Cuban restaurant?

arthurrichard
arthurrichard Posts: 51 Member
in Food and Nutrition
Going out with friends to a small, family-owned Cuban restaurant. The restaurant does not have a website, so I can't get the menu online. Anyone have any general suggestions as to what may be best to order? I will have at least 1000 calories available for supper.

Thank you in advance.

Replies

  • sammydeer
    sammydeer Posts: 3
    Try to stick to meats and veggies - you can't go wrong. There is also a cuban bread that I hear is delicious... you may have to have some of that, too, since you've saved up your calories. Enjoy!
  • arthurrichard
    arthurrichard Posts: 51 Member
    Thank you. Sammydeer. I was thinking a little bit along the same lines. Even if I had something like Empanadas, I could just eat the filling, right? No one will be shoving anything down my throat, after all.
  • CaffeinatedConfectionist
    CaffeinatedConfectionist Posts: 1,046 Member
    I second the idea of going with something high in protein, and probably not deep fried or smothered in cheese. If you know roughly what their menu is like, or roughly what you're interested in ordering, you can always search the MFP database/the internet for calorie counts from other restaurants. I do this when I am going out, and then take the average calorie count and log it. Like, if I was going to get Ropa Vieja, I'd just search the database for that and take a middle-of-the-road entry. (Ropa vieja wouldn't be a bad choice, for that matter, it's shredded flank steak in a tomato based sauce). It's not ideal, but at least it gives me a ballpark range to work with. Anything where meat or beans, or veggies, are the primary component!
  • arthurrichard
    arthurrichard Posts: 51 Member
    Thank you, lauraceaerosa.

    The Ropa Vieja does, indeed, look like it would be a good way to go. I do not know anything about Cuban food, so a specific suggestion is quite helpful.
  • MyChocolateDiet
    MyChocolateDiet Posts: 22,281 Member
    If you don't know about cuban food, you should treat it as an adventure. At least try some platanos and just go easy on them or give yourself permission today only to indulge a little in the name of adventure, and being a good guest.
  • arthurrichard
    arthurrichard Posts: 51 Member
    Thank you, MyChocolateDiet. If I find that I want to eat some higher-calorie stuff, I can eat small portions and take the rest home in a doggie bag. You are right that I can just not go overboard, I know.

    I absolutely am going to stay under 1800 calories for the day. There is no reason to go over that. And I won't.

    But that does not mean I cannot explore the menu a bit!
  • CaffeinatedConfectionist
    CaffeinatedConfectionist Posts: 1,046 Member
    If you want to learn a little bit more about what your dinner options might be like, you could always check out online menus for some other Cuban restaurants. They might not be that similar to the place you will be going, but you'll have an idea of some classic dishes. A quick google search brought up:

    http://www.cubadeayerrestaurant.net/menu_mojito_tres_leches_laurel_columbia_baltimore_montgomery_county_md.php
    http://www.versaillescuban.com/menu-item/entrees
    http://havanacubanfood.com/appetizers

    Or just read a bit about Cuban food in general online. But Cuban food tends to be pretty heavily meat and bean oriented, so you should be fine!

    But yes, absolutely try some plantains!
  • arthurrichard
    arthurrichard Posts: 51 Member
    Duh. (Faceplams.) Why did I not think of that?

    Thank you for the links!
  • CaffeinatedConfectionist
    CaffeinatedConfectionist Posts: 1,046 Member
    Duh. (Faceplams.) Why did I not think of that?

    Thank you for the links!

    No problem! I often do a lot of research like this before I go out to eat. It might sound obsessive (it might BE obsessive) but it ensures that I can eat something I will enjoy, and do so without feeling bad about it afterward.
  • arthurrichard
    arthurrichard Posts: 51 Member
    This sounds ideal:

    Bistec De Pollo - Chicken Steak
    Tender chicken breast grilled to perfection topped with garlic sauce and garnished with white onions.

    So does this:

    Combinacion De Pollo y Puerco
    Chicken and Pork Combination
    Half portion of roast chicken and roast pork topped with onions.
  • CaffeinatedConfectionist
    CaffeinatedConfectionist Posts: 1,046 Member
    Now I'm getting hungry! No Cuban places around here, tragically. :sad:
  • arthurrichard
    arthurrichard Posts: 51 Member
    That made me smile.
  • arthurrichard
    arthurrichard Posts: 51 Member
    OK, just got back and did pretty well. I had something like pulled pork and sweet plantains. Stayed away from the rice and beans. (But I wanted them. They looked yummy.)

    I ended the day with 116 calories remaining and had a nice time with good friends. Can't complain.

    Thank you for the good advice, everyone.

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