.
Ahh…the sounds of the island; not the Coqui; that little green frog indigenous to Puerto Rico; but the horns, the loudspeakers on top of cars, announcing I don’t know what. I don’t think there is a political election yet.
The driving experience. Only when you go through it, you realize that it’s time to give thanks for being alive. Sonia went against the traffic, but who cares? Just another “Puertorriquenada.”
Finally, we arrived at “Hacienda Pellerano”, my home until Monday.
Hacienda Pellerano is in the city of Guaynabo, but you would think that it is in the middle of the rain forest. You can actually see, El Yunque (rain forest) from their house, at a distance, and on a clear day. My room was great. I had short and long robes embroidered with its name, slippers, candy and flowers.
Freshly squeezed juice every day, black espresso made by Mr. P; you were ready to face the day. The sounds of the parrots and the sights of the guacamayos passing by made you feel that you were certainly on an island. Iguanas and maybe an occasional monkey, as well.
The thing is that Hacienda Pellerano is private and by invitation only.
And, that’s how my stay began….
Talk to you later…
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