Este es el café que bajó del cielo

Cortesía Cielito Querido café

Los puertorriqueños somos imposiblemente exigentes y difíciles de complacer en dos materias fundamentales: playas y café. Orgullosamente, puedo decir que nada se nos compara. 

Cuando se trata de café, a menos que seas una catadora profesional-decidir cuál es el mejor o dónde se encuentra es un dilema.  ¿Será Sao Paulo? ¿Colombia? ¿México? ¿Puerto Rico?

En estos últimos meses me he dado a la tarea de encontrar mi versión favorita de estas pociones mágicas en Latino América y me he llevado una maravillosa sorpresa.

Estando en México, descubrí Cielito Querido.  Es un concepto fenomenal, entre el pop y lo vintage, muy original. El aroma del grano de Oaxaca, el de Veracruz y Chiapas es embriagante, acapara mi habitación entera. No lo puedo describir, no soy una experta pero la fragancia es celestial.
Y-- si mis mañanas empiezan con mi habitación inundada de mi México lindo y querido, y el disco nuevo de los Tigres del Norte, sin duda puedo enfrentar cualquier cosa.



www.cielitoquerido.com.mx

Sigue la Onda de Mar hasta Colombia...

Courtesy of Onda del Mar

Para las que no tenemos el cuerpazo de Gisele Bundchen, encontrar el traje de baño ideal puede ser a veces una odisea.

Por fortuna, cada vez hay más compañías concientes de nuestras curvas peligrosas, dispuestas a crear diseños prácticos, una variedad de estampados de ensueño, estilos y telas de buena calidad.

De hecho, son compañías latinas las que están dando la talla. Indudablemente son nuestros mercados los que mejor conocen y comprenden nuestras siluetas.

Ayer precisamente, paseando por Bogotá, descubrí el almacen Onda de Mar.
Debo reconocer que permanecí en estado de shock por unos segundos.
Y es que, pocas veces he visto una colección tan linda de trajes de baño, sandalias, shorts, pareos y bolsos para la playa.

Onda del Mar, es parte de la propuesta maravillosa de diseño, textiles y manufactura colombiana que está dejando de ser un secreto. Si se encuentran de visita por estos rumbos de Dios, además del famoso Andrés Carne de Res y el café de Juan Valdez, sepan que Onda de Mar, es también una parada obligatoria.

Para más información: www.ondademar.com

XOXO Jen, La Gerente

The Sweet Journey of Inspiration according to Jesiel Maxan

Courtesy of Jesiel Maxan

In honor of La Bastille, I will dedicate my last blog of the week to Paris and the Puertorisienne living in the city of light  (home to Coco Chanel of course) Jesiel Maxan.

I met Jesiel over dinner, duh, granted. It took me 5 minutes to figure out that everything about her involves food one way or another.

In fact, if she weren't as nice as she is, I would totally hate her for being a size 2. Life is just not fair but you can't hate her for her genes.

I think our story goes back to 2008.


We were in New York at the birthday party of a friend we both have in common, la linda Zama.

We started talking about two things we absolutely love: food and travel. We connected immediately.

I remember Jesiel was curious about my recent trip to Cambodia and Thailand because for a while, she's been cooking Thailand in her head...To make the long story short, not only she ended up going there, but la Maxan decided to extend her vacation against all odds.

We almost loose her to a pad thai but she came back in one piece, only to pack her stuff, say her "see you later alligators" and return--this time, it was official, she decided to stay.

From there, she went to India, China, Israel, France, Bali and God only knows where.
Nothing could stop her. Nothing. We lost track.

But that was so yesterday. Now she lives la vie en rose in Paris, spending most of her time in the kitchen, where she belongs, making us all jealous of her beautiful cakes and macarons. She makes it look so easy...because she's easy, easy like Sunday morning...


I can talk forever about Paris and Jesiel...If you want to follow her delicious recipes, you must know she has a blog: Sweet Journey of Inspiration.

But if you want to get to know Jesiel like I do, please see our Q & A Below.

XOXO Merci. La Gerente

1. The first French dish you mastered: Coquilles Saint-Jacques. They're delicious! Originally from Normandie. It's pretty much sauteed scallops with  mushrooms, wine and butter


2. Where to shop for ingredients? I personally like Saxe-Breteui. It has a beautiful view of the Eiffel Tower. Its open every Sunday.  Metro Motte Picqute, Line 8


3. Your perfect french breakfast: a glass of juice, vienoisserie, preserves, yogurt and coffee


4. In your humble opinion who wins the macaron battle? I prefer Pierre Herme because he concentrates more in the flavors of the ganache and its more creative in his selection...However,  Laduree's biscuit is just perfect. I'm happy with any of them. You should also try Café Pouchkine

5. Which is the hardest plate to elaborate for you?  I have to say Coquilles Saint-Jacques. The scallops were literally alive!


6. Where in France is the best place to eat? People say Lyon, but I haven't been there-yet. However, I like Normandie very much.


7. Champaign or wine? Oh la la, this is a hard one...It depends. Voila! 

8. Three places you MUST recommend:  La Marine, Cafe de Flore, Bar Aux Folies...


9. A quick recipe: Baguette with Nutella


10.  Your favorite food blog: The Selby