“Paseo Boricua Dining comes to Uptown”

***** Over the years of doing restaurant reviews, I have discovered that Chicago is a city where dining spots may come and go, but flavors and quality always “triumph”. I have also learned that there are many hidden gems in neighborhoods that one might seem not likely to have anything special. As Jane and I drove into the city tonight, again, caught up in the terrible traffic that exists, she kept saying “this place better be worth the trip”. When we arrived in Uptown, we found that our destination was in a small strip center surrounded by a laundry, cleaning shop  and a sub sandwich diner .Parking was somewhat limited but the street parking ( metered) was plentiful.

We entered Marinas Bistro & Rum Bar, were greeted and taken to our table. The space is limited in seating, but is a warm and cozy place to dine. There is no sports TV screens and only a few bar stools at the bar. There are probably 8 tables, mostly of two ( this is a great place for a romantic dinner) and tonight was a night where they had a guitar player adding some delightful music to an already nice atmosphere. Our host, Chef/owner Eric Roldan made sure that everything was perfect.

We ordered some Puerto Rican drinks as I truly believe “when in Rome do as the Romans do” applies here as “when in Puerto Rico, do as the Puerto Ricans do”. Most of us are used to driving to Division Street west of Western for the true flavor of Puerto Rico, but believe it or not, Humboldt Park does not have a monopoly on the flavors of Puerto Rico- Uptown has captured the authenticity as well as the flavors right on Wilson and Magnolia!

For our beverages, we had the  El Viejo San juan ((Don Q Coco, Don Q Pina, Coconut Cream and pineapple) and the Calle Loiza (Don Q Crisat, Don Q Passion, Mango, Lime, soda and Culantro). Both were delicious and gave us that tropical feeling despite being in Uptown in October!

They  brought us some plaintain chips  with aiola to snack on with our drinks and then we followed with the Queso Frito con Tamarindo ( fried cheese with tamarind sauce)- quite tasty!

For our entree’s we selected  from the MAINS, the Bistec Encebollado ( stewed steak with onion and seasoning) served with a whte rice and beans, but this dish is also available as Mofongo ( with no sides) and the other, Pollo Al Ajillo ( marinated garlic halal chicken thighs) with beans and Puerto Rican rice. Both of these portions were more than one could eat ( hurray, we have lunch for tomorrow). Since we had so many plaintains last week, we opted to skip having more and do the two type of rice and beans instead. We were very surprised at the flavors we were experiencing. Every bite was a wonderful experience, reminding me of not only Division and the Paseo Boricua, but of my trip to Puerto Rico many years ago.

To finish the evening off, we opted for two of the desserts offered. The Budin de Pam ( warm bread pudding with a home made ice cream inside) TO DIE FOR and the amazing Quesitos ( sweet cream cheese filled pastries served with a guava sauce) AMAZING!

FYI- By the time we were finished, every table had diners, loving every bite of every dish ordered.

Marinas Bistro is located at 4554 N. Magnolia ( at Wilson Avenue) in Uptown.

The phone number is 773-739-9161

website www.marinasbistrochicago.com

The hours are:

• Sunday
  12:00 PM – 10:00 PM
• Monday
  Closed
• Tuesday
  4:00 PM – 10:00 PM
• Wednesday
  4:00 PM – 10:00 PM
• Thursday
  4:00 PM – 10:00 PM
• Friday
  4:00 PM – 10:00 PM
• Saturday
  12:00 PM – 10:00 PM