COSTELETA DE PORCO

Costeleta de porco-that simply means pork chops. Because El Pecado is a Latin American restaurant, the idea had been to order something quintessentially Latin American. Something like Tacos or empanadas. However, the hunger dictated something large and meaty.

The pork chops promised to be served with jackfruit salsa and a side of Spanish fried rice or chips or potatoes. Your choice. As I write this, I am listening to Samba to keep me in the Latin American mood.

SIGHT

The pork chop was beautiful as expected. But as you can imagine, I was expecting some real fene salsa. A bowl of tomatoes, onions with a sprinkling of diced fene. I was curious to taste that pairing. Would the tomato salsa hold its own against fene, or would the superior aroma of the latter take over? I couldn’t wait to write about that. 

I can’t do that because the jackfruit salsa was almost microscopic. Indeed I looked like that wide eyed emoji when I asked the waitress where the salsa was and she said. ‘There’ (circled)

The plate is decoration galore, which makes me think the person doing the presentation really enjoys their job. A flower here, black sesame there, daubs of creams and gels whose names I didn’t know but I still ate.

TASTE

Juicy and succulent. That first salty touch of the tongue flooded my mouth with saliva (sorry TMI) so I ate about 3 pieces in quick succession before pausing. It was sufficiently moist and the knife cut through with ease. It was enough to make me forget about the non fene.

Despite the many whistles and bells that came with this meal, the meat wasn’t overly spiced, leaving the flavour of the pork to shine. Perhaps there was a very mild rub that was used…something herb like? But it was in the
background.

TOUCH/TEXTURE

You know that meat that is curved around the bone? That sticks to the bone? I wasn’t going to let it go to the dogs. I picked up the bone and as indicated, the steak (the remaining part) was moist but not sticky. Those who don’t like sticky marinades will enjoy this.

I am not sure what the orange sprinkles on the side were, but it was jarring to move from a tender steak to what I can only describe as a crackle of popcorn. Don’t eat them if they are given to you.

SOUND

A low samba sounding music in the background

Costeleta de porco goes for 39k. Visit El Pecado when you want a serene setting in the middle of the city, impeccable staff and the wafting of chocolate from the factory upstairs.