Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Chino-Latino Lives

A year ago, when we lost La Nueva Rampa on 14th Street, we lost one of the last (if not the last) Chino-Latino joints in Chelsea, where many Cuban-Chinese restaurants once flourished.


eating in translation's flickr

We figured something dull would open in its place--another bagel shop, another cell-phone store, another Subway or 7-11. But real life is flourishing in the Nueva Rampa space. Welcome El Paraiso to the neighborhood, serving Spanish/Chinese food.



It seems miraculous and I wonder if it's the same business, reopened under a new name. A peek inside reveals that nothing appears to have been renovated. It still has the big cafeteria look with a lunch counter flanked by curvy old swivel stools.

Sometimes, change in New York City isn't really change at all.



Previously:
La Nueva Rampa

7 comments:

JAZ said...

One of the most clueless articles on page 31 of the Post today by John Podhoretz regarding the battle on the UWS to fend off banks and big box stores.

It is absolutely stunning how many people either just don't get it, or are so comfortable rolling over for the interests of the ultra wealthy.

Marty Wombacher said...

I miss the La Nueva Rampa and will check out this place, it sounds great! Thanks for the update!

Ivan said...

I used to work across the street from La Nueva Rampa and ate there at least once a week for a couple of years. Thanks for the heads up about the new eatery: I'll have to try it.
Thanks!
--Ivan

Osvaldo said...

Its good to know that the product of Chinese Cubans migrating from Cuba to New York City still lives on.

Anonymous said...

Better enjoy this place now before this becomes Poquito Wisconsino

Anonymous said...

The lunch specials are like they're giving it away; so fair in price and very good. The chicken stew is especially good!

Auntie Social said...

Hi Jeremiah, actually, there is still a wonderful delicious Chino-Latino restaurant up here on the Upper West Side: La Nueva Victoria. I order from them pretty much twice a week. Most of my neighborhood is gone, but La Nueva Victoria still survives, and I love it.