In Praise of Garlic

Saturday, in search of something out of our routine (Peruvian, Thai, Colombian and back again), we chose to eat from Ana’s Kitchen. A quaint little Brazilian/Peruvian spot with a bright yellow awning, Ana’s Kitchen offers (what I assume to be) typical Brazilian/Portuguese fare along with plates like chicken parmigiana, Greek salad, burgers, wraps, and the like. According to their website, the husband-and-wife owners both have considerable previous restaurant experience, and it shows.

My fried chicken in garlic sauce was a surprise. For one, I ordered it picturing breaded chicken cutlets for some reason, so when I saw the small pieces of chicken on bones, I took an initially-unhappy double take. Not something I would normally order. Not a fan of bones unless we’re talking hot wings. Had I just wasted $8?

No; clearly this was a mistake worth making. Served on a large serving of fluffy rice with slivers of garlic everywhere and a side of beans, it was actually tasty. The garlic had been roasted with the chicken just enough to bring out its sweetness, which is nice since you know garlic flavors linger forever in your mouth. The skin was definitely crispy but, unlike other fried chicken I’ve had, it wasn’t exceptionally greasy, so I felt like I was eating almost healthy.

We also ordered the sauteed steak with ham and egg, which came with fries. The steak was cooked well (as my companion prefers it), and yet was still tender and juicy. The fries, cut into medium-width chips and baked, were just crispy enough while still maintaining the great potato flavor you’d hope for. Of course, due to my chicken, everything tasted like garlic to me, but I’m not complaining.

Rarely do I willingly break routine, and I’ve since decided that ordering a mistaken dish that ends up tasting better than expected, is more fulfilling than getting exactly what you thought you were ordering.

Oh, and another great surprise: the two dishes were just about $22.

Ana’s Kitchen
5104 Park Ave, West New York
201-766-9363
http://anaskitchen.com/

— by Donna M.
Both a Jersey native and recent transplant from NYC, Donna M. is obsessed with both good food and grammar.

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