SantaellaWhat a nightWe had such an incredible time here. Jaime was an amazing server with great knowledge and perfect english. Really blew us out of the water. The food was the perfect modern Puerto Rican fusion. Enjoyed the fully composed dishes so perfectly rounded and complementing. The wine list is on an ipad and very interactive. very helpful. While waiting for our table we found an great little cigar bar across the street. ask for Dani, she was great. AND a Puerto Rican Kareoke bar. perfect evening that the crew at Santaella (especially Jaime) completed. Cant wait to get back to P.R. Also Puerto Rican Restaurant Week was a treat. However they should really let the resorts and hotels know so they can share with guests. Thanks Jaime- come see us in Boston!5/15/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent food, great environmentWe're parents of young kids and don't go out often. We chose this highly reccomended restaurant for a date night with another couple. It was full, but we could still talk and hear each other, service was very good and food was excellent. Decoration is also very nice.5/10/2013 12:00:00 AMBeautiful presentationFresh and local ingredients made this meal outstanding. The appetizers, main course and desserts were all fabulous. We encouraged a group of friends to try and and they reported it was the best food the had while in Puerto Rico. We look forward to our next trip so we can visit Santaellla again.5/7/2013 12:00:00 AMThe menu is eclectic PR. TheThe menu is eclectic PR. The night we dined, the main course special was oxtail stew. We opted for the dish for 2: "Au Gratin," a meat stew with an au gratin topping of Edam cheese. Delicious! The starters were first-rate too, The empanadillas for the evening contained chopped sweet chorizo and we also enjoyed the roasted pork belly sandwich. Everything was tasty and well presented. The service was wonderful: friendly, attentive but not overbearing. The chef clearly enjoys putting his take on comfort food. It works.4/26/2013 12:00:00 AMVery good service, food itemsVery good service, food items were unique and reflected the local cuisine. However, the sea bass was a little bland, it could have used more seasoning of some sort.4/25/2013 12:00:00 AMHighly Recommended!I had a great time at Santaella. This is the second time I attend, and the food quality is excellent. Loved the pulpitos with garbanzo and the honey raspberry mojito. This is a great place for special occasions. Make sure to reserve because the place is always full. The service was excellent! Jaime was our waiter. Thanks!4/25/2013 12:00:00 AMWonderful staff. No attitudeWonderful staff. No attitude whatsoever. Genuinely nice people.4/19/2013 12:00:00 AMGreat Food, very unique cocktailGreat Food, very unique cocktail list. We are taking a larger group tonight!4/16/2013 12:00:00 AMWine list needs more selection.Wine list needs more selection. Service was FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!!!!4/11/2013 12:00:00 AMVery good restaurant overall.Very good restaurant overall. The food (appetizers, main dish, dessert) had excellent tasting, very well prepared and presented. The wine was excellent too and the ambiance was just perfect to celebrate our wedding anniversary with a touch of energy from the place.4/10/2013 12:00:00 AMThis was a recommendationThis was a recommendation to me from a friend who grew up in the area. What a find. A little off the beaten path which kept the tourists away. The scene was really energetic, seemed like everybody knew each other. A fun night and the food was very good. Goat cheese quesadilla was the highlight.4/5/2013 12:00:00 AMLovely gem of a place in not-so-greLovely gem of a place in not-so-great location. Make use of the valet service! The lamb shank with quinoa is wonderful.4/3/2013 12:00:00 AMTry the Goat Cheese Quesadilla!From the outside, you'd hardly know a restaurant was there, but inside it is hopping. This was the best restaurant we ate at all week during our vacation. We ordered food tapas style and every dish was amazing.* I will be dreaming about the goat cheese quesadilla drizzled with honey for days to come. The empanadas were outstanding. And the fried chicken was memorable. *We just didn't like the spring rolls, with blood sausage. Our waiter was very friendly and we were entertained by the lizards in the terrarium-like wall on one side. Surrounded by fashionable Puerto Ricans, we felt "in the know!"3/23/2013 12:00:00 AMThe meal was exceptional withoutThe meal was exceptional without a blemish, beginning with the most interesting margueritas we have ever had (also most expensive). Tapas dishes were innovative and delicious. Service was informed and attentive, including calling a special cab for my wife's infirmity. Clearly a hot spot to see and be seen, but the food will bring us back for more.3/14/2013 12:00:00 AMExcellent food and service.Excellent food and service. The ambience was a too noisy for my taste, especially since my wife and I were celebrating our fifth anniversary. It had a more social scene and we were looking for something more romantic and intimate. That aside, I would recommend the restaurant without hesitation.3/14/2013 12:00:00 AMOn a visit to San Juan a yearOn a visit to San Juan a year ago we went to Santaella on a foodie friend's recommendation and found it wonderful. At that time the restaurant had only been open a few months and was not busy. A year later the place was full on a Tuesday night, obviously having been discovered. The menu is unusual for a hot chef (we had fried chicken and a delicious layered salad) in that it's simple and unpretentious. And our server was excellent. Highly recommended.3/12/2013 12:00:00 AMVery good experience overall GreatVery good experience overall
Great food and great service3/12/2013 12:00:00 AMFantastic dining experienceFantastic dining experience in San Juan! Great service, food and wine was wonderful! Don't plan to walk around the neigborhood...just go there for dinner. Also note that restaurant may appear closed but just stand by and wait..they will open!4/13/2013 12:00:00 AMYOU MUST EAT HERE!!We had one of the best meals ever at this really special restaurant in San Juan. We tried the specials and they were awesome! We ordered off the regular menu and it was terrific! Have one of the watermelon mojitos, no really, you have to have one. Just great, all the way around.4/11/2013 12:00:00 AMLoved it!Great meal! Great appetizers and desserts. We were looking for local flavor off the tourist path. Could only get a 6:30 reservation on a Wednesday. There were only a few people in the restaurant for the first 45 minutes. As the room filled up the atmosphere got lively but remained pleasant. Wait staff was extremely nice and took time to talk and explain dishes/drinks all during the evening. Very relaxed. Best dining experience we had in PR.3/21/2013 12:00:00 AM