Monday, June 23, 2008

Whole Fried Red Snapper & A 'Lost' Cuban Beer...



Latin Cafe is one of my favorite cheap local haunts. Cold Hatuey beers for $3, and a great 'Whole Fried Red Snapper' which comes with salad and tostones (make sure you get the garlic mojo) for $14.95-enough for two. This is the kind of place you tell your friends about. The fish is fried crisp, and the flesh is moist and hot inside. And don't forget about the flan de coco (coconut). My constant companion and I fought over the last bit like two wild dogs going after a chicken bone (see photo below and you'll understand). I let her win...
By the way, when you get a whole fish, you get the two best parts that you don't get when you order a fillet-the head and the tail. And if you haven't tried it, you will be surprised at the juiciness and richness of the flesh of both. And it's okay to eat with your fingers. In fact, it's mandatory...
Latin Cafe 2000
2501 Biscayne Blvd.
Miami, FL 33137
305-576-3838
http://www.latincafe2000.com/
NB-Hatuey was brewed in Maryland for years (by Bacardi) but is now brewed in that other hotbed of Cubanismo, Wisconsin.