THEY’RE BURNING IN ATLANTIC CITY!

January 20, 2019/Brian Zebertavage/

IT WAS THE UNMISTAKABLE SWEET AROMA SWIRLING THROUGH THE AIR
THAT FIRST CAUGHT MY ATTENTION. As I followed my nose, I then focused on a tall
wrought iron rack, stacked high with split oak. Naturally I became curious. As I
walked passed the firewood rack and through the doorway, I was transported to a
scene straight from an Old Havana courtyard with exotic tropical foliage and
vintage dÃƒÂ©cor. That sweet flavored scent of burning wood was now blending
smoothly with all the restaurant’s culinary aromas.

“There was no doubt where I was having dinner that evening”

A plate of food on the table at a restaurant. — Ahhh…my dinner. “The Mixed Grill” …Black Angus steak, jumbo shrimp, chicken breast and chorizo sausage hot off a wood-fired grill!

A rack of wood in the middle of a restaurant. — This is part of the restaurant’s wood supply. Chef Chino says they use Oak wood because of its hardwood characteristics which provide a hot and steady burn. He also adds wood briquettes to help keep the heat even across the grill.

Located in the Tropicana Casino downtown Atlantic City, USA, the Cuba Libre Restaurant is cooking things up with an authentic menu of classic and contemporary Cuban cuisine. This fine dining restaurant offers a wonderful culinary experience. It features an open style kitchen where you can watch any one of the skilled chefs sear meats and seafood to perfection… all on a wood-fired grill.

A man standing in front of an open grill. — Chef Chino rustles the wood embers while grilling my dinner. Notice the crank wheel to his left. It adjusts the cooking surface according to the heat and the rise and fall of the flames. Also take note of the slight angle to the v-channels. They are angled down to capture all the juices to be used for baking and sauce preparation.

I am discovering more and more restaurants using wood as a
means to cook their culinary specialties. If you find yourself hungry while in
Atlantic City NJ, be sure to stop by the Cuba Libre’ restaurant. They offer a
few of their signature dishes prepared specifically over the hot coals of a
wood fire.

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Posted in Restaurants

Brian Zebertavage

ENTREPRENEUR, WRITER and FOUNDER of WOOD BURNER PRO LLC. An OUTDOORS ENTHUSIAST with an EYE FOR ADVENTURE. Follow Brian's BZ BLOG for INFORMATIVE STORIES, UNUSUAL FACTS, TIPS and INTERESTING FUN.