Caribbean Breeze

... doesn't that sound like it should be a luxury yacht cruising the islands?  Instead I give you...

... one of Arlington's newer restaurants located a block from the Ballston metro.

Since J. is out of commission until the bar exam in late July (we were chanting Virginia's 8 Bases for Long-Arm Jurisdiction on a recent walk), I met up with some friends for lunch last Saturday to celebrate both of their birthdays.  We were toying with the usual lunch options, when I suggested this place, a restaurant that opened its doors just over a year ago and which touts itself as Neuvo Latino Cuisine.  Frankly, I've been curious for a while.

Our experience started off a little shakily as we waited to be seated.  There were maybe three other parties in the restaurant, and we happily waited for the third member of our party to arrive.  And she did!  And we talked and anticipated our nuevo latino lunch.

And then we waited.

Five minutes.

Ten minutes.  Um, hello?  L. had to walk up to the bar and actively request that we be seated in this nearly-empty restaurant.  Como se dice, "inauspicious beginning."

Did you ever watch Top Chef?  My boyfriend, Harold often sneered (endearingly) "pssh, is it fusion, or CONfusion?"  (get it?)  This isn't exactly fusion, but it's a melange of All Foods Equatorial: caribbean, mexican and cuban cuisines.  Jerk chicken, quesadillas.  Hmm. 

L. had the Plantain Crusted Soft-Shell Crab with Lemon Vinaigrette. 

Colorful, no?  According to L., the crisp-fried plantain worked nicely with the...er...crisp-fried crab.  The accompanying corn salad and lemon vinaigrette were wonderfully light. 

I had the Churrasco Steak Con Mushroom Ceviche.

That tomato didn't taste as out of season as it looks.  My bad.  Once again, nice presentation.  This skirt steak was cooked medium.  It was sliced-on-the-bias-tender, slightly peppery, but not overly so.  I also enjoyed the vinaigrette (which I suspect was the same as in the plantain dish) - the salad was pleasantly but not overly dressed and the mushrooms were succulent and packed with flavor.

D. had the Ropa Vieja a La Cubana...aka if my Spanish serves me "Old Clothes: Cuban Style"

The shredded flank steak kicked with its slight spice and peppers.  The accompanying rice, beans and maduros (a/k/a sweet plantain) make for a hearty meal.  D. had no complaints.

Despite my new war on sugar, I of course succumbed to the Brazilian Coconut Flan.

This is a great dessert.  A cross between a traditional flan and a coconut macaroon: sweet, creamy, yet with the distinct taste and texture of the coconut.  The garnish of whipped cream and fruit provided a lightness that contrasted with the denser sweetness of the flan.  No big surprise, this was the highlight of the meal for me.

Not so much of a highlight were the continued gaps in service, which reduced my overall experience.  There were no tremendous issues, but little things, like cold coffee, and the wrong dessert which, in my opinion, it took a little too long to put right...and it's always a little uncomfortable when the waitstaff disagrees with you about what you ordered, as ours did.

Food good.  Service mediocre.

Caribbean Breeze
4100 North Fairfax Drive
Arlington, Virginia 22201
(703) 812-7997

Comments

[Barbara (Biscuit Girl)]

The food looks fantastic. Sorry the service sucked. We had a similar problem at Belga Cafe on Memorial Day (which I posted about).

I wonder if your service issues were due to the newness of the restaurant. Would you go back again?

[E.]

Yeah, I think you are spot on: the place has only been open just over a year, although I would hope those issues would have been resolved by now. I guess I will go back (eventually), but I'm going to give them some time in the hopes that things improve.

[Maria loves pictures]

The meal must have been delicious as I imagine by looking at the photos. The great dessert is my favorite.

[A.]

Harold is YOUR boyfriend?!? I THINK NOT!