Virtuoso Life - March/April 2008 - (Page 46) LUXE REPORT | CITY TO GO cuisine – prepares the likes of grilled shrimp with julienned chorizo and guanábana butter. » Drink For authentic Latin music and a welcoming bohemian crowd, head to Nuyorican Café (Calle San Francisco 312; 787/977-1276), tucked in a charming Old San Juan alley. El Picoteo (100 Calle del Cristo; 787/723-9202), a tapas bar overlooking the courtyard of Hotel El Convento, heats up on weekend nights. Wet, a hotel rooftop lounge (2 Calle Tartak; 888/2656699), offers exceptional views of the city, Asian decor, and dance music. » Shop The cobblestoned streets of Old San Juan are lined with small boutiques, among them Bóveda (209 Calle del Cristo; 787/7250263), brimming with jewelry such as beaded necklaces made with turquoise and gold-plated silver, and earrings shaped from antique European porcelain, along with crafts that include handmade lamps and African-inspired pottery. Nono Maldonado, San Juan’s most established designer and a former fashion editor at Esquire magazine, sells classic tailored suits and colorful cocktail dresses at his store (Avenida Masterpieces of dining, shopping, and more fill Puerto Rico’s capital. Ashford 1051; 787/721-0456). For guayaberas, those loose linen shirts worn by dapper Latin » Go For The third edition of CIRCA Puerto Rico (www.circapr.com), an men, stop at Clubman (Avenida Ponce de León 1116; 787/725-3680). Oui international art fair showcasing the works of contemporary artists from Boutique is a favorite among local socialites, who like to stock up on the latest designs by Anna Sui, Narciso Rodriguez, Marc Jacobs, Jimmy Choo, the Caribbean, Central America, and beyond, including José García Cordand many others (Avenida Roosevelt 348; 787/765-2424). ero from the Dominican Republic, Cuban painter José Bedia, and Puerto Rico’s own Melvin Martínez and Carlos Betancourt. The event, which be» Stay Hotel El Convento, a 350-year-old convent that was transformed gins on April 11 at the city’s new Convention Center, has a four-day lineup into a boutique lodging, is located in the center of Old San Juan. The 68 of guided visits to exhibits put together by noted curators from around guest rooms have Spanish tile floors and handcrafted furniture. There the world, plus concerts, parties, book presentations, and more. San are modern comforts as well: flat-panel TVs, Bose sound systems, and Juan’s dynamic art scene attracts crowds year-round with events such as high-speed Internet in every room; a plunge pool and Jacuzzi on the roofits Noche de Galería on the first Tuesday of every month, when galleries in top terrace; and four restaurants. Doubles from $335, including breakfast the colonial part of town stay open at night. and a $25 credit toward a massage. » Eat Ever-popular Dragonfly (Calle Fortaleza 364; 787/977-3886) is BY PAOLA SINGER a seductively lit spot favored by young professionals, where Asian and Caribbean flavors mix in dishes such as turbot ceviche with ginger, coconut milk, and scallions. Recently opened Xafra Latina (Avenida Isla Verde 77; 787/728-7576) serves traditional Puerto Rican food with a modern touch. The sirloin strips in guava sauce, with a side of mofongo (fried green plantains seasoned with garlic and olive oil), have become an instant classic. Go for the mango and guava mousse at Amadeus (Calle San Sebastián 106; 787/722-8635), an established bistro with a creative menu. Don’t leave without booking a table at elegant Pikayo (299 Avenida José de Diego; 787/721-6194) inside the Museum of Art of Puerto Rico, where chef Wilo Benet – a pioneer of creative Caribbean The Art of Seeing San Juan San Juan for the senses: Sunset along Paseo la Princesa (top), Asian meets Caribbean at Dragonfly, and CIRCA Puerto Rico’s labyrinthine art displays. 46 V I RT U O S O L I F E (PASEO LA PRINCESA) SIME/ GRÄFENHAIN GÜNTER, (DRAGONFLY) JEFFERY SALTER/REDUX, (ART FAIR) COURTESY OF CIRCA http://www.circapr.com
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