New "Foodie" Destinations Featured on Globalphile.com - Globalphile Goes to San Juan, Puebla and Mexico City

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Globalphile goes to San Juan, Puebla and Mexico City

Chicago, IL (PRWEB) June 30, 2012

Not only does San Juan have a colorful history and wonderful colonial buildings, but it is becoming a big restaurant destination for “Foodies” who come to sample great food by award winning chefs.

Globalphile recommendations include Aguaviva with its sleek decor , lively vibe, great seafood and the perfect mojito and Marmalade Restaurant and Wine Bar: This is a restaurant owned by chef Peter Schintler. Having worked in the U.S., Singapore, France and Spain, Peter brings some wonderful Asian influence to Napa Valley cuisine. The service was great and the atmosphere is contemporary and lively.

The best experience was at Pikayo which is the restaurant of famed chef Wilo Benet. The décor is contemporary and overlooks the ocean in the Conrad Hotel. The service was really outstanding as was the food.  Wilo who once worked in Chicago, has done a lot of television  including Top Chef and Top Chef Masters and is working on two new shows. The result was a perfect evening.

In addition to the great restaurants in town, Jose Andres is opening a restaurant at the new Ritz Carlton Reserve, Jean George Vongerichten has opened Fern at the St. Regis Bahia Beach in Rio Grande and Alain Ducasse has miX on the Beach at the W Retreat & Spa on Vieques.

In Mexico City, Globalphile recommends Merotoro in Condesa, This is a great restaurant opened in 2010 by the chef of Contramar that features the cuisine of Baja California so it is a mix of meat and fish or Baja surf and turf. Contramar, also in Condesa, is known for its great seafood. It is wonderful place for lunch, particularly in the outside café.

Maison Belen, in Polanco, is a fun locals' café and bakery which bills itself as a petit bistro and patisserie. They have nice outdoor seating as well as a fun indoor lounge area.

For dinner head to Izote, Patricia Quintana’s well-known restaurant. There are wonderful ceviches and the shrimp with mole de jamaica is a great choice. San Angel Inn is the perfect setting for a long comida in a former Carmelite monastery from 1692 with beautiful gardens.

The favorite by far is Pujol which is among the most innovative restaurants in Mexico City. Chef Enrique Olvera is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America and was just listed again on San Pellegrino's well-regarded annual list of the "World's 50 Best Restaurants"

Puebla is also known for its gastronomy. From great moles, candies and chalupas there are well-pepared meals at every turn. Globalphile recommends:

El Mural de los Poblanos, just south of the Cathedral, is a traditional Puebla restaurant with several moles on the menu. Make sure to try the mole poblano, the specialty of Puebla. The atmosphere is very attractive with a great mural and orange accent colors.

La Purificadora Restaurant. located in the La Purificadora boutique hotel, is a very good, upscale restaurant. The building was a former water treatment facility that now has a very sleek, contemporary design. The menu is very creative and was designed by the award winning Mexico City chef of Pujol. Make sure to check out the sleek rooftop bar with views of the San Francisco church and the volcano in the distance.

Mesones Sacristia is the well-known boutique hotel , cooking school and restaurant. The courtyard is colorful and filled with antiques. Their own special mole is really excellent; and not to be missed They offer daily cooking classes so call ahead to reserve.

La Noria Restaurante Bar: Located in a former 16th century hacienda in a newer section of town, this is a beautiful spot. Ask for the terrace which overlooks the gardens

The final recommendation is Casona de La China Poblana. Located in a small boutique hotel located a block from the Zocalo, this is a great spot for lunch in an attractive courtyard restaurant

Check out the website for more great restaurants, where to stay and what to do in these food oriented, cultural destinations.

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