194 Beekman Ave.

(south side)

_____

Formerly

Corona's Lunch

_____

"Corona's Lunch," once open at

194 Beekman Ave. (at its inter-

section with Clinton St.), was

just across the street from what

was--for many years--the en-

trance to the General Motors

plant. Back in 1977, Cuban-

American Elpidio Venereo was

operating this diner.

_____

Besides lots of beans & rice, he

must have served up empana-

das (one of which can be seen

in the photo inset) as well as

the daily special; all to the

background music of a radio

(presumably, Latin-style).

_____

When making picadillo--used

for filling the empanadas--Mr.

Venereo likely added (to a

ground-beef base): garlic

and green peppers; possibly,

raisins; but, definitely, cumin.

To the best of my knowledge,

I have not knowingly tasted

this last ingredient; it's a

spice often added to Cuban-

style dishes.

_____

I understand that cumin has a

warm, earthy flavor--and

aroma-- including a bit of both

sweetness and bitterness. He

would then encase this mixture

inside a crepe; one made of

flour, lard, and eggs; which he

would then deep-fry, until crisp.

_____

For the salad (featuring very

thin slices of tomato), an oil

and vinegar dressing would

likely have been present at

any of the three tables (or,

as a final resort, somewhere

on the small counter). If it were

a Saturday, Elpidio's popular

chicken soup reportedly came

with a garnish--lobster!

_____

Perhaps, also--among his some-

what limited offerings--were

these: slow-roasted, "pulled"

pork; and chicken, scented with

garlic & oregano (and

including--I will bet--cumin). I