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.

The whole story's at http://www.miami.com/culinary-cage-match-snapper-article

Got My Tires Slashed, and I Almost Crashed...

...but that's what happens when you park your car in Little Havana. With an Obama bumper sticker (my car was targeted even though it is completely nondescript and the other ten cars on the block were untouched-only distinguishing characteristic? Obama on the bumper.). I really like this cute French store in the Alliance Française (618 SW 8th St), and the Fete de Musique was a lot of fun, but I'm warning you-beware of douchebag racists who roam the area slashing tires of cars with Obama stickers. The police will not show up (I waited an hour-then the tow truck came). My advice is to not patronize businesses in this area until the police do something about these hate crimes that strike at the heart of our democracy. It's just not pretty. Try to stay off the side streets if you go. The cop I spoke to snickered, and of course he was 'off-duty' (although in uniform with a cruiser parked nearby). And he was black. It's going to be a long, hot, summer, my friends. Better get yours. I've got mine...





It's just not French without Ysee...


Love the applesauce in a pouch...


Packed house-thanks to arts dude and promoter of the event, Damien B.

I Have A Crush On A Girl Named Berkel...

The last time I saw one of these was at Bar Jamón, the teeny spot around the corner from Casa Mono, in NYC, both owned by Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich (James Beard Restaurateurs of the Year). Actually, it was not a new one, which costs upwards of $5K, but an antique. I can't remember whether it was Batali or Bastianich who was the collector of antique, hand-cranked meat slicers, but I do remember that one or two had set back the owners $20K+. This beautiful, lovely, mother of a machine, never heats up, so it has less of a chance of 'bruising' the meats, thus altering their delicate flavor balance (but of course you already knew that). Will comment on the actual food at Fratelli Lyon after I stop salivating about this machine. It is, of course, silent, and all you have to do to cut paper-thin slices is place the meat on the plate and crank. Here's some of the results-speck, mortadella, prosciutto....

That's luscious, isn't it? And from what has been called, "The Ferrari of slicers." Only I'd rather have an antique Berkel hand-cranked slicer in my kitchen than a Ferrari in my driveway. Seriously. And...it's certified green-no voltage necessary....If they ever put chairs in front of the counter where this dreamboat lounges, I will sip cheap rosé and stare at her all night long. Did I mention she's a quiet young thing? I shall call her Berky.

Fratelli Lyon

4141 NE 2nd Avenue

Miami FL 33134

305.572.2901

www.fratellilyon.com

Smoked Pork Tongue Tacos...

Eat This Before It Eats You Back.....Smoked Duck Tacos have already been covered here (see below)...but how about Smoked Pork Tongue Tacos? Same concept, more tongue. Tastes like tongue, but lighter than cow tongue. (Is that good? I'm not sure....) Add some cilantro, scallions, raw corn kernels, etc., and don't forget to cook the duck skin down to crunchy cracklings to put on top.. The smoked duck is a good way to ease uncomfortable friends into the pork tongue section of the evening-they make a good combo-like corned beef and pastrami. I like to warm up some Bulldog Sauce to thin it out, then pour it on top. All available at your local Asian grocery. Have a tasty weekend...

Smoked Duck Tacos...http://dailycocaine.blogspot.com/2007/11/smoked-duck-tacos.html