A Cuban weekend: Manuel Barrueco this Saturday!

Manuel Barrueco is widely recognized as one of the best nylon-string guitarists of our time.  Thanks to the Guitar Society of Fine Art, he will perform Saturday Night at the Duquesne University School of Music.

Ticket info here.

Omara Portuondo in Pittsburgh this week!

On Sunday night, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust will welcome Cuban jazz legend Omara Portuondo to the Byham Theatre.  Get your tickets here.

15. Chicken Latino

Photo: hotsaucerocks.com

On 21st Street in the Strip District, right across from Pamela's diner, you'll find authentic Peruvian cuisine--including much more than just pollo--at Chicken Latino.  From burgers to ceviche, the culinary influence takes the menu a bit beyond Peru, but the staple dishes are all still there.

More here.

Flamenco Tonight!

14. Azul

Take a spin up the 65th Infantry Division Memorial Highway (aka, 65 or Ohio River Blvd.) for the best fish taco in town.  And I'd rank the margaritas a very, very close second only to Yo Rita's.

More here:  Azul.

Flamenco show this weekend!

And don't forget, the Guitar Society of Fine Arts kicks off its 2010-2011 season on October 8 with Puerto Flamenco at the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts.

13. Seviche

With a distinct Cubano-South Beach fusion thing going on here, you'll find good music, good drinks, and fantastic food.  They describe it as "Nuevo Latin Cuisine."  Expect great tapas with a South American influence.

Salsa dancing on Mondays, live jazz with cheap mojitos on Thursdays.  Delicious ceviche every night.

Check out the menu here.

12. Tango Cafe

Photo: PopCity Media

Just as advertised, "Five thousand miles north of Buenos Aires, in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh, PA, Tango Café is a popular gathering spot for all who enjoy friendly conversation, delicious coffee, and authentic homemade Argentinean pastries." 

The pastries are indeed fantastic, and the empanadas and bocadillos are quite good as well.  Add to that the only cafe con leche I've found in town and you've got yourself a fine meal. 

Located right by the intersection of Forward and Murray, Tango Cafe also offers informal Spanish language sessions on weekday evenings.

More here.

11. Plenty of local tango groups

Painting: Fabian Perez

If you're interested in exploring this Argentine dance in Pittsburgh, tienes muchas opciones:

• PATangoS
• Tango in the Burgh
• Pittsburgh Tangueros
• Pgh Tango Connection

10. Mexico City

I love Mexican food.  And while we're not in Southern California or Arizona, or Mexico for that matter, Pittsburgh's selection of authentic Mexican cuisine is growing.  For my peso, the best around is Mexico City.  They manage to pack the seats routinely at both downtown locations--on Smithfield and Wood Streets--and no doubt will continue that trend with their new tacqueria on East Carson.

9. Salsa Pittsburgh

The dance, not the condiment.  And in this case, the only organization in the area (as far as I'm aware) to count on for a reguarly updated event calendar of all things salsa music and dancing.  Any night of the week you need some bailando, they've got you covered. 

8. Mallorca

As their web site will tell you, "We offer the finest Spanish Continental Cuisine, an award winning wine list and world class service."  The desserts aren't bad either.

Only complaint/suggestion: they should open a breakfast stand in the patio on weekends serving Mallorca Tostadas. 

7. Mexico Lindo

High quality Mexican art, right in the heart of Squirrel Hill.  Mexico Lindo.

6. Riva's Nicaraguan Restaurant

Photo: City Paper

When Rivas moved to my neighborhood in the South Side recently, I had no excuse not to experience Nicaraguan cuisine for the first time.  I had the churrasco chimichurri and was very pleased.  Some plantains with rice on the side, a delicious cabbage salad, and a few camarones stolen from my wife's plate made for a great meal all around.

You can find Rivas along that stretch of East Carson Street between Station Square and 10th Street.  BYOB.  I'd suggest a bit of rum to mix with their house blend fruit juice.

Read Munch's recent review here.

5. Reyna Foods (and taco stand)

It's Saturday.  So make like a Pittsburgher today and head to the Strip District.  As you're making your way along Penn, maybe you'll get some fresh bread at Jimmy & Nino Sunseri's Market or pick up some fish for dinner at Penn Ave. Fish Co.  And, of course, you'll stop into Reyna's for some staples.  While you're there, be sure to have a taco or two at their cart on the sidewalk outside.  Best taco in Pittsburgh?  Many would say so.  But I'll save that for a later post. 

Read more about Reyna Foods here.

4. Este Casa

Photo: Post-Gazette

Spanish on the outside, less so on the inside.  Yours for just $445,900.  See more here.

3. Guitar Society of Fine Art

Perhaps not Latin through and through, but the GSFA is certainly the most consistent provider of good Flamenco music in the region.  Beyond the regular concert series which usually includes at least one big flamenco show each year, Executive Director Michael Chapman (a native of Trinidad and Tobago) sporadically holds smaller flamenco fiestas around town, which can range from guitar concerts at bars or restaurants to all-out music and dance recitals at more formal venues as artists pass through town.  Get on his mailing list to keep apprised.

The next big production: Puerto Flamenco, October 8, Pittsburgh Center for the Arts.

2. La Mendocina Argentine Catering

La verdad: Monica Aveni makes the best empanada in town.  Order some here.

1. That dude who sells homemade salsas in Market Square on Thursdays

Photo: yumpittsburgh

The tomatillo salsa is awesome.  So is the blackbean salsa, the pineapple chutney, and everything else he sells.

His name is Arturo Vizzuett.  You can find him at other markets around town on other days.  Read more about him here.