Puerto Rico Hosts 2nd Annual Restaurant Week

In the past few years, Puerto Rico has packed its annual calendar with food fairs (SoFo and Saborea, to name just two) and, most recently, a restaurant week, which will celebrate its second iteration from May 14-28.

Restaurant Week, which launched in 2012, is intended to reinforce “the island’s emergence as a world class culinary destination,” say event organizers. Indeed, that “emergence” now seems secure, as the island’s traditional ingredients and dishes, its chefs, and its restaurants–running the gamut from beachside bohios to alta cocinas with chef tables–have been basking in the glow of attention of awed magazine editors, intrepid and voracious TV show hosts, and famous foodies.

In the past five years, the island has garnered a full feature in Travel + Leisure, and has hosted Andrew Zimmern (who nibbled on pigs’ ears for Bizarre Foods), Adam Richman (who packed on a few more pounds after participating in the Vaca Acosta challenge), and Anne Burrell (who tested the mettle of four candidates vying for the executive chef position at Oceano). And Puerto Rican chefs, traditionally absent from international “best of” lists, have been busy racking up awards and finally making a name for themselves on the mainland and beyond.

Just this spring, José Enrique (who is not participating in restaurant week), who we interviewed today, was named one of Food & Wine‘s Best New Chefs of 2013, and he wasn’t an anomaly; José Santaella was voted Food & Wine‘s Best Chef for the Gulf Region in its people’s choice category. Even international star chefs have started to pay attention to the island: Jean Georges Vongerichten opened a restaurant, Fern, at St. Regis Bahia Beach in 2010. 

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As Puerto Rico has gained the attention of food writers, TV shows, and foodies off-island, giving  organizers the justification they need to host food festivals and events like Puerto Rico Restaurant Week, it has also reignited Puerto Ricans’ pride in their culinary traditions. This is especially true for Restaurant Week, which makes higher-priced restaurants a bit more accessible for locals who might otherwise scrimp to afford a meal at one of the participating establishments.

“This event is pushing the envelope,” says Roberto Treviño, chef and owner of Budatai, Casa Lola, and Bar Gitano, all of which will be offering Restaurant Week specials. “This year’s [theme] is ‘Cosecha a Mesa‘ food consciousness, which is so important for Puerto Rico,” he adds. The event is important for Puerto Rican chefs, too. As their cuisine is validated through external recognition and awards, they can rely less on looking off-island for culinary inspiration and influences, as well as imported goods, and can instead showcase the island’s own homegrown ingredients. 

To date, 27 restaurants have signed up for this year’s Restaurant Week, including some of our favorites Alfredo Ayala of Alexandra + Las Palmas and Jose Santaella of Santaella. Participating restaurants will offer two price points for three-course prix fixe dinner menus: $26 and $36. Prices will not include taxes or drinks. Organizers say that while reservations are not necessary, they are highly recommended.

Restaurant week runs from May 14-28 and is either $26 or $36 prix fixe dinner menus.