1919 Restaurant

Went for their Mother’s Day Brunch event and I’d say the food was great, the highlight for me was the New York Strip and the Raviolo. I also have to say, the portions were super appropriate and filling. And also the service was top notch, lot of staff paying attention to our table. I appreciate being so accommodating in the reservations and the dietary restrictions.

We loved our meal here! It was a culinary experience. Some of our favorites were the heirloom tomato salad, steak tartar, risotto, scallops and the desserts were divine. Every course transformed your taste buds. The service was great! They had a team of servers to ensure it was a wonderful experience. I highly recommend it! Make sure you come hungry! We were stuffed by dessert.

Title of the review: A Culinary Masterpiece in Condado. I am a retired lieutenant colonel from the US Army, and I recently had the pleasure of treating my husband, Cris, to dinner at the 1919 Restaurant in the Vanderbilt Hotel to celebrate his birthday, and it was an experience I will never forget. From the moment you step into the elegant seaside setting, you are transported to a world of sophistication and culinary excellence. The atmosphere is perfect for special occasions, with large windows offering stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean. The service is impeccable, attentive without being intrusive, ensuring a truly memorable dining experience. The floor captain and the waiters move with a grace and precision similar to a ballet performance, reminiscent of the elegance and fluidity of "Swan Lake." Each server glides through the dining room, anticipating the guests' needs with perfect coordination. The captain orchestrates this ballet with an almost invisible hand, ensuring that every detail is perfect. The dishes are presented with synchronized timing, the wine is served with an elegant gesture, and the removal of the plates is executed with the utmost discretion. The harmony among the staff members enhances the overall dining experience, creating an atmosphere of refined elegance and attention to detail. The menu, created by virtuoso chef Juan José Cuevas, awarded two Michelin stars, features the freshest and locally sourced ingredients. Each dish is a work of art, beautifully presented and full of flavor. The flavor fusion of every dish is a work of art, beautifully presented and full of flavor. I opted for the four-course tasting menu, which included a delicious variety of local fish dishes and perfectly cooked meat options. The vegetarian selections were equally impressive, ensuring that all dietary preferences were catered to. The drink list at the 1919 Restaurant is extensive and impressive, with a vast selection of local and international wines, craft cocktails, and non-alcoholic options. The opportunity to pair wines with your meal is a standout feature. Simão, the knowledgeable sommelier provides expert recommendations, ensuring that each wine complements the flavors and textures of your chosen dishes, enhancing the overall dining experience. We are extremely appreciative of Bryan, the manager, for his phenomenal capacity to supervise without disrupting the guests. He approached us to discuss his team and to receive recognition. Adilys is the first person to welcome you, her radiant smile and melodious voice inviting you into a world of unparalleled elegance and sophistication. I made a reservation online, and she selected the perfect table for us, close to the sea with excellent lighting that created a beautiful ambiance. William, as a good captain —I can say this because I was a captain in the army— made sure our experience was unique. Simão has an extensive drink menu, and if you don't know which one is the best, he will recommend the best one for you. He ensures that your drink is cold and that your glass is at the right level to keep it fresh. Gabriel, Emmanuel, and the rest of the team keep your table clean and ensure you have an extraordinary experience. They are kind and you can have a brief conversation with them. This made the service personalized. In the end, as I requested in the reservation, they gave Cris a beautiful gift, a small cake with a candle. That made the experience completely excellent. 1919 Restaurant surpasses any other restaurant I have visited in my 20 years of traveling the world. Giving less than 5 stars means you don't have the required taste to enjoy it. I encourage you to write about the good things in your culinary experience because giving less than 5 stars doesn't do it justice. In summary, the 1919 Restaurant offers a world-class dining experience with a local touch. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or simply enjoying a night of good food, this restaurant is a must-visit. I can't wait to return and explore more of Chef Cuevas' culinary creations. T

Photo of my poached swordfish. Only posting because when I pointed it out to the manager I was told that it was cooked perfectly. I assumed it was cooked sous vide and finished it, worst swordfish of my life. Would have preferred it dry over this. Everything else was spectacular to be honest. Even a mediocre swordfish and this would have been a 9/10 or 10/10 dinner. Service was exceptional, and every other dish we tried was delicious. But this swordfish was soft and flaky on the outside and gummy on the inside. I would still go again, but next time I’d just send the dish back and be rude instead of take the manager at their word.

I can not say how good the food is with words. The staff is incredibly nice, and even gave us some great banana bread. Definitely worth every penny. Coming back the next chance I get.

Food and service were good. The parking valet at the hotel is free if you validate with the restaurant. The restaurant is way too cold, so bring a sweater or a shawl. I wish they had more vegetarian options on the menu. The tagliatelle was ok, not great. The desserts were exceptional.

Awesome dinning experience! We had 4 courses + 2 glasses of champagne + 2 cocktails. Check final - 800$ for a couple (with 25% tip & the state taxes are all together 17.5%) I would highly recommend this restaurant, as someone who’ve been to about 30-40 Michelin stars restaurants all around the world, this place deserves a star for sure! (The chef already have a few stars) Highly recommended to dine Btw the hotel is gorgeous as well

I’m currently sitting at the table, writing this review while waiting for our meal. We booked the New Year's Eve tasting menu, paying $400 per person, and unfortunately, the experience has fallen far short of expectations. The meal is not worth the price, and the overall experience does not reflect the standard of fine dining one would expect for this cost. We made our reservation for 8:30 PM, but were not seated until 9:15 PM. The service is extremely slow, and while the food itself is subpar, the portions are disappointingly small. It’s not just us—many other tables around us are also waiting for their meals. I understand that New Year's Eve is a busy time, but if a restaurant cannot handle the demands of fine dining service during peak hours, it should not offer such experiences. At this point, we are still waiting, and it seems like we might ring in the New Year right here at the table. I cannot recommend this place—it’s simply not worth the money or the experience.

5 star ambiance coupled with great food and service is a winning combination. Yes, it is expensive, but overall worth it for the complete experience.

overpriced sucky place... wasted money and food was below average... should have left.,. this is a 1950's old restaurant vibes in 2024

Mostly seafood. The service was great. The lobster was OK, the drinks were very good, and the way that the food was displayed was very beautiful. But if I had a choice, I would not come back here.

Rude staff which did not meet my expectations for a Michelin Star. Pick another spot!

I started my Puerto Rico trip with fine dining at 1919 and it did not disappoint! Me and my partner did a 4-course dinner over 2 and a half hours as leisurely as I hoped the pace of Puerto Rico will be. The food for me was a solid 4.5/5 and I would say 3.5-4 / 5 for the drinks (Being a cocktail enthusiast, I was expecting the same level of finesse on the drinks too). The little surprises like the amuse bouche drink and dessert palate cleanser really wow'd me. FOOD: Before the first course we given an amuse bouche which was a Cucumber yogurty drink that was absolutely delicious. For the 1st course we did the Crudo Trio and Lobster Salad. The Crudo was alright (Tuna the best!) and the Lobster Salad was SPECTACULAR - definitely recommend this the most! For the 2nd course we did the Mushroom gnocchi and Pappardelle with truffle. Both these dishes were extremely flavorful and due to the small tasting portions, it made it possible to enjoy the rest of the courses as well - this is a concern I often have with pasta as it really fills me up leaving no space for more food. For the 3rd course (and this is when I start feeling full) we did the Cod and Lamb and both came with some preparation of Freekeh. This course was probably our least favorite. The Cod felt a little bland with a strong fishy essence - and I usually love all seafood. The lamb was tasty, but could have been more seasoned. The freekeh preparation for both dishes was my favorite in this course. I never had it before and absolutely loved it! 4th and final course was dessert. It started with a palate cleanser containing Lemongrass Panna Cotta and Sorbet - this was AMAZING! It was just what we needed after the previous 3 courses. As you can guess we barely had any place for dessert for bring it on. We did the Pear cake with mascarpone and Bread pudding with caramel. Both were good, but we preferred the bread pudding. DRINKS: For drinks, we got the Luchetti Colada - like a pina colada with a spicy touch - very tasty, but you need to like coladas in general. I do not like very sweet drinks, so went with a Lady Rosemary - Gin based martini sour type drink - it sounded more promising than it tasted. The lemon was too much for me - too sour. I ended with a Honeysuckle - the server's recommendation and I definitely liked this drink the most. All in all, if you are on vacation and don't mind lightening your wallet for a fine dining experience with GREAT SERVICE, smiling faces, this place is definitely for you. They even gave us a packaged banana bread on our way out!! If you are looking for value for money, this may not be the right spot. Cheers! :)

We stayed in the Condado Vanderbilt, and this is definitely the nicest restaurant in the hotel (tasting menu only). Note that there is a dress code for gentlemen; no shorts. My boyfriend and I both did the four course tasting, along with a few rounds of cocktails. We tried: + Excelsior cocktail + Gold rush cocktail + Rosemary gimlet cocktail + El sonador cocktail + Tuna crudo + Lobster salad + Black truffle ricotta gnocchi + Gnocchetti with lamb ragu + Local dorado (mahi-mahi) + Local tuna + Tarta rocher + Chocolate Maracaibo ganache cake Cocktails were solid. I would rate the food as mostly excellent, but if you're used to NYC tasting menus, you're not going to be terribly impressed. Presentation was lovely and the dishes were certainly thought about - I was just expecting to be wowed, considering the high cost, but I landed at satisfied. Still, it's a great choice for a nicer/special meal. (For more inventive/elevated food in the area, head to Vianda or Paulina Escanes.) There was a bit of a wait between courses, but we were chilling and drinking, so it wasn't bad. Just prepare to be there for a few hours. Friendly service, too.

I am really torn writing this extreme bad review for Condado Vanderbilt and the 1919 restaurant in the hotel. We've travelled to Puerto Rico for 25 years. We watched the renovation of the Condado Vanderbilt and 1919 restaurant. We were one of the first customers of the hotel and restaurant when they opened, and are regular customers of the 1919 restaurant. We booked reservations for 1919 through Open Table a month and half in advance of our trip for December 10, 2024, at 7:00pm. We confirmed the reservation on December 9th through Open Table. When we arrived at the five-star hotel and restaurant, we and others were told we could not enter the restaurant for dinner because the hotel/restaurant booked an event for the entire restaurant. We were informed we could sit at the bar and have dinner. This is a five-star hotel and restaurant. You will pay anywhere from $400.00 to $600.00 for dinner for two depending on what you order and drink. The ambiance, service, and food are excellent, but to be told to sit in the bar and pay that kind of money is absolutely unacceptable. The restaurant should have informed us in advance about their decision to close the restaurant to outside guests and book an event. To be a five-star hotel and restaurant, we would have understood if they had called us to book another day. So, we called Mario Pagan restaurant from the Condado Vanderbilt lobby to see if we could be seated at the last minute. Mario Pagan sat us immediately. Mario Pagan has excellent service and food and we go there as well every time we go to Puerto Rico. Mario Pagan gets the 5-star rating from us. I hope the Condado Vanderbilt and 1919 restaurant will do better in the future.

The food is excellent and the service outstanding. Classy yet friendly and most professional.

I thought 1919 was an okay restaurant; I probably wouldn't go back. Overall service/ambiance was top notch and the cocktails were also good. With that said, the food itself was just alright and there are better steak options in San Juan. For higher end options, I think that Cocina Abierta or Marmalade are superior.

For two people we spent $700 including tip. This restaurant is not worth that much money. For $700 you can get a 3-Michelin star restaurant. While the service was top-tier, the food was not and ultimately, were there for the food. This review isn't coming from a random guy. I love food. I love fine dining. I've been to many of the most amazing restaurants in Latin America including Central (Lima), Maido (Lima), Pujol (CDMX), and El Cielo (Medellin). In the US I've been to countless including some of the best like French Laundry and Atelier Cremn. 1919 fell far below all of my expectations by a long shot. For a restaurant that prides itself on being one of the best in San Juan I would have expected culinary excellence. Unfortunately, not only was the food sub par but their options for vegetarians was an abomination. Here what I ordered and how I would rate each out of 10: Prime Beef Tenderloin Tartare - 8/10 Lobster Soup - 7.5/10 Colorado Lamb Duo - 2/10 (I actually sent it back due to the lack of flavor and overall flatness of the dish) Black Forest - 4/10 My girlfriend ordered dishes that were all pretty low in flavor and creativity from the arugula and little gem salad to the cabbage steak that was the only option for vegetarians. However, I will say she got the rigatoni and that was a damn good pasta course 8.5/10. Anyways, please be mindful of the price and type of establishment before booking. Absolutely not worth it in my opinion.

Life is short and my one piece of advice is to go to 1919. Take yourself to another planet with the chefs menu. Thank you to the entire staff and team at 1919. The experience was otherworldly. From the moment we arrived we were immediately seated at a beautiful table by the wine cellar. We were instantly greeted, and given options of menus and wine parinings; All of which were described in detail. We opted for the most extravagant life experience of the chefs menu, with wine pairing for my husband and mock tail pairing for myself. A moktail menu that was explained to us as a drink that will mimic the taste of some of the wines your partner will experience- it felt like a together journey. I've had a very difficult time in the past finding restaurants that understand the importance of mocktails (for pregnancies or otherwise). This really made us feel at home that 1919 just "got it" and this theme was carried out time and time again. Each dish, wine, mocktail was delivered in uniform fashion, with a detailed explanation and by the entire team of staff. The chefs menu was loosely described as 10 courses but between the added bonuses and palette cleanses it could have easily been 13/14. Needless to say we left extremely full but in awe. A few of our "cannot live without" Branzino and mushrooms Carne asada (I think?) dish Truffle homemade linguine Salmon and mussel dish in vegetable broth It was all truly indescribable. We will never ever forget one of the most memorable nights of our lives with some of the best people and service we've ever met. This experience is expensive. Let me make that very clear. I would never question the cost per the service that was delivered. Thank you again to the chef and the sous chef (who did greet us) and the entire team. Special shout out to Josè Carlos, Jonalie and Jorge for an unforgettable night. We cannot wait to indulge in the take home banana bread!! Love to you all

My sisters and I wanted a nice Christmas Dinner where none of us had to cook. By the time we found 1919, Christmas Dinner was sold out, so we decided to have our Christmas on the 26th, which was an excellent alternative for us. We were delighted with our experience from start to finish. Yuyi pointed us in the right direction for a bottle of wine we all enjoyed. We all have different tastes in wine, so this wasn't an easy feat. William offered an exquisite description of the options available for our prix fixe menu. We all ordered different items for each course, and the chef executed each dish perfectly. We appreciated the attention to detail from Jorge when it came to serving our meals and ensuring we always had anything we needed. We stayed for a couple of after-dinner drinks, which were also incredible. I highly recommend dinner service at 1919. Next time I'm in town, I'll be making reservations.

I was really blown away with our culinary experience. So classy. We did the 4 course meal and it was just to die for! Our water was never empty. Everything was delicious! They even give you banana bread to take home I was even surprised with a birthday treat.

Lol. Aren't you suppose to attract tourists? Bill was $590 for 2 people, gratuity included. Suppose to be $145/pp, but they upsell you. 4 fixed meal and 3 glasses of wine. $20 additional for specials, we had 3, which aren't even worth it. Still left dinner hungry. Most enjoyable was Lobster Maine. Caviar plate is literally 3 pieces of seafood. A scallop, tuna, and yellow tail. Nice background, that's all this place is good for. Would never come back.

When the chef has travelled around the world running Michelins especially from San Sebastian Spain to New York and San Francisco, you know you are in for a treat. Did not dine in the big fancy dining room due to attire issue. Your 14 year old teen has been living in shorts since he was 5 and skiing in shorts in Niseko, Japan, why would that change? Thankfully there are other ways to seat us which is in a separate area outside of the main dining hall but in a quiet private bar room. It was actually perfect because this section of the room was much quieter and nicer. We had the 4 course tasting which was a bargain price at $109 per person. True to a Michelin experience, there was the amuse bouche, palette cleanser, desserts that came after the desserts, and oh, the final surprise, super moist banana nut bread in a beautiful box to take home. On top of that, because I had two kids, they gave me three loafs. One for each of the kid and one for the adults. The meal reminded me of the last Michelin meal we had in Vienna, it felt European than American for some reason. Kids loved the meal. Tuna tartare and Beef were the kids favorite. Thought it was well prepared and not too dense. The best part was the desserts. They thoroughly loved every bite. Valet parking was paid by the restaurant. Not too shabby. Skip the endless lines and prepaid tickets to get into SF, Sonama and Napa Michelins. Not worth it. Travel to other places where a much better meal can be had for a lot less hassle.

All very good but it did not live up to my expectations. Good service, well trained staff, good quality food and an interesting selection across the four course menu. But for the price and reputation it left me wanting more. At no time during the meal did anyone in our group of four say anything like - wow, OMG, you must taste this. So in summary I would say it is a good but overrated experience - sorry.

Okay I LOVED this place and i ALWAYS give 5 stars on Yelp... but the reason it's 4 star is because I was a bit surprised at the total price. It's a beautiful location in San Juan's first luxury hotel, the Vanderbilt. It's $130ish per person for the prix fixe. That sounded reasonable. We got a $125 bottle of wine. Then the total was $700 because there was 11% sales tax and 25% tip included. Besides that, food was good and the flavors were great. The fish was very fresh. It just felt more like a $500-600 meal than a $700 meal. Service was best we've ever had in San Juan (shout out to William!!). He was SO nice and always present and he was so well educated about the dishes. Oh and the dessert wasn't too impressive. Not sure if they have a separate pastry chef. If they did, they didn't say so on the menu

High class ambience and view but the food was not worth it. Everyone is pleasant with assisting you and taking your orders. Temperature checks are done at the door. There are also hand sanitizer stations around. Meal courses are taken down ahead of time but it took so long in between each course. It made no sense knowing those orders were in from beginning. Too much time lag in my opinion. Out of everything that was served, I can only say I enjoyed the champagne and the wild shrimp. It was small but flavorful. Everything else we ate was either too bland, too salty, or too small. I love salmon but I was not impressed by the king salmon dinner, at all. I don't mind paying extra to eat. But usually the price one pays equate to something of great value yet this was not the case here. Save that money for something else.

Unquestionably, this is a "fine dining" establishment that has its act together. However, with NYC/Nantucket/Boston/Charleston/Berlin "goggles" on (as a barometer of "fine dining" quality), I am not sure the experience "wows" at the price point. None of the dishes in the four course tasting menu disappointed, but several (my tuna entree comes to mind) were merely good, not exceptional. The one thing that is exceptional is the attentive, very professional service. Decor, while again upscale, is stuck in time, reminiscent of 1980/90s steakhouses. Net, net: for the price of a 1-2 star Michelin meal, I expected more. We left satisfied, but not impressed.

This was one of the most enjoyable dining experiences we've had in a long time. The staff, led by Carlos, were all attentive but not overbearing - just how we like it. The ambiance was high class (as you would expect from a Vanderbilt property), comfortable, quiet and included an awesome view of the Atlantic - just a few yards away. I've left the best for last. The food was absolutely exquisite. Each course was perfectly prepared and presented. I wish I could find the words to describe how delicious and how much we enjoyed the entire meal. Highly, highly recommend!

I experienced the worst service by Agustin. I asked a couple questions about the wine and if I could taste one. He said I could only taste one because the other was not available for tasting which I understand. Then I said what would happen if I didn't like it and he responded that if you don't like the product it's because of your taste not because the product is bad. He then said that because they are closed until Tuesday they wouldn't be able to resell it. I've been to many Michelin Star restaurants and I was shocked by his response. After his rude answer I decided to leave. I do not recommend this place if you are on vacation.

Simply exquisite four (4) course fine dinning. The location was warmth and well ambient. Hospitable hosts with knowledgeable and courteous staff. This is the place to wander and be amazed. The experience was a journey shared with family members and it was a night to remember. My soup, croquetas, the veal and the pudding were simply delicious. My wife and relatives were all delighted. Congratulations to the Chef ‍ !!!!! Tip: valet parking is free with validated ticket.

Absolutely beautiful atmosphere and service is A1 but the food is absolute garbage! Paid 145$ for a tasteless burnt steak. I would recommend having a drink at the bar but DO NOT order food it's terrible at best.

2 stars only for the service. My bf booked this place for us and we were so excited to have a course dining experience. Food was not fresh, I had a hair in my risotto, the fish in the crudo was not fresh, steak tough and flavorless, etc. we're all for spending money for a good meal, but to leave feeling disappointed after a $500 dinner is very frustrating. Look elsewhere.

My wife and I had a wonderful time there, service was a A1... the only complain we had was the food portions but we were super wrong and food was really good. Very nice decor, peaceful waterfall sound effects in the background. It worth a try I will definitely go back whenever I'm in town.

All I can say is WOW ! From the most incredible food to the exceptional service ! WOW Incredible experience ! Highly recommend !

Fair fair food.. we had the plumbjack wine menu .$265 usd plus plus.. NOT worth it Cold food and a Manger that could care less! Not recommended.. Servers were nice enough Everything else sub par and certainly not 5 star...

Highly expensive for a mediocre experience! We went for a fine-dining experience. Ambience is excellent and the service is good. Food quality is mediocre in taste, but the presentation was nice. This is a four-course dinner ($169 per adult). Two of the courses are made of a really tiny appetizer and a medium-sized dessert at the end. The other two courses are okay in size. We were still hungry after the dinner. For such a mediocre experience, it was highly expensive: $790 for two adults and two kids (kids got a small steak and French fries for $69 each, since there was nothing else for the kids).

Amazing service, ambiance & food! They took care of me for my birthday. Surprised me with a mini cake loaf to bring home. Loved it!

The food was great, drinks were overpriced, service was fantastic- everything you expect from a fine dining experience. What irked me was two things: 1. I asked for a table for 4 that I saw was empty near the window overlooking the water but they said no- it was reserved for another party. I'm thinking - well the other party is not here yet and we are here first but whatever. (Low and behold, that table was empty for the entirety of the 3 hours that we were there). and 2. they overcharged us- adding in supplement/surcharges for menu items that do not indicate a surcharge on the menu! I ordered duck breast for my third course and as pictures show- there is no surcharge on the menu but it is on my receipt. ***Check your receipts carefully before you pay!!!*** Like I said, service is good but slow. It took 3 hours from start to finish and there was so much time between courses. They will give you unlimited bread rolls (one by one) if they see your bread dish is empty. They also gave us a complimentary loaf of banana bread at the end as we were walking out to take home and that was a very nice gesture. ***Free valet if you dine here. 1. grain salad - fresh beet and pinch of goat cheese over a bed of grains and quinoa that pop on your mouth- it was interesting and good 2. soft shell - this was ok. it was fried nicely to a good texture but otherwise tasted bland to me. my friend got the parmentier-truffle soup that was so good- I recommend the soup. 3. roasted duck- this was really good. not too gamey over a bed of what appeared to be lo mein with rice noodles 4. chocolate texture - so good! comes with banana ice cream that I thought was fantastic. we all got each of the different. dessert offerings and they were all really good.

Honestly, I expected a bit more for the price. Some of our meals were excellent while others were a bit lacking in flavor. Portions were very small, as expected. Went out of my way to buy a COVID test prior to visiting, as it was "mandatory" as per the reservation booking. They never asked for it, which was a waste of time and money. There were four of us and dinner took nearly 4 hours. Nearly $900 with tip.

The ambiance was awesome. The staff were professional, friendly and extremely accommodating. They made us feel right at home. The food was excellent. The prix fixe menu worked out perfectly for us. Everything was seasoned and cooked to perfection. The drinks were awesome. Definitely one the best dining experiences I've had. Highly recommended and a must go when in San Juan!

Christmas dinner at 1919. Our service tended by Alejandro, Agustin, Joshua was flawless. Awesome energy, service and food. No loud music, nice ambiance. Highly recommended.

This bar is tucked away inside the Condado Vanderbilt, which may just be the most beautiful aesthetic hotel in the world. With its marble floors, winding staircases, chandeliers and arched hallways, this hotel is like a dream. Stop by for a drink at the hotel and you will not be disappointed. While the drinks are a little on the pricey side, they are worth it. The spiced rum old fashioned is a must! They smoke a cinnamon stick into the drink which gives it the perfect smokey smooth taste.

From the moment I arrived I was enamored with the ambiance and hospitality. Customer service was well beyond expectation. I ordered a mojito but did not drink it as it wasn't very sweet to me. The waiter came over with a new one and stated "I noticed you were not drinking your mojito so I took the liberty of having the bartender prepare another one for you". Was perfect. The sea bass was delicious. All the food, presentation and service were amazing and worth the cost. This was in my drafts for a long time. Not sure if the restaurant is still open but the experience was nice.

Located just off the lobby of Condado Vanderbilt Hotel, 1919 may just be Puerto Rico's most luxurious Restaurant, Chef Juan José Cuevas bringing his Michelin starred resume to a menu that features contemporary continental Cuisine built from locally-sourced Ingredients. Known for seaside views and posh fabrics, plus the sort of service that calls guests by name or professional title rather than "Sir" or "Ma'am," it was at precisely 6:30pm that a table for two was arranged room's length from windows, a slight apologized for in advance and attributed to every seat otherwise taken by Vanderbilt Hotel guests. Prone to seasonal change across a four-course Prix Fixe, $89 plus Supplements a fine deal for complex plates and large portions, it was with a $30 glass of Taittinger Rose that dinner got started, an Amuse of cooling Gazpacho quickly followed by complimentary housemade Rolls and creamy bites of fried Baccala that cost about $3.50 each. Relaxed in terms of pacing, twenty-to-thirty minute intervals between plates filled by conversation, course one consisted of dueling Salads, her Lobster with Pasta and briny Vinaigrette enjoyable but entirely outclassed by Squash, Fruit, Cheese and Pickles brightened by Thai seasonings across a multitude of textures. Suggesting "Smart casual" dress, though jeans and short sleeves are not out-of-place, course two consisted of lightly cooked Shrimp and "Grits" versus Soup poured tableside, Truffle-scented Cheese and Potatoes forming a velvety Potage that led nicely to meaty Entrees of grilled Pork with Vegetables and pan-seared Duck atop Rice Noodles. Undoubtedly a meticulous kitchen, plating reliably photogenic from beginning to end, dinner concluded with Mignardises and Dessert, waiter-recommended "Guava and Lemon" akin to Clafoutis with textural Pineapples while Coconut Rice Pudding found brightness in exotic Fruits.

Another stellar meal at 1919, my 20th visit. The food and service are outstanding. The chef's tasting menu is terrific. My favorite dish was probably the wild shrimp and scallop, but every course was delicious. They do a fantastic job with the wine pairings. The wines are excellent and well-chosen to complement each course. I highly recommend 1919!

1919 Is not cheap, which I'm totally okay with. The food was certainly top quality and the location is unique and vibrant. Upon arriving we were immediately seated and the waiters immediately came to introduce themselves. A few red flags surged right away. We opted out from the wine pairing and went for cocktails instead, however, we were only given one menu on an iPad my wife and I had to share? Odd. All tables were brought a sort of bench or hook where ladies could place her purse and valuables as soon as a guest arrived, not us, we had to stand and request one. Our drinks appeared and the waiter was not to be seen again around our table for the next hour or so. This is an exquisite multi-course meal (4 in our seating), however, they time it for 2 and a half hours. Meaning you must wait 30 minutes for each dish which was incredibly annoying. Halfway through the night, we were caught waving at waiters for another drink as our glasses were bone dry and they were nowhere to be seen near us. From this point on the night was very disappointing and upsetting. I am Hispanic, born and raised in Brooklyn NY(Puerto Rican parents), my wife, however, is very Puertorican. We got the sense we were dubbed as locals as every single soul dining next to us was of white/American descendants. You could see the waiters chatting up and constantly checking on all the tables around us, walking past us as if we were never even there. This situation was incredibly upsetting and will sadly be what I remember this restaurant for. We have been to multiple "Michelin star" awarded restaurants in NY and around the world and sadly, the one right at "home" is the only one so far we have felt discriminated against and plan to never return. How was the food you ask? 6/8 Dishes were horrible. How do you over salt a NY Strip? The quality of the piece was notable but the cooking and prepping were horrendous. I couldn't eat it because of how salty it was! My wife had Pork rigatoni which was essentially a soup of grease. The dessert was delicious however. I don't blame the waiters for seeing dollar signs when wealthy tourists walk through the door. But on a $500 dinner tab, you would expect some form of respect and much higher quality service. 1919, get your ducks in a row. My last name does not reflect my worth.

Food is fine, but expensive. I told the wait staff I'm vegetarian but they served me a roll that for some reason had a hidden layer of meat. Disgusted to ingest dead animal and surprised by the lack of care by staff. Never again

This was one of the best dining experiences I've ever had. There was not one bite I didn't try to savor. From the drinks to the main coarse to the dessert. Everything was excellent. Not picture but they even gave us banana bread to go, it was wrapped so cute with a 1919 logo sticker on it and was so yummy - not too sweet and very moist. Our two servers were INCREDIBLE.

My boyfriend and I had our last vacation dinner at 1919. The entire experience was intimate, romantic, and magical. 1919 is located at the Vanderbilt Condado. They do have a dress code at the restaurant so dress accordingly! The entire back window of the restaurant is a view of the ocean. We tried for a table by the view, but only parties of +4 could sit there. We sat by the right of the restaurant, and still could enjoy the view. How it works: 1919 serves a 4 course dinner priced at $95 per person. The website still says $85. Some plates have a surcharge of $10. They also charge for water so don't be surprised when you see a $7 per person add on to your bill. Gratuity of 20% will automatically be included with your bill. With 2 prefixed dinners, 2 cocktails, water, gratuity, and a surcharge of plates our bill was $300. The 1919 experience! They work as a team at 1919, so expect many faces stopping by. A drink specialist will approach your table to start you off. Unsure of what wine you want? A sommelier will be dedicated at your service to make sure you are completely happy with your drink choice! Afterwards you are presented with the menu and given ample time to pick your perfect plates combination. Our server let us pick 2 plates from the second course's list since nothing stood out to us from the first course. Once drinks and plates are selected, a runner will bring out these 2 cucumber shots to clean your palate. If you're wondering about bread and butter prior to your meal, the answer is yesssssssss. Warm Rosemary bread is served throughout dinner! They never stop coming back with more bread :) Course 1: I started with the truffle soup. It was so creamy, rich, and delicious! This was probably my favorite dish. I read other reviews on Yelp saying that it was quite lovely and I was not disappointed. Course 2: My second plate was the ravioli dish. To be honest, I thought this dish was ordinary and nothing about it stood out to me. Course 3: My third plate was the New York strip. It was an additional $10. Great dish. Very similar to what you would have at other fine steakhouses. Course 4: For dessert, I first ordered the Arroz Coco and was not a fan. It was chalky and almost tasted what I imagined playdough to be like. They let me exchange it to the chocolate texture and it was amazing!!!! Overall, I would highly recommend 1919 to anyone looking for fine dining in San Juan. I was quite pleased with the posh ambiance, classy service and the attention they had to our table. At the end, our server presented us with a parting gift- homemade banana bread! One last note. Prior to going, I read that dinners took like 4 hours. Our reservation was at 6pm and we were out by 8pm! It was super fast for us.

Food was very good. If you don't mind the minimum 2hr dinner, 10-15mins between each course, then you will enjoy being pampered here. Staff was great

An amazing dining experience! Totally agree with the positive reviews. Prior to making a reservation, I checked out the plus and minus reviews. Our experience was worth the $$$$. We ordered strategically to maximize what we were able to try. I will agree that a few dishes were over seasoned. However, the overall experience was awesome. The fresh ingredients and presentation were worthy of a star. The blue fin crudo was spectacular. I could go on about each course. Add that Executive Chef Juan José Cuevas raised funds for restaurant staff and you should go just to support his ethics. Luis the sommelier made our night! He has some bad press.... Sorry you are wrong! He is incredible. Purchased wine and did the pairing. Absolutely brilliant. He spent plenty of time in the cellar selecting a bottle and at the table discussing wine and matching glasses to pair perfectly with each course. Bravo!

I went here for my birthday yesterday and everything was perfect. The food was very refreshing and filling, the wine pairings were spot on, and our waiters were very helpful and attentive. This place is pretty expensive but they definitely make sure it's worth the money. The chef served a palette opener that was very light and refreshing. The lobster salad was very good. I'm a big fan of cheese and the cheese that was paired with this lobster was more than magnificent along with the tomato vinaigrette. The seafood Gnochetti was flavorful and filling. The halibut and rice were a beautiful creamy texture. And the paletella was a very nice closing to all of this. I've never had this desert before but I would recommend trying it. They also gave me an extra dessert to celebrate my birthday. This was a mousse cake with raspberry filling topped with fresh strawberries. The raspberry filling perfectly offset the dark chocolate mousse. We also enjoyed champagne or wine with each dish and the waiters continuously came around with bread so you're almost guaranteed to leave with a super full and satisfied belly. On our way out, our waiters also gifted us some zucchini bread which was still moist the next morning. I would highly recommend coming here for a special occasion. They really know how to treat their customers well.

March 2 My Date & I was so disappointed in the tasting menu food was over salted, tasted like wedding food. Food came out looking awesome but tasted like ass..what a waste of 500 dollars..safe your money !!! Overrated !!!!!

The food was impressive. The flavor combinations of every meal paired with the different textures of smooth, crunchy, and firm just leave you wondering how did they create this? True artists in the kitchen. Pair the food with the superb service of Emanuel, José Carlos, and Angel and you have a night of smiles, laughter, flattery, and memories to last a lifetime. Let's not forget the hotel the restaurant is in... the Condado Vanderbilt is exquisite. The ambiance of the hotel and restaurant compliment one-another perfectly just like the food and top-notch service. I definitely recommend 1919 for a night you will never forget and a meal you will savor for a lifetime.

An unforgettable experience! We were excited to have an early seating so we could admire the amazing view of the ocean while experiencing our first glass of champagne. This restaurant is the epitome of fine dining. The entire service was flawless from start to finish. Yuyi was wonderful the entire evening at describing the alcohol parings while also highlighting the notes that we could expect with the dishes we had ordered. Our main server was so kind and welcoming when we reviewed the menu. They knew immediately that I had a gluten intolerance and were so accommodating when I ordered. The portions of all the dishes were the perfect amount and we left the meal floating on cloud nine and couldn't have asked for anything more.

What a disappointment. We had a 7:30 PM reservation for dinner knowing that we had an early morning departure the next day. It's a set four-course menu for $125 per-person. I had a salad for a first course that was essentially lettuce and dressing. For $125! By the time our second course came, it was nearly 9:00 PM. My rigatoni with seafood was so salty that I could hardly eat it. And I love salt! And meanwhile, we were watching other large tables getting their second and third courses and many bottles of wine. After 9:00 PM, I asked a matire' d when we could expect our next course. He became indigent and kept saying, "Respect us" before he stormed off to the kitchen. Eventually, a manager came to our table and asked what the problem was. I explained to him that we had been waiting a long time for our food and the previous course wasn't very good. I said ,"We want to pay for what we've eaten up until this point, but want to leave and go to bed." The manager comp'd our entire dinner (including the wine), which is not what we wanted. It was not what we expected food-wise but we wanted to pay for what we ate. You're so much better off going down the street to Jose Enrique.

First a secret. The five course prix fix looks great but what looks MORE GREAT, the entire menu can be ordered a la carte. The fish are all $42 per, and we tried the swordfish and the branzino. The branzino was moist, crispy skin, good broth. Great job. The swordfish was hearty, thicker base. The homemade ciabatta is crispy and fresh. We ordered as an appetizer the otherwise-for-dessert cheese plate. Fresh jam was terrific. Basic selection but good. If you're gonna do a la carte, strongly encourage you to ask for Raúl. There is *not* a separate a la carte menu -- prices are all verbally given. Raul was aces, and as a parting touch: Plus Raúl personally handed us a loaf of baked banana bread at the restaurant entrance, as we walked out. Nice job all around guys. Thank you