moncheoPR: Jose Enrique REDUX

As I update the site and transfer all content to another host site, let's visit my favorite place in Puerto Rico: Jose Enrique, located in La Plazita in Santurce (Condado area) of San Juan.

Anyone who knows me knows I LOVE chef Jose Enrique, his food, and his restaurant. He's super cool, super chill, cooks great, and I have always had superb food AND phenomenal service while there. So where am I going to take my friends to eat when they visit PR? None other than Jose's. Why? Because i want to, that's why! Oh and because of things like this:

That my dear envious reader was his "Cochinillo" (Suckling Pig). I believe it was roasted and then crisped to PERFECTION. What else was perfection? The seasonings and flavors. Juicy and flavorful all the way to the bone.

What else rocks at Jose Enrique's? How about this:

This is his never-fail Chillo Frito (fried yellow tail snapper) with Batata (Sweet Potato) Mash, and Papaya and Avocado Salsa. Holy cow is this good. It's usually on his menu as is. What might vary is the cut of the fish. This day it was served whole and de-boned. In the past I've had it whole and bone in and as a simple fillet. But each time it is DIVINE! Which explains why three out of the five of us ordered the fish that evening. Also helps that his seafood is always fresh, never frozen, which is one of the many attentions for details that make Jose Enrique a success.

Another classic on Jose's menu is the Churrasco, which just so happens to be my FAVORITE cut of beef. Nothing beats Skirt Steak with some Chimichurri (Argentinian parsley and garlic sauce/mojo). Jose's Churrasco hits the spot every time.

Here it was accompanied by Arroz con Habichuelas (rice & beans) and Tostones (twice fried green plantains):

I got the Cochinillo accompanied by his Arroz Mamposteao.

This type of rice is usually cooked white rice mixed to order with cooked red beans, and sometimes cooked with some extra spices and seasonings until hot and delicious. The texture and feel is moist and juicy like a risotto, but different in its own ways.

Here he added Truffle Oil. I am NOT a fan of truffle oil because 99% of the time it is OVERUSED and is usually of bad quality. But I was pleasantly surprised to see it here and not hate it. I actually think it went really well with it. It was subtly rich, yet not overpowering at all. So I was pleasantly surprised.

We had a variety of drinks, including Cuba Libre, Medalla Light, and Sangría. We started off with their regular Sangría and followed with their "White" Sangría which is actually yellow looking but tastes AMAZING. Don't remember if it was a base of Sparkling Wine and Passion Fruit juice, all I remember is it was GOOD. Looks good too, right?

Yes. The meals at Jose Enrique ROCK. Feel free to go. Here's my previous post on Jose Enrique with contact info. ¡Buen provecho!

Comments

You can follow this conversation by subscribing to the comment feed for this post.

Son las doce y media de la noche y estoy aquí buscando con que recoger el reguerete de babas al leer y mirar las fotos de este post! Cuándo vamos? ;-)

Posted by: L.A.V. | July 22, 2009 at 01:33 AM

I definitely will be trying this place on my next trip. It looks great but I love chillo frito! Also sending a link of this post to my friends in P.R.

Posted by: Joan Nova | July 23, 2009 at 02:00 PM

Joan did you see my original post on Jose Enrique? It's linked @ the bottom of the post, after the last pic. He truly is a great Chef and his staff is superb. Hope you get to enjoy it soon!

Posted by: moncheoPR | July 23, 2009 at 11:06 PM