Just returned from six fabulous days at the St. Regis, Bahia Beach! Thank God it was a virtually free trip as it ain't cheap <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> However, every single staff person we came across from the gardener, housekeepers, to management were genuinely friendly and welcoming. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> The property is beautiful and even the standard rooms are HUGE and very well appointed. Food at Fern and Molasses, while resort priced, is well worth it.
Second day a friend and I wanted to take a taxi to Ralph's Food Warehouse just outside the property (which is actually about a 15 minute drive or so) to stock up on food/beverage. Our taxi was MANNY who is awesome and will "take you to the moon". <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" /> We used Manny for several trips last week and will call him again when we visit next. His number is 787-615-2879. Ralph's is a huge beautiful store like anything we have here with great selections and prices.
Took two trips to Luqillo Beach and the "kiosks" which are actually more of a long single story retail strip center of about 60 spaces. Some totally gutted, some just ok, and some virtually white tablecloth. I had researched this on TripAdvisor and found many comments on the top rated restaurants so we had to try them
For lunch we invited two friends to go with us from our group and another couple we had not yet met asked to go as well. No problem except when the "newbie" said they had driven by this area and she thought it was a little "dicey" Just what we wanted. As we drove up to our lunch destination, La Parilla, this person said that "That's not somewhere I'd want to eat" to which I replied "We are!" <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> Four of us went in the very plain looking front and found a very clean, attractive restaurant with beautiful decor and the rear of La Parilla open to the back street where just across was the beach and surf! Had great Mufongo with seafood, grilled mahi, several appetizers and many drinks <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" /> Food was great and we'd go back in a heartbeat. Walked down the street after lunch and while the others wanted t-shirts and stuff, we stopped at one of the many kiosks/restaurants/bars that open to the street where you walk up and see their specialities in hot boxes on a streetside stand up bar. Belinda and I had THE coldest beer ever, Madella (sp?)that had ice actually IN THE BEER <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> and when I asked how much I owed for the two beers was told $2.14 <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" /> My kind of place <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />
Second trip to Luqillo was just for Belinda and I for dinner. Manny had customers out with him so his partner Jenny drove us. Had read all positive revues about a little place called Ay Bonito Grill so thats where we went. I had e-mailed them a week earlier just to ask if they served wine. They replied they did and if we had time to let us know what kind of wine we liked and they would get it for us if available. WOW! Didn't need anything that fancy but what an offer. Well, we walked into this little place with about 10 tables and were the only non-locals there in a very good size crowd. EXACTLY what we like to do in going where those who live go for dinner. We met the hostess Yoly, as soon as we got out of Jenny's van and she escorted us to our table. The menu at Ay Bonito Grill is not big but very creative and great. We had a appitizers of Avacodo Soup, Crab Cakes, & Fried Cheese, I had Churrasco and Belinda had Halibut all of which were incredible. Shortly after the chef came out to say hi. Paul sat and talked with us for well over an hour with Yoly as by that time it was about 9PM and dinner had died down. What a great experience with them as they shared how they met ( he's from Boston & she was a advertising model) <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/circle.gif" alt="" />. Paul gave a tour of the little restaurant and more importantly his plans to add a small deck, stage, bar, etc. He's rightfully very proud of this venture that he and Yoly have undertaken. I had asked Jenny to pick us up around 9:30 since she dropped us off at 7PM figured that was more than enough time for dinner. Well when I finally looked at my watch as we four still drank and talked, I saw it was well after 10PM <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" /> I went out to the street and sure enough there sat Jenny waving and smiling at me as I approached. I started to apologize for being late but she said "No worries, go back inside and have fun. THAT'S what we do here in Puerto Rico". <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />
We had such a great time we arranged to stay one extra day and have Manny take us to the airport Saturday. Hope this rambling was somewhat interesting as we'll definitely go back to Rio Grande/Luqillo Beach again soon. Just remember not to expect spit polish and shine but a truly local experience when you go to the "kiosks" at Luqillo Beach.
