Chocobar Cortés
Coldbrew Coffee
Chocolada – Barcelo Anejo Rum, Coconut Cream, Whipped Cream, Toasted Coconut
Chocolate Grilled Cheese – Sharp Cheddar, Chocolate Butter, Brioche
Chocolate Croissant
Chocolate Baklava
Chocolate Quesito
Churros
Bolstered by Social Media and positive press, plus a spacious storefront at 210 Calle San Francisco in Old San Juan, Chocobar Cortés is rarely found without a line, same the kiosk inside SJU Airport where guests can purchase Confections crafted in the Caribbean since 1929.
Adding a Kitchen in 2013, Chef Ricardo De Obaldía bringing a degree from Seville and years at Celler de Can Roca as well as Le Calandre to Puerto Rico’s dining scene, it was at 2:30pm that two seats in Chocobar Cortés’ window were found unoccupied, service predictably stretched as at least one hundred guests continued to indulge in everything from Pancakes to Salad.
Inevitably rooted in Chocolate, a family-owned farm-to-bar product since the start, most diners will find it prudent to begin with Beverages, Hot Chocolate a tough sell in sun and humidity while Coldbrew Coffee from Gustos and concoctions including the creamy Chocolada are a great way to beat the heat.
Currently open at 8:00am daily, closing subject to change in the era of COVID-19, it was perhaps twenty minutes before two items arrived fresh from the kitchen, Churros frankly hard and disappointing save for the including Sauce while De Obaldía’s signature Chocolate Grilled Cheese is shockingly delicious thanks to subtle Cocoa offering a foil to Sharp Cheddar.
Waiting much longer for Pastry, the waiter later admitting he’d forgotten to plate these items from Cortes’ glass case, suffice it to say Croissants are likely better warm in the morning while both the Chocolate Quesito and complimentary Baklava were fun riffs on the original with great texture.
www.chocobarcortes.com