213790 Tue Sep 07 11:35:34 -0700 2004 2 18 Manhattan 0 1138446 This restaurant was recommended to me after my prior fave East Harlem P.R. restaurant, El Rincon Boricua on 119th, tragically went out of business. La Fonda Boricua is on 106th between 3rd and Lex. I had a pernil with rice and beans and a side of sweet plaintains. Everything was good but not up to El Rincon Boricua snuff. The pernil had flavor but didn't have much in the way of moisture. The rice and beans (yellow and red) were fine, although without that fatty goodness I love. The plaintains were pretty good. It didn't feel like a waste of time to go there, and I would try it again, but I'm still on the lookout for an El Rincon Boricua replacement. Tue Sep 07 11:35:34 -0700 2004 0 JackS 1 1829434 I'm shocked that there are not more posts for this ever growing prize of a community restaurant! In some ways I am glad because the fare is so much better than what people wait in long lines for in the 'trendier' parts of Manhattan. Walking into La Fonda is like walking into your own home ( or so my husband of Puerto Rican ancestry says). The co-owner brothers, Jorge and Roberto, know everyone in the neighborhood and obviously care about them-they can be frequently seen greeting customers with huge hugs and heaping platters of consistently delicious food- the staple dishes of every thriving PR home. I once dared to take a friend who never trusts restaurant fare to compare with hers and her mothers- after - she now makes special trips to East Harlem from deep in Brooklyn for a taste of their perfectly seasoned beans. The mofongo is to die for and they can barely keep chicken stocked because their dishes are so tasty. The La Fonda owners care about their community- I once heard them stop and give a spontaneous, celebratory speech to teachers in a challengin East Harlem school after they dropped off truckloads of food for an event. The perfectly textured flan is the icing on the cake of a restaurant that reflects the heart of the community and gives back to it on a regular basis. Thu Aug 24 04:03:13 -0700 2006 1138446 28152 Mervil 2 3385199 My gf lives in Spanish/East Harlem so we decided to check out La Fonda Boricua since its in the 'hood. In one sentance -- its just like stepping into a Puerto Rican family's house! There is no menu -- but that doesn't matter, just get the stew or roast of the day. I had pork ribs and my gf had the chicken stew, both served with rice and beans. We polished off the entire plates, the pork ribs were so soft and tender and perfectly seasoned! mmm. I would definately check it out again. Mon Feb 11 08:04:46 -0800 2008 1829434 138244 deepeshbanerji