"Atwater Village is full of family-owned restaurants like Baracoa Cuban Cafe, a narrow, dimly lit spot that’s reminiscent of an old-school trattoria with its muraled walls and red jar candles. It’s also a perfect place for a quick lunch with a friend, or maybe a date with yourself for a Cubano, a glass of sangria, and a post-sandwich stroll around the block as you contemplate popping into one of the neighborhood’s many dive bars. The café serves Cuban classics like arroz con pollo, fried empanadas, and our favorite, ropa vieja - a salty shredded beef stew that somehow manages to make beef stew interesting for a change. Baracoa’s version comes as thick chunks of shredded meat in a dark tomato sauce packed with bell peppers, onion, garlic, and briny green olives." - sylvio martins
