Small Bites

Peter Zucker, guest blogger, from Don Coqui in New Rochelle:

Back in my twenties my best friend’s, mom who was Puerto Rican born and raised, took me by the cheeks and told me that I was the Jewish son she never had. There were many nights I spent at her house basking in homemade Puerto Rican food. Sadly she passed over ten years ago, but the taste for the food from that wonderful island in the Caribbean never abated.

That is why when I had to pick restaurants to review from HVRW I zeroed in on Don Coqui on Cedar St in New Rochelle. So it was with great anticipation that I headed over to the restaurant that has been in business for seven months and owned by the daughters of Jimmy of Jimmy’s Bronx Café fame.

Since I was dining alone and would have felt silly sitting at one of the tables in the elegantly furnished dining room I sat at the bar and was greeted warmly by Ingrid, the lone bartender on tonight. Ingrid was more than helpful in telling me what the menu choices consisted and was very prompt in taking my order.

The first course started with appetizers served family style. Good if you are a family, bad if you are alone like me and want to save room for the main course. In fact I had no idea what to expect.

After a few minutes a huge plate, and two smaller plates, were set down in front of me. My eyes bulged. “What have I gotten myself into?” There was a little bit of everything.

The Empanadas were fresh and tasted homemade. Filled with beef, shrimp and chicken, I could sense right away the freshness. The marinated chicken, Chicarron de Pollo was tender and tasty. My two favorites were Pernil, roast pork wrapped in a crispy Yuca topped with a delicious crème sauce that I wish now I had asked what it consisted of. Also on the plate was, Carne Frita, or crispy pork, served deliciously in tiny bite size morsels. These were all topped off with crispy plantains topped with shrimp, steak, pork and codfish. I had a bit of everything. I knew that most was going home with me. I had to save room for the main course.

For the main course I ordered Churrasco, skirt steak with black bean rice. It was served interestingly with the steak wrapped around a square mound of rice. I have had bad experiences with strip steak in the past. I have found that if not marinated correctly that it has always been tough. Not in this case. A garlic and olive oil marinade was just right to bring the full taste of the steak to life.

For dessert I had flan. I enjoyed the flan very much, though I couldn’t finish it for I was on strict orders from my wife to save her some. Flan is served so many ways. The flan at Don Coqui was more custardy and heavier than most flan I am used to, but it was delicious nonetheless.

I highly recommend going to Don Coqui. It was a dining experience that certainly was unique and worth it!

The 411 on Don Coqui.

Photo Caption: skirt