I just came back from a week in the Southern Caribbean Islands. My first cruise, my first foray into the Caribbean, my first time crying about leaving a beach. St. John's Trunk Bay, oh, how I love thee. Aside from the sun and sand, there was definitely food. A whole lot of it! So much that I am now experiencing a departure from meats and seafood.
On the boat, the food was expectedly tailored for mass tastes and while satisfying, it was not entirely inspirational. I had looked forward to trying the food on the islands themselves. My group, consisting of a husband and two friends, were definitely down for some local culinary scenery. We were all known for being adventurous in food and despite my limitations, I was willing to go the full distance without doing something ridiculous.
On Sunday, we landed in San Juan and headed into the old neighborhood to try out a restaurant known for its mofongo, El Jibarito. Located on a seemingly residential street with a small sign posted on the wall, the wooden doors opened into a high-ceilinged lounge bustling with activity and noise. The smells of shrimp and garlic tantalized our noses once we were pulled inside the main dining room and made us very eager to be seated. The menus did not disappoint with offerings of mofongo with shrimp, fried snapper, grilled skirt steak as entrees with such sides as sweet and fried plantains, arroz con habichuelas, smashed yuca, on and on. It took me a while to decide what to have, I finally decided on the mofongo with shrimp, classic PR style. It is did not disappoint. The grilled shrimp was so perfect that I did not mind chomping on a bit of charred shell along with the meat.
This post will have to remain unfinished as I have left it alone for 2 whole years...
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