I've put my foot in it, too.
Patitas de cerdo, or pork feet stew (above; Wednesdays only; $10 with rice and beans) and cocido de pata de vaca, or cow feet soup (below; Tuesdays; $6.75 for the large bowl) are two ways to get a hands-on understanding of the Dominican love for all things fatty and meaty. If you're not comfortable around connective tissue, you might enjoy the coarse stewed pork meatballs called albondigas guisadas (al-Bone-dee-gahs gwee-Sah-dahs; Tuesdays; $9.50). Skip the yellow rice and soupy black beans and sop up that sauce with moro de gandules (Moh-roh day gahn-Doo-lays), rice mixed with pigeon peas.
On the move? Malecon can fix you up with a Cuban sandwich ($5), but it's a lot easier washing it down with a tropical shake — my favorite is guanabana, or soursop — if you've got a few minutes to linger.
Malecon
Shown: 764 Amsterdam Ave. (97th-98th Sts.)
212-864-5648
Also at 4141 Broadway (at 175th St.)
212-927-3812
