Budatai

Budatai Review

You'll feel as if you're entering a secret club when you arrive at this stylish hotspot in Condado's poshest shopping district. The restaurant, on the third floor, is decked out in rich, dark colors, with Chinese lanterns that look as if they were designed by Salvador Dalí. The attentive service and the elegantly dressed crowd, however, never feel stuffy. The brainchild of one of Puerto Rico's best-known chefs, Roberto Treviño, it's a seamless mix of Latin-accented pan-Asian food, including duck fried rice with sweet plantains and halibut sashimi with coconut, yuzu, and toasted garlic. We couldn't get enough of the calamari, fried for a few seconds in hot oil and then quickly sautéed with sweet onions. The upstairs outdoor terrace is a good place for drinks; consider stopping by on the last Sunday evening of the month, when you can enjoy the jazz concert at Ventana al Mar without the crowds. Sunday brunch is also served.