 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
The Palm Steakhouse
Happy Bellies Jobos
Metropol
Parrot Club
Nativo Bar & Grill
Yamato Sushi
Soliel Beach Club
Che's Argentine Steakhouse
Lolita's Tex Mex
BARS & PUBS
Logans Irish Pub
Migas Condado
Tamboo Beside the Pointe
Dunbars
The New Shannons
Shots Bar & Grill
Restaurant Fratelli
Lupi's Mexican Cantina
Hollywoods
Brass Cactus
Doubleteams Sport Bar
Adventure Tourism
Jobos Beach
Arecibo Observatory
Salinas Speedway
Taino Divers
Camuy Caves
Luquillo Beach
Paseo Princessa
Playa Santa
Mar Chiquita
La Guancha
Taller Ce
Plaza Las Americas
district in the old city
DownIsland Staff
and then there’s SoFo in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Derived from the name of the street where it’s located, SoFo refers to the
culinary district born only a decade ago on South Fortaleza Street, a territory
that had remained until then fairly unexplored in terms of nightlife. That is, until
restaurants like the Parrot Club began to pop out.
Established in 1996, the Parrot Club pioneered the culinary movement on
Fortaleza Street, revitalizing a sector that was pretty much dead after 6 pm.
“When we started here, there was not much going on in this area, but we
decided to take a chance,” says Francisco “Paco” De Juan, Senior Managing
Director of OOF! Restaurants, the company created by the 3-member team that
founded The Parrot Club.
“Now we actually have a culinary area called SoFo,” adds Paco.
With its Nuevo Latino concept, the Parrot Club revolutionized Puerto Rican
cuisine, armed with a menu concocted by Chef Roberto Treviño, one of the
owners and founders of the restaurant.
Together with Emilio Figueroa and Gigi Zafero, this dynamic trio designed the
innovative restaurant from top to bottom: From its warm, tropically decorated
interior to its long, well-stocked bar.
They also have live music 4 nights a week, with a Jazz group on Mondays, a
Salsa trio called Son del Pueblo on Tuesdays, Latin Jazz on Thursdays, and
Rumba Cubana on Saturdays. Son del Pueblo on Tuesday nights is a must-see,
with internationally renowned percussionist Paoli Mejías leading the group.
As for the food, the menu offers mouth-watering creations like the Pork Carne
Frita with Guava Rum Glaze, Fufu Cubano and Chayote Slaw, an interesting
spin on the traditional “carne frita” (fried pork meat). Or for those craving fresh
seafood, there’s the Blackened Tuna in a Dark Rum Sauce with Orange
Essence, Yuca Majada and Viandas.
The appetizers, and even the soups and salads, are equally creative and
delicious, with choices like Bacalaítos (cod fritters) with a spicy cool Crab Salad.
The lunch and dinner menus differ slightly, so visitors might want to try them
both. Saturdays and Sundays also have a special Brunch Menu from noon to 4
pm.
The Parrot Club opens Mondays through Fridays from 11:30 am-4 pm for lunch,
and then reopens at 6 pm for dinner. The kitchen closes at 11:30 pm everyday,
except Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, when it remains open until midnight.
For more information, call the Parrot Club at (787) 725-7370, or visit http://www.
oofrestaurants.com/parrotclub/index.htm.