Puerto Rican Birthday Dinner??

Hello,

Just bought my honey tickets to San Juan for his birthday, and thought I'd take him out for dinner at a Puerto Rican joint and then present them. Any suggestions for a birthday-worthy dinner, Puerto Rican style?

BTW, I searched and found Puerto Rican restaurants splashed in Cuban food discussions, but haven't yet seen a thread devoted soley to PR cuisine. If there is one, just point me to it!

Thanks!

What a fun way to present his gift!

I like both La Palma and La Cocina Boricua de la Familia Galarza for actual sit down meals.

La Palma
1340 N Homan Ave
Chicago, IL 60651
(773) 862-0886

La Cocina
2420 W Fullerton Avenue
(between Artesian Ave & Western Ave)
Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 235-7377

Ursiform wrote:I like both La Palma and La Cocina Boricua de la Familia Galarza for actual sit down meals.

I'm a fan of La Palma, in particular fried offerings and the starchy root veg malanga, though Cafe Central is my favorite for Puerto Rican, don't miss the mofongo. Borinquen, home base for the jibarito, is a good option, three locations, I prefer the more casual original on California, though Borinquen Lounge has liquor.

Enjoy,
Gary

Cafe Central
1437 W Chicago Ave
Chicago, IL 60622
312-243-6776

Borinquen Lounge(PR)
3811 N Western
Chicago
(773) 442-8001

Borinquen Restaurant (PR)
1720 N. California
Chicago
(773) 227-6038

Don't forget Papa's Cache Sabroso, Pollo-Chon...

On the upscale side there is Coco... I've had a couple great meals here.

http://www.cocochicago.com/

2723 W Division

I was leaning toward Cocina, because I've been there once before and have yet to try the goat!

But Coco's is also intriguing, because they serve mixed drinks. And it is, after all, a birthday celebration. But I've heard mixed reviews about them...any suggestions on what you ordered, ab?

Thanks!

Things I like at Coco:

The House Sampler #1 - honestly, you could order like 3 of these, and drinks, and have a wonderful time.

Also like the Chicken Mofongo. Rich and tasty.

It's not a mind bending place, but if you're willing to pay the extra cash for the refined PR dishes, setting, service, I think its a perfect B-day place. I do think it's a touch expensive, but I get around that by ordering the Sampler as my main. I could eat those coconut shrimp all day.

If you can grab a seat outside while the weather is still nice - do so!

AB,

This is a little confusing as to which restaurant you are talking about. Would you please edit in the name. Reason I note this is I want to go try the chicken mofongo.

Thanks,
Gary

ab wrote:The House Sampler #1 - honestly, you could order like 3 of these, and drinks, and have a wonderful time.

Also like the Chicken Mofongo. Rich and tasty.

It's not a mind bending place, but if you're willing to pay the extra cash for the refined PR dishes, setting, service, I think its a perfect B-day place. I do think it's a touch expensive, but I get around that by ordering the Sampler as my main. I could eat those coconut shrimp all day.

If you can grab a seat outside while the weather is still nice - do so!

edited

I was writing about Coco on Division