For a taste of the islands, try Ortanique’s Caribbean cuisine

By Gabriella Gaggiano

You can’t go wrong dining at Ortanique on the Mile. I have been there on many occasions for both lunch and dinner, and the food has always been delicious. Ortanique’s cuisine can definitely be classified as Caribbean with its wide variety of tastes and flavors that mesh well and satisfy the palette.

One of my favorite appetizers is the tropical mango salad. This is served with braised hearts of sabal palm, julienne of mango, gourmet greens, Caribbean-candied pecans and passion-fruit vinaigrette. At only $12, this is a sure-fire way to bring your taste buds back to that island vacation you have been dreaming about. The mango is ripe and sweet, and the candied pecans give a nice crunch in combination with the fresh greens.

For an entree, I always and forever order the Caribbean ahi tuna. Although I have tried the West Indian-style bouillabaisse and the pan-sauteed Bahamian black grouper, I always find myself going back to the ahi tuna. It is marinated in sesame oil and Caribbean spices and served with wasabi-mashed potatoes and a side of tropical mango papaya salsa. The wasabi-mashed potatoes give a great kick in combination with the delicate piece of sushi-quality ahi tuna, and the tropical mango papaya salsa lends just the right balance of fresh sweetness to the platter. I always order a side of jasmine rice (it’s so fragrant and delicious at Ortanique), and some extra tropical mango papaya salsa.

Last but not least, don’t forget to save room for dessert when visiting Ortanique. Be sure to order the sabayon served with fresh berries. This is served in a martini-style glass with a layer of fresh blueberries, blackberries and raspberries, with a creamy topping of sabayon and a crisp sugar cookie on top. Heaven in a cup!

Overall if you are looking for a great night out with quality service and excellent food, visit Ortanique on the Mile in Coral Gables. Be sure to stop by on a Sunday night for the live jazz performance.