El Paladar

[Lesley D]

Your language skills are always put to the test when dealing with the public. Whether you are on the receiving end or helping someone who asks for help, directions, advise etc. you have to react and express yourself on the spot. Although it can be intimidating it can also help you to gain your confidence when speaking and at the same time determine what areas need improvement. It could be using the right verbs, verb forms (tenses) and conjugation, learning the right way to ask for directions, advice, and clarification of food on the menu etc. while using the right forms of address. Depending on where you are you may have to use whatever Spanish skills you have and hope for the best. If you are in a tourist area and English and several other languages are spoken, you may feel more comfortable asking for your meal in Spanish to practice and can also speak in English if necessary for clarification.

To express yourself in a restaurant in the Spanish-speaking world there are many standard phrases that can be used. Whether you are in restaurant in Santo Domingo or fining dining in Cartagena, Colombia or sampling the diversity of Panamanian cuisine, you will be understood. IMO, the key aspect from a language perspective is to sound polite. 'La cortesía' goes a long way.

Of course there are some cultural differences or nuances from country to country which go hand in hand with cultural differences in Latin America, however, they all form the cosmopolitan make up Latin America’s diversity for centuries. Each country has its specialities whether it’s a dish, drink or dessert. Diversity in gastronomy is not lacking in Latin America.

Here are some typical questions you will hear and can use in a restaurant among friends or when asking for food and drinks:

¿Cuál es la especialidad de la casa?
¿Cuál es el plato principal? (or if you are in Colombia- ¿Cuál es el plato fuerte?)
¿Me puede(s) traer el menú?
¿Me puede(s) traer la cuenta?

¿Qué va(s) a pedir?
¿Qué va(s) a tomar? // ¿Qué prefiere(s) tomar?
¿Cómo lo quiere(s)?
¿Qué quiere(s) de postre?

¿Cuánto va(s) a dejar de propina? (among those at the table)
¿Cuánto es la cuenta?
Nos trae(s) la cuenta, por favor

Buen provecho

Some key vocabulary related to the table:

La taza
El vaso
El plato
El platillo
La copa
La cuchara
El cuchillo
La cucharita
El tenedor
Los cubiertos
La servilleta

Here’s a link with a variety of Dominican dishes and desserts.
www.dominicanflave.com/dominicanfoodculture

NB. Un paladar es a type of restaurant in Cuba. The word el paladar means un restaurante.


-LDG.

[A.Hidalgo]

As usual you are a wealth of info and the link is great. Gracias.

[Lesley D]

A. Hidalgo,

Thanks for the support. Much appreciated

Originally Posted by A.Hidalgo

As usual you are a wealth of info and the link is great. Gracias.

I have always been curious to know more about un paladar ever since I learned about this word used in Cuba for a specific type of restaurant. It was a few years ago when reading a text that I discovered the word. Of course, my first reaction was paladar. It just made no sense in the paragraph I was reading. Of course, I was thinking of the common meaning of the word. Once again reading proves to be one of the best vocabulary building tools because out from discovering a new word it also inspired me to find out more about los paladares in Cuba.

Here is a definition from a Cuban website:

Paladar es el nombre con el que se conocen a los restaurantes privados en Cuba. Esa original denominación procede de una de las series televisivas brasileñas que tanto gustan a los cubanos. Un paladar es un restaurante privado, es decir, que está instalado en una casa particular, en el jardín de una mansión, en el comedor de un piso o en la planta baja de una casa. Varios paladares sirven raciones generosas de comida criolla de excelente calidad. Es muy aconsejable probar algunos de ellos. Por lo general, la cocina es copiosa, fresca y económica

Restaurantes en Cuba - Listado de restaurantes en Cuba

From what I understand, los paladares are a good option to a normal restaurant and offer excellent local food. What are some of the typical local dishes in Cuba? El congrí, frijoles negros con arroz, los tostones (ruedas de plátano fritas y escachadas) y el tamal, maíz molido con o sin carne de cerdo hervido dentro de la hoja de maíz.

As well plenty of seafood and fruit are offered. Source the website above.

Therefore, the next time you are in Cuba you may want to go to un paladar and sample la comida criolla. Cuban food is great. I have eaten dishes outside of Cuba so I could only imagine how the taste is if I were to eat a plato fuerte en la Habana.

Cultural nuances/ differences

I often hear people complain about restaurants and service when they go to other countries and Latin America is not the exception. Although some of the complaints or observations may be valid, my opinion is you the traveller, tourist, or foreigner, define yourself as you may must make some adjustments too. Many complain about the language barrier, the service, not being able to read the menu etc. However, my response is: you are the foreigner. Why don’t you make the cultural adjustment and show some interest in the country you are visiting? It would help to learn the name of some of the local dishes in advance so that when you get the menu you know some basic words and names of food. Know the local dishes at least. As well, learn how to ask for something politely. In Spanish, quisiera saber, me podría decir xxx, convey a much more polite tone in comparison to quiero xxx, me puede xxx.


-LDG.

[A.Hidalgo]

Is Cuba and perhaps Brazil the only countries in LA were the word paladar is used this way?

[Lesley D]

I can’t say 100% for sure but there’s a strong possibility based on the fact I had to resort to a specialized dictionary to find the word with the meaning of a private establishment i.e. a restaurant in someone’s house. The key part of the definition is it’s not just any restaurant. It has to be a private restaurant in the context given in the description on the website I referenced.

If I say to you: un amigo mío me recomendó un buen paladar en la Habana. I am referring to 'un restaurante privado' as described in the definition which is a specific type of restaurant as opposed to a restaurant in a hotel. There are many restaurants in the Spanish-speaking world and in the USA called El Paladar but that’s just the name. IMO, it’s tied to the traditional meaning of the word (el sabor) but not because it’s un paladar.

Paladar: gusto con que se percibe el sabor de los alimentos: tiene un paladar muy fino.
Source: el mundo.es

Just to show how colloquial the meaning is here are some synonyms for restaurant listed in the dictionary. El paladar is not there. The most colloquial word there is restorán, which I always hear used by Mexicans.

restaurante:

bufé, ambigú, restorán, comedor, taberna, mesón

source: elmundo.es


-LDG.

[A.Hidalgo]

Maybe a way of distinguishing a government run restaurant from a private home one because of the communist system? But that does not answer the usage in Brazil a more free enterprise country and definitely not communist.

[Norma Rosa]

Paladar
Thanks, Lesley. I learned something.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:
Paladar is the colloquial Spanish name in Cuba for a home-based restaurant, especially in Havana. Generally these small enterprises are run "off-the-radar", i.e. illegally. However, they are unofficially tolerated, most probably because they offer up some of the best and most authentic Cuban cuisine available on the island.
Paladar is also the Spanish word for "palate", or "taste".


I wonder If this type of restaurants offer a variety of dishes, or if they are what in the DR we call a fonda, which normally serves one thing (or two).

[Chirimoya]

I've eaten in paladares in Havana, Cienfuegos and Trinidad and they varied - there was usually a limited choice.

Another word is parador for a roadside cafeteria or restaurant, (which in Spain is a specific type of hotel, and fonda is an inn). Venta in Spain is what the Dominicans call a parador.

[Lesley D]

Fonda in the Merriam Webster dictionary Span/Eng is described as a small restaurant which in IMO does not convey the idea of casa particular which is the key concept of a paladar. That's the difference when comparing a paladar to other kinds of eating establishments. I think they do vary indeed as Chiri mentioned and out from the websites I read they seem to be most popular in La Habana and Cienfuegos.

I sent a friend of mine an email and I also left her voicemail to get some insight on los paladares in Cuba. She is Cuban from La Habana and I think her feedback would be interesting. If she responds to my email or returns my call I will report back.

Regarding restaurant vocabulary and phrases if you want to get practice and familiarity with foods, beverages, desserts etc. many Spanish newspapers have a restaurant section. You can read some of the menus and familiarize yourself with some of the culinary dishes in Latin America. For example, El Nuevo Herald's Restaurante section is a sub section under Entretenimiento. The articles and restaurant reviews offer a grand variety of words and phrases. Do you know the English equivalent? If not then you need to look up the meaning.

Examples:

la entrada
la pechuga de pollo
la ensalada
un trago
el precio de descuento
la sopa del día
carne molida
'menú a precio fijo'
el puré de calabaza
mantequilla de maracuyá y crispetas de plátano- this is a good example because 'crispetas' as far I know is not used all over Latin America. It's very colloquial.
el filete de res


There are many more words, phrases and dishes to be learned just by reading the Restaurant section in Spanish.


-LDG.

[montreal]

Paladares that are found in casa particulares often have rooms for rent as well. This is a very economical way to visit Cuba (as opposed to governement run hotels). It is also the only legal way to visit Cuba in a private home. Many of these are "legal" and supported by the government, although I would assume they pay really high taxes...Me imagino...