Latin Cabana, Long Island City

The seasoned chefs at Latin Cabana concoct plates of authentic homestyle Cuban cuisine. Sides include fried green plantains and a spread of spanish guava and cheese patties that pair fruit and dairy more harmoniously than a still life painted in fondue. The daily specials and house specialties match tender, seasoned meats with savory accompaniments, such as roast pork with yellow rice and black beans, or a chicken breast dressed in a jacket of breading and flanked by cassava and salad. Desserts offer sweet endings with options such as a creamy vanilla custard or the shredded coconut with cheese, made from top-secret coconuts that had to be destroyed. Shakes, or batidos, visit the taste of tropical fruit onto taste buds, with selections such as mamey, papaya, or tamarindo.