Both White Meats

A new Latin/Caribbean-flavored rotisserie joint called Brasa just opened on East Hennepin, about a block East of the Central intersection. The building looks like an old garage with a fresh coat of paint and outdoor seating. On nice days like today they've got the garage door open, creating an open-air vibe inside the restaurant.

The two main dishes are a succulent roast pork and a roasted chicken -- both were great. Alexis ordered the quarter-chicken and they gave her white meat by default, so if you ditch the crispy, mildly seasoned skin you're getting a fairly healthy meal. I ordered the large plate of pork, which closely resembled the dishes you'd get at better Cuban restaurants.

The side dishes, though, are the reason to sit down. The fried plantains were perfectly prepared and, though the fried yucca was a little mushy, I'm just pleased that someplace in NE is serving it. They also offer beans and rice, collard greens and chick peas -- pretty much everything but black beans and rice. I'm sorta glad they don't have frijoles negros, because I'd probably order them sight unseen, not trying the other dishes.

It was lunch-time, so I passed on the beer and wine. But I'm fairly confident I'll be drinking some of Brasa's Negro Modelo and Red Stripe. Mexican soft drinks are also available, so those craving the old-school sugar cane flavor can order the soda by the bottle.