First of the "I ate here tonight" entries: El Oriental de Cuba

[randomness]

A bunch of friends suggested we celebrate my being added to an informal dinner list by going to a place they'd wanted to return to for a while. I'm always glad to be the excuse (or have the excuse) to go somewhere new. Thus:

El Oriental de Cuba
416 Centre St., Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
+1.617.524.6464
M-Th 0800-2100
F-Sa 0800-2200
Su 0800-2000

Cuban specialties, including Cuban sandwiches ($4.75). Great drinks, including morir sonando (creamsicle-like drink, $2.50), and various flavors of milk shake (inc. papaya, mango, mamey, guanabana, tamarind, as well as vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry, $2). Also does breakfast. Main dishes $7.50-$11.75. We tried shredded beef, shrimp in spicy sauce, goat, and beef tongue, among other dishes. Main course come with your choice of rice (yellow or white), and your choice of plantain (sweet or not). Daily soup specials ($3.50-$9). The usual desserts (flan, arroz con leche, dulce de leche) but we were too full to try them. Menu available in Spanish and English, but only Spanish menu for take out. Credit card stickers displayed, although we paid cash.

Note: this is a sandwich shop that happens to have tables and waitstaff, not a restaurant that happens to make sandwiches.

Thanks to a whole bunch of people, mainly T.B. and Kriss. Another place that does (reputedly better) Cuban sandwiches is up the road and around the rotary. We resolved to try them sometime.

Comments

[candle-light.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the info. You didn't really actually say if you'd recommend them or go back again though.

[r-ness.livejournal.com]

Oh, in general if I put in a listing, I'd go back. Places I don't like won't appear. Too much work. :)

[r-ness.livejournal.com]

True enough. In order to get past my normal laziness, though, it's gonna have to be *truly* wretched.

[hammercock.livejournal.com]

Another place that does (reputedly better) Cuban sandwiches is up the road and around the rotary. We resolved to try them sometime.

Let me know what the name of this place is and how good the media noches sandwiches are when you get around to trying it. My sweetie trowa_barton would love to find a good one in town. :)

[r-ness.livejournal.com]

You know, I don't actually know what the name of the other place is but I'll ask around. Or maybe I'll just wander around JP or something and look.

Anyway, if I find it I'll definitely post. :)

[browngirl.livejournal.com]

Sounds delicious! I miss Carribean food...

(I'd love to ask you about that semiformal dining mailing list, too, if you get a chance to drop me an email.)

A.
(look at my userpic, you'll know who I am ;)

[r-ness.livejournal.com]

Hi! Nice to hear from you!

Caribbean food

[klingonlandlady.livejournal.com]

Hm, what is that restaurant at the corner of Medford St and Highland, facing the bridge in McGrath Hwy- I think it's the Highland Cafe or something... it's full of French-speaking Black people (I was the only white in the place when i went- always an interesting feeling). They serve various yummy meats and fried fish on rice, and has plantains. Not sure the origin of its cuisine actually, but it may be close enough.

Re: Caribbean food

[browngirl.livejournal.com]

Sounds Haitian to me, what with the French. Also sounds yummy :)

'Morning

[rumhann.livejournal.com]

Greetings old friend, long time no hear, glad to see you up and about!!! =;-}

It's rather late here, and I need to get sleep . . . will correspond better later . . . promise.
Blessed be,
SM

Re: 'Morning

[r-ness.livejournal.com]

Heya! Good to hear from you!

Nice picture, too!

Talk to you soon...