The Spoon Experience, San Juan, Puerto Rico

5Erin R 5:00 PM Jan 3, 2023

Wonderful And Delicious Way to Experience a City
We had a delightful evening. Delicious food and drinks. Pablo led us on a purposeful meander through the beautiful Old San Juan recounting fascinating tales of how the city came to be, why it functions so well, and when, why, and who helped it changed through its long life. Then we would wander in just the perfect spot and sample delicious food and drink made with pride and care. What a fantastic experience! Pablo was the perfect host. Warm, friendly, and deeply knowledgeable, he shared the city with us in that quick, upbeat rhythmic delivery that makes it so easy to learn. He knows so much from first person accounts, that he could easily follow and expand on anyone’s interest from how the food came to be, what parties the city hosts and what they are like, the significance of each statue and what it is made of, to why the bricks in the city are blue. My fourteen year old son, was initially reluctant to come, but Pablo had his interest within the first minute and held it the whole time. The stories of the city design connected with my son’s interest in architecture (and Simcity addiction), the stories of the battle with the English made real what the signs at the Castles had not. And when we saw the Governor’s seal with the Latin charge and my son knew immediately what it meant, well that made the last 2 years of studying Latin in school worth it! It also helps, when on a tasting tour, to bring along a teenagers stomach :). He helped me eat all the food! My 8 year old daughter came along as well. She enjoyed the food, the non alcoholic drinks, and asked questions of Pablo which he answered with authentic warmth. A three hour sunset tour is perfect for an adult and a bit challenging for a child. My daughter hung in there, but needed some Mom coaxing for the last hour. Still, she said she was very glad we came and she would like me to learn to make some of the dishes. Go on the tour! You will get so much more than you can get from guidebooks and signs. I am so glad we did!

5Hank E 5:00 PM Sep 6, 2021

Cooking with Nivia should NOT be missed.
Cooking with Nivia was amazing! Chef Nivia is such a kind and engaging teacher. We warned her that our two teen aged boys (16 and 14) would be typical teenagers and appear to not be enjoying themselves. But, Nivia drew them in quickly. She got them prepping ingredients and cooking, and when they tasted the first food, the appetizer, they were hooked! By the end, the boys were telling stories, plating the food and even cleared the table after we were done eating. One of the boys put Cooking with Nivia as one of the top 2 things we did during our week in Puerto Rico, and she was up against catching a Blue Marlin, a hike to an amazing waterfall, jumping and rope swinging off cliffs into huge pools of water, kayaking in the mangroves, a full day of sailing and swimming in the ocean....Top two is high praise from our son. And the food was DELICIOUS! We ordered mofongo at a restaurant a couple of days later and were wildly disappointed that it wasn't even close to the mofongo we made with Nivia. You really shouldn't miss this. We had a lovely time, made the most delicious food, and Chef Nivia is an absolute delight to spend some time with. You won't be disappointed.