In response to boogeyboyatu, we don't know where to begin either. Perhaps by saying we are Cuban, born in Cuba, of Cuban parents and we definitely know what Cuban food is supposed to taste like as well. First of all, the cornbread or as mami used to call it ""pan de maiz Cubano"", that she served at every Noche Buena, is a Cuban staple. We don't know which Province your parents are from but in Matanzas and Havana, pan de maiz was part of our meals. If you would like the recipe in Spanish we can provide that for you. The taste of the pulled pork is flavorful and everyone that I know that has eaten it has remarked that it is very good. As far as the plantains go, yes it's true that sometimes they are ""maduro"". However, plantains aren't as plentiful in Virginia as they are in Miami. When your wife asked the waitress for ""maduros"" since she was in Virginia, being served by an American who is accustomed to waiting on English speaking Americans, why didn't she say ""ripened"" fried plantains? I think the waitress would have understood that, don't you? Having lived in Miami, we can also attest to the fact that there are only a few Cuban restaurants that we determined were worth patronizing. After all, every Cuban knows that the best Cuban food is served at home. At least there is a good Cuban restaurant in this area that introduces Virginians to Cuban food and Cuban music in a nice atmosphere. If you want more than one real Cuban restaurant to choose from, then we would suggest going back in time to pre 1959 Cuba, the Cuba that we knew!
more