Cuban Sandwiches for Snowbirds: NYC to Florida
Photo ripped from Armida Cooks---->
Listening to: FUNPLEX - The B-52s (EMI 2008!)
I am resistant to change in my neighborhood. Like many areas that were marginal 10 years ago, Long Island City, NY is beset by an ear-shattering construction boom that has been carrying on 24 hours a day for several years. Brand new luxury condo developments are pressed in ear to ear with humble little tenement buildings like mine. Every once in a while someone will ask me "Isn't it great?!" Great is not the word that comes to mind.
THAT SAID (!) I am loving that not only do we still have the beloved Irish Pub and Italian dining opportunities that we used to, but that the old-school joints have been joined by a first class French bistro (Tournesol), excellent fresh Thai (Tuk Tuk) and an exciting wine store specializing in wines from smaller vinyards (Vine Wine).
Most recently, a restaurant purporting itself to be pan-Latin-American moved in just up the block - Blend. Speaking of blocks, the neighborhood has consistently blocked the new place from scoring a likker license, so it took me forever to wander in there.
A couple of nights ago I was suffering from a serious case of late spring cabin fever, so I dragged my poor sick boyfriend over there (finally) to investigate. Only one other couple was seated inside on a Monday night. We braved on into the empty space and plunked our patooties down on the elegant white pleather banquettes. (Can elegant and pleather really ever be used this close together?)
Once we got our menus from the friendly waiter, I had a hard time getting my eyes to move past the Cuban sandwich (ham, roasted pork, Swiss cheese, pickles, mustard, and sometimes salami on Cuban bread), so that became my choice. Muh man wasn't hungry, so he ordered the tapatizer portion of garlic sautéed shrimp.
Very shortly after ordering, the busboy used his magic to read my mind. He brought us a lil place of piping hot Cuban toast smeared with garlic buttah. Thank you thank you thank you. The shrimp arrived soon after. It was indeed sautéed in garlic, but also surprised us with some lime juice and cilantro. Gone in 10 seconds. The Cuban sandwich was melty and delicious. At $9 it felt like a deal, as the sandwich was as big as my head, and was served with a side of hearty yucca fries. There was some sort of finely minced pico de gallo sprinkled over the top of the fries...just to make sure we fell in love.
So Blend gets a big thumbs up from me - although I am a little dismayed at the fact that a yummy Cuban sandwich is mine for the eating twice a day every day within a a few hundred feet of my front door. Not so good.
As good as we ate at Blend, I should mention that the Cuban there is not the best in the whole entire world. For the best cuban in the entire world outside of Cuba, I recommend La Teresita in Tampa. SUPERCHEAP and not too far from the airport. In New York City, try La Floridita. It sits right under the train at the 125th street red line stop. When you are in the area, don't miss the opportunity to have a fatty Cuban all your own...accompanied by a steamily delicious cup of cafe con leche!
If you live in Wisconsin or somewhere as central, Armida Cooks can show you how to make your own!
Blend 4704 Vernon Blvd Long Island City, NY 11101 (718) 729-2800
La Teresita 3248 W. Columbus Dr. (at Lincoln) Tampa, FL 33607 (813) 879-4909La Floridita 3219 Broadway, New York, NY 10027, USA (212) 662-0090
