By Tyra Hamilton

It was a Friday after a long, tough week and Jurgen and I decided to treat ourselves to a new lunch experience.   To begin our search we made our way to the corner of 38^th Street at 5^th Avenue, a rapidly developing area with a very nice variety of eateries.  As we strolled around discussing our options, I recalled a recent comment from my sister about a delicious chicken dish at La Bodeguita del Medio.  I had enjoyed a mojito or two at their old location, but neither of us had eaten there.  So, La Bodeguita del Medio it was. 

We were the first to arrive, shortly after they opened at 12:30 pm and opted for a table outdoors in order to enjoy the beautiful day and to do a little people watching.  Our waiter quickly arrived to provide us with menus and to take our drink order.  Since it was a Friday afternoon and because we were treating ourselves, we each ordered a traditional mojito.   I forget how much I enjoy a cool, refreshing mojito.

Mojito - traditional Cuban cocktail made with white rum, sugar, sparkling water, lime and mint

Unfortunately, the Pollo Cubano dish that I was hoping to try was not yet available, but there were plenty of other options on the lunch menu that looked appealing.  We decided to share several items and placed our order for 2 different shrimp tacos as starters and a creole style shredded beef dish as an entrée.  As we sat, chatted and enjoyed our drinks, we were presented with a small taste of a lovely, rich shrimp consommé as a botana to accompany our beverage.   A botana is a small snack commonly served along with an alcoholic drink.  From 1 pm to 6 pm daily, La Bodeguita del Medio offers free botanas with purchase of cocktails or buckets of beer.   

Specials offered by La Bodeguito del Medio

 It wasn’t long and our shrimp taco starters were delivered to our table.  We ordered the Tacos Comandante ($38 pesos) and the Tacos Capeados Camaron ($35 pesos).  Each order came with 2 hot, yummy tacos. 

Tacos Comandante – grilled shrimp, melted cheese and purple onion

Tacos Capeados Camaron – large fried shrimp with purple cabbage and tamarind sauce

I thoroughly enjoyed both styles of tacos, but if I had to pick a favorite, my vote would decidedly go to the Tacos Capeados Camaron.  I am a big fan of both fried shrimp and tamarind sauce.  In fact, these shrimp tacos are now on my list of favorites.

Next to arrive was our main dish, Ropa Vieja ($95 pesos), a wonderful plate of shredded beef in a tomato based creole sauce accompanied by black beans and rice and fried plantains (plantanos fritos).  We both really enjoyed this filling, slightly spicy beef dish.   Jurgen even claimed that the rice and beans were some of the best he has ever eaten.  We both agreed that the fried plantains were a delicious addition.

Ropa Vieja – shredded beef in a mildly spicy creole sauce, black beans, rice and fried plantains

As we finished the very last morsel on our plate, both the day manager and the general manager stopped by to chat and to make sure that we enjoyed our meal.   Just to make sure we left happy, complimentary moxitos were delivered to our table.  The moxito is a new creation prepared by La Bodeguita del Medio in the same style as a mojito, using tequila instead of rum.  I enjoyed both the mojito and the moxito equally.  I believe that I would (happily) need to conduct additional taste tests in order to determine a favorite. 

The moxito, made in the style of a traditional mojito, using tequila instead of rum

Both Jurgen and I agreed that La Bodeguita del Medio was a great choice.  The atmosphere, service, food, drinks and value all came together to make for a very enjoyable lunch.  I still want to try the Pollo Cubano and will return some evening soon for what I anticipate to be another wonderful meal.  I also look forward to enjoying some live music as I conduct my very important mojito/moxito taste testing.

Open from 12:30 pm to 2:00 am daily, La Bodeguita del Medio is located on 5^th Avenue, between Calles 34 and 38.  They offer live music nightly (except Wednesdays) and, in my opinion, some of the best mojitos in town.  Don’t forget to ask for a pen to write your name on the wall, ceiling or where ever you can find some space.