Marmalade | San Juan, Puerto Rico

white bean soup shooter with truffle oil and panchetta dust

Seemingly a restaurant with the best reviews in San Juan, Marmalade, had to be tasted. We ventured out in the late evening and were promptly seated at a lovely table with golden chargers.

The service was effortless, especially compared to the horrible experience at Lost Cafe (no pun intended) in the morning.  Staff were happy to customize the drinks; no small feat for our somewhat rowdy bunch. I thank whomever made mine - it was a perfectly balanced pineapple mojito that I will remember for a long time.

The menu is diverse. Though the ingredients far from local, they are from sources personally known by the chef. As he put it, he can put a face to a voice on the phone line belonging to his Oregon mushroom forager (where by the way, morels are in season in August).



Chef Peter Schintler telling me about Oregon mushroom farming



We ordered a sampling from most of the menu. I tried the red snapper ceviche, Kobe beef cheeks with peas and morels, and the lamb tagine; as well as a sampling of the white bean soup infused with black truffle oil and pancetta, compliments of the house (twice). All of which were delectable.

Overall, this is not the place to go to try local cuisine. But if you want world-class dining, in a beautiful, loungy atmosphere, come here. Oh, and get a drink!

Photos: Courtesy of I.Z.

more photos coming...