Puerto Rico

Juncos, Puerto Rico

This place is really special, I'm usually pretty good about finding the best restaurants around but somehow after going to PR so many times for the past 3-4 years, this has never came across me. I was out one day kite surfing with my friend and coach, Francisco, in Ocean Park Beach off of Calle Gertrúdis. He had a friend come by and her name was Sarah who lived just down the street and we were introduced. She was actually the one who told me about Bacoa, she rides her bike a lot all over the island and went there one day and said the food was excellent—Obviously, I had to put it on my list, as soon as we finished talking, I had a reservation made just minutes later for the following week. 

It was a beautiful drive up to the restaurant which is tucked away in the mountains in Juncos with many winding roads and steep inclines to get there. They had a gravel lot you turn into and park and then walk up the pathway to the restaurant. There's a nice pond to the right with benches to sit and relax if you want and you can also see the farm just on the other side.

The restaurant itself is a beautiful 2/3 story house with open air seating on the porches. When you walk in, you immediately see the open kitchen and the huge stack of cut wood that they use to cook with—Very rustic, traditional, and effort put into the food from the chefs. I was told the farm hosts animals that they raise and prepare for the restaurant such as pigs, lambs etc. A true farm to table experience right there on the property.

I started off with a bottle of 2022 La Furgoneta and a plate of octopus carpaccio which is one of my absolute favorites, it was perfectly done—Thin sliced octopus topped with red onion, citrus, and some greens. For dinner, I opted for the roasted chicken with a salsa verde and a side of arroz y habichuelas "rice and beans." It was perfectly done, tender with a ton of flavor. The habichuelas were perfect also, plenty of seasoning and time went into those. For dessert, apparently the bread pudding was the item that was most popular, now I tend not to follow the masses but regardless of what everyone else ordered, I was going to get the bread pudding anyways as it's one of my favorite desserts. 

The whole meal was perfect from start to finish—The food, the service, the atmosphere, all of it. 

I did just learn recently that they were nominated for a James Beard award and I hope they win it because it would be well earned. 

Till next visit, Bacoa!

Viejo San Juan, Puerto Rico

It's touristy... I know—But they do it really well and every time I've been there, I've never had a bad experience, plus their wine selection is really good. Located in old San Juan, it's easy to find. 

Again, I've been here numerous times but this last time was special because both my dad had joined me along with my friend, Dan, who was also in the area. Dan and I were actually both there in PR for work but him and I are friends so when we are in close proximity, we always get together. We're both very similar in the way of food and drink so we get along well in that regard.

Like I said, never had a bad meal. They have great empanadas, steaks, pasta, and wines. I remember I started off with getting a bottle Catena red for the table and once we finished that one, Dan got us a bottle of cab franc which was excellent. They both paired well with the table full of steaks, pasta, and veg. Highly recommend.