Traveling with the Jones

We dined at Jam Rum Bar + Bistro Moderne on Monday night, walking about 15 minutes from the San Juan Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino.

When fellow food-loving travelers we met in Chicago heard that we were visiting San Juan, they advised us to dine at Jam.  The recent reviews we read online sounded terrific, including the fact that the restaurant menu was half price on Monday nights.

While the menu was not half price on Monday, we did enjoy the food at Jam.

We had an 8pm reservation made through Open Table. Despite the front part of the restaurant having guests at only two other tables besides ours , we were ignored upon being seated for at least 10 minutes.  This got our visit off to a rough start, but when he did finally acknowledge us, we warmed to our waiter.

We started with a mojito made with coconut water and the Blind Bartender cocktail — a sweet and spicy ginger concoction garnished with a slice of fresh jalapeno. Both were tasty, light and delicious, without being overly sweet.  Along with our cocktails, we ordering sparkling water, and were thrilled that it was reasonably priced for a glass with unlimited refills.

From the tapas menu we ordered two kinds of ceviche to share. Both were divine.

The tiger shrimp ceviche was served with plantain chips, a perfect mix of spice, starch and salt to accompany the shrimp.

 

The ahi tuna with sesame seeds was paired with light-as-a-feather crackers.

 

Next we each tried one of the soups.

 

True to the reviews that we’d read, the white bean soup with truffle oil is decadently delicious.

 

The mofongo soup with toasted coconut is Jam’s version of the local specialty made from plantains. We found it bland, especially compared to the white bean soup.

 

We split the tiger shrimp risotto entree, which our waiter graciously served as two smaller portions. It was creamy and delicious, with perfectly cooked shrimp.

 

Despite being stuffed, we were lured by the chocolate mousse with chocolate cookie, which we paired with a glass of port.

The bottom line: the food and cocktails at Jam are delicious, if a bit pricey.  The service started very slow, but improved throughout the meal. While previously a sister restaurant to Marmalade Restaurant and Wine Bar in Old San Juan, we were told that Jam no longer had the same owner.

Jam doesn’t appear to have a website, but has some information on its Facebook page.

 

Have you dined at Jam Rum Bar + Bistro Moderne?  What was your impression?  Please share in comments below. 

 

Other dining and drinking posts that you might enjoy:

• An Evening at Le Cirque onboard the Veendam
• Cruising into Bordeaux, France
• A Taste of Barcelona in an Atlanta Wine Bar
• A Perfect Lunch in Sonoma Wine Country
• Enjoying Modern German Food at Affäre in Kansas City’s Crossroads

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This post is by Danielle Smith, an agricultural communications student at the University of Arkansas.

You may have read about Crystal Bridges Museum in this post 5 Unexpected Treasures of Northwest Arkansas. Recently, I had the opportunity to visit Crystal Bridges, as well as the Norman Rockwell exhibit. Here is a look at my visit to this extraordinary Northwest Arkansas treasure.

Alice Walton founded the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art  in 2005; the museum opened to the public in fall of 2011. Alice grew up riding horses, playing with her brothers, and enjoying nature on the the 200+ acres of land where the museum is built.

The Museum currently features the limited-time exhibition American Chronicles: The Art of Norman Rockwell. While Crystal Bridges  is free to visitors, the Rockwell exhibit cost $12 for adults.

It is well worth additional cost. This exhibit is extraordinary and relates to every generation. Included with the entrance fee is a personal iPod that explains each piece through the voice of Rockwell’s son. The exhibit will be featured March 9 through May 27, 2013.

 

One of Norman Rockwell’s many famous pieces “Rosie the Riveter” is part of Crystal Bridges permanent collection.

 

Crystal Bridges features something for everyone from sculptures and statues to classic and modern art; it is nearly impossible not to find something that interests every visitor.

 

Can you see the alphabet? This piece is featured as you walk into the main entrance just before you enter the delicious Eleven café.

 

Another excellent view of the crystal waters that surround the museum.

 

Crystal Bridges also features scenic wooded areas with six walking and biking trails, creating s a unique experience for visitors where nature and art merge as one.

My family and I loved visiting Crystal Bridges Museum and we hope you will too!

Crystal Bridges is located in Bentonville, Arkansas and open Monday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Wednesday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. The Museum is closed on Tuesdays, as well as on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

Crystal Bridges’ trails are open from sunrise to sunset, every day.

What is your favorite part about visiting an art museum? Please share in comments below.

 

A native of Stilwell, Kansas, Danielle plans to return to the Kansas City area upon graduation.

Danielle  is currently working as a social media intern with VentureTime Travel. When she isn’t working or in classes, Danielle enjoys traveling the world with her fiancée Will.

Learn more about Danielle here.

 

 Other posts your may enjoy reading…

•  Destination Discovery: Mount Magazine, Arkansas.
• Destination Discovery: Kimballton, Iowa is home for this “Little Mermaid”
• Destination Discovery: Peanuts on Parade, St. Paul, Minnesota
• Destination Discovery: Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center
• Destination Discovery: Glacier Bay, National Park and Preserve, Southeast Alaska

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Last weekend we enjoyed dinner with our friend Michael at Affäre, a delightful restaurant focused on “modern German” food in Kansas City’s Crossroads Arts District.

 

Our evening began with wine, specifically the Colterenzio Schreckbichl Pinot Nero 2011.  This wine is from the Alto Adige – Sudtirol region of northern Italy near the Dolomites, where German is spoken as frequently as Italian.  We also enjoyed a bottle of Becker Pinot Noir from Pfalz, Germany.

 

The menu consists of small plates.  We started with selections from the ‘Garden” and ‘under Water’ sections of the meun.

 

Seared almond crusted golden trout, with arugula and purple potatoes. Beautiful and delicious.

 

Scallop with foie gras and hollandaise served with wild mushrooms.  Mr. Jones practically licked his plate.

 

Oktoberfest, Black Forest Schinken, roasted squash, beans, beets, walnuts and poached pear.  This seemed to “chopped” to allow the ingredients to shine.

 

On to the second course, two of us choose from the “Affäre in the Barn” section of the menu.

 

Roasted Wacholderbeeren (juniper berry) rubbed elk-loin, with butterspätzle.

 

Veal loin with Westphalia ham and mozzarella, arugula risotto, and basil oil.

 

The menu also features some traditional German dishes.  I had to try the Jägerschnitzel.

 

The crispy breaded pork with mushroom cream sauce was overcooked, but still delicious.

 

Espressos are served just like we remember from our visits to Germany: with a glass of sparkling water and a sweet on the side.

 

At this point, we were full, but could resist the temptations of the dessert list.

 

The Käsesahne Torte, described as quark cheese mousse cake, proved unexpectedly delicious.

 

The Chocolate Mousse Tower was described as a chocolate mousse trio with sea salt infused caramel.  It was beautiful to look at, but didn’t seem very chocolatey or mousse, but rather more cake-like. This dessert is also double the price of some of the others on the list.

 

Our German friend decided to go with a traditional German dessert: the traditional black forest cake. This version came with a shot of Kirsch-brandy to pour over the cake.

 

He gave the dessert a thumbs up.

 

The Bottom Line:

If you are in Kansas City, head to the Crossroads Arts District to try Affäre.  It’s not your typical midwest German fare or a typical dining expereience.

What’s your favorite German food? Share in comments below.

Other dining and drinking posts that you might enjoy:

• An Evening at Le Cirque onboard the Veendam
• House of Morandé, Casablanca Valley, Chile
• Cruising into Bordeaux, France
• A Taste of Barcelona in an Atlanta Wine Bar
• A Perfect Lunch in Sonoma Wine Country
• Martini Madness Onboard Holland America’s ms Veendam

Follow us on Twitter or interact with us on Facebook