La Gamba Brunch: Bull Tail Croquetas, Jamon Serrano Benedict, Manchego Cheesecake, and a Cuban Band

If you don't have Sunday brunch on your weekend agenda,  add it. Maybe with live Cuban music and Spanish style Eggs Benedict topped with tomato and Jamon serrano. Like the sound of that? Then head to Coconut Grove hidden Spanish gem La Gamba, where all of the aforementioned are happening.

In addition to cooking up some pretty badass shrimp croquetas, this little Spanish place also makes one mean fideua (think noodle paella) and bacalao al pil pil. So when we found out they were dishing out brunch with a side of entertainment, we couldn't wait to check it out.
With the summer heat fast approaching and the sun leaving no man behind, you'll want to snag a seat outside to enjoy the awesome Cuban band, just make sure to get one of the umbrellas.

If you’re handed a dinner menu (and you can tell by the lack of egg dishes) make sure to tell your server it's brunch you want. Then proceed to order the off-menu rabo de toro (bull tail) croquetas so he knows you mean business.
The dense spheres are chockful of flavor.
You'll want to go with one of the Benedicts, which include Siberian caviar, smoked salmon, and one called La Gamba. The latter (pictured above) tops artisanal bread sprinkled with ripe tomatoes (think pan con tomate) with impeccably poached eggs, jamon serrano, and hollandaise sauce ($12).
A Spanish classic, huevos estrellados, mixes fried eggs with French fries and jamon serrano ($12). La Gamba's serving that up, as well as fried eggs with itty-bitty chanquetes (white bait fish that have been fried). We wished fries were part of this equation as well ($12).
Tortilla de patata (Spanish omelet) needs no explanation ($9), maybe besides the fact that its enough to feed a party of four and then some.
Pro tip: order the charcuterie board ($18) with fuet, salchichon, chorizo, and jamon serrano. Add part of a shared Spanish omelet. You're welcome.
We were excited for the torrijas ($7), but were a bit sad when our brioche French toast arrived sans the almibar (or syrup) made up of cinnamon, anis, and other goodness that it usually comes soaked in.
To make up for it though, the new manchego cheesecake made from scratch with 12 month aged manchego ($9) and a red berry coolie is sharp, complex, and sweet. The more you spoon it, the more you like it.

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