Las Dos Islas Restaurant
Formerly known as El Coqui, Las Dos Islas offers American and Latin food. Simple wooden furniture and whitewashed walls give the place a cozy, homey feeling. The cuisine hails from both Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, hence the name Las Dos Islas--the two Islands. Ropa Vieja, shredded fried beef eaten with rice and vegetables, and Mofongo, a dish made out of plantain fruit are both popular offerings. Flan is a popular dessert at this restaurant, along with rice pudding, known as arroz con leche.
518 East Memorial Boulevard
Lakeland, FL 33801-1844
(863) 682-2111
http://www.lasdosislasrest.com/
Copacabana
"If it's not on the menu, ask your waitress," is what the Copacabana states on its menu. However, offering a wide variety of dishes from the Dominican Republic and other Latin-Caribbean islands--most customers, will find something to suit their tastes. Popular dishes are the Cuban stuffed potato, shrimp stuffed with plantain. Copacabana's even offers a breakfast menu. Dishes are traditionally served with sides of beans or rice and there is also a drinks menu offering beer and wine.
4193 Mariner Blvd.
Spring Hill, FL 34608
352-683-0935
La Nueva Cabana
La Nueva's decor may be plain but the menu offers a variety of both Dominican and Cuban dishes. Even some of the canned and bottled sodas hail from that region, offering flavors not usually seen in American beverages. As lunch is the most important meal in the Dominican Republic there is a large lunch menu offering specialties like "La Bandera Dominca", consisting of meet, beans, rice and a side of plantains. Baked chicken is popular, as well as adventurous dishes such as stewed pig's feet and a tomato soup with pork and tripe.
La Nueva Cabana
48 31st St. N, St. Petersburg,
(727) 327-8108
