There are times when I simply want to go around the neighborhood at night and discover hidden gems. So after one busy work week, I dragged my wife for a walk along the side streets of Salcedo Village in Barangay Bel-Air. Halfway through our stroll, we found this curious little eatery. Its sign emblazoned with the words: "Puerto Rican Food". Aha, new discovery! Inside, a very intimate ambiance received us. As soon as we got seated, we decided to get more into character by speaking Spanish. My wife is a bonafide Spanish translator, while I learned my stuff via a creole version called Chavacano from Zamboanga City. And yes, we do understand each other most of the time. Even if my words are often reduced to nothing more than "Si, si! Uh-huh, si!" Our chat caught the attention of the owner, Ms. Millie Gutierrez. She asked us if we were from Latin America. Must have been my looks. Ms. Millie was very accommodating. She gave us her recommendations on the best items on the menu. For appetizer, my wife asked for Beef Empanadas with Guava Sauce. The empanadas were not that different from the local version. But the guava sauce was genius! Meanwhile, I asked for Bolitas de Mofongo. Its description says it's plantain balls with garlic and chicharron. Chicharron? Say no more. For our main, I ordered what looked like Arroz ala Cubana. Actually, it was Lechon Asado, Boricua-style. It's succulent pork marinated in special mojo sauce. The plate comes complete with red beans and rice, plus fried plantain. "Good choice!" Ms. Millie said. "But did you know Arroz ala Cubana and other variants originated in Puerto Rico? The plantain says it all. Puerto Rican cuisine uses plantain in most of its aspects." The Puerto Rican Albondigas or meatballs was an attraction for my wife and she loved it. There was no more room for dessert, but Ms. Millie pressed us to try the Sopa Borracha, on the house. It's cake soaked in Bacardi rum. We went home a bit tipsy. read more