Puerto Rico’s already-smoldering food scene is getting a major new addition.
El San Juan Hotel is welcoming Puerto Rican native, Chef Juliana Gonzalez, back to Puerto Rico for the opening of the resort’s signature restaurant, Caña by Juliana Gonzalez.
Created and co-founded by Gonzalez, Manuel Suarez-Inclan and Daniella Rezai–founders of Miami’s tapas hot spot Barceloneta–Caña reflects Chef Gonzalez’s cultural upbringing and international culinary repertoire.
Gonzalez has composed a collection of tapas-style dishes that are cooked using seasonal produce curated locally throughout Puerto Rico.
The signature menu conveys a blend of classic Puerto Rican flavors, with the influence of international cuisines such as Spanish, Middle Eastern and Asian, which reflect the work of Gonzalez throughout her career.
“We are thrilled to welcome Chef Gonzalez to the El San Juan Hotel team,” said Timothy Arnold, managing director of food and beverage at El San Juan Hotel. “Her local palette coupled with her seasoned gastronomy background make Chef Gonzalez the perfect partner to kick off the reinvigoration of El San Juan Hotel’s already sought after culinary portfolio.”
The opening of Caña will be Gonzalez’s first venture in her native Puerto Rico.
“El San Juan Hotel has been at the center of Puerto Rico’s rich culture for decades; the iconic property has hosted countless celebrations and has welcomed some of the most acclaimed names in entertainment to perform on its legendary stage,” said Gonzalez. “I look forward to becoming an intrinsic part of this new chapter in the El San Juan Hotel story. It is an honor to open my first hometown locale at this landmark property.”
To develop the Caña menu with authentic flavors, Gonzalez and Chef de Cuisine Pablo Rosas embarked on a culinary tour throughout Puerto Rico.
The resulting concept is a menu showcasing tastes of every culinary style that the island has to offer.
From Longanizas Ahumadas de Naranjito, a smoked sausage from an artisanal sausage maker in the town of Naranjitos, served with ajili mojili, taro root puree and pickled onions, to locally sourced rabbit from the mountain town of Juncos, marinated, deep fried and served with “salsa rosa,” Caña offers flavorful, authentic Puerto Rican cuisine served through a tapas-style menu.
Gonzalez even brings a touch of home to the Caña kitchen incorporating her mother’s Beef Empanada recipe into the menu.
Caña will offer breakfast, lunch, dinner and pool service at the El San Juan Hotel.
Dishes will be served family style, to the center of the table, so that guests can enjoy a shared dining experience with a feeling of community.
The menu will feature a selection of signature tapas such as bacalaitos with cilantro alioli, camarones al ajillo and yucca mofongo, chicharron de conejo, arepas de beiques, arroz manposteao, and more.
In addition to serving savory Puerto Rican cuisine, Caña will feature a classic rum bar entwined with modern elements, showcasing new, old and forgotten rum cocktails alike.