In a city with so many restaurants to try, there are very few that I return to. But, I am ADDICTED to Calle Ocho. They are just so gosh darn nice there, not to mention the incredible food.
The flaky bread-ish/biscuit-esque with bean paste they serve prior to the meal is outstanding. They are airy in your mouth with just the slightest bit of sweetness. Monday is $5 mojito night–try the peach mojito if you want something besides just the standard one, even though the standard is plenty good.
Oh do I wish I had a picture of the sweet corn and goat cheese tamal with shrimp enchilado and pumpkin pesto. It had the perfect amount of goat cheese and I wish it existed as an entree because it has so many fun flavors that meld well with each other. The chicarron (above, with crispy calamari, Dominican honey, and organic sprout salad) is great for an app–the honey and calamari go surprisingly well together, and the cucumbers mellow the dish out a bit.
The cordero, a braised lamb shank “barbacoa style” with rajas poblanas had a great sauce though some of the rice was too hard. The bistec, a Cuban style sirloin with yuca fries and traditional chimichurri was filling and the yuca fries were thick and tasted so much better (and healthier) than French fries. Mm, yuca should be served more frequently. I definitely recommend the salmon with lobster mash and potatoes–it was tender and the potatoes were great. Everything is so filling that you’ll definitely have enough leftovers for lunch. I’m determined to go back and try more of the menu-I have yet to find a disappointing dish.
Where: 446 Columbus Ave @ 83rd St, http://www.calleochonyc.com
Price: Moderate to Expensive (but if you go on Mondays, there are free tapas at the bar)
Rating: 
Posted by chewandswallow 
Chew and Swallow 