The slump persists

O-for-Arizona. Surrounded by impenetrable bad energy (despite the best efforts of some members of the inner circle), the slump persisted Sunday at Havana Cafe on Camelback.

Havana Cafe has always been something of a curiosity to me. It is a Phoenix staple, both for the locals and the ballplayer set in for spring training, and yet has never been a must-destination for me.

Perhaps the reason is that I wind up ordering the same meals I hate. For example, the mojito was delicious - though if Havana Cafe wants to be authentic, the mojito should be served with a stick of sugar cane - but the minute I ordered the bacalaitos fritos (fried cod appetizer) I regretted it. Why? Because they look like cheese balls and taste like sawdust.

And then to add to the gastronomic misery was a moment of hilarity, when the woman at the table adjacent ours asked me if I was eating "cod balls."

Well, technically, yes. And that made it all the worse.

The ropa vieja (shredded beef with peppers, onions in a light tomato sauce) was much better but I had been in town three days and had not yet been uplifted by food, which never happens...
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