Sean "Commuter Daddy" P.'s Profile

The cookies are heavenly. They appear to be two scoops of stacked batter that are baked into almost a miniature cookie pie. Take them up on their offer to warm one up too, and don't be shy about splitting it. I can neither confirm nor deny that I ate a whole one by myself as an afternoon snack. Rumors that I skipped dinner later are hearsay.

This was a spontaneous find, thanks to Yelp, and the reviews were dead on. Upon walking in, most tables were taken by the lunch crowd, and we later heard the waitress pleading with a large party to call ahead for reservations next time. For lunch. On a Thursday. If that is not testament to the satisfaction this establishment generates with its menu and ambiance, I'm not sure what additional evidence I could offer.

As many reviewers here and on Foursquare have said, get the hummus. Or get a dish like the vegetarian or the meat combo platter that comes with hummus. This restaurant serves fresh, healthy food that can satisfy vegetarians and omnivores alike.

The halibut was recommended, and I would do the same to pay it forward. Add a side of whipped potatoes. You won't be disappointed. Avoid the Cabernet though. It was chilled.

Is it so wrong to want to lick the plate when dining in public?

I resisted the urge, but I painstakingly gathered every caper at the end of my chicken schnitzel meal to make sure I savored as much of its sauce as possible. The included asparagus was cooked to al dente perfection, and the cream cheese frosted brownie was just the right closer for such a delectable meal.

The staff was quite friendly, with one server offering to fetch me the self-serve utensils I had forgotten to grab. The outdoor seating on a crisp, clear spring day was the icing on the cake.

Come to Massachusetts, Annie's. We must meet more frequently than this.

Try the Turkey Reuben. I did not think I was a sauerkraut fan, but this sandwich changed my mind. Staff was friendly, gently coaxing me away from my counter seat toward the register to place my order. Nice big screen tv in there to watch a game. Had to wait a bit for my food, but didn't mind thanks to the bottled Stone IPA they had on hand.

Italian Job sandwich was just what the doctor ordered during a day of conferencing and a little bit of riding. Outdoor seating provided a welcome respite, too, especially given that there was a power outlet where I could charge my phone during my late lunch. Even caught a brief glimpse of Lance leaving for a ride!

This actually appears to mismapped in Yelp, unless there is more than one location. We dined at Old Harbor Steak and Lobster House in the heart of Old San Juan, next to Banco Popular -- just a few blocks up from the harbor. The menu was a bit pricier than one would expect at a brew pub, but was good nonetheless. The beer was even better, ideal after walking around Old San Juan on a warm and muggy day. Make sure to ask for a beer sampler. The menu did not make it immediately apparent that it was available. Each of the beers are well crafted and delicious, and the overall experience as good as any brew pub stateside.

Let's just get this right out in the open: This was easily one of the five best restaurants we have ever dined at. We participated in the 5-course tasting menu with the demi-pour wine pairings, and each course was a culinary masterpiece. We especially loved the appetizers. Mine was a paella presented as if it were sushi, while my wife had the grilled asparagus salad that she has not been able to get out of her mind since. We were over the moon about the white bean soup, and my wife doesn't usually like beans. That's how good it was -- able to overcome anyone's food phobia. The wine pairings were perfect, the food impeccably prepared and presented, and the service superbly friendly and attentive. After all was said and done, the check was staggering, but it was worth every dollar. It truly was a once in a lifetime dining experience -- although I do hope to return and repeat it someday.

Our lunch waiter at the Ritz wrote six restaurant recommendations down for us, but starred Casita Miramar as a must-visit. He described it as a place that uses only fresh ingredients, proven by the fact that they write a new menu on chalkboards every night. He warned that it was a place beloved by locals and was off-the-beaten path, but assured us we would love the experience and implored us to try the sangria.

When we later asked the concierge at the hotel if we would be able to get into the restaurant without a reservation, she raised an eyebrow and smiled at us. "How did you hear about it?" She too warned that it was more locals than visitors, adding that she had just been there with her family to celebrate a birthday.

We were sold, if it was good enough for a concierge's family celebration, it was certainly going to be perfect for us.

Casita Miramar was better than advertised. Our seat on the outdoor patio on a warm February evening was ideal. The sangria was fabulous, as were the complimentary "cod chips" they brought out while we pondered the menu (which the waiter helped us translate). When we ordered a custom salad because they were out of one of our desired dishes, they proved to be very flexible. The salad was excellent, too, as were the ribs and the plentiful portion of accompanying rice and beans.

We can see why the locals love the place. So did we, recommending it already to our cab driver that took us back to the hotel, and too a friend heading to Puerto Rico soon. The next time we are back in San Juan, we'll be back at Casita Miramar.

Because you can only find this bar if you know about it -- or if you stumble onto it by trying to use The Lennox Hotel bathroom -- it is not as crowded as nor as loud as street-facing Solas next door. This made it the perfect after-dinner spot for a couple of parents out on a night on the town. We very much enjoyed our triple chocolate and carrot cakes, which were perfect with our nightcaps.