LA TAZA DE ORO

96 Eighth Avenue (between 15th and 16th Streets)
[Take the A, C, E to 14th or the L to 8th]

I was in the neighborhood, needing to eat before a swanky event and not having alot of money, so initially I was done in by the bodega-style awning. But inside, it looks like a truck stop of yesteryear: narrow room, old school cashier, long counter, some tables and chairs along the side. Very interestink. But what sold me was, well, everything. The price was so right, it was almost wrong and the waiter freshened my beans for me ! No really, he asked if I wanted more beans because the plate had gone cold and then BROUGHT ME MORE BEANS FREE OF CHARGE ! The food itself was pretty standard - exactly what you would expect, except maybe 1.5 times better. Everything was fresh (seemingly) but wildly fast; no sooner had we placed our order than the plantain and roasted chicken were on the table. Over the plates, Jessi and I agreed that this was exactly what we'd been needing. Its strange how outside of New York City, I say "Spanish food" and get offered a burrito. Pollo arrosto, yellow rice, red beans, chimichurris, fried plantains, sweet plantains, hot sauce; kids, its all here.