The flavors, aromas and textures of Puerto Rican cuisine will be the protagonists of the 8th edition of the Festival Gastronómico Porta del Sol brought to you by the Chamber of Commerce of Western Puerto Rico. The event will take place on Saturday, April 25, at 6:00 p.m., at El Litoral Park in Mayagüez, with the participation of Puerto Rico’s most prestigious restaurants and chefs. “The unmatched fusion of flavors of Puerto Rican gastronomy and the pride we have in our local products will be the main focus of our gastronomic proposal by the sea, Boricua edition, which will feature the best restaurants, spirit distributors, and leading exponents of local cuisine,” stated Jimmy Fox, President of the Organizing Committee of the Chamber of Commerce of Western Puerto Rico.
The event is all inclusive and will feature the special participation of Chef Giovanna Hyuke, its culinary ambassador, among other great chefs. Among them, Hector Escobar from Il Mulino New York located in Isla Verde (Porta del Sol’s Top Chef 2014); Luis Piñero from Piñero’s Latin Cuisine located in Cabo Rojo (Porta del Sol’s Top Chef 2013; Rosita Rosado; Efraín Cruz y Aneudi García from the InterContinental Hotel and Resort located in Isla Verde; Xavier Pacheco from La Jaquita Baya located in Miramar; Christian Quiñones from Salt Gastrobar located in Isla Verde; Ángel Santiago from Lola Eclectic Cuisine located in Ponce; Xavier Soto from Costa located in Mayagüez, Jeremie Cruz from Eclipse and O in Villa Montaña Beach Resort located in Isabela; Damián Hernández from the Verdanza Hotel located in Isla Verde; Norma Llop, Executive Chef of the Tourism Company, Tino Feliciano from Yia’s Restaurant located in Isabela, and Raul Correa from Zest Restaurant located at the San Juan Water Beach Club Hotel.
The participating restaurants include: Textura in Aguadilla, Piñeiro’s Latin Cuisine located in Cabo Rojo, Costa located in Mayagüez, Plena High Cuisine located in Cabo Rojo, Holly’s Café at the Hotel Holiday Inn located in Mayagüez, Zazones Creole Cuisine located in Aguadilla, Paladares located in Mayagüez, Garibaldy’s located in Mayagüez, El Almendro located in Mayagüez, Bonsai Restaurant located in Mayagüez, De Lirious by Chef P located in San Germán, Brasas Restaurant located at the Rincón Beach Resort, Moons Bar & Tapas located in Lajas, Don Maceta located in Añasco, Sophia’s Sushi Bar en Rincón; Eclipse en Villa Montaña Beach Resort located in Isabela; La Casa at the Royal Isabela Hotel, Hydra located in Aguadilla; Royal Palm Café located at the Rincón of the Seas Hotel, Il Mulino New York located in Isla Verde, Zazones located in Aguadilla, Desecheo located in Aguadilla, El Castillo Restaurant located in Mayagüez, Terruño located in Mayagüez, Lola’s Eclectic Cuisine located in Ponce, Massa Artisan Bakery and Café located in Mayagüez, Al Natural Catering located in Aguadilla, Azul Sushi Bar & Restaurant located in Isabela, Hotel Verdanza located in Isla Verde, Buen Apetito, Levain Artisan Breads located in Aguadilla, Aguadilla Farmer’s Market, Hot Pirulis Restaurant located in Aguada, Brazo Gitano Franco located in Mayagüez, The Cupcake Factory located in Ponce, Merendola located in Mayagüez, Couture Delights and Fancy Treats located in Aguada, Lola Restaurant and Gastrobar located in San Germán, and Alo & John Pizzeria located in Hormigueros.
The western region’s most important culinary festival, Portal del Sol, will present its extensive program of gastronomic activities from April 24 to April 26 in Mayagüez. On Friday, April 24, a gastronomic evening to delight the most discerning palates will be held at Casazul. The event “One Night Five Stars” will feature seven (7) of the top chefs in Puerto Rico, who will prepare exquisite dishes that will be accompanied by exclusive liquors. The live music for the event will be at the hands of Manolo Mongil.
On Saturday, April 25, from 6:00 p.m., the main event will take place at El Litoral Park in Mayagüez, with the participation of 25 distinguished chefs, over 75 exhibitors, among them 40 restaurants, 15 houses of wine and liquors, as well as, live music. One of the main attractions will be the Boricua Pavillion in which those in attendance will have the opportunity to sample products made in Puerto Rico. Also, that same night, the 3rd edition of the Porta del Sol Top Chef competition will be taking place. Finally, on Sunday April 26, the closing event Brunch & Mimosa’s Tasting will be held at Costa in Mayagüez. The exclusive menu will be prepared by Chef Xavier Soto and Chef Diana Carrasquillo and will be paired with exquisite mimosas.
The price of admission for the event on Saturday, April 25 is $60.00 per person, while the VIP ticket, which gives you access to all the special events during the weekend is $125.00 per person. To get your tickets visit www.festivalportadelsol.com. Tickets are also available at some of the participating restaurants and at the offices of the Chamber of Commerce of Western Puerto Rico by calling (787) 832-3749 from Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. There are various special offers available in hotels in the area for the weekend stay. For more information visit the event’s Facebook page or call (787) 363-6955.
