543 LaGuardia Place (between W. 3rd and Bleecker Sts.) 212-777-6500 www.favelacubana.com
Brazilian, Cuban. Yeah, the bar stools are bongos. I didn’t see that coming or expect to be this blown away by the amazing dishes served at Favela Cubana. The lula frita (calamari, shrimp, pickled onion, chili aioli) was fresh and incredibly refreshing while the chicken empanadas were some of the best I have ever encountered.
Steak is taken to a whole different level with their Cajun NY strip (corn on the cob, asparagus, sweet potato fries), its Cajun-ness enhancing an already tasty piece of beef. Stick around for dessert and you will be outrageously rewarded. I gravitated to the brownie (walnuts, vanilla ice cream) but requested a separate dish of chocolate and strawberry for good measure. Each flavor so creamily delicious, I decided those extra scoops needed quality time with the brownie. Moments later it was all gone and very deeply mourned. Everything about this place is right and no one would blame you for dashing over to the bar to bang out a conga solo in appreciation.