Coco Roco - Park Slope

I feel like I have neglected this blog lately. I've been studying for the LEED exam (sustainable design certification), and it just took over my life these last few weeks. The good news is that I passed and I now get to put the super nifty LEED AP title after my name. The bad news is that my apartment is falling apart and needs to be put back together, and now I am back to full time job hunting. blegh

Still, yesterday was a great day. I took the exam, managed to inadvertently insult the proctor while singing in, became convinced halfway through that I must be failing, received my passing score, stared at the computer screen for a solid five minutes in disbelief, and proceeded to excitedly walk back home all the way from Brooklyn Heights (about 40 minutes). I felt like this weight had been lifted off my shoulders, a monkey off my back, of however that weird expression works. I'd been holding my breath for a solid month, and the feeling of oxygen seemed to confuse my lungs.

Of course I celebrated by having some wine at home. Nate was still at work, but since when has that stopped anyone? One of the perks of being self employed is that ability to make scheduling adjustments for any personal, um, needs.

I later convinced Nate we should celebrate a Coco Roco, a Park Slope Peruvian restaurant that we hadn't been to in a while. I was seriously craving some Pollo a la Brasa (also known as Rotisserie Chicken); which is weird, because my family did not eat pollo a la brasa in Peru (my dad didn't care for it, said it was too hard to eat with all the bones.) So it's not like this craving came from a childhood comfort food place.

We ordered Pisco Sours, I got Pollo a la Brasa with french fries, and Nate Lomo Saltado. The drinks were great- sweet, tasty and strong, just like they should be. It's not a good Pisco Sour unless you think you are drinking lemonade and then realize you are buzzed.

The food didn't fare as well. The chicken was juicy and tender, but the soggy fries left a lot to be desired. The roast chicken is supposed to be their specialty, and I can see why. Nate's meat was tasty, but the rice felt dry and under seasoned. And seriously, this is a Peruvian restaurant, rice quality is of the essence. I found his dish disappointing, because Lomo Saltado is one of those things that should be hard to mess up. I've had it before though, and it was good, so maybe their rice maker was broken yesterday or something.

Fun side factoid though, Tuesdays are the token free Salsa lesson days. Must be an attempt to rev up business on the slow part of the week. And it must not be working because there were only about 6 full tables. A couple of tables joined the instructors for lessons, and I wish we had gotten up and learned some fun turns. But Nate had to get back early, and we left shortly after finishing our food. He promised that next time we go, we can make more of a night and stay for free lessons.

I want him to learn more moves so that we can latin dance at our wedding. Silly me, but it seems important.

Coco Roco
392 Fifth Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11215

interior photo courtesy of Kate Attardo and New York Magazine