Flavors of San Juan Review- Dinner Walking Tour
Freshly Made Mojito from Carli's Bistro
Lately, there has been a growing phenomenon of cruise lines choosing to dock in San Juan, Puerto Rico in the late afternoon and staying until 10 or 11 at night. With most historic and adventurous attractions closing by 5pm, it can be difficult for a cruise passenger to find something to do other than just seek out the nightlife. Enter the Flavors of San Juan food and culture tours, which provide a walking tour around Old San Juan, combined with a progressive dinner concept that is unlike anything I have seen before.
The 2 and 1/2 hour tour, which runs $80 for dinner (they also do a lunch tour if your ship does happen to stick to a more traditional schedule for $70 as well as cooking classes) is an introduction to the architecture of Old San Juan, combined with some history. Along the way, you stop at four different restaurants to sample some of the "flavors of San Juan" which begins with an appetizer-type dish and ends with a dessert and cafe con leche. When we were first tipped off to this tour by one of our listeners, we were most interested in if the tour is worth the price, and if the history/architecture walk would be interesting enough to tide us over between the restaurant stops.
The 2 and 1/2 hour tour, which runs $80 for dinner (they also do a lunch tour if your ship does happen to stick to a more traditional schedule for $70 as well as cooking classes) is an introduction to the architecture of Old San Juan, combined with some history. Along the way, you stop at four different restaurants to sample some of the "flavors of San Juan" which begins with an appetizer-type dish and ends with a dessert and cafe con leche. When we were first tipped off to this tour by one of our listeners, we were most interested in if the tour is worth the price, and if the history/architecture walk would be interesting enough to tide us over between the restaurant stops.
The tour kicks off in one of the largest squares in Old San Juan, and is quite easy to find. You meet your guide at 4:50 for the 5:00 tour, and we found the checking in process to be prompt and easy. Our guide, Kris, is pursuing her Master's in Caribbean Archaeology, and was the epitome of professionalism. We had a large group, and yet she was entirely in control at all times whether leading us around the city or stopping to tell us some little tidbit. No one was left out or excluded, and she had extensive knowledge. On the whole, the architecture information was fairly basic, and the history a little deeper and more interesting. No "lecture period" lasted longer then 10 minutes, so there really was no time to get bored. On our particular tour, we stopped in Carli's Bistro (owned by one of the Beach Boys) for a lesson in how to make the perfect mojito, which was both fun and tasty. All in all, the educational portion of this tour was well done, but not overdone at all. It was just enough for someone looking for some insight into Old San Juan, but perhaps not enough for a big history or architecture buff. I imagine that with a smaller group, or perhaps one that has some previous knowledge of San Juan, the guide can flex up the info, if needed.
But, let's get down to why we all take the tour to begin with: the food. As I said before, the tour consists of four restaurant stops. Our first stop was at a coffee shop called Aromas which, surprisingly, served some of the tastiest fried chicken bites I have ever had. Honestly, that was my favorite dish of the night. Served along side the chicken were plantains and a pina colada which wasn't strong at all, but it was refreshing. The tour always includes two alcoholic beverages, but if you don't drink they can and will make other arrangements.
Our next stop was the aforementioned Carli's, where we enjoyed a seafood risotto to join our freshly made mojitos. The risotto had pumpkin in it, which was an interesting twist that tasted better than it sounds. One interesting tidbit: Carli Munoz of the Beach Boys actually plays piano there most nights, so you could double back and visit later in the evening and enjoy some live music.
The third stop was the "entree", and included a pumpkin and plantain soup and chicken mofungo with rice and black beans. For me, this was the most disappointing stop of the evening for a couple of reasons. One, I apparently don't like mofungo, and two, it was the largest portion of the night. So, it was a large portion of something I wasn't all that fond of when I would have much preferred more of the first two dishes. But, that is clearly personal preference and I'm sure mofungo lovers would be pleased. The beverage here was a mango smoothie that I thought was very good.
The third stop was the "entree", and included a pumpkin and plantain soup and chicken mofungo with rice and black beans. For me, this was the most disappointing stop of the evening for a couple of reasons. One, I apparently don't like mofungo, and two, it was the largest portion of the night. So, it was a large portion of something I wasn't all that fond of when I would have much preferred more of the first two dishes. But, that is clearly personal preference and I'm sure mofungo lovers would be pleased. The beverage here was a mango smoothie that I thought was very good.
For our last stop of the night, we had dessert at a Spanish tapas restaurant across from the Cathedral. The flan was the best I have ever had with more of a cheesecake consistency, and the cafe con leche did not disappoint. The setting was beautiful and I would definitely consider coming back to this restaurant for a full meal (Rosa de Triana Tapas and Restaurant).
So, was it worth it? Honestly, if you added up the cost of all the meals and drinks, there is no way it comes anywhere near the $80 price tag, but with the tour and compared to other shore excursions, it is a steal. The guides are heads and shoulders above most local guides, and there would be practically no way a first-time visitor to San Juan could replicate the authentic dining experience this tour provides. (And just try to find anything comparable from your shore excursion desk; not gonna happen.) My only caveat would be that if you know you don't like plantains, maybe this isn't the tour for you as much of Puerto Rican cuisine does revolve around or include plantains. The walking portion is easy assuming you are in good health, but as with most of San Juan, is not wheelchair accessible. To book, go directly through their website Flavors of San Juan, and enjoy some great architecture, food and history next time you are in San Juan.
Podcast Review of Flavors of San Juan from listener, Brian, in his discussion of the Enchantment of the Seas
Podcast Overview of the Cruise Port of San Juan
So, was it worth it? Honestly, if you added up the cost of all the meals and drinks, there is no way it comes anywhere near the $80 price tag, but with the tour and compared to other shore excursions, it is a steal. The guides are heads and shoulders above most local guides, and there would be practically no way a first-time visitor to San Juan could replicate the authentic dining experience this tour provides. (And just try to find anything comparable from your shore excursion desk; not gonna happen.) My only caveat would be that if you know you don't like plantains, maybe this isn't the tour for you as much of Puerto Rican cuisine does revolve around or include plantains. The walking portion is easy assuming you are in good health, but as with most of San Juan, is not wheelchair accessible. To book, go directly through their website Flavors of San Juan, and enjoy some great architecture, food and history next time you are in San Juan.
Podcast Review of Flavors of San Juan from listener, Brian, in his discussion of the Enchantment of the Seas
Podcast Overview of the Cruise Port of San Juan
