El Rincon Criollo

Something about El Rincon Criollo reminds us of a café you’d find in Key West, where everyone wears their favorite Tommy Bahamas and silently suffers through an excruciating sunburn as they sip on their third mojito of the day. Maybe it’s the dangling fishing nets on the ceiling or its vibrant tropical decor, but this spot really transports us somewhere that’s certainly not Culver City. The food here, by the way, also happens to be very tasty, with special recognition being awarded to their excellent lechon asado. This slow-roasted pork dish is juicy, crispy, and tangy from the garlic mojo sauce that coats the tender meat. Besides the usual rice, black beans, and plantains, it’s finished off with a hefty serving of grilled onions on top that soak up all the acidic juices from that mojo sauce we love so much.