This guava cheese pie was introduced to me by my brilliant and talented friend Raquel when I was living in Pacoima, CA participating in the Cornerstone Theater Company's Summer Institute (hopefully I will blog about the eating in Pacoima soon, as it is a great and hidden eating "gem" within Los Angeles County). 
This delicious pastry hails from Cafe Tropical (picture above), located on the border of Silverlake and Echo Park. Cafe Tropical is a great place to go get pastries, grab a coffee and to hang out in a festive environment and under the watchful eye of Che. (Who doesn't want to eat a pastry with Che watching over you?). The pastries here are fresh made and delicious!! The guava/cheese pie has light, flaky pastry, the sweetness of guava paste and the creamy savory flavor of cheese. If you're lucky enough to get one of these pies while they are still warm you are REALLY in for a treat. You can get the guava/cheese combo as an empanada, as a half pie or a full pie (featured above). This pastry is something that I dream about, something that I would consider getting in the car and driving from Phoenix to Los Angeles for on a WEEKLY basis.
This delicious pastry hails from Cafe Tropical (picture above), located on the border of Silverlake and Echo Park. Cafe Tropical is a great place to go get pastries, grab a coffee and to hang out in a festive environment and under the watchful eye of Che. (Who doesn't want to eat a pastry with Che watching over you?). The pastries here are fresh made and delicious!! The guava/cheese pie has light, flaky pastry, the sweetness of guava paste and the creamy savory flavor of cheese. If you're lucky enough to get one of these pies while they are still warm you are REALLY in for a treat. You can get the guava/cheese combo as an empanada, as a half pie or a full pie (featured above). This pastry is something that I dream about, something that I would consider getting in the car and driving from Phoenix to Los Angeles for on a WEEKLY basis. On a recent trip to Los Angeles I meandered around Echo Park trying to find the cafe where my good friend Jen and I stumbled upon yet another amazing place to get breakfast. What's the theme here? If you want good food, go to this neighborhood and drive around until you find something you like, give it a try, prepare to be delighted. Jen and I went to Museum of Jurassic Technology - a Performance Studies scholar dream come true (note, this museum of consciously performing its museumness) - and upon our exit from the museum sat on the grass by the road and dug into our guava pie. We watched the sun set over Los Angeles and sung the praises of our guava pie and the great City of Angels.
Moral of the story: Good things come in pink boxes!! And, everyone should fine something (and someone) that they would be willing to drive long-distance for, to dream about, to obsess on, to want to share with your friends and finally, to put in your mouth!!
