ENFIELD — After opening to rave reviews, the new Mi Cultura II cafe on Pearl Street is looking to bring traditional Puerto Rican cuisine to local diners.
“We came here to create knowledge about our culture. The rich authentic food was needed,” said Dairysol Stovall, who owns the cafe with Eugene Stovall. “The journey took three years full of patience and perseverance but what felt impossible became possible.”
In the morning, the cafe offers breakfast sandwiches. For lunch and dinner, the menu shifts to traditional Puerto Rican cuisine such as pollo asado with roasted chicken and chuleta with pork chop.
“As of now, the most popular dish is Puerto Rican yellow rice with pigeon peas, roasted pork, tres leche cake for dessert and either the passion fruit pouch or pineapple soda for drinks,” noted Stovall. “The beef and cheese is the top item sold. My personal favorite is white rice, bean stew, with baked roasted chicken and Yuca (cassava) as a side. My favorite drink is the passion fruit pouch.”
As the only Puerto Rican food establishment in Enfield, the cafe is a passion project for the Stovalls, who truly want to bring authentic food and cultural knowledge to the community.
“Knowledge is power and it’s very important to incorporate many things into the cafe for our community,” said Stovall. “What you eat matters and what you know matters. Our background experience and expertise will soon add more to the restaurant.”
Stovall said that business so far has been going very well and they are grateful to the community for supporting the cafe. But the owners are also supporting that community.
“Everything we cook at the restaurant is made fresh daily,” explained Stovall. “The food is made to sell each and every day, so, at night, we hand out the leftovers to whomever we see around Pearl Street. Sometimes the last customer of the day gets a lot of what’s left.”
Stovall emphasized that the family-run business truly cares about what the customers eat and is also open to feedback and what the customers would like to see.
“On Facebook, we allow followers to choose the Saturday special,” noted Stovall. “Mi Cultura II cafe has so many idaeas and tasteful dishes we will be adding soon.”
Food can be pre-ordered for pickup or delivery on the cafe’s website miculturacafe.com. The website is updated throughout the day depending on what food is available. Mi Cultura II, at 39 Pearl St., is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
