[Review] Vegan Options at Bar.C.Lona (AC Hotel by Mariott)

Get to know the vegan options that will soon be available at Bar.C.Lona Rooftop, a bar, and restaurant at the AC Hotel by Mariott in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

I think it’s safe to say that I love food! I research it, cook it, travel for it, and, of course, eat it. But being vegan and doing all of those things, definitely comes with challenges. You see, even in 2022 vegan options are limited everywhere, especially in Puerto Rico and its bars. I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of traditional “bar food”; burgers, wings, nachos, and the vegan option, hummus. That’s why when the AC Hotel by Mariott reached out saying that their rooftop bar was testing out vegan tapas to add to their menu, I said yes without thinking it twice!

I have to be honest though, I went in there blind, only knowing that I was going to be served 2 tapas and 2 drinks, which made the experience all even more exciting! I’m happy to say that the food was beyond anything I was expecting and that the chef truly delivered incredible vegan options.

But before I get into the food, let’s get to know the hotel and the restaurant a little…

Location: Bar.C.Lona Rooftop- AC Hotel by Marriott

Imagine being in a relaxing atmosphere, with good music, refreshing drinks, delicious tapas, and a pool with a spectacular view of both, the city and the ocean. Sounds perfect, but where to find such a place?

The AC Hotel by Mariott has just that! A true cosmopolitan hotel that mixes urban look & feel with a hint of Mediterranean chic. If you’re staying at the hotel, after soaking up the sun on the beach or adventuring around the island, you can go back to the hotel to enjoy the outdoor rooftop pool, a meal at one of their two on-site dining options, and enjoy the city & ocean view from your room. However, if you just want to visit, you’d be happy to know that locals often refer to the rooftop as the “perfect after-work meeting point”, as it offers themed nights open to the general public and live music on occasions.

Atop the hotel overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and the Condado neighborhood in San Juan, you’ll find Bar.C.Lona (a play with bar and Barcelona) Rooftop, a modern-urban terrace with a pool, and an elegant bar/restaurant. This upscale urban tapas bar offers a variety of tapas, beers, cocktails, and wines. One of the things I liked about the space, is that you can choose whether to enjoy your drinks and tapas in the cozy lounge with AC, or on the open-air terrace with an ocean view.

The Food Experience

As I mentioned above, I walked into this experience without knowing anything about the food, which made me both nervous and excited. But when I tell you that I was not expecting what was coming, I truly did not! Both tapas were innovative and unique, as well as the drinks, which made the experience delightful.

Upon arrival at the restaurant, I was served Bar.C.Lona’s in-house beer, made in collaboration with a local brewery Old Harbor. As a fan of Old Harbor Brewery myself, I was surprised to find out that there was an exclusive beer that can only be found there. The Light Lager beer was refreshing with light malt & hop aromas, and citrusy hints that proved to be perfect for a summer afternoon.

Then came the first tapa, a delicious veggie flatbread with a cauliflower crust. It was layered with a lentil and chipotle hummus that was just the right amount of spicy and blended perfectly with the other layers. On top, there was a beautiful array of vegetables like zucchini, mushrooms, cauliflower, cherry tomatoes, corn, red onions, peppers, and cilantro. As a finishing touch, there was a roasted red bell pepper sauce that completed the dish beautifully.

The second tapa came soon after, and this is where I ended up speechless; Vegan Paella, delivered by the chef herself. It was all there, the distinctive reddish-golden color, smoky flavor, slight caramelization, and mouth-watering aroma! This plant-based take on the delicious Valencian dish had zucchini, mushrooms, artichokes, peppers, green peas, onions, tomatoes, and locally sourced microgreens. I particularly loved the artichokes which gave the meaty texture that a traditional paella would have.

This tapa was paired up with a bright and refreshing cocktail, which the waitress called Piña Spiced. And spiced is right! With ingredients like mezcal and chile poblano, this cocktail is bound to be fiery, however, it was perfectly balanced when paired with pineapple and lemon juice.

Out of everything that Bar.C.Lona could’ve prepared, a vegan paella was what I least expected! I was so surprised that I had to let the chef know because 1. I don’t remember when was the last time I ate paella, and 2. I have never seen a vegan paella available anywhere. Overall, I had an incredible experience and the food was fantastic!

I can’t wait to see these dishes incorporated into their menu and to see what other vegan options they can come up with. With its innovative cocktail bar and creative tapas, Bar.C.Lona is a great place to enjoy with friends, a date, work colleagues, and even family.

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