Cuban Food and Latin Food Restaurants: Mojito Cafe Western, Seattle Washington

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

Glenn: The Mojito Cafe Western is a second location of the original, now called La Casa del Mojito in Seattle's Lake City Way.

Jorge:The food and drink recipes all have their origins in the work of Luigi Valenciana, who with two partners, started this second outlet in 2003.

Raúl: Unfortunately, the partnership dissolved some time ago. However, the food and the atmosphere here remain more or less the same as the original.

Glenn: Cafe Mojito does have one thing going for it -- more space.

Jorge: Like the original, Cafe Mojito in more Pan-Latin than Cuban. Locals rave about the Cuban sandwiches for lunch here, and they serve a pretty authentic classic Cuban and a "Mojito sandwich," a less traditional take on the classic -- both are quite good.

Raúl: They also take their sandwich press into previously uncharted realms with the "Sauteed sandwich" a vegetarian special with zucchini, carrots, mushrooms, and red peppers sautéed with a cilantro green pepper glaze. I've never seen that before!

Jorge: If you'd like to start with a salad, the Ensalada de Palmito is a unique salad of palm hearts, tomatoes, and avocados in olive oil and lime juice.

Glenn: The Sopa del Dia (soup of the day) is also a good choice. The selection varies, but the soups tend to be savory and chock full of meats and vegetables.

Jorge: Dinner presents several additional choices. The Parilla de Luigi is tri-tip sirloin, marinated in garlic infused citrus juice.

Raúl: The Bistec a Caballo is a thin-cut steak marinated with a Colombian/Venezuelan-influenced marinade. Like the typical Colombian bandeja, it's served with a fried egg on top.

Glenn: The other standards here include lechon asado, tender roast pork in a garlicky mojo and chuletas de puerco, nicely cooked and prepared pork chops -- Latin style.

Raúl: Don't forget the pollo al la parilla -- a beautifully grilled half chicken served with guasacaca -- a Venezuelan style guacamole sauce.

A fun place to hang out in a tropical setting -- a great escape on a grey Seattle day in the winter.

Glenn: Now the final question: should you eat at Cafe Mojito or stick with the original restaurant, now called La Casa del Mojito?

Raúl: We guess it depends on how mobile you are. If you are staying in a hotel near downtown, Cafe Mojito may be easier to get to.

Jorge: However if you have a car, either restaurant is easy to get to. The parking can be a little tighter at Cafe Mojito, although neither place has a giant parking lot.

Glenn: Hey, just play it by ear! You're bound to get a very good meal and a good time at either location!