good luck deluxe

I’m sure you remember my griping about what seemed to be a lack of enough ethnic eateries here in L.A. outside of Mexican food and sushi in comparison to Washington, D.C.

Well, I’ve been keeping more of an eye out for these treasures everywhere I go in
Los Angeles. I’m learning that if I want great Cuban food, I need to go to the Valley, and Venice Boulevard is peppered with Brazilian, Cuban, Peruvian and Salvadoran spots.
I even recently saw two pupuserias on Venice. There IS a God!

On Venice in the Culver City area, you can’t miss the huge sign that screams,
“WHOLE ROTISSERIE CHICKEN - ONLY $5.95!” that comes complete with a huge photo of a gargantuan, glistening rotisserie chicken on the sign.

You can only drive past that sign a few times without wondering what all the fuss is about. What takeout place would dare call THAT much attention to itself?

Enter Larco Mar, a Peruvian polleria and multi-Latin grill, and its connected
Coppelia’s Latin bakery - the latest targets of my affection.

But here’s the irony - the chicken was just so-so…even a little on the dry side.
I caution - if you are planning to dine at Larco Mar, ask for dark meat - even if you don’t normally eat that portion of the bird. Either that, or request a side of rotisserie drippings to soak your parched white meat in. Seriously, although Larco Mar’s bird is nicely seasoned with a hint of tarragon, it’s dying of thirst.

I wasn’t crazy about that spicy sauce they give you on the side, which was surprising to me, because you know I like my spice! I’ve had much better side sauces in other Peruvian chicken eateries.

If you enjoy a nice variety of Latin food, then Larco Mar is your place. They call their establishment primarily a Peruvian rotisserie, but in small print on their business card it says, “And Mexican Grill.” Then there was Cuban music playing overhead when I was there, and Coppelia’s features some Caribbean desserts. I think it would be less confusing if they would just simply call the entire shebang, “Latin Food Mecca.”

Anyhoo…

I say with emphasis, it was THE BEANS that warrant a return visit to Larco Mar!

Oh, those glorious beans - prepared Puerto Rican-style in a heavenly gravy.
I was pleasantly surprised that the beans were so tender, well-seasoned with a hint of smokiness and were totally saucy.

Next time, I will take it a step further and I’ll ask them for extra gravy on my beans. They tasted like someone’s Latina mother made them from scratch in a big pot. Mmm. Mmm. Mmm.

Note: I should clarify that we’re not talking about refried beans here, people.
These were stewed beans…m’kay?

Carrying on…

The rice was eh. Seriously, I’m all about the beans at Larco Mar.

As if the ginormous chicken sign out front weren’t enough, they have a sidewalk sign boasting the Tres Leches cakes (my favorite!) in Coppelia’s adjacent Latin bakery.
It’s one-stop shopping at this place!

Here, take a look…

The cake in front looks mocha-ish…all creamy and dreamy.

I wasn’t of a mind to cause a big scene with my snapping pics of Coppelia’s sugary
Latin delicacies, so I just whipped out my trusty camera phone and my mission was accomplished in two snaps under the radar.

The dessert cases shown above were almost empty because customers were coming in from every direction buying Coppelia’s cakes. I’ve never seen a bakery move that many confections in all my life! Coppelia’s obviously has a good thing going on with their cakes.

After eating a heaping plate of chicken, rice and beans (for only $4.95, by the way),
I was so stuffed I looked like a big grape. That meal was enough dense protein for a week!

There was no way I was packing in dessert after all of that. I couldn’t even consider taking a cake home because all I could think about was rolling home so I could be in my bed to let my food digest.

Overall, the food was divey, inexpensive and good. But next time, I’ll be back
for the cake!

Larco Mar Peruvian Rotisserie and Coppelia’s Bakery
10825 Venice Boulevard
West Los Angeles, CA 90034
(310) 838-0375

Speaking of mangoes…

It’s time to enjoy a refreshingly tropical mango cheesecake, made with lots of
mango pulp!

Baked on a spiced Chai cookie crust, this exotic cheesecake is reminiscent of rich Indian spice tea. The butter cookies are flavored with fresh ground cardamon, ginger
and cloves for an exciting taste journey.

All natural ingredients produce a sophisticated bite. A delight for the adventurous palate!

The 10-inch Mango Chai Cheesecake is nice.

But the 3 lb. Mango Chai Cheesecake is even nicer.

Mango salsa is always a good idea.

I found this great recipe on Food TV in Canada. I love its pairing of Cajun blackening seasoning with a fresh, fruity, Caribbean salsa. Your mouth will grow more pleased
with each forkful!

If halibut is too dry of a fish selection for you, I would certainly substitute it with Chilean sea bass or any other moist, light fish. Yum!

Blackened Halibut With Mango Salsa

For the Fish

* 4 x 7 ounce portions of halibut or cod filets with skin on
* 1 1/2 tbsp blackening spice
* 1 tbsp olive oil

Mango Salsa

* 2 x mangoes cubed into ½ inch pieces
* 2 x green onions sliced thinly
* 2 tbsp red onion, chopped fine
* 1 x Thai chili, finely chopped
* 3 tbsp cilantro, chopped roughly
* 2 tbsp red pepper, chopped into ¼ inch cubes
* Juice of 2 limes
* Salt and pepper to taste

Fish Directions
1. Place a large cast iron pan over medium high heat. Allow pan to preheat for 10 minutes. Meanwhile pat fish dry with paper towels and sprinkle with spice rub.

2. Place oil into preheated pan then fish flesh side down. Allow to cook for 1 - 2 minutes or until a nice dark crust has formed on the fish. Carefully flip fish over and place into preheated oven for a further 7 minutes or until desired doneness. Remove from oven and serve with mango salsa.

Mango Salsa Directions
1. Combined all ingredients in a bowl and add season to taste with salt and pepper. Chill mixture in refrigerator for 20 minutes before serving.

This fish would go perfectly served with coconut rice and a carafe of chilled Riesling.

Now THIS is some serious Nuevo Latino eatin’ right here! Sabrosura Restaurant in the Bronx does not play around. I have only heard excellent things about this establishment.

Just another great restaurant to add to my MUST VISIT list.

Check it out!

Shrimp Skewers with Mofongo (mashed sweet plantains with bacon)

Bourbon BBQ Boneless Ribs

Stuffed Salmon with Tostones (flattened, fried plantains)

Mojito-Grilled Chicken with Rice and Beans and Veggies

Caramel Flan

…and my favorite dessert…Tres Leches (three milk cake)

’nuff said.

Sabrosura Restaurant
1200 Castle Hill Avenue
Bronx, NY 10462
(718) 597-1344

OK, I know where I’m dining the next time I visit St. Maarten in the Caribbean!

The only time I’ve been to this island was when my Mom, Dad and I took a cruise about ten years ago.

Here’s a tip: Never take a cruise with your parents if you hate cruises.
It’s a bad combination. I was cranky the entire trip. Mom, I’m sure you remember!

I’m just not a cruiser. I mean, maybe if we were on our own private yacht it would have been different. That way, we could dock more often and venture out on foot and shop on land to our heart’s delight.

I grew SO tired of the lounge acts, commercialized calypso music, and pseudo-gambling in the mini casino on the ship. I would have sold my eyeteeth to get off that boat!
The only thing I did enjoy was the late-night all-chocolate and desserts buffet the
cruise line featured every midnight.

So what’s a good way for me to smoothly segue into the topic of this post after I’ve digressed so much?

L’Auberge Gourmande in St. Maarten is a restaurant where I really want to be…NOW.
Take another look at their Lobster Special, pictured above. I’m gonna post a million pictures, because you have to see this sumptuous sustenance!

You know my preferred protein sources are fish and seafood, so I’ve got to start there:

Yum!

Whole grilled sole in an almond butter meunière, served with scalloped potatoes and roasted vegetables.

Foie gras lovers, take a look at this gem!

Duck liver from the Landes region, pan-sautéed with caramelized pears in a Sauternes wine reduction sauce.

Duck is so, so good!

A tender duck chop with a mango sauce.

I love morels!

Chicken breast stuffed with a bleu cheese morel sauce.

I’m not a pork lover, but I can learn to be!

Pork tenderloin stuffed with mushrooms in a peppercorn sauce.

MMM MMM MMM!

Veal chop roasted to your liking, finished with a creamy mushroom sauce and served with Gratin Dauphinois and garden vegetables.

Gorgeous!

Roasted rack of lamb rubbed in a garlic herb paste, served with shallot sauce and olive mashed potatoes.

Last, but not least!

Hot chocolate profiteroles filled with fresh vanilla ice cream and topped with slices of exotic fruit.

Yep, I certainly know where I’m dining in St. Maarten…even if I have to take a cruise to get there!

L’Auberge Gourmande
89 Boulevard de Grand Case
Grand Case, Saint Maarten 97150
phone (590) 87 73 37