Peachy Picks Guantanamera Our Coverage Sponsored by Cosmopolitan Dental, Official Dentist of Whom You Know
Peachy Deegan and Mario Zarate
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Guantanamera is known to be the best Cuban restaurant in Manhattan, and since we've never been to a Cuban restaurant and we know Mario Zarate, we just had to try it and we're so glad we did! You know Mario is behind Pier 9 which we absolutely loved.
Guantanamera was first featured in Tasty Tidbits:
The amazingly festive cuisine, the upbeat atmosphere and the phenomenal hospitality of Rosario Antunez completely won us over and has earned Guantanamera a spot in Peachy's Picks! You should know that the name, though a mouthful, is the correct terminology for a female from this city and Rosario is totally authentic, as she is one~! Executive Chef Isaias Ortiz, who has been there from the start as a six-year veteran, graciously greeted us upon our arrival and told us all there is to know about this extraordinary menu.
Peachy Deegan started with the Ensaladade Camarones: Sauteed Shrimp with mixed baby greens, oranges, pineapple and mango dressing. It was light and fresh and absolutely ideal for the upcoming warm weather. The shrimp was tender and fresh and perfectly sized for this lovely salad. If you are into Cuban music you should know that this is ideal for that too, though we preferred a quieter time when we could give the stellar cuisine 100% of our attention.
That is Rosario, and believe us, she is who you want to work with on your visit. Her sparkling personality, genuine care in her work, and true pride in her culture made us feel lucky to have been able to work with her. Plus, she has great taste in cocktails! And, have no fear. Her English is also fantastic!
When in Rome, do as the Romans do....so when in Guantanamera, we did as the Cubans do: Peachy drank a Peachy Daiquiri! Peach-flavored rum, lime juice, sugar and peach fruit combined to form this icy concoction and it was terrifically festive and put Peachy in the right Latin mood.
As you know this is Stanley Cup time, Peachy is always thinking "Would this food be good to eat during the Rangers game?" and the answer to the question with this appetizer is a resounding YES. Please meet your friend: Chorizo Salteado Con Mariquitas. Peachy does not speak Spanish and you probably don't either so that means Sauteed Spanish sausage with plantain chips. You absolutely know that they make their own plantain chips and they are crisp, addictive, and perfect with this smashing chorizo! The Chorizo itself is juicy, flavorful and just what the Rangers themselves should be eating on the bench during a powerplay to give them extra energy.
The next appetizer we sampled was the Ceviche Mixto-fresh mixed seafood marinated with lime juice and joined again by the famous plantain chips. Yellow, red and green peppers joined the party adding both nutrition and color. Calamari, shrimp and tilapia comprised the seafood portion, which was fresh and just as Ceviche should be.
Before you knew it, it was time for another Cuban cocktail-there are a lot of convincing choices you should know!- and this time Peachy opted for the Atares: mango rum, blue curacao, lime juice and mango juice. It is shown on the left, above. Delicious!
As an entree, Peachy Deegan chose the Filetillo Salteado El Chinito: slices of prime beef sauteed with garlic, onion, and mixed pepper served with Cuban fried rice. The vegetables in it were crunchy and added the right flavor to the prime beef, which was so stellar it would have been lovely on its own sans sauce but that is unspicy Peachy talking! The sauce was plentiful and rich-formed of the meats own juices and secrets of the Chef...we met him early in the meal.
It is worth the wait to have the perfect final touch of chocolate molten cake with vanilla ice cream. It is every bite as good as it looks. We are thrilled the Cubans believe in chocolate...chocolate is one of the best ways to unite humanity we believe across cultures. And, you know we say it is one of the four food groups consistently!
Our esteemed panelist says:
Ready for a vacation but don't have the time to get out of the city? No worries - just head on over to Guantanamera on 55th and 8th, and you'll instantly be transported to Cuba. Walls are adorned with brightly-colored murals, tropical cocktails are flowing, and the atmosphere is vibrant yet relaxed. It's a getaway within the confines of midtown Manhattan, and a welcome one at that! When we dined there early on a Friday evening, the place was abuzz with a spirited after-work/pre-theater crowd, and we happily settled into a table towards the back of the restaurant. Our waitress, Rosario (a native of Cuba!), was an absolute delight from start to finish. Pleasant, charming, knowledgeable, and ever-smiling, she provided an excellent addition to our dining experience. Before we ordered, we had the pleasure of speaking with the chef, Isaias Ortiz, about the menu. Ortiz has been the chef at Guantanamera since it opened about 6 years ago, and his love for his job is clear.
After perusing the menu, I opted to start with the Ensaladade Piña Y Aguacate, or pineapple and avocado salad. Light, refreshing, and delicious, this salad was the perfect way to start the evening. Served on a bed of mixed greens and drizzled with a tangy but sweet mango vinaigrette, the salad provided a delightful combination of flavors and textures to awaken my palate. Next, we sampled two of the appetizers which were recommended by Chef Ortiz. He first sent out the Chorizo Salteado Con Marquitas, which is sautéed Spanish sausage with plantain chips - and it was so delectable that I could have made a meal out of this alone! The sweet, crispy plantain chips were a great complement to the savory sausage. At Rosario's suggestion, we also tried adding a bit of hot sauce, which added even more depth of flavor. Next, Chef Ortiz sent out the Ceviche Mixto, which was a fantastic combination of fresh shrimp, calamari, and tilapia, served in a lime marinade, and also accompanied by plantain chips. Again, he nailed it with this dish. The citrus marinade worked remarkably well with the fresh seafood flavors, and the plain chips provided just the right accompaniment.
For my main course, I opted for the Pollo Al Coco, which is pan seared boneless chicken breast in a creamy coconut sauce. Although I enjoyed everything I ate, this dish was definitely my favorite. I am a huge fan of anything with coconut, and this dish was just right. The coconut flavor was present, but not overwhelming, and the creamy sauce was an outstanding accompaniment to the chicken.
It was accompanied by rice and black bean soup, both of which complemented the coconut and chicken flavors beautifully. Throughout the meal, I sipped on a coconut mojito, which was one of the best cocktails I've ever had! The mint, lime, and coconut flavors transported me out of the city to a beautiful tropical paradise - and, as it turned out, my cocktail of choice ended up being the perfect accompaniment to my entree of choice! To finish things off, I continued down my coconut-inspired path and ordered the coconut custard for dessert, which was the perfect ending to a simply delightful meal. Kudos to Rosario, Chef Ortiz, and the rest of the Guantanamera team for creating such a delicious, welcome escape from the everyday hustle-bustle of midtown Manhattan!
Peachy Picks Guantanamera!
Guantanamera is Recommended by Whom You Know.
