By Nathan Duke
Bayside’s DeCaBo Bar & Lounge has been adding a new flavor to the neighborhood since it opened along Francis Lewis Boulevard five months ago.
The restaurant, in the Bayside Plaza at 32-49 Francis Lewis Blvd., offers Puerto Rican dishes from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and remains open as a lounge until 4 a.m. on weekend nights.
“There are not that many Puerto Rican restaurants in New York,” owner Jose Cajas said. “We wanted to open up something different in the neighborhood. People like the warm and welcoming atmosphere.”
DeCaBo, which opened in November, is named after its two owners, Cajas and his wife, Nina Cajas DeJesus, as well as his sisters-in-law, Tina Bonet and Rosa DeJesus, who work as chefs at the eatery.
Cajas said the restaurant cooks everything with sofrito, a spice, as well as garlic and adobo. Its most popular dishes include the side order alcapurria, which are vegetable fritters with beef; pernil, a pulled roasted pork shoulder; carne frita, which are crispy fried pork pieces; and a variety of sandwiches, such as el boricua, which is filled with steak, mozzarella cheese, green onions and yunque sauce.
“Lots of people get the misconception that all Spanish food is spicy food, but Puerto Rican is not spicy,” Cajas said.
Also offered are several seafood dishes, soups and desserts, such as rice pudding and flan.
Most dishes at the eatery are priced under $10. Parking is free and plentiful on weekend nights.
On the weekend, DeCaBo becomes a lounge with a disc jockey playing a variety of salsa, merengue, reggae, hip-hop, rock and 1980s music. The site has a full bar, but Cajas said he does not intend for it to be viewed as a nightclub.
“It’s a mature crowd, mostly people between 30 and 50 years old,” he said. “I’m not going for the younger crowd. But I also want a very urban atmosphere. It’s not just Puerto Rican, but Nuyorican.”
Patrons can also receive free salsa dance lessons Tuesday nights from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. if they are eating or having a drink at DeCaBo.
The restaurant offers free delivery, but requires that orders have a $10 minimum. DeCaBo also caters for all occasions.
Reach reporter Nathan Duke by e-mail at nduke@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4566.
