El Vino Crudo - Review - Old San Juan - San Juan - The Infatuation

"If you’re bar hopping around Old San Juan, this low-lit natural wine bar down a cobblestone alley is worth a visit for some pet-net and snacks. The wine selection has some really interesting bottles, like dark rose from Provence that’s basically just a deep, refreshing rosé, and you’ll have a splendid time drinking a bottle or two while sharing bites like za’atar focaccia and boquerones resting on smashed pancakes of potatoes. The space is cavernous, always set in moody lighting, and feels like you’ve found some secret orange wine liar among a more touristy area. And if you like what you’re drinking, you can pick up a bottle here or from their sandwich shop, Malavita, next door. Just don’t prioritize a full dinner at El Vino Crudo. We’ve found that a majority of the food is crying out for more salt and pepper, like a plate of thick-cut, high-quality tuna that desperately needs a bit of dressing. Food Rundown The menu here changes often, but here’s an example of what they might be serving. Vegetable Crudites If you’ve been housing mofongo and pernil like your life depends on it, this plate of vegetables with a tofu dipping sauce is a nice break. It’s simple and highlights some great local produce. Za’atar Focaccia & Creme Fraiche These beautiful slices of focaccia come dusted with za’atar and a side of creme fraiche for dipping. It’s a great snack while you’re drinking a rosé from France, but we wish they were more heavy-handed with the flaky salt. Bluefin Tuna Plate The akami and chutoro are cut thick, and served next to little tartare handrolls. Beyond some finely chopped herbs, the fish is unseasoned. While the quality of the sashimi stands on its own, it’s missing something to enhance the flavor. Flattened Potato & Boquerones A lovely and messy plate of potatoes and meaty anchovies with a swipe of aioli. This is one of their best small plates. Lamb Belly Rack & Chopped Salad On one of our visits, this was a special, and it’s a particularly rich hunk of meat. The bones come out with a slight twist, and it’s fatty in all the best ways." - Carlo Mantuano