Chocobar Cortés, the well-known chocolate-focused restaurant, is marking its first decade, and to celebrate, executive chef Ricardo de Obaldía has added new dishes to the menu that are sure to satisfy both sweet and savory palates.
The union of two passions
On Sept. 19, 2003, Chocobar Cortés opened its doors in Old San Juan with the goal of presenting a culinary experience that combined the Cortés family's two great passions: chocolate and art.
"I imagined a place where we could incorporate chocolate as the main ingredient in every dish and where families could enjoy traditional food with that infusion. That's where Chocobar Cortés was born. Offering a different, one-of-a-kind experience to Puerto Rican families and to those who visit us from abroad, in a restaurant setting, was a dream come true," said Elaine Shehab, the restaurant's founder.
The legacy of don Pedro Cortés Forteza, which began in 1929, transformed the flavor of chocolate, the richness of culture and the warmth of the Caribbean into a four-generation family business that today also celebrates in a big way at two other locations, Condado and the South Bronx.
Chocolate as the star
Chocobar Cortés incorporates chocolate into every element of the menu, from brunch dishes and traditional Puerto Rican food to cocktails and desserts. Its extensive menu is led by chocolatier, pastry chef and chef Ricardo de Obaldía. The executive chef's efforts earned Chocobar Cortés the Best Restaurant in the Caribbean 2017 award from USA Today.
As part of the first 10 years, the menu features new additions to mark the occasion. Below, we share what we tried and include some of the dishes most requested by Chocobar Cortés regulars.
🍽 Food
Chocolate Grilled Cheese
We started the tasting with a delicious twist on the classic grilled cheese. The dish is made with sharp cheddar and chocolate butter on a brioche loaf from Bertha's Bakery, inspired by the Puerto Rican tradition of dipping cheese in hot chocolate.
Caribbean Ceviche
Continuing with Puerto Rican inspirations, the Caribbean Ceviche is not your typical fish taco. Fresh fish is cooked with chile, mango, orange, lime, cilantro, cacao seeds and recao, and served in a bacalaíto fritter with avocado.
#PlateaTip: This dish is presented in parts so the diner can assemble it to their liking.
Tostadas francesas
French toast is a staple of any brunch menu. At Chocobar Cortés it's made with chocolate and served with a delicious caramelized vanilla Bavarian cream and fresh fruit. A perfect twist!
Chalupitas de mofongo
These crispy bites are made with roasted pork and pineapple pico de gallo, a perfect option for plantain lovers. They come with three sauces: chocolate guacamole, tomatillo salsa and chocolate pique.
🍸 Drinks
La Mulata
Watching drinks being prepared at Chocobar Cortés is like watching a work of art being created in real time. On this visit we started with La Mulata, made with Bird Dog chocolate whiskey, ginger beer, chile and dark chocolate chips.
Don Ignacio
The Don Ignacio is one of Chocobar Cortés's exclusive drinks and one of the most requested by guests. It is made with ron barrilito 3 estrellas, cognac, spiced syrup, sweet vermouth and Angostura bitters, with a dark chocolate rim.
La Cura
If you read that thinking of the iconic Frankie Ruiz song, you're not the only one! This cocktail, based on Bird Dog salted caramel whiskey, homemade cold brew and whipped cream, has a lot to do with that song. According to André Matta, general manager of Chocobar Cortés Viejo San Juan, Frankie Ruiz's voice was heard singing the famous chorus during the presentation of this drink to employees. What a coincidence!
Now that you have an idea of what to order on your next visit to Chocobar Cortés, which will you try first?
This content was translated with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
