Wednesday, February 23, 2011

La Bonbonera

La Bombonera is the second oldest restaurant in the old San Juan, one of the most famous and most renown. It was founded in 1902 by Antonio Rijo, and today features a restaurant and bakery.















It is most well known for its coffee and mallorca's.

A mallorca is a Spanish style fluffy pastry stuffed with cheese and ham and sprinkled with powdered sugar.......delicious!

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Pamela's on the Beach

For Valentine's Day lunch, we headed to Numero Uno located at Pamela's on the Beach. It was the most romantic way to spend the day, with a gourmet lunch served beach side.


















After we spent the afternoon relaxing in lounge chairs and enjoyed the beach.......






















..............perfecto!





Ummo

After a long day of carting around forts, we headed out to Ummo an Argentine steakhouse in Condato.

















A much needed glass of wine!
















It was all about the steak, as you can imagine, and David was in heaven with 6 different cuts of meat, bread, plantain mash, rice, beans and veggies.....
















yummmm
















I decided to try the blood sausage, with wine on back up just in case.

It did not go well.











Fort San Cristobal

At the other end of OSJ is Fort San Cristobal, the photo below was taken at San Cristobal looking back at El Morro, which is the tiny tip in the distance.

















It was a long and hot walk, but very pretty with all the Spanish architecture that was located between the two forts.















So quaint.















San Cristobal is the biggest in OSJ, spanning 27 acres and covering the most of the area.

It was one big fort.
















Shenanigans, it was a long day.

El Morro

After lunch we headed over to Fort San Felipe del Morro, located on northern most point of OSJ designed to defend the bay and the city from seaborne enemies.

















Outside the front gate















View from the top
















The fort rises 44m above sea level and the walls are 5.5 metres thick.
















Let's be honest.........no one rocks an out-post like me.





















The top of the fort.
















Government house that sits opposite the fort.








Puerto Rico!

A few Saturday's ago we abandoned the below freezing and chilly temperatures in New York for warmer weather in Puerto Rico.........hola!
















We stayed just outside Old San Juan, close to the beach and a quick cab ride to the city centre. Our hotel was a old spanish style villa, complete with cute balconies, terracotta flooring and wrought iron everything!

After a quick dip we headed to the Parrot Club in Old San Juan for lunch.





















It is one of the most popular places in OSJ, known for its nuevo latin cuisine, funky jazz, potent cocktails. colourful art and vibrant atmosphere!
















After lunch we took a long walk thru the streets before winding up at some historics sites.



Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Superbowl Sunday

Sunday was about one thing and one thing only - Superbowl!

We had the gang over to watch the Packers and Steeler's fight it out. There was an abundance of food including texas queso, guac, oodles of dips & chips, pizza that arrived ceremoniously late, and Ruth's infamous party pies .........




















.....and of course beer!
















As anticipated the girls attention to the game waned after the half-time show..........















................and shenanigans ensued........!