1. Travel
Exploring the East

If I had to pick the region that has the most to offer, I'd have to go with the East. Why? Start with two spectacular islands, the only subtropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest Service, two of the world's six bioluminescent bays, and several outstanding resorts. Not enough? Wait, there's more.

What to see in the East

Puerto Rico's Regions

Did you know Puerto Rico is made up of six tourist regions? Better yet, did you know that each one offers its own tremendous collection of natural wonders, historic sites, attractions, entertainment and services to satisfy any visitor's interests? Fortunately, I can back up that claim with hard facts ... like my five things to do in each of Puerto Rico's regions.

An in-depth look at ...
Puerto Rico Travel Spotlight10

Visiting the San Juan Cathedral

Saturday May 19, 2012

Catedral de San Juan

The Cathedral of San Juan isn't a mere tourist attraction. And it's not an ordinary church. This is the one of the oldest churches in the Western Hemisphere, the seat of the archdiocese in Puerto Rico, and an iconic landmark of Puerto Rico.

But it's not just its historical prominence that makes the Catedral de San Juan Bautista a must-visit stop in Old San Juan.  This, as a friend of mine put it, is the Grande Dame of the city. It's long been looted and pillaged of its riches trappings (thank you Earl of Cumberland), but it does have two very interesting attractions: the tomb of a man who became famous for hunting after a mythical fountain, and the wax-encased mummy of a Roman martyr. And it's one of three churches on Cristo Street alone, making this one seriously sacred stretch of road.

On your tour of Old San Juan, plan for a stop at this elegant gothic-inspired house of worship, which has been watching over San Juan for almost 500 years.

Restaurant Week Restaurant Reviews: BLT Steak

Monday May 14, 2012

BLT Porterhouse

If you're in Puerto Rico this week, you're in luck, because so is Restaurant Week. And I'm concluding my reviews of participating restaurants with BLT Steak at the Ritz-Carlton, San Juan.

I became a fan of this place as soon as I sank my teeth into one of their custom-made popovers (comes with recipe), an appropriate teaser for the rest of the meal. After munching on this treat, I glanced over at the chalkboard menu (updated daily) to decide my meal, which ended up being a chilled tuna tartare (I know, it's a typical starter, but it's flawless here), a cooked-to-perfection porterhouse, and a trifle that was inhaled more than it was eaten.

For Restaurant Week, BLT is offering a three-course meal comprised of Caesar salad or grilled double-cut bacon for an appetizer; a 6 oz prime filet, pan-seared snapper, or airline chicken breast for entree; and peanut butter chocolate mousse or caramelized cheesecake for dessert. Not a bad way to spend $39, no?

Restaurant Week Restaurant Reviews: Bistro de Paris

Saturday May 12, 2012

There are very few things in Puerto Rico that would remind anyone of France, but Bistro de Paris is one of them. The menu, featuring all the most popular staples and some of the more exotic ones, is extensive and traditional French (no messing about with fusion fare here).

The place looks like it was crane-lifted out of a sociable corner of the city and transported straight to the island. It's elegant without getting too stuffy inside, and the outside terrace is a pleasant alternative for an evening out.

And their $39 prix fixe menu for Restaurant Week offers a nice variety, from onion soup, escargot or scallop mousse for an appetizer to lamb, trout Meuničre, or mussels mariničre with fries for an entree, to chocolate mousse or apple tarte tatin for dessert.

Restaurant Week Restaurant Reviews: Budatai and Bar Gitano

Tuesday May 8, 2012

Bar Gitano reinvents Spanish cuisine

Continuing my restaurant reviews leading up to Restaurant Week (you can see an updated list of participating restaurants here), I'm focusing on two restaurants that are the creations of one of Puerto Rico's most celebrated chefs: Roberto Treviņo. No stranger to the global culinary circuit, Chef Treviņo brings his signature flair for inventive cuisine to two very different eateries in Condado.

If I had to pick one in which to have a memorable dinner, it would be Budatai. The Asian-fusion fare here is just too good to pass up. From the tropically inclined sushi rolls to the churrasco with flat noodles, the food here is delicious and delightful. Not far away, Bar Gitano leaves Asia far behind and puts the Treviņo twist on classic Spanish food. The meal I had was at once quintessentially Spanish and distinctly New World, with flavor combinations and techniques that you would never expect. The squid-ink dusted calamari and pinch0-style garlic shrimp skewers attest to the marriage of traditional Spanish fare and Treviņo's whimsy.

These two restaurants are fine additions to Restaurant Week, and two more reasons to enjoy this terrific culinary promotion, which starts on May 14.

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