Favela Cubano offers a Brazilian Cuban cuisine (on La Guardia Place between Bleeker and West 3rd) for bargain pricing in the big apple.  Last month I  sampled their cuisine through their new tasting menu (at $30 per person, a deal indeed) with small portions of two appetizers, four entrees and two desserts.FAVELA CUBANA -- ROPA VIEJA PHOTO_2

But first, try a refreshing orange basil mojito, a signature cocktail made using Barcardi Orange Rum, basil and oranges in place of rum, mint and lime.

The two tasting menu appetizers included Bolinho de Bacalhau, crisp cod fish croquets, and Empanadas, chicken pastry turnovers.

Next Ropa Vieja, braised beef with olives, onions and peppers, and Picadillo Habana, a just-spicy enough mixture of ground turkey, onions, peppers, garlic, cumin, paprika and olives, both entrees came accompanied by rice and black beans.

The next platter contained Camarão a Baiana, tender sauteed shrimp with roasted peppers, onions, IMG_6626tomatoes with yellow rice in a creamy coconut milk sauce, and Bacalhau sauteed cod fish with black olives, mashed potatoes and tomatoes seed vinaigrette.

Two sweet endings to this tasting menu included a Panna Cotta de Maracuja, passion fruit Italian cooked and gelled sweetened cream and flan, their rich custard topped with caramelized sugar.

Portions are small, but for the price it’s well worth the trip to this area located between SoHo and the West Village. And, they have outdoor patio where you can dine, weather permitting.

Favela Cubana
543 Laguardia Pl
New York, NY 10012
212-777-6500
www.favelacubana.com

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