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Note: Mambo recently closed! I do not get down to Los Angeles very often, but whenever I do, I try to eat at Cha Cha Cha in Hollywood (note: addresses and phone numbers for LA and vicinity locations are at the end of this review) . At one time the owners had another place called Cafe Mambo but I am not sure it is still there. I always tried to go there for breakfast, because they had more than the usual eggs and pancakes fare, including the best chilaquiles I have ever enjoyed. I was very excited when I read that the people who owned these restaurants were opening a San Francisco restaurant at Ghiradelli Square. I stopped by the new Mambo Cafe on a Saturday morning before they were open, when decorating was still in progress. At 11:30 they opened for lunch (not brunch). There was an egg-based breakfast taco and eggs benedict variation, but sadly no chilaquiles, so we dug into the lunch menu. All of the appetizers sounded great. Long time VVV readers know how I crave the appetizer. They had a sampler for $12.95 ($13.95 at night) so I jumped on it while ordering a glass of sangria from a very interesting array of Caribbean influenced mixed drinks. The sangria was alright, but I will explore the other selections in the future. The sampler included every appetizer except the tamale. There were two very good crabcakes with housemade tartar sauce that thoroughly pleased a very hard judge of crabcakes and an avowed tartar sauce hater. Some nicely fried plantains with sour cream and green onions were also presented. The center of the platter was a small bowl of delicious mixed seafood ceviche that was rich with tomato and spices. Boats made of fried banana strips filled with mixed vegetables and shards of fried yucca (for requisite height) shared the oval stage, but the star of the five items was an excellent jerked pork. It seemed too tough for the tenderloin it was billed as, but it was deliciously sweet and fiery, though not painfully so. Everything was beautifully presented and close to perfection. It was so ample (almost too much for two people) that it made us wonder if we had ordered too much, especially after getting drawn in by the two wonderful hot breads served in a cigar box of all things. After the appetizer feast, we split a salad that was composed of heartier salad greens and "barbecued vegetables" with a papaya based dressing. I am not sure what the "barbecued vegetables' meant since they seemed to just be crudite exposed to little or no heat. However, it was a fine salad and, once again, plenty even when split for two. We also split a sandwich of grilled spiced chicken breast that was perfectly cooked and moist. It was placed on a bollito roll with annato garlic aioli, caramelized onions, lettuce and tomato. On the side was a rainbow slaw and some fried yam or yucca chips that did not have a lot of flavor, but they were crisp and not greasy. The plate was consumed with great pleasure even though we were already getting full when it came. There was a lot of food, but it was not heavy or overbearing, and we ended up eating almost all of it. I did have to bring back some ceviche to snack on later. The helpful and friendly waitress tempted us with an interesting desert list including an interesting sounding "cigar y cafe" creation composed of mousse, chocolate, raspberry, creme anglaise, and an artistry of presentation I regretted having to skip. I am usually pretty focused on food, but I must note that this was also a very attractive and fun restaurant in design and ambiance. There is outdoor patio seating with bay views and cigar smoking privileges. They have a selection of cigars available, so I am not sure if there is a torchage charge if you BYOC. There is indoor seating with great views as well, and they will have live music with appropriate Caribbean flavor Thursday through Saturday. And when in Southern California... Coming soon... A visit to the Farmers' Market (with Vernon's Virtual Victuals Vignettes) |
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