Neighborhood: Mount Airy
Parking: Street parking only.
Handicap access: Wheelchair accessible through side entrance.
Handicap access: Wheelchair accessible through side entrance.
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When the economy came crashing down in 2009, it brought Kim and Edgar Alvarez's crab cakes with them - at least for a moment.
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Cuisine type: Latin American
Meals Served:
Brunch
Dinner
Style:
A Latino flair has breathed fresh life into the Colonial stone bones of the old Cresheim Cottage, where husband-and-wife team of Edgar and Kim Alvarez have brightened the rooms and conjured a menu inspired by Edgar's native Guatamala. The food uses good ingredients for simple but satisfying New American presentations, with bright flavors and neighborhood-friendly prices ($20 or less an entree) that should make Mount Airy happy.
Specialties:
Black bean soup; queso fondido with chorizo; grilled octopus; calamari; ceviche; crab cakes; pork pibil; snapper with tomatillo sauce; pacu ribs with tamarind sauce; peach upside down cake; copa de horchata.
Alcohol:
There's a very small but affordable list of wines with a South American and Spanish focus, including good choices from Crios (Torrontes, $35) and Paul Hobbs El Felino ($45). Rums (including good Guatamalan Zacapa), tequilas and tropical cocktails, though, are most popular, although the mixed drinks lean sweet. The golden margarita and caipirinha were favorites.
Weekend noise:
A very, very loud 90 decibels inside makes patio dining sound like a pleasant idea. (Ideal is 75 decibels or less.)
Hours: Dinner Tuesday through Thursday, 5-9:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, until 10 p.m.; Sunday, until 9 p.m. Sunday brunch, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Closed Monday.
Reservations: Recommended
Prices:
$15 to $20
First, Cuba now Avenida? Craig, you must be on the "take"? both of these Germantown Ave. restaurants are bunk. I will no longer be taking you, or your chat seriously. **Cuba will be closed in 2 months, and Avenida just received a lifeline gift from Mr. LaBan, so they may stay on life support until spring of next year.... Craig you may be a little to recognizable now..servers and cooks know when you are in the restaurant...Time to "come out"..or join PHILADELPHIA MAGAZINE and we will all know that you can be bought...