Chef José Santaella refined his culinary expertise with top chefs like Ferrán Adrià, Eric Ripert, and Gary Danko. His years of apprenticeships and a thriving catering career led to opening *Santaella* in Santurce’s La Placita Marketplace. The restaurant offers a rustic yet elegant atmosphere, with exposed brick walls, Edison lights, an indoor garden, and a stylish bar. Chef Santaella creatively combines local and international ingredients, crafting Puerto Rican nouvelle cuisine. The tapas-focused menu features favorites like ahi tuna skewers, goat cheese quesadillas, crab-topped ‘alcapurrias,’ and foie gras terrine with fruit jelly. Known for its vibrant ambiance, *Santaella* also boasts one of the island’s best cocktail bars, with expertly crafted drinks by its skilled mixologists. Praised as a culinary treasure in San Juan, *Santaella* impresses with "amazing food," "exceptional service," and "top-tier cocktails." Ideal for special events or memorable evenings, it’s a must-visit.
Cocina al Fondo offers a unique sensorial journey that is meant for everyone to enjoy. Our rotating, seasonally-inspired plates—from the most simple to the most complex dish—encourage wellbeing: of our bodies, minds, and soul. Nature, art, the lyrical essence of our island, the aromas, and our colorful, intense Caribbean heritage are all imbued into every element of our cuisine. We proffer an escape through a festive, gastronomic journey that reinterprets Puerto Rican cuisine through a bold new narrative of fortitude, tenacity, and, of course, taste.