It may seem strange for the capital city of a tropical island, but San Juan, Puerto Rico offers diners few attractive options for outdoor eating.

There are some obvious exceptions in the restaurants lining Avenida Ashford in the upscale Condado neighborhood, including the popular Cuban restaurant, Yerba Buena, and the open air patio of the strangely named Waikiki Restaurant. But even the options along Ashford are likely to leave al fresco diners wanting, as traffic generally eclipses any impressive views and tempers those ocean breezes with car and bus fumes.

In Old San Juan, the choices are even more scarce, a fact which is a source of endless surprise (and complaint) on the part of tourists.

So the opening of Ficus Cafe was more than a welcome addition to the capital's culinary scene; it made eating out--literally--an event worth celebrating.

The Ficus Cafe, located on the grounds of the Puerto Rico Convention Center, is an open-air cafe with a spacious patio where guests can enjoy live music under the stars while making their way through the menu of tapas-sized plates, which are priced $8-18 apiece. The menu consists of some Latin favorites, like the perfectly prepared churrasco steak, served with potato salad, and creative interpretations of local dishes, like the pinchos de tiburon (shark kebabs), served with coleslaw.

If you're only in the mood for dessert or drinks, that's fine too--but don't miss the soft, generous-sized brownie, perfect for sharing. The drink menu includes martinis, mojitos, and beer. The local favorite is Medalla, and if you're there with friends on a Sunday night, take advantage of the bucket special: 5 Medallas for $6.00.

Don't worry if it rains--the cafe has a retractable awning and large patio umbrellas to keep you dry, and nothing's likely to dampen the friendly, lively vibe here.

What's the best time to come? Pair your evening at Ficus with one of the convention center's popular fairs, like CIRCA, for a full day of activity. Or come anytime-- the open air, the sparkling lights of the cruise ships just a few blocks away, the food, the music, the elbow room-- all make Ficus an ideal evening eat-out any night.

Details:

Ficus Cafe is open Thursday through Sunday, from 5 to 11:30 PM.

Saturdays feature live jazz, and Sundays feature live reggae.

All major credit and debit cards accepted.

Valet parking available.

Phone: 787-641-7722

*Photo courtesy of the Ficus Cafe

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