I am going to start off by saying that I feel kind of like I failed at this. I went to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida this weekend, in search of good Cuban food – at the very least a good Cubano Sandwich. I didn’t think it would be a challenge, I mean Ft. Lauderdale is known for Cuban food, so how hard could it be?
Well before leaving home for the trip, I spent 4 hours on the internet researching restaurants in Ft. Lauderdale so that I could review some for the Newspaper, and for this blog. I came up with several good ones, but none that were Cuban. Although Cuban food in Ft. Lauderdale was discussed a lot online, there was no quintessential Cuban Restaurant to be found. So I did the next best thing. I went to the concierge desk at one of the most posh hotels I could find, told them I was writing an article and could they recommend something. What we got, that was actually in our price range, was Don Arturo’s – family owned, nice ambience, moderate prices. Maybe had we been able to afford more, I might have found the holy grail of Cuban food, but alas, those on a budget sometimes have to settle for the middle of the road.
In Cuban Cuisine Pork is King. I love pork and pork done right is nothing short of bliss. So for an appetizer we ordered up a Pork Tamale and a pitcher of house Sangria. The pork was sensational. It was mildly spiced which really allowed the taste of the meat to come through full-force. The corn paste was creamy and delicious. We were on a roll. The Sangria was good, but I must admit with modesty that mine is better! The wine was too strong, tasted like god forbid, a burgundy – you need a lighter wine, like pinot noir to make Sangria so that you can taste the fruit floating in it.
For dinner we asked our waiter what was Don Arturo’s specialty. It turned out to be, no surprise, Pork – roasted this time. It was roasted with lots of garlic and onions lending a sweetness to each bite. Some bites were tender and juicy and some were a bit dry and chewy. However, the black beans and fried plantains on the side made up for anything the pork lacked.
They were like heaven. I could live for black beans and plantains and these made my foodie soul happy. The plantains were soft but not mushy and caramelized to perfection, while the beans were perfectly spiced and wholesome. The combination was divine.
For dessert we did the obvious – flan and Cubano coffee. The flan was firm, not too sweet and dripping with liquid caramel. The coffee was sweet and deeply complex. I enjoyed it, and later have learned many people use what we call in Italian a caffettiera, which really made me happy.
I was happy with my meal, but I left feeling that I was missing out on better if only I could have found it. I feel I could have been more diligent walking through the side streets, finding little Havana, unfortunately there was too little time and too much to do in the block surrounding our hotel, that my quest for Cuban perfection has yet to be fulfilled. This is not Don Arturo’s fault but mine.
But I suppose this is all part of the process. Travel writing is something I am learning as I do it. I have the writing part down, but doing the best research and finding all the best places are things I still need to work on – especially in places that are so well known like Ft. Lauderdale and riddled with run of the mill places, because it CAN. These are the places I have learned I will need to dig deeper to bring the best to you all!
And….I am still craving that Cubano.
Don Arturo Restaurant
1198 SW 27th Avenue
Ft. Lauderdale FL
954-584-7966
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Glad we live just a quick jaunt away!
Rose - May 27, 2007 at 2:05 pm
I think you have the right idea about scoping out the side streets. I don’t think high prices are necessarily going to buy the best food. The black beans look wonderful and the flan reminds me of flan we had in central Mexico at a local eatery – perfectly set, dripping with homemade caramel, served with Mexican coffee laced with cinnamon.
It will be a challenge to keep eating Cuban food to find the best, but you are up to the task!
We’ll gladly suffer with you.
Jenn - May 27, 2007 at 2:14 pm
Thanks Rose!
Actually I did find great Cuban food this weekend, so stay tuned for a review of the OLDEST restaurant in the US.
The thing is, I usually DO traverse the side streets, but when there is so much to do right in front of you and you have limited time, it is tough to prioritize.
I agree about prices of food and its relevance to quality. I would just love to be in the position to CHOOSE what I think looks the best no matter what the price, but sadly, I cannot…YET.
michele - May 27, 2007 at 3:08 pm
I live in south florida and did not know that fort lauderdale was known for cuban food. When we get the hankering for it we head to miami.
Downtown, little havana.
michele - May 27, 2007 at 3:27 pm
Why go to the best hotel? Ask any cuban on the street ask the waiter, busboy, maid at any hotel for a cuban food place – not the concierge at any overpriced hotel unless he happens to be cuban. “Maybe had we been able to afford more, I might have found the holy grail of Cuban food” Good Cuban food is not expensive. The holy grail of cuban food would have been a very, local family owned inexpenisve place.
Jenn - May 27, 2007 at 5:37 pm
Hi Michele!
Looks like I got someone’s attention with this post!
You know, had we had time to go down to Miami, it would have been great and I am sure we would have had no problems finding good Cuban food. But we were in Ft. Lauderdale and my article is focused on the strip – and yes, Ft. Lauderdale is known for Cuban Food.
Honestly, it is the concierge’s job to know where good places are to suggest to their patrons. I would not have gone up to a maid to ask them where good Cuban food is, because it would be a bit presumptuous to assume someone was Cuban or they would know, just because they are Cuban.
And I completely agree with you in regards to good food does not have to be expensive, but as I said in the last comment, I would like to be in the position to choose not based on how much something costs, but how good it is, and most restaurants on the water, in Ft. Lauderdale, Cuban or not, hole in the wall or not is not cheap.
But thank you for your suggestions and for commenting on the blog.
michele - June 4, 2007 at 2:03 pm
Hi, I did not mean to imply that the maid would be cuban. Quite frankly my husband is a chatter box, extremely extroverted and he talks to everybody. Especially the people that other travels tend to overlook or unfortunately ignore. He stops the maid for an extra towel or something, next thing you know he has the inside scoop and the best spots to eat or drink. Have a drink at the bar, ask the bartender where he/she drinks when not working.
take care
Jenn - June 4, 2007 at 2:15 pm
Well, Michele, that is awesome that your husband finds out all these good tips! I will be inspired by him and his ways in my future endeavors! Thanks for the comments!