El Recon Criollo Celebrates Cuban Style By Pete Allman

The El Rincon Criollo Restaurant has served the community of Culver City for 45 years. Leo Hernandez, the owner has kept the family tradition, celebrating the lifestyle of Havana, Cuba, with colorful paintings and decorations which are uplifting and give patrons the feeling of being in Havana. The real treat here is the quality of cuisine and the friendly service.

Time for a journey to Havana ,Cuba.. Cuban and Spanish cuisine has a distinct flavor that's spicy, yet so flavorful. Of course, not all the dishes are spicy. In any event I suggest these dishes which my associate, Alex Ayzin, a business broker enjoyed.

Beginning with the appetizers [Aperitivos] the Yucca in garlic sauce is wonderful and the Ham Croquettes [Crouquetas De Jamon]  served with  crispy banana chips is also very tasty.
If your so inclined to enjoy soups, try the  Fish Soup [Sopas Del Dia], which consist of Halibut and ingredients imported from Havana ,Cuba. The Chicken Soup, Black Bean Soup, Seafood Soup and Beef and Vegetable Soup are also sure treats for the palate..

Main entrees for the evening were  Grilled Salmon, [Filete De Salmon] marinated in the chefs own sauce and the Cuban Style Roast Pork, [Lechon Asada]. This dish consisted of shredded pork with onions and sauces.

I must confess, the  beverages  at this establishment are wonderful. The majority are prepared fresh.
Mango, Papaya, Guava, Guanabana, Strawberry, Pineapple, Mamey, Coconut Banana and Chocolate have a great taste, I know, I tried a sample of each . Oh, I must not forget their deserts. The Flan and Cuban cake are to die for.


There's a vast selection of chicken, pork and beef entrees. I would highly recommend checking out the menu at www.bestcubanfood.com or call [310] 397-9295. The hours of operation are 11am-10pm daily.
Celebrity Scene News awards 4 stars for authentic Cuban cuisine and friendly service.

Jamaica Bay Inn's Beachhouse Restaurant-Smashingly Great By Pete Allman

Marina del Rey on Memorial Day is a sight to behold. Why, folks from all over Southern California enjoyed taking to the water, sailing and delighting in some great food choices.

The Beachouse, which is located inside the Jamaica Bay Inn has a scenic view of its beaches, with a nice warm summer breeze. On this occasion, my associate Alex Ayzin who is a business broker had a chance to talk to me about his buyers looking for businesses. Ah, but not without some cocktails and fabulous cuisine established by Exexcutive Chef Allyson Thurber.

First I would suggest Mothers Beach Mai-Tai. It's mixed with Rum, Peach Schnapps, Orange Juice, Cranberry and Pineapple. Alex Ayzin enjoyed the Beachside Margarita, prepared with Tequila, Triple Sec, Sweet and Sour and Lime Juice.. Wow, what a nice way to relax and take care of some business.

When it comes to food, my eyes are bigger then my stomach. I did however manage to devour all the goodies before the afternoon ended. The Sweet Potato Waffle Cut Fries were delicious and the Tempura Fish Tacos were excellent. You can always count on having a fresh selection of fish at the Beachside. Other selections included Bourbon BBQ Baby Back Ribs and Cheese Burger Sliders. The sliders consist of Truffle mayo, crispy bacon and white cheddar. The Ahi Tuna Tartare with marinated  sweet onion and wasabi tobiko with won ton chips were also just as delicious as the Cheese Burger Sliders.

With a little room for desert, there's always a nice selection of Key Lime of sorts. That's the way to end a business meeting and go for a stroll down to the beach.

The happy hour starts at 3:30pm until 7pm daily. Items on the Happy Hour menu are a mere $4.00 to $8.50, with well brand cocktails at $4.00 and specialty Cocktails at $6.00. House wines are $5.00 and the draft beers are $4.00.

The Beachside is located on 14160 Palawan Way in Marina del Rey. Stop by or call for your special event at [310] 439-3033. Tell them Pete Allman sent ya!

Casa Sanchez Mexican Restaurant-Elegant Cuisine and Fabulous Entertainment

By Pete Allman

Los Angeles probably has more Mexican restaurants than any city in the United States. However, Casa Sanchez is certainly the Gem if you will, of all the restaurants I’ve written about that specializes in authentic Mexican cuisine.

The success story of Casa Sanchez begins with its visionary Mr. Raul. Sanchez, who planned for years to provide a supper club with top Mariachi entertainment and a diverse selection of South of the Border cuisine. He did. just that, and used his family recipes which are handed down by generations. This establishment is a family operation, which is very passionate about their cuisine and entertainment.

Casa Sanchez has an elegant entrance, with wrought iron ornaments, beautiful reminant rugs and elegant appointed chairs and tables. The main dining room is complemented with original paintings throughout the dining area, some of which are well noted Mexican historical figures.

My guests for this evening were Tom Hallick, who formerly starred on The Young and Restless as Brad Garret and his wife Yin Jiang, a concert violinist with Andrea Bocelli.

Roberto Chavez, the general manager, a very congenial fellow, greeted us with various appetizers to begin our dining adventure. Scallop and shrimp Ceviche was the first to be served. It serves its purpose in wetting the palate with a citrus fruit base. An excellent choice.

The Sanchez Platter, our second appetizer, consisted of bacon wrapped shrimp, brochetas, calamari, breaded shrimp, quesadillas and chicken taquitos. There is also a vegetarian appetizer, the Quesadilla Vegetariana. All three were exceptional, prepared with roasted green bell pepper, corn, tomatoes, green onions and cilantro served in a tomato sauce. Ah, that was the start of a beautiful evening.

The main entrees served were the Chamorro de Puerco, which is prepared with a baked pork shank served in a bed of white rice. An excellent selection. However the signature dish everyone loves is the  Salmon al Tequila, prepared with grilled salmon with tequila, lime and sautéed shrimp, served with rice and vegetables. This dish has the salmon wrapped in a corn husk to retain the flavor.

Yin Jiang enjoyed the Sole Fish Fillet. The sole fish is stuffed with mushrooms, pico de gallo and cotija cheese in a bed of cilantro, habanero pesto sauce and  garnished with shrimp, complemented with rice and vegetables. Tom Hallick ordered the Rib Eye Steak Bone, which is prepared with a port wine and served with steamed vegetables and spicy chipotle mashed potatoes.

During our dining journey, their where three shows featuring Voces de Mexico. The quality of music here was superb, not to mention their lead singer, Melinda Salcido, who received a Grammy in January when she was performing with The Mariachi Divas.

This was a most enjoyable evening and as Tom Hallick states, "this is the best time I've had in years."  

The Voces de Mexico Mariachi are some of the best musicians I've heard.  The show in itself is production, featuring dancers and a full violin section, with a trumpet section and Spanish guitars.

Returning to our dining engagement, our farewell to the evening consisted with an after-dinner drink and some wonderful deserts. The Tres Leche cake, a very popular desert of Mexico is prepared with egg yokes, baking powder, evaporated milk, condensed milk, vaniila and sugar with maraschino cherries. The Flan is prepared with sugar, caramel, eggs, and some milk. Both these deserts are just right and not so rich like those heavy chocolate cakes. I must say however the Glazed churros were also very good.

During the evening of entertainment, I had the pleasure of introducing Voces de Mexico Mariachi, then having the audience show their appreciation for Melinda Salcido's superb performance of "At Last." As an added attraction, I introduced Tom Hallick, singing "My Way." It was a pleasant way to end our main dining experience.

Casa Sanchez is located on 4500 Centinela Avenue. Hours of operation are from 5-10 Monday-Wednesday, 5-midnight on Friday and Saturday and 4-11pm on Sunday. For anniversaries, or any particular occasion call 310-397-9999.

Celebrity Scene News awards 5 stars to Casa Sanchez for their authentic Mexican cuisine and a wonderful evening of entertainment. Tell them Pete Allman referred you.