After we expressed some interest in his curry-based chicanery, the chef sent out a chicken curry empanada before our appetizer of crispy yucca sticks with aioli and chipotle mayo. Immediately, we were welcomed with open arms by Chef Armando, who ushered us into our seats and began regaling us with a tale of the day’s experimentation with curry. We were offered our pick of tables and chose one in the dining room, as opposed to the handful of tables that face the kitchen. Other than a regular at the place who was sitting at a table with the owner’s son, there were no other diners. The bottom line: The guy can flat-out cook and the place is flat-out fantastic.We pulled in to the parking lot about 15 minutes late for our reservation, but that wasn’t a problem. I just hate not being able to clear my plate at a meal - especially when the food is this good.
I suspect this is a "give-'em-what-they-want" concession by Armando and probably ultimately good for business - and in fairness I had already eaten two of the tapas prior to my entree. My one "tiny" criticism is that my entree could have been 1/3 of the food and still would have been delicious. He is a man who is passionate about gastronomy and is a one-of-a-kind talent and character.
This is not fine-dining, it is a family restaurant so the service may misstep sometimes, but they are very attentive, earnest, warm and friendly. The food is so good and the place is so charming and sophisticated you may overeach in your expectations. I won't waste time explaining what I had - I have tried everything and everything is absolutely delicious. From the first bite of the bread the server places on the table you know right away that Armando will be leading this dance. He is not subtle with his favors, but he is extremely deft. Chef Armando walks the razor's edge of seasoning on every layer of every dish, and always lives to tell the tale.
I think by this point I have tasted everything on the menu and he knocks everything out of the park. The chef is Cuban and he has retained a number of Cuban classics on the menu and certainly Cuban cuisine informs everything he cooks. I would classify the menu as being very Spanish centric and the wine list likewise Spanish. When you enter, the space has the warm, familiar and simple sophistication of a true European bistro or trattoria. I almost prefer this because it keeps out the riff-raff for whom this sort of thing would be problematic. Let's start with the location, it is in an unassuming strip mall next to a check-cashing convenience. I wrote a stellar review after my first one-of-a-kind visit years back and since its been so long and the place has changed in many ways, I thought it was time for a new review. I am from the Northeast and I have been coming to Candela for 6 years, usually once a year during my annual trip to South Florida. It's not cheap but worth every penny for a wonderful dining experience. It was quiet, well maintained, great service and fabulous food. After our meal they brought us complimentary chilled port. It was dense but not too heavy and the almond didn't over power the flavor of the cake. For our entrees we had steak, muscles, pork tenderloin with blue cheese creama & fig confit and a casserole with chicken, chorizo & potatoes. They brought us a small, complimentary bowl of blistered peppers too with crusty bread. 4 of us shared the arugula, goat cheese & beet salad, shrimp and oyster mushrooms. The food was amazingly delicious, albeit a bit too much garlic and butter but that wasn't a deal breaker. She made recommendations on tapas based on what was fresh and seasonal. The staff was the husband and wife (assuming they're the owners) in which the husband is the chef and the wife waited on us.
Once inside, it's cozy and nicely decorated. First things first, ignore the neighborhood & strip shopping plaza that it's located in. If it hadn't been for a friend who has eaten here before, I never would have known about it.
0 kommentar(er)
