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Authentic
Latin (Cuban) cuisine
Served
at Naked Fish Restaurants
Did
you know that many ethnic restaurants (particularly
Chinese, Mexican, and Indian) serve dishes that
literally don't exist in these countries or are not
cooked the way the natives eat them? It's
marketing at its best. Food served to American
consumers the way they like it rather than the way it
really is. This time I will discuss a chain of
restaurants (currently limited to Massachusetts) that
goes by the rather tempting name of "Naked
Fish". (Related article: Cuban
restaurant Azucar in New York City)
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 How did I get introduced
to Latin cuisine?
Since my
wife is a Latina
(not from Cuba, though), I have always been interested
in Latin cuisine. I had one seen what looked like
ugly Cuban sandwiches at Miami Airport and that was it
until one day (when we were trying to settle down in the
Boston area) after a long morning looking at houses in
the Natick area, we ended up in front of new restaurant
coming up. Being adventurous, we walked in and so
began our culinary relationship with the restaurant.
(Related article: How
to buy a home without a realtor?)
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What do we like about Cuban cuisine
at the Naked Fish?
Since
2001, we have been to the restaurant several times and
tried many of their dishes. We are literally
hooked now. In fact, we no longer go to Mexican
restaurants, at least not the ones that are frequented
by Americans. My wife tries to find small
restaurants that are known mostly by the immigrant
community and while the ambiance may be missing, the
food is far more authentic.
The Naked
Fish, though, is a different place altogether. It
is not for you if your idea of Latin cuisine is dishes
that are simply hot and full of cheese. The food
here is rich in flavor and is very delicately
cooked. Using simply olive oil, lemon juice and herbs, on the fish and meats, the restaurant makes the cooking simple but tasty.
(Related:
Enchilada recipe)
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For
appetizers, try Crispy
Coconut Calamari and for the main
course, I recommend either Paella Velenciana, Chicken Paillard
or Setas y Vieiras or Pan-Seared Mahi Mahi. For
sides, my favorites are Sautéed Golden “Maduros” Plantains,
Grilled Asparagus, and Orange Scented Black Beans and Brazilian Rice. Forget
the wine list unless you have a compelling reason to
drink a glass of wine. This is a place to try the
Cuban cocktails. Some of the ones that I recommend
are Latin Love (Frozen blend of raspberry, pineapple & coconut, laced with banana
and coconut rums), Habana Colada (Cruzan Pineapple & Coconut Rums, mango and pineapple juice
frozen and topped with coconut), and Blue Cuban (Cruzan Pineapple Rum, Blue Curacao & tropical fruit juices,
topped with coconut).
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