Mario Pagan is a talented artist known for his unique and imaginative works. He was born and raised in Puerto Rico, where he developed a deep connection with nature and a fascination for the arts. Mario's artistic journey began at a young age, when he started experimenting with different mediums and techniques. Throughout his career, Mario has explored various themes and styles in his artwork. His love for nature is evident in many of his pieces, which often feature vibrant landscapes and wildlife. He has a strong ability to capture the beauty and essence of his subjects, creating stunning and visually striking compositions.
La Central by Mario Pagan
On our first and last days in Puerto Rico, we treated ourselves to dinner at La Central by Mario Pagan. I have to admit that I selected it originally because it was the best-rated restaurant open on a Monday night, the day we arrived. It seems that chefs take Monday off, so it was the best option at the time. However, the incredible food and service brought us back again.
La Central is the latest restaurant of Chef Mario Pagan, opening in June of 2021. Chef Pagan draws his inspiration from his home country’s cuisine with a clever spin. It started with the cocktail menu. I could not resist the “Jardin de Eden,” a refreshing blend of gin, cucumber, creme de violettte, and lime juice. On our return visit, I tried the restaurant’s spin on a French 75, the “Central 75,” with gin, honey, blackberry, and sparkling wine, garnished with a vibrant violet petal. It was hard to choose as the menu had so many choices, featuring many cocktails featuring local rums, like the Ron y Tabaco, with Ron del Barrillito anejo rum, tobacco-infused syrup, and bitters.
For appetizers, we knew to order Pan con Lichen, suckling pig “sliders” with anejo carmelo onion shoestrings, which we enjoyed on both visits. We also tried the corned beef brisket alcapurrias, fritters made with root vegetables, with roasted corn crema and house pique. Appetizers make a wonderful light meal themselves if you just wanted to stop by the bar for a short time.
The menu offered a variety of seafood and wood-fired meats as entrees, and the menu even made the salads sound appetizing. We were drawn to the more traditional dishes, with sides of white bean ticino pegaito and a rice dish with chicharrons.
Make sure to order dessert. We overindulged on the first night and passed on dessert, but when we returned, we made a point to try the New World Corn Brûlée with Salty Sweet Caramel Popcorn. I love creme brûlée, but never had a corn brûlée. All the ingredients were things I loved, and it turned out to be an incredible dish of salty and sweet and the perfect end to our trip to Puerto Rico.
The atmosphere is lively, but not like the scene just outside its doors at Distrito T-Mobile, where we caught a Juan Miguel Tribute band for a Cinco de Mayo celebration on our last night. I would not hesitate to return when we find ourselves in Puerto Rico again.
More posts from our trip to San Juan, Puerto Rico can be found here.
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Chef Mario Pagán unveils $4M La Central restaurant at Distrito T-Mobile
La Central by Mario Pagán, with its variety of spaces and seating areas, allows for multiple experiences under a single roof.
The aroma of “melao” coming from the rum still, the flaming charcoal grill, Puerto Rican rum, tobacco, and coffee, will be the stars of the scene of the new $4 million restaurant, La Central by Mario Pagán, located at the Distrito T-Mobile, which will open its doors on June 2.
La Central will generate about 75 new jobs, the owners confirmed.
In an ambiance that pays tribute to the bonanza of the island’s agricultural past, the renowned Puerto Rican Chef Pagán is unveiling his new space and gastronomic proposal featuring modern tropical cuisine.
“I’m happy and honored to present La Central, the best of our past now in the present, a place where I make my dream of honoring rum, coal, tobacco, coffee and the agricultural abundance of our island, come true,” he said.
“Visiting La Central will provoke a feeling of modern nostalgia, present in all elements, including the kitchen, where coal will be the unifying entity since all fruits, vegetables and proteins will go through the grill and coal, before reaching the table,” said Pagán.
La Central by Mario Pagán, with its variety of spaces and seating areas, allows for multiple experiences under a single roof. The restaurant has an ample bar and lounge area, with a copper rum still in the center, a permanent stage for events and live music, a private room for up to 44 people, a Cigar Room, the main room, the mezzanine, and a terrace. The space can accommodate up to 200 people and is available for events and groups.
The tropical decor, by Hans Moll-Stubbe, is inspired by the sugar mills, the distillation towers, the aging barrels and the cane, coffee, and tobacco crops, from the beginning of the last century.
The eatery will be overseen by BluHost, presided by José M. “Peco” Suárez, who said, “at BluHost we are excited about the concept achieved at La Central by Mario Pagán and we are ready to make this restaurant a favorite of the local public and a must stop for those who visit us.”
This is the fifth restaurant unveiled in recent weeks at the $180 million Distrito T-Mobile entertainment complex, joining Sazón Cocina Criolla, La Burguesía, Lupe Reyes and Barullo Taberna Española.
All ingredients needed to prepare La Central’s menu will be sourced prioritizing local products, among them, Karma Honey Products, Frutos del Guacabo, Pedro Álvarez, Vallejo Frutas y Vegetales, Truly and vendors from Placita de Santurce, Pagán said.
Author Details- Author Details
Nueva Mesa Latina
From our Past. In the Present. To the Future.
An elevated Latin-forward dining experience.
Now at Chayote Barrio Kitchen in Winter Park, Florida.
He has a strong ability to capture the beauty and essence of his subjects, creating stunning and visually striking compositions. In addition to his nature-inspired works, Mario is also known for his abstract and surreal pieces. He is not afraid to push boundaries and challenge conventional art norms.
A New Vision from Celebrated Chef Mario Pagán
“Chayote Barrio Kitchen is the perfect place to celebrate La Nueva Mesa Latina. We are celebrating our time-honored Latin traditions and now redefining the genre for a new generation.”
Mario's creativity and willingness to take risks has set him apart as an artist, earning him recognition and admiration in the art world. Mario's work has been exhibited in galleries and art shows both locally and internationally. His pieces have garnered praise from critics and art enthusiasts alike, who appreciate his unique perspective and artistic skill. Mario continues to evolve and experiment with his artwork, always pushing himself to new heights and exploring new avenues of creativity. In addition to his art, Mario is also passionate about teaching and sharing his knowledge with others. He has conducted workshops and classes, where he imparts his techniques and insights to aspiring artists. Mario believes in the power of art to inspire and transform lives, and he is dedicated to fostering creativity in others. Mario Pagan's artwork is a testament to his talent, passion, and dedication to his craft. His ability to capture the beauty of nature and his innovative approach to art has made him a respected and celebrated artist worldwide. Mario's work continues to captivate and inspire art enthusiasts, and his legacy as an artist is sure to endure for years to come..
Reviews for "Mario Pagan: A Trailblazer in Modern Caribbean Cuisine"
- Samantha - 2 stars - I didn't enjoy reading "Mario Pagan". The plot was confusing and the characters were one-dimensional. I felt like the story dragged on and I couldn't connect with any of the characters. Overall, it was a disappointing read for me.
- Mike - 1 star - "Mario Pagan" was a complete waste of time. The writing style was pretentious and the story was boring. I struggled to finish the book because I just didn't care about what was happening. I would not recommend this to anyone.
- Emily - 2 stars - I was expecting so much more from "Mario Pagan". The premise sounded interesting, but the execution was poor. The pacing was off and the dialogue felt forced. I couldn't get into the story and ended up skimming through most of it. Not a book I would recommend.
- David - 3 stars - "Mario Pagan" was an okay read for me. The writing was decent, but the story didn't captivate me. I found myself losing interest and having to force myself to keep reading. It had potential, but it fell short for me.