Ay, Feasters! What a gwan? .....We're just taken our swollen appetites over to Caribe Caribbean Bistro on Raymond Ave in St. Paul. Caribe, which translates to Caribbean Sea. Opened in April of 2010 at the hands of Tony and Heidi Panelli, who's passion for Caribe and Caribbean food was apparent by the time we were finished. Sharone Lemieux, aka. Dining Room Diva and front of the house manager, did a spot on job describing the menu as if the recipes were hers. Her personality, energy, and hospitality was as if you were in the Caribbean and had me already wanting to come back before I had even tasted the food. Let's get down to business.............
Conch Fritters-Served with banana ketchup and pickapeppa remouladeHaving already tasted Conch, which is extremely tough but has a sweet mild clam flavor, I was worried. The Conch Fritters, at Caribe, were properly tenderized and offered crispy, creamy and chewy textures. The flavor was slightly sweet and seemed to me like the perfect Caribbean junk food with an elegant twist. The sweet and savory sauces were a nice compliment. 3.5 out of 5 forks
Doubles
Trinidadian sandwich made with fried bread and stuffed with channa, a curried chickpea mixture. Topped with jerked banana and mango chutney and a side of hot pepper sauce.
A lot going on in this popular Trinidadian street food . Sweet, salty and spicy when adding the hot pepper sauce. Flaky, yet chewy. Hot pepper sauce was intense and the mango chutney tasted fresh and gave the dish some sweetness. 3.5 out 5 forks
Grilled Cuban Sandwich
Roasted pulled pork, smoked ham,Swiss cheese, mustard and pickles on Cuban bread.
Whether you eat it or smoke it, everybody loves a good Cuban. Caribe's version of the Cuban was very good. The meat was juicy, I felt the mustard, cheese was gooey, and noticed the crunch of the pickle. I was one of the better cubans I have had. 4 out of 5 forks
Mofongo Special of the Day
Classic Puerto Rican dish made with plantains that are first fried,
then mashed with garlic, salt pork, olive oil, salt, and pepper,
using a mortar and pestle; then stuffed.
I initially thought the server swore at me when describing this Puerto Rican dish. Filling for this dish vary and included pulled pork when we were enjoying it. Very unique dish which came with kidney beans and white rice. The mashed plantains formed a helmet over the pulled pork and rice. The flavorful beans, mashed plantains and rice made this a filling dish. Pulled pork was nice and moist. Not an overly flavorful dish compared to the other but a fun dish nonetheless 3.5 out of 5 forks.l
Caribe was unexpected treat. The food was good and atmosphere fun and service was good and fun. Don't pass this place without stopping. It is a refreshing and fun culinary treat.