New Businesses in Rincon

Inspired by the latest issue of the El Coqui magazine, I started looking around and realized we do have a number of new businesses here in Rincon.  I try to support most of the new endeavors here because I know it's difficult to succeed as anew business anywhere, let alone a place like Rincon where the seasonal aspect of the town can wreak havoc on the budget of a place just starting up.  Also Rincon can use some new places, we lost a few last year including Surf's Up Coffee and Happy Burger (we think).

So here's an uncomprehensive list of some new things around Rincon.

In the plaza downtown, a coffee shop kiosk has opened and they serve GREAT coffee, lattes and espresso.  They are Saludos & Cafe, owned by a guy named Joe who is passionate about, well, Joe.  It's a top class place that looks like it could be a franchise, but no it's all original and the food is great too.  Stop in and say hi to Joe and his family who help him run things.

There's a new sandwich shop in the plaza by Angelo's Car Rental, it's called Sandwich Delight and it too looks like it could be a franchise, very clean, organized and fast. They have probably about 40 sandwiches on the menu and the few I've tried, the Cubano and the Media Noche and Huevo con Jamon have all been very good.

The Black Eagle restaurant has opened up again in the location where The Spot at the Black Eagle was.  They've redone the interior, it's always had such a great location and view, now it's nice.  But the food is mediocre at best, cold beer helped, but serving hamburgers on cold, untoasted buns isn't going to cut it.  Than again in Rincon it just might, better to drink here and get a burger at the Rum Shack later.

The Wine Cellar opened a few months back in the space below Ode to the Elephants and it's really nice inside, classy.  The wines are different and not over priced, everyont that works ther knows what they are talking about and Ish, the owner is usually around to tell you about his food and wine .  Nice place for a late nibble or dessert.

A few months ago a great little art gallery opened just south of the Plaza, Tres Puertas has only Puerto Rican made items and also has art workshops and Bomba lessons and Kids Summer camp.  It is such a great addition to downtown Rincon, check it out.

The Kiosko is a used bookstore selling Spanish and English books amid the Rincon Cultural Center, where you can see photographs of old time Rincon and artifacts from Taino Indians.  The bookstore has plenty to choose from on its overstocked shleves and great prices.  It's located on Rt. 413 behind the Balneario. 

Where to Eat in Rincon....

We finally started making some money here, Cyndi through massage and the rental of our "La Olita" unit downstairs, and I've been working with a catering chef, Organic Surfer Chef, at a large villa near Corcega Beach. So, we've been trying a few of the restaurants around town.

A few nights ago we went to The Spot at the Black Eagle, a restaurant near the Black Eagle Marina that serves steaks and fish and pasta and is mostly overpriced and definitely geared to the tourist crowd. It's a great location, and at sunset the sailboats and katamarans floating by provide a dramatic setting, but the place itself is mostly a dive. The menu is prety limited with most entrees over $20. We ordered the Flatiron steak for $23, but to share there is an $8.50 charge, so we didn't order an appetizer. The food was too salty for Cyndi, but I thought it was good. The biggest problem I have with the Spot is that their menu is very limited, no burgers or cheaper entrees, even in the bar and their prices suggest some better service and decor.

Calypso Cafe is just above Maria's Beach and is what you would expect, good burgers and burritos at reasonable prices. The view from the bar is great, surfers and Desecheo island in the distance and Happy hour drinks that are actually pretty good.

We also tried the Shipwreck Bar and Grill, also located near the marina, and while not great, it was better than the Spot, we had Mikeys Famous Fish Kebabs which were very good and there was plenty to share, we also had calamari, which was a huge portion, but a little greasy. There is no view, but the decor was a little nicer than the Spot and the service a little better too.

In the plaza, there is a Mexican restaurant that recently changed ownership so we thought we'd give it a try. We went on Tequila Tuesday so shots of Jose Cuervo gold were just one dollar and Corona's were two dollars. Once again Cyndi and I shared a dish, the fish wrapped in banana leaves. It was about $16. The fish was good, but the plate came with about 3 tortilla chips and nothing else, I guess we were expecting rice and beans. The decor is nice and much like any Mexican restaurant in the states and the service was ok. I think the food was overpriced for what we got, but the drink specials, made up for it.

The best food I've eaten since I've been here has definitely been with Pedro, The Organic Surfer Chef, who I've been working with. He made a rabbit stew one night and whole red snapper another night and recently he served an Asian influenced duck breast with noodles. The food he makes is fesh and from local ingredients and just tastes better, not overly seasoned or just thawed out like so many dishes we find here.

I would also recommend the pizza truck on the 413, near the Lazy Parrot, the crust is very good. And Tapatio a small Mexican restaurant on the 115 toward Aguada.