Review of The Latin Roots Restaurant in Old San Juan

All the Puerto Rican culinary staples, mixed with a large dance floor, solid Latin bands, and salsa lessons from qualified teachers, make The Latin Roots an entertaining way to experience Puerto Rico.

I'll say this much for The Latin Roots; it's the only place in Old San Juan where you can listen to live Latin bands, learn how to dance salsa in group classes from actual teachers (not waiters who double as salsaficionados), and eat authentic Puerto Rican food. Add all that up, and it's a pretty fun night out in the old city.

Now, I have to admit, I have eaten better Puerto Rican food in San Juan. That said, I certainly enjoyed the arañitas (shredded deep-fried green plantain fritters that have a multi-legged spider look to them, which gives them their name), and the mofongo with churrasco (skirt steak) in a chimichurri sauce was succulent and hearty. And one of the restaurant's signature dishes is the lechón a la varita, or rotisserie-style roast suckling pig; in fact, they have a lechonera that serves lechón with a variety of typical accompaniments.

And while I'm admitting things, I have to say that I've had a better salsa lesson in San Juan as well. That said, the group lesson was a hoot. Our instructor gathered a big group of patrons on the ample dance floor, and we were soon twisting and moving to the music while she led us in the basic steps of the dance. The restaurant also offers exhibitions and has a host of talented live bands. Check out their rather full calendar to see what's going on.

This is a fun, casual place that is open 7 days a week and always has a lively ambience. And after a heavy, calorically inclined Puerto Rican dinner, what better than a salsa spin on the dance floor?