Very Nice Restaurant To Celebrate 30th

[foppenheim]

My DW and I will be staying in San Juan at the Ritz for two nights before our cruise and would like suggestions for a very nice restaurant to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary on 5/17/08. We don't want to stray too far from the hotel and were thinking perhaps Pamela's or Tangerine? Your feedback would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thanks,

Frank

[pholter]

Tangerine is outstanding!! Also, you can wander to the rooftop for a romantic place with a spectacular view of the city to get some after dinner or before dinner drinks to watch the sunset, etc. The elevators even have waterfalls in them. :) We also stayed at the Ritz and took a 5 minute cab ride to the hotel (it was raining), but we chose to walk through Isla Verde on the way back. It's a few blocks away, so your wife might not want to walk if she's wearing heals though.

 

http://www.waterbeachclubhotel.com/

[foppenheim]

Thanks, Pholter. What did you think of the Ritz? What type room did you stay in?

[pholter]

Thanks, Pholter. What did you think of the Ritz? What type room did you stay in?

 

We were put in a newly renovated deluxe room- no balcony. It was just a room really, not worth the extra $$$ they charge, but we used our rewards points on this stay, so it was fine. Now, the grounds and pool area are beautiful. The waitstaff brings out fresh fruit kabobs on and off while sunning, etc. If you're looking for a little nightlife, we didn't find any here, but there is plenty close by (within walking distance). The casino paid off pretty nicely on both our pre and post cruise stays.

[texancruzer]

All I know is we had the best meal of our entire trip at Pamela's. That includes 3 days precruise in San Juan and the 7 day cruise on Serenade.

 

It is a small restaurant in the Numero Uno Guesthouse complex. There is a small courtyard with a tiny pool.... but you can also sit outside on the beach. Think toes in sand - crystal on the table. I would definatley go to this restaurant again. We stayed at the El Convento in old San Juan so this was a 15 minute taxi ride for us. But had heard good things about it and it was good :D BTW this trip was for our 25th anniversary.

[Coqui2007]

You should also check out Pikayo - it is said to be one of the best in Puerto Rico - it is located in te Museum of Art in San Juan - it's expensive I believe

[dwdowns]

Frank,

 

I just stayed 3 nights pre cruise at the Ritz 9/6 - 9/9 and it was fantastic. It was our anniversary also, make sure you tell the desk at check in that it is your anniversary. I did and they upgraded us to a Junior Suite at no extra charge. The bathroom is the big difference between the suite and a regular room. The beds are extremely comfortable also. The beach and pool area and service at both are great. They bring chilled towels out to you on the beach and small samples of various daiquiris at the poo.

 

We didn't eat any really nice meals so I can't help with that. We ate sushi at the Japanese restaurant in the InterContinental and it was very good. You can walk from the Ritz. One small local restaurant I would recommend for lunch if you are in Old San Juan is Cafe Puerto Rico. The doorman at the Ritz recommended it to us and it was fantastic. Homemade local food and good Mojitos. Also they have a cowboy western bar on top of the El San Juan hotel. The guacamole was great. They make it at the table and season to your preference. We did not eat anything else there so I can't comment. The Margaritas and Mojitos served there are beyond huge. Enjoy, it is a very fun town.

 

David

[foppenheim]

Thanks, David. I was beginning to wonder if the Ritz was the right choice. It sounds like a very posh hotel. Did you play in the casino at all? If so, how did you find it?

[tada]

Cafe Puerto Rico, in the plaza with the statue of Christopher Columbus (Cristobal Colon?) is excellent. We have dined there on two separate trips. Excellent Puerto Rican food. There is also a Haitian art/souvenir shop right near it. Most of the items are South American, but very nice souvenirs. A more upscale restaurant with a known chef is Aquaviva, also in the same area. For more Puerto Rican dining (recommended by Rachel Ray) for breakfast/lunch is La Bombenara. For a casual dinner, La Casita Blanca. Every hotel staff knows where all of these restaurants are located.

[dwdowns]

Frank,

 

I did play a little while in the casino one night. It is very nice. All of the casinos in San Juan are very small compared to Las Vegas and Atlantic City. This one and the one in the El San Juan are probably the biggest. One maybe two craps tables. About 10 - 12 card table cames. Mostly blackjack, lots of slot machines. I did not have any luck there, dropped about $300 playing Blackjack. I did hit a straight flush playing 3 card on the ship the last night of the cruise so not bad. It is the only casino in the Ritz Carlton chain. The food at the Ritz is very good, but very expensive. We ate lunch at the Ocean Grill and a normal lunch with two beers and tip will run you about $70. Any other questions I'll try to answer.

 

David

[foppenheim]

Thanks, everyone. Since we will be staying two nights in SJ I think we will do Tangerine one night and Pamela's the next. Both sound fantastic.

[pholter]

Thanks, everyone. Since we will be staying two nights in SJ I think we will do Tangerine one night and Pamela's the next. Both sound fantastic.

Sounds like a great plan! Hope your stay and cruise are wonderful :)

[toonjie]

I can't think of a more romantic dinner than at Tangerine, the rooftop bar, elevators with waterfalls in them, it's just wonderful with impeccable service! We had dinner there before getting engaged and it was a night we'll never forget! I look forward to many anniversaries celebrated there!