Las Colinas
Las Colinas Restaurant: 2724 N Andrews Ave., Wilton Manors, FL 33311
The Restaurant:
Las Colinas Latin American Food restaurant has been around for many years in Wilton Manors. It used to be one of the most popular Cuban Food restaurants in the area. The staff was always so friendly and inviting and the food was amazing. A few years ago they remodeled part of the restaurant to give it a fresh look, updated the restrooms, etc.. It also changed hands during this time and ended up under new management. And for awhile the new management maintained all the same great things that the local community loved. You would go in on a Friday or Saturday night and the place would be packed with patrons.
It had been a few years since the South Florida Eats team had been here, so we decided to check it out. As we pulled up to Las Colinas, we noticed that the sign must have been damaged by Hurricane Irma as part of it was missing. You can never tell if anyone is inside as the windows are mirrored to try and help keep the bright setting sun out. We walked in and there were only two other patrons at the counter finishing up their meal. We chose a table in the middle of the restaurant away from the ceiling fans and air conditioning vents as it can get cold in there.
It took a few minutes for the waitress to notice us and come over with menus and take our drink order. She really wasn’t an outgoing personality type, and hardly smiled, except for my bad attempt are pronouncing the names of dishes in Spanish that we wanted to order. The entire time that we ate our meal, only one other person came in and sat down to eat dinner, and another came in for a cortadito. It also took us forever to get our bill at the end as the two waitresses were more interested in talking to each other than us.
The Food:
This was actually the one bright spot of Las Colinas. We started off with the traditional Cuban bread with garlic butter, that is then pressed down on a panini press. Jerry decided on having his favorite Nicaraguan Charbroiled Steak. This steak is pound flat to make it nice and thin, then it is marinated with seasonings and cooked to perfection. You get to choose two sides and he chose the Moros rice and Maduros (sweet plantains). He said that is was just as flavorful as always and he really enjoyed the meal.
I originally ordered the Masas de Puerco, however they were out of it. Not sure how that happens, but I went with my backup. The Lechon Asado or roasted pork. They marinated the pork in a brine for quite sometime which makes it very tender. Then they roast it and sort of shred it. Then they mix in onions and drizzle some of the brine over it for extra flavor. You also get two sides with this dish and I chose Papas Fritas (French Fries) and Maduros (sweet plantains). It was a very tasty meal and I also enjoy mine very much. If it was just for the food we would definitely recommend Las Colinas, but since we look at more than that, I don’t recommend it.
Pricing: $ – for breakfast, $$- lunch or dinner, depending on what you order
