The Cuban restaurants in California are giving Miami restaurants a run for their money with beautiful décor and ambiance that can't be beat. The latest gem on the restaurant scene is the Tropi-Cuba Café in Torrance, California – about 14 miles South and East of LAX. Once ensconced under the beautiful bohío covered dining room, check out a menu that goes beyond the tired offerings of lesser Cuban restaurants with several unique and inventive dishes. We're talking about asparagus and baby carrots in a Cuban restaurant! Coconut shrimp with a mango dipping sauce! And you won't see frog legs on many Cuban menus in Miami!
HOURS: Open Monday through Thursday 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. | Friday 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. | Saturday 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. | Sundays 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
PRICES: Moderate
DRESS: Casual
WEBSITE: tropicubacafebakery.com
Even the standards are done here with inventiveness and flair. The picadillo includes potatoes and capers, nice additions to this rich meat dish served topped with a fried egg. The sandwiches go way beyond basic Cuban. The Camaguey Especial sandwich is especially noteworthy. It's a real treat with tender chicken in a flavorsome tomato sauce smothered in melted provolone cheese. Tropi-Cuba also serves a delicious lamb stew rich with the flavor of red wine and garnished with Italian peppers.
Save room for dessert as Tropi-Cuba has a bakery case in the front of the house that's loaded with pastries including many excellent Cuban delights from Porto's Bakery in Glendale.
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The original -- still great! 100 classic Cuban recipes as they are eaten in Miami today.
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Now available in paperback with a soft, kitchen-counter-friendly cover!
