See Jane Travel
Hello all! Allow me to introduce myself. I’m Jane, Dubz. J.Dubz, The 9th Planet Wonder, and I’ve been summoned by the powers that be to report on the hot trends popping up in cities worldwide. Currently, I’m calling New York City home, so I’ll be going vogue and checking in every so often with noteworthy mentions of the five borough’s latest “it” people, places, and things. But being the traveling city mouse that I am, I’ll also be reporting the fashion-forward trends in metro areas around the globe. Feel free to ask me questions, give me suggestions for where to go next, or just simply drop me line!
Jane’s Latest Trip – San Juan, Puerto Rico
After seeing so many tabloid magazines feature celebrities spending their holiday vacations frolicking on sunny beaches in the Caribbean, I got jealous. I’ve always spent my holidays trying to avoid puddles of brown slush on Manhattan sidewalks while battling freezing weather. So in early November, my friend Danielle and I decided we were going to pretend to be celebrities and escape the nastiness of the nor’easter season by taking a week long trip to San Juan, Puerto Rico following the Christmas holiday, sans paparazzi.
My seven days spent in Puerto Rico were pretty awesome and I definitely took advantage of the culture and the beautiful weather the island had to offer. It was long and arduous work, but I was able to use my observations and create a list of the most happening spots in town. May I present, my list:
Toro Salao – This place was by far our favorite spot for drinks and authentic Puerto Rican tapas. It’s located in Old San Juan in the Calle Fortaleza area, the district’s trendiest dining and night life destination. Danielle and I stumbled upon this gem while cruising the streets, and because it was a long afternoon, we decided to spend it drinking a pitcher of custom-blended white sangria while discussing American politics, religion, and the current state of Israel. We were clearly loud and offensive, and no one seemed to mind, mainly because they were too hypnotized by the yummy food and mind-blowing alcohol placed before them. Following our initial visit, we branded Toro Salao as our favorite bar and even spent our last night here drinking mojitos and tequila shots while polishing off a bowl of gazpacho and Spanish cod croquettes.
Address: 367 Calle Tetuan, Old San Juan, San Juan, PR 00901
Phone: 787-722-3330
Web: http://www.oofrestaurants.com/
Latin Roots – During our first official night in Puerto Rico, Danielle and I met up with some lovely locals in Old San Juan who graciously guided us to this hot new spot which recently opened its doors in November of 2009. Latin Roots, a restaurant, bar, and club balled into one huge and beautifully decorated space, boasts a packed schedule of live Latin music every night of the week, including salsa, merengue, and bachata bands. Don’t be intimidated by the expert dancers hitting the floor; the extra large bar will give you enough liquid courage to let loose and dance the night away. We went on a Tuesday night and the place was packed, so as of this moment, Latin Roots is the spot.
Address: Calle Comercio Recinto Sur – Esquina Colon Local H-I
Galleria Paseo Portuario, Old San Juan, PR 00901
Phone: 787-977-1887
Web: http://www.thelatinroots.com
La Concha Hotel/Conrad Condado Plaza Hotel – Both of these hotels, located in the Condado section of San Juan, are amazingly stunning structures hosting only the most luxurious amenities for tourists and locals alike. Yes, both are a bit on the pricy side, but what you get in return is worth the scratch. Each spot features swanky, gorgeously designed lobbies including posh bars and lounges, ocean view balconies, casinos (if you’re willing to drop more dough), and several eateries catering to even the most selective of palates. Danielle and I spent New Years Eve on the balcony of the Conrad alongside Dru-Ha, Noah, and Shucky D from Duck Down Records (http://www.duckdown.com), lighting sparklers for both the Puerto Rican and New York New Years. We didn’t pay the $80 to get into the hotel’s own holiday party, but more people seemed to be enjoying the good time we were hosting. All in all, it was one of the best New Years I have ever had, and the atmosphere was most certainly a deciding factor.
Address: La Concha Hotel, 077 Ashford Avenue, San Juan PR 00907
Conrad Condado Plaza Hotel, 999 Ashford Avenue, San Juan, PR 00907
Phone: La Concha, 787-721-6090
Conrad, 888-722-1274
Web: http://www.laconcharesort.com/
I have plenty more spots to recommend, but alas, what I don’t have is enough space. If you want to know more about San Juan and the restaurants, bars, museums, and other interesting spots around the area, please send me an email and ask away!
0 comments:
Post a Comment