Azucena — Restaurant in San Juan

This new place ranks as one of the best on the island as far as I'm concerned. Not cheap. But relatively speaking a decent deal. Simple nice place and they renovated old school house in the middle of hustling loiza Street scene. Staff couldn't be nicer. We had two appetizers which were outstanding. The fish chunks that were lightly breaded where absolutely delicious. My roast pork shoulder was an unusual cut and very good and huge. The stewed pigeon peas in plantain cream side was also very good. Would have ordered it as a dish unto itself.

We sat in the terrace. It's December and the weather is nice. Inside it was not filled but the level of noise was very high and I have issues with my hearing, the background noise sounds louder and I can't hear what my wife is saying. Another reviewer posted a similar comment about the sound. Maybe it's the material of the floor.

There's a nice bar and tables are not too close together.

The terrace has nice plants and even fans.

They do need a longer beer list. And the DJ picked things that I've never heard anyone else play from the New York Latin music sound...or was it Pandora doing the picking. No matter, really enjoyed the music.

We are definitely...

It was definitely short-staffed but that was not the issue. The cook /chef(?) was taking shortcuts. . I ordered the eggrolls with local pork and they came so super heavy in oil. Don't do that. The house made hot sauce was fantastic, don't change it, a sure keeper for those around here that crave picante! Tons of flavor. The swordfish special was sent back for two reasons...one he tried to serve me an approximate 6oz version of an 8-10 oz filet.....and then the clincher was it was so completely overdone. It was replaced and all was joyful from there on out, including the copious mezcal.cocktails . Stephen took care of me for the duration as a sole man on a mission and did an excellent job. This was lunchtime during loosening of Covid ....my sole self and a table of five and another of 3 or 4. No AC but it's open and they have fans. The cocktails were phenomenal. I stayed with a great idea of a mezcal old fashioned cocktail Delicious if you cut back the sweetness and make it more spirit forward with the excellent mezcals there. I used...

The service is extremely slow. Food arrives cold.

We reserved dinner for 7pm and we’re promptly seated at table and our waiter took our order for drinks and dinner.

We received our drinks with little wait time. But, then waited 30 minutes for appetizers - croquetas and bolitas de queso. Then waited another 40 minutes after appetizers for the salad and soup to arrive. The pumpkin soup arrived warm.

Then waited 45 minutes for the main course, I wanted to leave but fortunately it arrived before I asked for the check. Sad to say the food was cold…

I asked for the check without the dessert.

Do...