Cuban Food and Latin Food Restaurants: Victor's Cafe 52, New York City

Looking for a great Cuban cookbook?
"Three Guys From Miami Cook Cuban" and "Three Guys From Miami Celebrate Cuban"

Jorge: The short answer to that question is yes. Victor's Cafe 52 is beautiful and the equal of some of the better known stars of New York cuisine. With three dining rooms and some great views of the city, Victor's has great atmosphere and excellent Cuban food.

Glenn: If you want a wonderful dining experience in a beautiful location, Victor's won't disappoint you. The bamboo covered walls and furnishings look a lot like Havana in the 50s.

Jorge: Victor Del Corral used to have a very fancy restaurant here in Miami. He took the concept to New York and has been very successful with it.

Glenn: If you ever watch Late Night with David Letterman, you have already heard of Victor's Cafe 52. "Dinner for two at Victor's" is a frequent prize during their many audience participation contests.

Raúl: I always felt that I could make a killing playing that "Know Your Cuts of Meat" game.

Jorge: Just keep in mind that Victor's mid-town Manhattan location (in the heart of the theater district) comes with some pretty stiff lease rates. So his meals have to be priced accordingly. But you will get an excellent Cuban meal for the money.

Raúl: You do get plenty of food here!

Jorge: Although Victor has expanded his menu with several dishes we never saw in Cuba, he has remained true to his Cuban roots, presenting many of the classics of Cuban cuisine. He hasn't gone completely Nuevo Latino, as so many other restaurants have.

A large plate of ropa vieja.

Glenn: Victor's Cafe 52 passes the 3 Guys From Miami lechón test with flying colors. He serves a delicious marinated suckling pig, tender and flavorful. Served in a bed of white rice with garlicky yuca and topped with strips of crispy chicharrones - it's great.

Raúl: They also serve something we love, but rarely see on menus any more: a plantain-battered whole snapper served with fufú.

Glenn: We fell in love with the seafood! They serve several large shrimp in a champagne cream sauce that is really something. I also loved the Cazuela marinera "Paso de los Vientos," a slightly spicy dish filled with seafood: fish, shrimp, scallops, snapper, clams, mussels and blue crab.

All of the dishes have a nice presentation.

Jorge: I especially liked the scallops served with a very tasty black bean salsa. The scallops were tender and juicy and the salsa was a perfect complement.

Raúl: Don't forget the sangria -- it is full of fruit flavor and very refreshing.

Jorge: Other items we recommend include ropa vieja -- nicely spiced and tender, arroz con pollo -- very light with a hint of beer flavor, and pollo en manqué - a boneless, mojo-marinated chicken breast served with fresh green onions, avocado, and tomatoes.

Glenn: We didn't get to try the paella, but some diners at a nearby table told us it was very good. We did get to sample the arroz con pollo -- it has just the right of beer flavor with a lot of tender chicken pieces. A very hearty meal for the overly hungry.

Raúl: Victor's menu has a lot of enticing items. We will definitely have to go back to try some more.

HOURS: Open daily for lunch and dinner from 12:00 PM to 12:00 AM | Friday and Saturday they stay open until 1:00 AM

PRICES: Entrees typically run from $14 to $35.

DRESS: "Business" casual -- no jeans, tennis shoes, etc.

BAR: Full. Try a mojito.

CARDS: Credit cards: American Express, Diners, MasterCard, Visa

Glenn: Here's a dilemma. If you're enjoying the tourist scene in New York, should you pay some really big bucks for a Cuban meal when you can get one for less than half the cost in a nearby New Jersey Cuban restaurant?