soleil

Trying to get into Piñones on a Sunday afternoon can be a pretty difficult task.
That’s because every weekend, especially on Sundays, people flock to this small,
coastal sector in the town of Loíza to eat, drink, dance and be merry in any of the
many local restaurants and kiosks populating the area.

“But Soleil is different,” says Sergio López, one of the owners and founders of
Soleil Beach Club, a Piñones restaurant that prides itself in being the first
gastronomical locale in Loíza.

Originally drawn in by the beauty of Piñones and its festive nature, Argentinians
Sergio López and Juan Pablo Tibiletti founded Soleil nearly a decade ago. Since
then, it has become one of the preferred gourmet eating and nightlife spots in the
area, sponsored by the Puerto Rico Tourism Company.

Contrary to other spots in Piñones, Soleil tends to get fuller on Fridays and
Saturdays, when people usually go to enjoy not only their great food, but also their
happy hour and live music with Astara, their house band.

Located on Route 187 in front of the oceanfront boardwalk, Soleil is surrounded by
lush tropical scenery. Its rustic, yet elegant, two-story structure includes a stage
on the first floor for band performances, a terrace and lounge on the second floor,
as well as full bars on both the first and second floors. Seating is available on both
floors.

Chef Juan Carlos Madera runs the kitchen, and the menu includes Puerto Rican
favorites like Antojitos Puertorriqueños (beef alcapurrias, codfish fritters, corn
sorullos and fish turnovers) for starters, and Mofongo Relleno (Seafood Mofongo
in Creole Sauce, stuffed with shrimp, conch, octopus, or crab) or Chillo Entero
Frito (Deep Fried Whole Red Snapper) for main entrées.

Other popular dishes include the coconut-breaded shrimp with aioli sauce, the
refreshing seafood salad (shrimp, conch and octopus), and the grilled Surf & Turf
(the best of both worlds).

Soleil opens Sundays through Thursdays from 11 am- 11 pm, and it remains open
until 2 am on Fridays and Saturdays.

Soleil also offers free transportation to and from the restaurant to visitors staying
in hotels in the Isla Verde/ Condado area.

For more information, please call (787)253-1033 or visit www.soleilbeachclub.com.