By Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon
CJ Travel Editor
SAN JUAN — If you’re in an unfamiliar destination in search of authentic cuisine, who better to ask than a chef? On a recent trip to San Juan I seized the opportunity to quiz seven kitchen wizards – all headliners at the city’s annual oceanfront food festival, Saborea Puerto Rico – on the places where they love to chow down; the local delicacy you simply can’t leave island without eating; and the one thing you have to try on their own menus. Here, from tostones to top sirloin, are their picks. Check ‘em out, and save the date for the next Saborea yum fest, scheduled for April 2015.
Susie Jimenez
Visiting chef Jiminez’ multi-culti background (Mexico-born, California-raised, living in Aspen and Houston) informs the cuisine at Houston’s Trenza.
Favorite Restaurant: I’ve been invited to eat at all the headlining chefs’ places, but La Jaquita Baya ((www.facebook.com/lajaquitabaya) was a standout.
Puerto Rico Must-Eat: Pasteles (plantain mash stuffed with meat, wrapped in a banana leaf and steamed) are the Puerto Rican take on Mexican Tamales. I loved chef Efrain Cruz’ version at the Intercontinental San Juan.
Must-Order at My Place: Our mixed seafood ceviche features chunky vegetables tossed in lemon, lime and orange juices, and is served with a jalapeno mousse.
Roberto Treviño
The mastermind behind San Juan staples such as Budatai, Casa Lola and Bar Gitano has competed twice on the Food Network’s “Iron Chef.”
Favorite Restaurant: The food at Santaella (santaellapr.com) is a taste of the future of local cuisine.
Puerto Rico Must-Eat: You haven’t lived until you’ve tried the lechon (roast pork) from the roadside restaurants in Guavate.
Must-Order at My Place: The pork dumplings with sweet plantains at Budatai are an example of how we take simple ingredients and make something great.
Giovanna Huyka
The “Julia Child of Puerto Rico” now runs the kitchen at Latin American restaurant Mio in Washington D.C. (miorestaurant.com)
Favorite Restaurant: I really appreciate chef Javier Pacheco’s commitment to using island ingredients at La Jaquita Baya.
Puerto Rico Must-Eat: Mofongo (plantains mashed with broth, garlic, oil and bacon) is the perfect accompaniment to almost anything.
Must-Order at My Place: The fish, served over yucca mofongo. Or our goat stew with mofongo. Always mofongo!
Elvin Rosado
Rosado is the coach of Puerto Rico’s national culinary team and executive chef at Texas de Brazil in the Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel & Casino.
Favorite Restaurant: Raul Correa’s Zest at the San Juan Water Beach Hotel. I always order the signature popcorn soup.
Puerto Rico Must-Eat: You won’t go wrong with the mofongo at any restaurant in Pinones, Luquillo or Guavate.
Must-Order at My Place: Try our picanha: top sirloin cooked over coals (not gas) and seasoned with kosher salt.
Edwin Robles
Born and raised in Bayamon, native son Robles is now the sous chef at Range in Washington DC.
Favorite Restaurant: Jose Enrique is one of the best restaurants in the city; a really creative expression of Puerto Rican cuisine.
Puerto Rico Must-Eat: Mofongo is a traditional dish that combines our African and Latin heritage.
Must-Order at My Place: We get two pigs and two lambs delivered every day so I always recommend the charcuterie, pate and sausage.
Christian Quinones
The winner of MasterChef Latino in 2012 is the executive sous chef at Trattoria Italiana at the InterContinental San Juan.
Favorite Restaurant: La Cueva Del Mar in Santurce isn’t fancy but the seafood is incredible. Order the seafood rice.
Puerto Rico Must-Eat: Try breadfruit mofongo from the Mom ‘n’ Pop restaurants in Guavate.
Must-Order at My Place: Our five-course tasting menu features whatever’s freshest, and it’s inexpensive at just $65.
Jose Santaella
Santaella delights diners at his eponymous Santurce eatery with a contemporary interpretation of traditional dishes and an extensive cocktail menu.
Favorite Restaurant: Kasalta, a classic Spanish panaderia (bakery) in Ocean Park. Order the ham croquetas or the Cuban sandwich.
Puerto Rico Must-Eat: Tostones (fried plantains) offer a true taste of Puerto Rico.
Must-Order at My Place: Black pudding curls with spicy pique dip.