As I wake, to a clean boat and a cool north east breeze cascading through open hatches I realize I’m craving something. It’s Saturday morning. Mel and Jet have been out of town for two long weeks and are on their way home. I… have a free morning. Varnish is done, Laundry is done and I’m outta almond milk. I’m not drinking black coffee today. No, it’s time for a con leche and I know just the place!
Anyone who’s ever stepped foot in the Miami / Fort Lauderdale area notices one thing immediately… traffic! No, wait… of course… the food. And Cuban joints are all over the place serving up their own interpretations of the Cuban sandwich, Cuban coffee, croquetas and more. Versailles restaurant in Miami is the most famous and has played host to presidents and movie stars for years. If you’ve never tried any of these Cuban treats, you must. And we – have a special place, a bit off the beaten path but worth the trip.
It’s M’s Sunshine Bakery. A small, unasssuming place in a little strip mall that makes one of the best colada’s and con leches in town. Stroll past the old timers smoking cigars sitting on bicycles outside the Broward Adult Day Care Center and you’ll see the big “M” on the door. The “M” is for Monique. She own’s the place and she’s usually behind the counter with a smile and great suggestions.
You’ll be hard pressed not to stand nose pressed to the glass display cases filled with pastries, cakes, empanada’s, the aforementioned croquetas and some things you’ve never seen before. Try not to do that… Ms. M doesn’t really dig cleaning nose prints off the glass… That said, don’t be shy… the staff are incredibly awesome, they speak English and they will tell you anything you want to know about what’s what. If you’ve never had one, try Mel’s favorite, a guava and cheese filled puff pastry called pastelitos.
Cuban coffee, colada or con leche… try one of each! Of course not at the same time unless you wanna swim to the Bahamas or chew through some steel cable. This tiny slice of gastronomic heaven is on Davie Blvd., just west of I-95 right across from Flanigan’s restaurant.
Check it out… my large cafe’ con leche, spinach and cheese empanada and two croquets? A whopping $4.25. You can’t even get a crappy Starbucks skinny, non-fat, bla-bidy, blah, blah, blah for under five bucks! Add to that waiting in line behind chicky-poo in her Landrover talking on the phone for fifteen minutes before realizing the line’s moved forward… nah.
Everyone needs more sunshine in their life! Go see Monique but if you tell anyone… we’ll have to kill you.
be good!