Ola Ocean Front Bistro — Restaurant in San Juan

Food: Excellent Service: Average Atmosphere Outdoor: Below Average

If you’re staying at the Vanderbilt Hotel in Puerto Rico definitely try Ola Oceanfront Bistro. The view is amazing and during our visit in January the weather was perfect. While at the pool I tried the rosemary ciabatta roasted turkey club. I was so surprised when it arrived with huge chunks of turkey breast, applewood smoked bacon, sliced avocado, creamy lemon mayo, lettuce and tomato. No sliced luncheon meat in this tasty treat. As a side I choose the french fries and couldn’t have been happier. $23 While at Ola Ocean Front Bistro I also tried the signature drink El Yunque. I thought I had died and gone to heaven. Named for the rainforest south of San Juan this was the best mixed drink I had all week. El Yunque is made with a shaker. Fill the shaker with ice, add 1 shot Bacardi 8, 1 shot Blue Curaçao and then fill almost to the top with passion fruit juice. Shake it until the metal is so cold you can’t hold it anymore. Pour foamy goodness into 16-ounce glass and garnish with lemon. You will not be disappointed no matter what time you order. $14 The food was very good, so what was the problem? It's the birds. You heard that right, the birds. There are these little black birds that fly around outside jump on tables and eat off plates. It’s really unnerving trying to protect your food from the mini ravens while trying to relax. Defiantly a mood killer. Another thing, they squawk, it sounds like someone is dragging a metal chair. Additionally, Ola is located next to the family pool. Although there weren't a lot of kids playing at noon on Tuesday it might be tough to chat with friends on a weekend.

Keep in mind my review is only for dining on the patio at lunch so your experience may...

If I could give 0 stars I would. To start off I called and spoke to the hostess at the restaurant and she told me I didn't need a reservation for breakfast. Great, she said they were taking walkins. I told her I'm staying in Old San Juan & would be there in few. Got to the restaurant no more than 30 minutes after I talk to her. I pulled up, I had to call the valet guy over seeing he just ignored us walking by several times helping others parked behind us. "Should've got the clue then" he looked in the car and said oh hi. I told him we was here for breakfast and he said rudely if ur not stay here u can't eat here. Didn't even ask..."Wow, really b/c that's not what the hostess said or your website." So I called into the hotel she said no outside people. Then I asked for a manager and was told she would transfer me to the hostess instead. Who then told me a different story that there was no walkins until 12. I reminded her who I was and she replied... yes oh uh oh sorry walkins only for guest. I reminded her I asked this and she just responded sorry. Never ever will I return. In fact I canceled my Dinner reservations for my sister-in-law's birthday. I DO NOT want to be at a place that clearly profiles u, rude & snooty. My money real good and I'm happy to take my business where it's...

Upon checking into our luxurious suite at the Condado Vanderbilt on Christmas Day, we went to the Ola Ocean Front Bistro to grab a quick dinner before going to bed. When we told the hostess we didn't have a reservation, she told us "We're only working off of reservations", despite the fact the dining room was entirely empty and the concierge and the bellman assured us reservations weren't required. After some time, the hostess brought us to our table. We asked for an ocean view but were told those tables were reserved. Forty-five minutes into our dining experience this claim seemed absurd as none of the tables had been filled, but by the time we left two hours later this actually made some sense as parties had been seated at two of the ten ocean view tables. Now on to the food. First of all, my son's chicken was raw. The salad was better, but not great. The margarita pizza...more like mid-arita pizza. The salmon was serviceable, but the sauce was greasy. The bread had an interesting flavor, but the texture was interesting in a way we did not prefer. Completely overpriced, but that goes without saying as you'd expect five dollar chicken tendies to be fully cooked. Strong...