Las Culebrinas

Big portions, tasty fare, inexpensive prices -- is it any wonder the lines are so long? This Cuban-Spanish café features tapas such as chickpeas sautéed with chorizo, and cold seafood marinated in a vinaigrette dressing. Vaca frita and palomilla are excellent entrées; daily specials tend to be more inventive -- fried beef brains, sautéed frog's legs, alligator française, and goat stewed in Coke. Crema catalana, the house dessert, is blowtorched right at the table for that delicate, burnt-sugar crust.