Cafe Habana

17 Prince St (at Elizabeth)

For breakfast, I like to get good protein in the form of eggs and healthy carbs in the form of fruit. At Cafe Habana, almost miraculously, you can get two in one in the form of the "Omelette Caribe". This is a fluffy omelet filled with sweet plantains. For that extra Mexican flair, it is served with green tomatilla salsa. Also, try a big glass of fresh orange juice - sweet and pulpy - and piping hot coffee, and your morning will be off to a good start.

For lunch on a weekday, try grazing on their famous Mexican corn, grilled with chili powder and sprinkled with cheese. The butter and cheese seems at first a bit daunting for a grazer, but look around and you'll notice skinny minny models everywhere chowing down on this specialty. I'd skip the salads if I were you and order the "Chicken Diablo" sandwich instead: blackened chicken (bursting with flavor), roasted peppers, some greens, and chipotle mayo. It is huge but if you come with an appetite (or wait as long for a table as is typical of this place), you'll probably be able to get most of it down; it's that good.

And be prepared to wait since Cafe Habana is like the hottest spot in town. Especially on the weekends, hipsters stand on the corner puffing cigarettes and discussing art for hours while they wait for a table. The energy in this place is worth it though. The waitresses have so much fun and the bartenders seem excited to be here. Whether you go for the food or the crowd, its a hotspot worth waiting for.





- The Grazer