Fine Dining

One of San Juan [1]’s most exclusive restaurants is
Pikayo (Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico [2], 299 Ave. José de Diego, 787/721-6194, fax 787/724-8280, www.wilobenet.com [3], Tues.–Fri. noon–3 p.m., Mon.–Sat. 6–11 p.m., $32–70), just a few blocks south across Highway 26 from Condado. This is expense-account dining at its most lavish, and don’t expect to save money by going for lunch—it’s the same menu as for dinner. The seasonal menu changes, but dishes during a recent visit included octopus carpaccio and rack of lamb with shiitake mushroom stuffing. The food is superb. Reservations are recommended for dinner.

In Numero Uno guesthouse, Pamela’s (1 Calle Santa Ana, 787/726-5010, fax 787/727-5482, www.numero1guesthouse.com [4], lunch daily noon–3 p.m.; tapas daily 3–6 p.m.; dinner daily 6–10:30 p.m., $22–29) is the most popular restaurant in Ocean Park. This elegant fine-dining restaurant with excellent service features white linen tablecloths and mission-style furnishings inside, with casual seating outside right on the sandy beach. Specialties include grilled shrimp with tamarind sauce and rack of lamb with grilled pineapple and fresh mint chutney.

Uvva (at Hostería del Mar guesthouse, 1 Calle Tapia, 787/727-3302, fax 787/727-0631, www.hosteriadelmarpr.com [5], daily 8 a.m.–10 p.m., $20–36) is another popular fine-dining restaurant in Ocean Park. It features a tiny dining room decked out in warm woods and rattan furnishings. The cuisine is Mediterranean fusion, featuring several pasta dishes, fish, and lamb chops.