This foodie paradise report is inspired by my girlfriend Deborah Burroughs, an Agent/Loan Officer in Vista, CA. We enjoy sharing a lot of information about our home towns and she has just added a wonderful addition to her Volcano Plug series which you can read here. Deborah, besides supplying some wonderful photographs to take you on a virtual tour of the area, talks about the history of Oceanside and mentions several foodie paradise spots of her own with gorgeous sea scape views. I figured I give her a little New York eye candy: an interior city scape view starting with a gorgeous, kid friendly place to eat with a lot of atmosphere.

Open from 11AM to 11PM every day, the Cocina Latina Bar ad Grill is located at 125-22 Queens Blvd, Kew Gardens NY 11415 (718) 577-9800. It is one of my favorite places to eat because the menu is outstanding and the prices very reasonable. (BTW, they do home delivery, people. Yay! Gourmet food on the run! How cool is that?) Cocina Latina is so close to home that leaving Briarwood to enter Kew Gardens is as simple as crossing to the other side of Queens Blvd. As a Work-at-home-Mom (WAHM), the fact that we don't have far to go when we are in the mood for some great food at a child friendly establishment is a huge plus in my book. I give it four thumbs up! (e.g. Carol, Michael, Stephen and Noah with big, cool aid grins!) The truth is, you may find me there more quickly there than you'd find me sitting in my REMAX People Realty office. It is a great place to meet with clients and a lovely, relaxing spot to work on my laptop.

Little people do not normally sit at the bar, but Stephen has a thing for the ladies employed here and he likes to pick out his mint candy on his own. Everything constructed at C.L. is hand crafted by my neighbor and good friend Thomas Valdez. He's a partner in a wonderful design firm that does excellent work and the C.L. is slated to be showcased on cable television sometime in September. The wood, stone and plaster work is truly amazing. There are so many lovely details one should really stop by to enjoy this type of eye candy up close and personal while soaking in a fine dining experience. You will not be disappointed by the menu, for there are so many excellent meals to choose from. The "Empanadas de Pollo/Carne" and the "Costillitas de Cerdo" (slow roasted baby back ribs in a pineapple guava glazed served with slaw) are a must have! The "Chuttasco a la Brasa" (grilled skirt steak with three chimichurri sauces, served with yuca cheese fries, tomato red onion cilantro salad) is a very tasty foodie paradise meal, indeed. My hubby is a "Filet Mignon" man, and Cocina Latina does this dish proud, for it is served with garlic mashed potatoes and sauteed with mushrooms and brandy sauce. Mmm...

The leather bench is also a custom job that runs along the wall from one end to the other of C.L. It is very comfortable and I always make it a point to sit against the wall when I am enjoying my meal. Stephen's favorite dish is the rice and black beans. Mine is anything on the menu (except Calamari and only because I just don't eat that. It's a personal pref, not a negative to anyone else and certainly not to Cocina Latina).

The Blur Minion was on a lunch date with his two favorite women and all wiggly grins when hugged by my girlfriend Susana. He loves salsa music and spent most of the meal dancing in his high chair. Susana had  the "Salmon al Horno, Encrostado en Yuca" which was divine! I'm talking roasted salmon with yuca and plaintains crusted grilled pineapple sauce - yummy! I went for my favorite which is "Chicken Quesadilla" with mozzarella, cheese, beans, sour cream, guacamole and cilantro sauce. Of course, Stephen got a taste of both of our meals while  enjoying his side order of rice and black beans. If you are ever in Kew Gardens or Briarwood, the Cocina Latina Bar and Grill is a must see and do for your foodie paradise pleasure. Just cross Queens Blvd onto the opposite side from the Court House and Maple Grove Park. You can't miss it.

Here's a little eye candy of Thomas Valdez's work. Enjoy!