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Laurel Latin Cuisine

Written By Scott Joseph On August 17, 2017

Laurel cuban interior

There’s something about the name Laurel Latin Cuisine that I find quite forgettable. And that’s not good for a restaurant that’s hidden off the main thoroughfare, tucked in the back of a building on Park Avenue. So when I arranged to meet a friend for lunch in Winter Park, I said, “Let’s go to that new restaurant.”

“Fine,” she said, “what’s the name?”

“I can’t remember,” I responded, “but it’s where Paris-Bistro used to be.”

“Paris Bistro is gone?” She was shocked, even though she works just a few blocks away. That might help to explain why Paris-Bistro is gone.

“Only since April,” I told her.

We met at the designated time at whatsitsname.

Now that I’ve eaten there, I think I’ll have an easier time remember Laurel Latin Cuisine.

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The menu is an amalgam of several Latin American countries. And not all of it is necessarily authentically presented, but that didn’t matter — everything I sampled was delicious.

Laurel cuban

Take the Cuban sandwich, for instance. Laurel’s had the requisite roast pork, ham and swiss cheese, as well as the absolutely necessary dill pickle slices and slather of yellow mustard. But it was served on a baguette instead of Cuban bread. And there didn’t seem to be a press involved.

But that didn’t matter. It was a good sandwich, mainly because of the ample portion of meats (and those tangy pickles). The sandwich was accompanied by addictive plantain chips.

Laurel pie

I also had the Pastel de Pescado, or pulled fish pie, mainly because I thought it would be fun to type those words. This was similar in construction to a Greek moussaka, but instead of eggplant it had chunks of green plantains. And instead of lamb there was fish. And there were potatoes. OK, it was nothing like a moussaka, but it was topped with bechamel, and it was quite delicious. (Might have been served just a tad hotter.) It was accompanied by a mesclun salad mix.

Laurel cassava

For a starter, Casabe con Nata and its description of cassava with cream caught my eye. Cassava, of course is yuca, which I love, and cream is cream, of which I am also fond. But what was served was nothing like I was expecting. The cassava had been pounded and turned into a sort of flatbread. The “cream” was a creamy dipping sauce. I was disappointed, but only until I tasted it. I liked it a lot. The bread, topped with herbs and cheese, had a sort of crumbly texture. I’d love to try this with other toppings.

Laurel empanada

The Empanadas were also a bit different from some others you may have had. Instead of a flaky turnover pastry, these were slightly more doughy, almost like an arepa texture. Inside was well seasoned ground beef and cheese. A cilantro dipping sauce was provided but really not needed.

Service was friendly, accommodating and attentive. Of course, with only one other table occupied, our server’s attention wasn’t too divided.

Laurel interior

Nothing much has changed in the space since Paris-Bistro left. It still looks more like a Parisian cafe than a Latin bodega. And that’s fine, though some tabletop decor might help cheer the place up a bit.

Laurel Latin Cuisine was a pleasant surprise. It’s a nice addition to the ever-changing restaurant scene on Park Avenue. If you’re in the area, remember its name.

Laurel Latin Cuisine is at 216 Park Ave. N., Winter Park. It is open for lunch and dinner Tuesday through Sunday. The phone number is 407-671-4424.

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