Areyto Modern Cuisine by Chef Jason González — Restaurant in San Juan

We had been waiting to go to this restaurant for a while. It used to be on Calle Loiza. We made a reservation weeks ago but it turns out we didn't really need one because it was half empty. Valet parking for $8. Service was acceptable if a little out of time. Appetizers before the drinks for example. Had to ask for the wine menu. Well disposed but the water came a bit late and we had to ask for it. My soup appetizer was excellent, a mushroom based soup but it was cold or at least it was just warm. Unless it was supposed to be semi-warm... but I don't think so because the flavors would have been a lot better hotter. My wife ordered the mushroom arancini which was really good but it wasn't hot either. In flavor these two items were excellent but not delivered as well as they could have. The Creole lo mein with many ingredients actually was very good. A very large portion so I took home half. The meat quality was very good. The ingredients work together well. My wife had the pork with risotto of arroz con gandules. The pork was very tender and the side dish was amazing. The mule-whatever drink she ordered was excellent, the casimar mule. My alvarino wine was bad and bitter. I almost didn't finish it. They should get rid of it.

The ambiance is upscale cafeteria I have to admit. Some of the details are nice but it just doesn't work together as a comforting restaurant. The tiles are ugly the stretch seat is ugly and our table was right next to the bathrooms which sometimes even had a wait line and constant flow of people. Yes, I could smell the bathroom. No separation. I'll post the pictures. The music sucked, generic bad Christmas music. They could have curated some really good stuff. The divider between our section and the next section was wooden squares which actually amplifies the sound so that people right behind me, well, they were literally less than a foot away talking. Not well-designed. The tables are plain as well as the rest of the setting. The bar area looks really nice so I give the ambience a three star without hesitation. The prices were acceptable and standard for this league of restaurant. two dishes two appetizers and two drinks and an espresso with tip, and I always tip 18%, was just over $130.

Also, a reaction to the menu. Many items have lots of ingredients, which makes it hard to tell if not familiar....one fried rice had pineapple and peas and chorizo plus a bunch of other things (hmmm...). I'd have to order it on trust. Also, for a menu that is unfamiliar and/or experimental and expensive reading it on a phone screen, scrolling a PDF back and forth kind of sucks.

We might return. Menu had some other...

This is my favorite restaurant in PR! I eat here every time I visit the island and it is always the best meal of the trip. This time, it was my first stop after the airport!

There is free street parking or you can pull into their lot for $8 valet parking (not sure where they put your car but we had all of our luggage inside and it was safe). You pay for valet in cash or PayPal.

We arrived around ~6pm and there were plenty of tables but around 7pm it started filling up so I’d recommend coming earlier if you don’t have a reservation.

The drinks were incredible and I appreciate that they also have a robust mocktail menu too! The menu is diverse and lots of options depending on what you were feeling. I always get the taco appetizers and they’ve never disappointed AND whatever avocado entree they have, it’s huge and delicious!! This time I also got the tenderloin which was juicy and well seasoned as well as goat cheese on bread which was a nice starter.

The staff have always been friendly and welcoming! My partner speaks Spanish but I don’t (I’m slowly learning!) but most if not all of the front-facing staff I interacted with spoke English. However I appreciated that they were very nice and encouraging when I tried to order in Spanish haha. Thank you!! I didn’t get to meet the chef or kitchen staff (they were busy!) but full compliments to them as well!

Already can’t wait for my next trip to PR so I can eat...

Amazing 👏 great food, great portions, not tiny little portions leaving you wondering what you paid for and leaving you hungry. The food was priced accordingly and very reasonable. My Daughter and I shared and Appetizer as well as both dishes we ordered we shared.

The appetizer was a special for the day Raw Tuna in House Asian sauce, with guacamole on top of a coconut arepa.

This was very unique and very delicious!

First Main Dish Tenderloin de Cerdo - $26 "Sous Vide" Tenderloin de Cerdo, 'crust' de tocineta ahumada dulce, risotto de gandules / "Sous Vide" pork tenderloin, candy bacon crust, pigeon peas risotto The Tenderloin as Delightful. The Candy Bacon Crust was devine! The pork was super tender and delicious 😋😍😊.

We also shared the

Chillo en Salsa de Langosta - $27 Filete de chillo, salsa de langosta cremosa, arroz basmati con limón / Red snapper filet, creamy lobster sauce, lemon basmati rice It was a very generous portion of delicious super fresh snapper. The lobster 🦞 😋 sauce was delicious. The lemon rice was one of a kind. I don't normally like lemon in my food but this was amazing 😋. The rice had a nice suttle lemon flavor that added to the rice not overpowering the rice and with the cilantro was a great...