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El Paraiso


Just a block down the street from The Donut Pub, is El Paraiso, one of the remaining Cuban-Chinese restaurants in Manhattan. When I first moved to New York City in 1975 there were lots of restaurants that mixed Cuban and Chinese cuisines, but now they are becoming rarities. Changing tastes and exploding real estate prices have made them a fading tradition. These are not hip restaurants with "fusion" cooking, but rather generally plain storefronts where you can order Spanish food and Chinese food. Their origin goes back to the Chinese laborers who were brought to Cuba in the 1850's. After the Cuban Revolution in 1959 New York became the destination for many of these immigrants who opened restaurants.  There are still several Cuban-Chinese restaurants nearer to my apartment. Visitors to New York interested in the Buttercup Culinary Tour, we'll choose one on the Upper West Side. I'm leaning to La Caridad 78.

There is a very close runner-up for "E." Very close! I had originally settled on Egg in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Egg was the focus of one of my first posts five years ago and the memory lingers on. It is one of the all-time best breakfast places in all of New York City. The biscuits are extraordinary and if I close my eyes I'm sitting in Ma Dockery's kitchen in Sevier County, Tennessee and not hipster Williamsburg. I thought of making a quick trip to Egg to get some newer pictures, but time ran out for me. I will be making a trip soon and promise a review and new pictures.

I am delighted to complete the first week of the Blogging from A to Z Challenge.  I've met some great bloggers, visited blog buddies of long-standing and read terrific posts, and that's all within the first five days. Excited to see where the rest of the Challenge takes me.

Tomorrow I take a break from the Challenge and get my energy back for a deliciously sweet "F" on Monday. I am going to do a quick Pink Saturday post a little later. Love my Pink Saturday buddies and hate to miss the fun there.

It's a springy Saturday and I enjoyed a nice walk and grocery shopping. Dinner later with a friend in the neighborhood and then catching up with the New York Times. Most of the Sunday paper arrives on Saturday to give the readers a head start.

As always, thanks for visiting. Take good care and come back soon!  

13 comments

Linda said...

Wait..you mean to tell me..there is a Spanish/Chinese same restaurant??? I have never heard of such a thing (giggles). It is always one or the other. You know..the only Spanish/Mexican place is Taco Bell (and that is not real Mexican/Spanish food) here. There are a few Chinese places here. I do miss Cuban food..sigh..Blessings

Vicky Hunt said...

Love the idea of a Chines/Cuban place...as I LOVE both! That would solve the problem of arguing over which one to choose too...lol! Too cool....and I loved the donut post earlier too! Yum...:) Enjoy the weekend and I am looking forward to F!

Blessings, Vicky

Mevely317 said...

At first, I had to do a double-take at the notion of Cuban/Chinese cuisine ... but the menu offerings sound delish! When living in Tampa, I'd occasionally detour 8 miles from my usual commute just to indulge in a cup of terrific Cuban coffee.

I'm really enjoying this series, Carol!

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...

We have Chinese but no Cuban here. Sad to see older places having to close up. Changing times do make a difference in the food world. Sounds like you had a lovely day. I've been in all day working on a project for Easter.

Melinda said...

Interesting combo there. I have not had this.

M :)

Dee said...

Oh wow, that's an interesting fusion. Congrats on finishing the first week of the challenge!

Grammy Staffy said...

I have never heard of Spanish-Chinese food combos before. I like both. I wish we had them around here. I am getting more and more convinces I need to plan a Buttercup culinary tour in my future. Hugs,

TARYTERRE said...

The thought of Cuban and Chinese cuisines together sounds delicious. How lucky you are to have such a place to eat.

LuAnn @ BackPorchervations said...

OK. This is Kentucky. We have Mexican restaurants and Chinese restaurants (at about a 1:3 ratio, go figure) but no Cuban-Chinese. I'd like to go to one, just to say I had...ok, and to have some food too! :O)

LuAnn Braley
AJ's Hooligans @AtoZChallenge
Back Porchervations

Sola Scriptura said...

I've never had Cuban food, but Chinese food is a favorite of mine. I hope you are having a relaxing Sunday!

Theresa said...

Sounds yummy to me! I LOVE Chinese food:) Enjoy your Springy day dear friend, HUGS from Georgia!

Annesphamily said...

A very informative post. Thank you. My son-in-law is from Florida and he loves Cuban food. My daughter is known to whip up a Cuban sandwich for him, or a Key Lime pie with real Key limes!
Times change and sometime sadly the past is swept away except for our memories. Pat who grew up in Brooklyn had an article about the fading of Little Italy. So sad. We live close to a Chinese restaurant and the older lady working the phone for take out scares me so I send my hubby! She loves him and laughs because he never buys food for himself. He is not a fan of Chinese. HeeHeeHee! I love it! Have a beautiful week! Hugs, Anne

Suzanne McClendon said...

I enjoyed reading your post and about the restaurants. I couldn't help but think of my friend Jori who lived there in NYC. She didn't have to leave her building for anything, it was all right there at her fingertips. I sure miss her. RIP, Jori!

I look forward to seeing your new post and pictures of the Egg restaurant.

Have a great week!