- Looking for the Best Cuban cookbook?
- "Three Guys From Miami Celebrate Cuban" and "Three Guys From Miami Cook Cuban"
The demise of Ay Mama Ines has left a big hole in the Miami dining landscape.
Do we really need another sports bar??
Jorge Castillo: We have to give credit to our good friend Fabiola Santiago at the Miami Herald for discovering Ay Mama Ines before we did.
Glenn Lindgren: However, since she discovered this great restaurant, which is located within a mile of both Jorge and Raúl's houses, we've become regulars. I think Jorge holds the record -- he's been bringing everyone there!
Raúl Musibay: In Cuba, Ay Mamá Inés (Ay Mama Ines) is a very popular children's nursery song. Everyone who grew up in Cuba knows this song.
Glenn Lindgren: The restaurant, like its namesake, is all about Cuban criolla (Creole) cooking. Comida criolla is the less sophisticated "country-style" cooking that is the heart and soul of true Cuban cuisine. For comparison, think of the typical haute cuisine of an upscale Manhattan restaurant and compare it to the simpler fare of a regional restaurant like a Kansas City barbecue, or a Louisiana Cajun restaurant.
Jorge Castillo: OK, OK, they get the idea. Let's talk about the food!
Raúl Musibay: I love it!
Glenn Lindgren: I think it's safe to say that we all love the food at Ay Mamá Inés. To start they have a rather long list of appetizers in the tapas tradition of Spain. The manchego cheese is the ultimate Spanish cheese. Order this with a plate of jamón Serrano, or Spanish style chorizo in sherry and you have the beginnings of a great meal.
Jorge Castillo: Ay Mama Ines also has several more typically Cuban appetizers, the croquetas are excellent, crispy rolls with a great ham filling and the tamales are delicious.
Raúl Musibay: Get the "entremés mixto" -- the appetizer plate. You get a taste of everything.
Glenn Lindgren: If you are really hungry, get the house basket, it's like the "entremés mixto" on steroids. In fact, they call this order "a que no te atreves," or "to those who dare." You get a huge platter of appetizers including several varieties of croquetas, tender masitas of pork and chicken, frituras of cod, mariquitas and fried calamari -- just to name a few.
Jorge Castillo: On a recent Sunday afternoon, Glenn, nephew Neil and I had another great lunch at Ay Mama Ines. I had the Latin version of chicken Cordon Bleu, here called the Bistec Uruguayo a la Habanero "descarga de son" or Uruguayan breaded chicken steak. You get a tender chicken breast stuffed with mozzarella cheese, and ham and then lightly breaded and fried.
Jorge Castillo: Our nephew Neil had the Tasajo en Penca, a great rendition of tasajo.
Raúl Musibay: Tasajo is one of my favorites.
Glenn Lindgren: Most restaurants serve tasajo in a tomato-based Creole sauce. Here the tasajo is lightly sautéed with spices and served on a plantain leaf. The result is a crispy, yet tender meat that is rich in beef flavor.
Jorge Castillo: Other dishes we've enjoyed here include the zarzuela de mariscos, a wonderful seafood dish with lobster, shrimp, squid, mussels, scallops, and fish. The masitas de pollo are tender chicken chunks in your choice of presentations: fried, garlic sauce, or Creole sauce.
Raúl Musibay: I love the chicken with guava sauce. It takes 25 minutes to make but it is worth the wait.
Glenn Lindgren: If you are really hungry or just want the ultimate Cuban dining experience, you might want to consider the El Guateque Mamá Inés. You get the complete meal: salad, soup, a selection of grilled meats, moros, frijoles negros, maduros, fufú, and tostones. It's all you can eat!
Jorge Castillo: And dessert too. You get your choice of flan , natilla, arroz con leche, and a cuban café.
Raúl Musibay: They make good Cuban breakfasts. Simple dishes that Cubans love. I really like their tortilla criolla with tomatoes, onions, green pepper, and chorizo. They serve it with toasted Cuban bread and café con leche, and yes, you are supposed to dunk the bread in the coffee.
Glenn Lindgren: If you are in the restaurant when the Three Guys are there, be prepared for a little entertainment. Jorge always insists that everyone at the table sing the Ay Mamá Inés song before dinner.
Jorge Castillo: They have all of the words printed on the menu, so feel free to sing along.
ATMOSPHERE: A little dressy, NOT a place for jeans and t-shirts.
PRICES: Moderate -- entrees starting in the $15.00 range.
HOURS: Monday - Thursday 8:00 AM to 10:30 PM | Fridays 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM | Saturday and Sunday 9:00 AM to 11:00 p.m
CREDIT CARDS: MasterCard, Visa, American Express
BAR: Beer , wine, and limited cocktails.
Yes, You Can Cook Cuban Food! It's Easy!
We Show You How in Two Great Miami Cuban cookbooks:
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- The best Miami Cuban cookbooks with simple, easy-to-follow recipes for everyday meals and wonderful parties. Save 34% off list price.
