Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve, is proud to announce the opening of Flor de Sal this summer. Situated within the stunning coastal haven of Dorado Beach, Flor de Sal combines the rich traditions of Italian cuisine with a unique emphasis on the flavor profiles of salt.
Dorado Beach Introduces ‘Flor de Sal’ Culinary Concept
Under the direction of Chef de Cuisine Rollyn Angela and Sous Chef Alan Avila, Flor de Sal will feature salt as a key differentiator: from the tradition of staving off bad luck by throwing salt over the shoulder to the dishes themselves. In the kitchen, the team will prepare locally-sourced meat, poultry, and fish with salt (such as using Himalayan salt blocks with its signature pink hue to flavor and finish Piedmontese bone-in ribeye), while tableside presentations (such as handmade Burrata) will delight guests with an epicurean experience.
THE SALT
Flor de Sal will source the finest salts from around the world, including:
- Bolivian Rose Salt from the Andes Mountains. Its high iron, potassium, and calcium content gives the salt a beautiful pink hue and adds sweetness to delicate dishes.
- Halit Salt (Rock Salt) adds a pure, intense natural taste to salads, pasta, and main dishes. Just a pinch of this salt goes a long way to bringing out their natural flavors.
- Kala Namak Salt (Black Salt) from India adds a unique fragrance and flavor with notes of earth, smoke, and tang, perfect for salads and vegetables.
- Sale Marino (Italian Sea Salt) from the ancient salt pans of Trapani and Marsala in Sicily enhances the bread service, inspired by rustic Sicilian bread.
- Sal de Cabo Rojo (local Puerto Rican salt) comes from the Salinas of Cabo Rojo, one of the oldest businesses in Puerto Rico (and part of the National Wildlife Refuge of Cabo Rojo), which underscores the restaurant’s commitment to emphasizing the local culture, ingredients, and sustainability.
THE MENU
Each dish at Flor de Sal will celebrate the complexity of salt, using it as a transformative element that elevates the flavors to new heights.
Piatele meze with roasted garlic hummus, baba ganoush, kalamata olive tapenade, steamed artichoke, pita chips, and crudité, and a whole branzino with roasted root vegetables, farro, shaved fennel, and lemon sauce set the scene for delectable lunch dishes in a casual setting with live music.
As the sun dips below the horizon, the space transforms into a refined and bespoke setting with all the elements of a proper Italian dinner: antipasti, frutti di mare, pasta, and secondi. Featured dishes include the Tagliata di cernia cruda with salt-cured grouper, pink peppercorn, pickled fennel, charred grapefruit, and extra virgin olive oil from Sicily, caviar with basil crème fraiche, limoncello jelly, crispy capers, poached quail egg, citrus salad, red onion accompanied by blini, and filetto di manzo, a Wagyu tenderloin with Chianti wine sauce, rosemary patate fritte, Calabrian pepper aioli, and black truffle salt. Classic pizzas (margherita bufala, caponata, and prosciutto e pistacchio) are on the menu for lunch and dinner.
Complementing the culinary offering is a cocktail program by award-winning mixologist Valentino Longo. Signature drinks will expertly blend the use of salt, from flavored rims to distinctive ingredients (such as 25-year aged balsamic vinegar). Citrus-forward cocktails will artfully pair well with many dishes on the menu, while low-ABV options and the estate’s exclusive 1995 Ron del Barrilito Rum ensure something for everyone.
A world-class wine list favoring white wine varietals and a rosé wine bar pair perfectly with the seafood program. And a daily aperitivo hour at the Flor de Sal bar nods to the Italian tradition of stimulating the appetite with a spritz.
THE DESIGN
The newly built seaside restaurant’s design evokes the elegance and refinement of coastal Italy to Puerto Rico’s Atlantic shores. Two distinct spaces, a bar and lounge area with 360-degree ocean views and a restaurant with painterly island panoramas, set the scene for memorable sunsets and an alfresco dining experience.
HOURS OF OPERATION
- Lunch: 11am–4pm daily (residence owners and guests only)
- Aperitivo hour: 5pm-6pm daily
- Dinner: 6pm-10pm daily
- Bar service: noon-10pm Sunday-Thursday, noon-midnight Friday-Saturday (opens 11 am daily for residence owners and guests only)
For more information, please visit www.ritzcarlton.com/en/hotels/puerto-rico/dorado-beach/dining.
About Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve
Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve is a sanctuary of magnificence and tranquility, tucked away on Puerto Rico’s Atlantic coast. Situated on 1,400 acres of the former Laurance Rockefeller estate, Dorado Beach, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve is an intimate refuge offering a true sense of barefoot elegance. Created as an open-air enclave infused with references to the surrounding natural landscape and diverse culture, Dorado Beach is a true luxury sanctuary designed to allure the world’s most discerning travelers through a bevy of one-of-a-kind lifestyle activities. Guests can also unwind at the award-winning Spa Botánico, a five-acre spa sanctuary built on a pineapple field that blends Puerto Rican ingredients and soothing indigenous traditions to impart a holistic sense of well-being.
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About The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, LLC
The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, LLC currently operates more than 100 hotels in 35 countries and territories. For more information or reservations, visit the company web site at www.ritzcarlton.com, for the latest company updates, visit news.marriott.com and to join the live conversation, use #RCMemories and follow along on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ:MAR). The Ritz-Carlton is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy®, the global travel program from Marriott International. The program offers members an extraordinary portfolio of global brands, exclusive experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments and unparalleled benefits including complimentary nights and Elite status recognition. To enroll for free or for more information about the program, visit marriottbonvoy.com.
