Cafe Laguardia

2111 Armitage Avenue

Hours:
Mon-Sat
11am-11pm
Sun
12-8pm

12/02 CHICAGO: Oh, the Food!

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Time to try something a little off my beaten path, so we stepped out one night for Cuban food at Cafe LaGuardia.

The animal print decor and low light give the place a swingin' swank feel, so of course I had to try a cocktail from their extensive drink menu.

Getting into the spirit without spirits was easy. I ordered a Julian, an icy concoction of tropical fruit juices and grenadine (but no alcohol), complete with snazzy fruit garnish in a big martini style glass.

Sweet and festive, it was just the thing to sip while munching on tortilla chips and fresh guacamole while we waited for a table to become available.

Being vegetarian was a slight disadvantage in this place, as so many of the dishes featured pork. But they kindly identify the meatless options with an asterisk, and I was soon enjoying a big bowl of savory Havana black bean soup, with sides of white rice, crunchy fried green plantains, and boiled casava with creamy garlic sauce.

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