We have been going to 1961 for a while and always love it, but wow... something has happened to take it to a whole new level. The food has always been outstanding and really good service, but the service today felt as close to 5 star as I have ever felt apart from cruises with butlers! Wyatt did such a wonderful job, and a lovely lady never let our water glasses fall below half full. I have a feeling it might be the Maitre'd Neal Ward. I have not seen him there before and the ambiance he is helping to create is incredible. I cannot wait to go back! read more

We finally made it back to Nineteen Sixty-One this weekend after a lot of traveling and some health issues. We had friends visiting, so we came in for dinner and to celebrate a birthday. We truly could not have had a better experience. Every server was gracious, engaging, and attentive. The food was, as always, delicious and beautifully presented. We enjoyed every minute of our visit and can't wait to come back again. It feels like our Nineteen Sixty-One experience has been fully restored! read more

Excellent food, service and ambiance. My server, Jordan was on point!!! He recommended the seabass and it did not disappoint. I started with crab dip as a starter preceded by a fresh salad that had a refreshing vinegrette with parmesan at the bottom ( so good!!) Then came the seabass.... OMFG !! Prepared flawlessly accompanied with double veggies due to me refusing the potato mash (cuz im watching my carb intake) and washed down with a mojito. Every bite was fulfilling. And I will definitely come back!! (Visiting from Oakland, California) read more

Overpriced and not that good of quality. The snapper fish? It was fried and in chunks.. that isn't gourmet. The plantains were hard. The pollo vija (chicken and rice) was just a bowl of rice with a burn chicken leg on top then some chunks of fatty chicken throughout. Disappointing and not much flavor. The Yuca fries were flavorless and greasy. We spent over $100 here. Never again. If you want delicious and authentic, and a little cheaper? Go to the historical COLUMBIA restaurant in Tampa area. It's beautiful and the cuisine is authentic as well as flavorful, and they give warm comforting piece of Cuban bread before the meal with fresh butter. Thank me later. read more

This is one of the most well-known restaurants out in Lakeland that I had initially first thought was all hype. After finally trying, I have to say that the hype is there. Very good Spanish food served in a fancy way. I do think the prices are a bit high for what you get, but I think that's the purpose of this restaurant, a high-end Spanish restaurant. The lunch prices were very good so I got a Cuban sandwich and a salad and it was a really good Cuban; not the best I've had but one of the best I've had in Lakeland. The service was great, and the cocktails are amazing. The whole vibe felt very fancy and luxurious in downtown Lakeland, but that is not something I'm used to with Spanish dining, typically you have to go to a hole in a wall place if you want good food. So with that being said, you should definitely give this place to go for a special occasion and date night; you won't be disappointed. read more

Nineteen 61 - El Cubano Sandwich Lunch - Latin American Near Me - Lakeland, Florida

We loved our lunch at Nineteen 61! It is a hidden gem in Lakeland. Great food and phenomenal service. We loved the Chaufa rice with filet and the salad. We can't wait to return next time we are in Lakeland. 1/29/2026 read more

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My second dining experience at this restaurant and I was not disappointed. My first time was in 2024. The reason was the restaurant just happened to be the year of my birth. How sweet. Not knowing what to expect, we made reservations and were greeted with pleasantries, immediately seated, and welcomed. The octopus was smoky and tender. Just right-at least that's what little red riding hood said . I don't remember much else because food kept coming and I kept eating. We had the best service that night and the owner came and spoke with us. He told us the reason behind the name which is when his family came to the US. Fast-forward to July 2, 2026, I visited Lakeland, to see my mom who lives there. The hotel happened to be down the block from Nineteen61. My mom's appetite had waned. I was concerned but knew if she got what she wanted it would help her to regain her appetite. She wanted an entire snapper. Not many restaurants serve the whole fish (head and all). I called and, what do you know, they serve deep-fried yellowtail snapper. The whole fish. Reservations for 8:30pm the same night and we arrived at 8:10 p and were immediately seated. I had the miso salmon, hubby had the rack of lamb, and mom got her fish. We added ripe plantains and started with the calamari. It was not bready. Just the right amount of dusting for a crunchy texture. But the sauce was tangy and sweet-so good. Oh, the salad-nix the cheese. The dressing is amazing. My husband ordered the Riesling, and I got the moscato. Mom went with a strawberry daiquiri. Here is where things get interesting. We are sweet wine drinkers and the Rieslings we are used to are sweet. This was dry. So the server gave him a taste of the moscato and he went with that. I don't know what they do with wine when you send it back-so I opted to keep the glass of Riesling and mix it with my Moscato. I cannot explain the result. Suffice to say we both enjoyed the mixture. The restaurant was busy. That is always a good problem to have. The servers and bus teams worked swiftly and maneuvered among the diners, crisscrossing through the ravines created by the tables with finesse. We received a ample attention and we needed it-adding and asking for condiments to which they supplied. The bar was amptly stocked and the decor inside the restaurant captures the history. What was more appealing was the size of the restaurant made it feel like you were dining in your own private nook. Yes, I would return to Nineteen61 again and again. Worth it! read more

It's been at least 4 years since eating here, it's a new location. We came on a very busy day, so naturally the service suffered greatly. But bad or slow service varies. I miss the old location with the beautiful water feature and more intimate feel. read more

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Upscale lounge with hip, modern music. This place is classy with a way of showing off mixology. Located above Nineteen Sixty-One restaurant in Lakeland, this unique and limited location has a rooftop overlook and beautiful view of Munn Park and the evening sunset. The staff is engaging and professional and prices are fair. Drinks are spot-on! The Shishido Peppers are a fancy appetizer that are calling my name to return for, along with a Blanton's sipper. read more

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This is one of Lakeland's top restaurants and has been for a long time for good reason- it's AMAZE! It's not cheap dining, but the price is well worth the quality of both the food, service and atmosphere. When you come for a special occasion, they'll ask for a name or what the occasion is (such as, it was my dads birthday) and then they'll personalize your experience for that occasion (they had a happy birthday note in the menu for my dad). They even gave my dad a handwritten birthday note from the team there! All of the food is just splendid. They train their chefs very in depth so they are beyond professional and know taste profiles. The food just melts in your mouth. The ropa vieja- highly, highly recommend. But there's no bad options on this Latin-fusion menu. And to top it off: creme brûlée for dessert! It wasn't as good as some I've tried, especially compared to the rest of the meal, but definitely still very delicious. They also gave a free house wine for my dad's birthday. I would say a lot of nights, especially on the weekends you'll want a reservation. It stays busy here. Everything here is so spot on, the detail in all parts of the experience makes it a lasting and impressive one. read more

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Wow what a great find! Never expected to find such great place in downtown Lakeland, we were pleasantly surprised! We arrived on time for our 5:15pm reservation and were promptly seated. The tables were a bit closer to each other than I normally like, but ambiance is nice with impressive tin-panel high ceiling. Menu is extensive and took us a while to decide what to order. Our waiter Cullen did not rush us at all. His service was exceptional. We had a perfect evening. Every dish we ordered was fabulous. Pulpo 61 was seared perfectly with strong delightful taste. The presentation of the whole fried snapper was perhaps the most beautiful of a whole fried fish I have ever had. Both the Vaca Frita and de Mariscos were also great! For dessert, my guava creme brûlée was among the best crème brûlée I ever had! If there was one thing to improve, it would be the timing of the dishes. There was a bit of wait longer than it should be between appetizer and main entrees. But with conversation flowing we didn't mind it. It was a nice relaxing evening with awesome food and service! We will most definitely be back again! read more

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My husband and I had a wonderful dinner for our 27th year anniversary earlier this month. We sat outside and enjoyed the view of Munn Park and all the people who make Lakeland so special. We were enjoying our calamari appetizer which was cooked to perfection! For dinner, we decided to share the ribeye because it is so large at 24 ounces. We also decided to add a couple extra sides. We got risotto, a soup, and the salad. Everything was absolutely delicious. The desert was a crème brûlée. Which is absolutely perfect for our 27 year anniversary. We really enjoyed our dinner and our fantastic server. This restaurant is always a treat. My only complaint was that our meat cut was not the best cut. But you win some, you lose some. read more

No better place to pick for my solo date. Great for groups as well. I stopped in for dinner and I'm definitely happy I did. Waiter Matt was absolutely remarkable he was attentive, knowledgeable and friendly. Appetizers: Scallops The fresh perfect cooked seafood in a beautifully rich broth . Empanadas Warm flaky hint of sweetness melt in your mouth crust paired with the bold flavors oe beef are a perfect pair. These are amongst some of the best empanadas I've tasted. Main: Grouper with manchego risotto it was slightly rich for me but very tasty and cheesy. Dessert: Key lime pie perfect. Not many can master this but this is perfection Drink Hibiscus sweet tea lemonade Champagne-complimentary Parking:$7 valet or street parking available Restaurant is extremely clean and centrally located. Their staff and kitchen run like a well oiled machine. Such precision and intention with everything. I enjoyed my evening and happy I got a chance to try this while in town. read more

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On our way home from a weekend at Disney decided to stop in Lakeland for some lunch. Such a great food scene here! This place sounded really nice and the menu has some awesome options. Grabbed a reservation but didn't really need it. Seated at a table pretty quickly. Meadow came right up and took our orders. Very nice and friendly. Very relaxing vibe and a free glass of sparking wine on our first visit! Bonus! We started with some empanadas. Really good, light and airy with a little kick to the picadillo. For me I had the SRGENTIRIAN SAUSAGE HASH. Grilled chorizo Argentino, really good and large portion. I did think it needed a little more heat for me. Got some of their house made hot sauce to kick it up. Deb got the El Cubano 61. El Cubano Sandwich Lunch. Delicious and the salad was really good. Overall we had a great experience here and will look to stop in again read more

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We were traveling back from a concert in Tampa and decided to stop downtown Lakeland to try this restaurant. The service was flawless and everyone was very attentive. Our server was Savannah! She was the absolute best and gave us plenty of recommendations along with some complementary sparkling wine for it being our first time there. We ordered an octopus dish and empanadas for our appetizers: both were 10/10! For our entrees my wife ordered a soup and I ordered a chicken and rice dish. Everything was made fresh and tasted amazing! I loved that you had 3 different options and vibes to sit in. You could dine outside, in the front that had a brunch feel to it then in the back - it made you feel like it could be for a business meeting or an intimate dinner for 2. Last but not least, THE MANAGER was very welcoming and checked on us twice during our dining experience and made the efforts to truly get our opinions on the food we ordered. Mind you, he did this during a lunch rush and a couple parties had already been sat. My wife and I will definitely be back! We didn't get any pictures and it was because we were just taking in the experience. If you all get a chance to go! GO! read more

We had a reservation for a Sunday brunch and sat outside on a beautiful day. They offer bottomless mimosas with your choice of juice. Although seated near the street there are beautiful plants creating some privacy from the street. The ceviche was good but too fishy for my friend and didn't come with anything to dip with. You can purchase plantain chips for dipping which we did. We had good service and we had our mimosas refilled when needed. read more

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The Thanksgiving buffet is deserving of ten stars. I was looking for someplace near Legoland that would be open for Thanksgiving. I didn't realize how far downtown Lakeland is, about forty minutes, but it ended up being so worth it. Parking around the restaurant is free after 5 pm and on weekends. We parked about two blocks away where there were signs for free 4 hour parking. I wasn't sure what to expect, the atmosphere ended up being upscale without stuffy. Beautiful table and chairs without table cloth, which is what I love. The cocktail menu is pretty extensive, I got Fall in Florida, which is seasonal and amazing. Like an elevated alcoholic apple cider. My husband liked his old fashioned. I didn't expect the buffet to be so good. It's stunning that the salmon was so tender since they made it in bulk. The chimichuri on top sirloin was chefs kiss. Even the hand breaded chicken tenders and baked Mac and cheese they had for the kids was spectacular. I tasted the cream, butter and love in that Mac and cheese. They also had oysters and shrimp. This was the first time they had a thanksgiving buffet so they definitely weren't expecting that ice sculpture to fall over an hour before they closed. (It was kind of funny because after we witnessed the first large tree lightning ceremony in the square where the lights were flickering when they turned it on because they didn't account of the rain earlier that day. Lots of firsts for Lakeland.) You have to make a reservation ahead of time. They were actually packed! They had people serving the buffet to keep things clean and moving along. If you are looking for a place to spend Thanksgiving I can't recommend this place more. Ten stars! read more

Very good! First time here for dinner. We had a late reservation around 9:50 pm. We were seated immediately. We enjoyed a couple of cocktails before our dinner arrived. Great watermelon mule! Both hubby and I ordered the steak. One picanha and one churrasco. Both perfectly cooked. Sauces and sides were delicious except the risotto was undercooked. We shared the apple cobbler for dessert and it was fantastic! If you are in Lakeland, this restaurant is a must try. read more

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Oooo wow! Came to this restaurant on a Saturday night, and our waiter Colby (the only one with a ponytail lol) told us it was one of their busiest nights in a long time with over 300 reservations. Even though it was packed, the service was incredible! The ambiance is moody and perfect for an anniversary, birthday, or a romantic date night. It was a bit loud, but that was only because one table was really enjoying their drinks (haha). Now, onto the food and service: Right after we sat down, Colby greeted us and gave us a detailed rundown of the menu and the restaurant's history. I really appreciated that personal touch. We kicked things off with the chickpea soup and plantain avocado mousse chips. WOW! The flavors were incredible. Everything was fresh and crispy, just how it should be. The avocado mousse was light but packed with flavor definitely a highlight. For the main course, I had the pollo al la brasa. I'm sensitive to spice, so Colby made sure to check with me when the dish arrived to ensure it wasn't too spicy. Thankfully, it was just perfect! The black beans and plantains helped balance out the flavors and cooled things down when needed. And of course, we saved room for dessert! If there's one thing I'll be coming back for, it's the guava cheesecake. Colby recommended it, and he was spot on. It was perfectly sweetened with the right amount of crunch--seriously, I'm already craving it again. NEED ASAP lol! We also tried the mocktails--the Don Ramon (hibiscus tea with other flavors) was super refreshing, and their fresh lemonade was so tasty! Overall, a 5-star experience! I'm definitely coming back, and I'm curious to try their lunch menu next time. Highly recommend this place for a fun night out with fantastic food, drinks, and service. read more

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Great dinner at Nineteen 61. We were in for a business meeting and were seated in a back corner of the restaurant. Menu is very diverse and they also had a lot of options that worked with my shellfish allergy. The restaurant has a modern warehouse vibe and was very crowded. I would suggest a reservation or you may not get a table. They had a nice wine selection and cocktail list. I chose the vegetable quinoa from The Wok. My dinner arrived quickly and very warm and tasty. Maybe a tad too much soy sauce but it was very good and I would try again. Parking/ there are a few street parking spots but there is a public lot around the block. Overall loved the restaurant. I did feel like they pack the tables a little too closely which makes it a tad loud. Still enjoyed the meal and will be back. read more

Food is really good and the atmosphere is really nice for something a little more up scale. I've been here like 10 times already and it never disappoints. read more

We came in for lunch and had a great experience. The restaurant is beautiful. The staff were very attentive and welcoming. To drink, I had the hibiscus tea, which was sweet, refreshing, and pretty. For my entree, I had the Cuban sandwich with yucca fries. The sandwich was absolutely delicious! The pork was so tender and the salty ham and cheese added so much flavor. The bread was sweet and pressed to perfection. The fried yucca was crisp and had a great texture. The prices were also very good. Overall, this was an awesome lunch experience! read more

Nineteen 61 - Hibiscus Tea - Latin American Near Me - Lakeland, Florida

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I met friends from out of town for lunch and I thought this would be a place that would meet everyone's dietary needs. They just didnt offer enough vegetarian options. Our server was a delight, the service was friendly and fast and she went Out of her way to make it an enjoyable experience. Just the right amount of attention so we could catch up. We sat outside. The sidewalk is blocked from he street with shrubs for privacy. Inside is busy and highly energetic. They have a full bar, many choices on the menu for food and cocktails, more traditional Mexican. read more

Nineteen 61 - Menu - Latin American Near Me - Lakeland, Florida

What a great find. The food is excellent, Cuban/Spanish/Peruvian inspired cuisine. We tried it out during a busy lunch hour and all of the food we ordered was 10 out of 10. The sopita took me back to Abuelita's cooking. Vaca Frita was authentic. The Poutine Cubano is a clever take on poutine replacing fries with an upgraded experience of Yucca fries. Took me back to my Miami days. Cocktails all were delicious as well. I recommend La Fresita margarita and their Mojito. Great atmosphere with attentive staff. Highly recommend this Lakeland Gem! read more

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Nineteen61 was a whole vibe. They legit changed the menu header for my bday, gave me a card, and hit me with free dessert?? felt so special . Service was top tier fr. As a Latino man who prides himself on his family's cooking the empanadas and tres leches was 10/10 fuego. But, the vaca frita was kinda mid. Still, I'd come back for the vibes and try something else next round. read more

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I recently visited Nineteen16 for lunch while exploring Lakeland, and it did not disappoint! As a first-time visitor, I was pleasantly surprised with a complimentary glass of champagne! The Latin American cuisine was absolutely delicious! Must get the Peruvian ceviche! The service was friendly and attentive, making sure I had everything I needed. If you're in Lakeland and looking for a spot with amazing food, great hospitality, and a welcoming atmosphere, Nineteen16 is a must-visit. I'll definitely be back! What I ordered: - PERUVIAN CEVICHE: corvina, leche de tigre, ginger, lime, cilantro, cancha, choclo, & a plantain chip, traditional or aji amarillo - EL CUBANO 61:Slow-roasted mojo pork shoulder, Manchego, Jamén serrané, house pickles, sour orange aioli on honey-buttered pressed Cuban bread - GRAND MARNIER CREME BRULEE - TRES LECHES read more

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Consistently a 5 star experience. Working downtown, I much prefer to walk a couple minutes to lunch vs drive. Nineteen61 is my go-to. The food and service is always great, but more importantly I can eat healthy lunches here which is really important to me, and they do a great job of getting me in and out pretty quickly during lunch time. Neal Ward is phenomenal and I genuinely look forward to seeing him when I go. I don't know what I would do without this place. read more

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Service was very good. We sat at the bar. I had the Traditional Pisco cocktail. It was on point and cold. I actually ordered a second one and it was consistently good. The ceviche was on point as well. I had the Brussel sprouts as my meal and my husband had the fried grouper sandwich. Both were large enough portions. It was a very good experience. read more

Nineteen 61 - Pisco Sour. - Latin American Near Me - Lakeland, Florida

Cute spot in downtown Lakeland! It was my first time here and it was a good spot. Street parking and pretty large venue. I went for brunch with friends and got one cocktail, an appetizer and an entree. The cocktail menu was extensive with lots of unique drinks. The Mucho Margarita was light and refreshing with a beautiful tequila taste. We then started with the Brussel sprouts and there was a delicious maple drizzle over them. They were perfectly crispy and a decent portion. For the entree I ordered the Argentinian Hash. The chorizo was nicely charred and flavorful. Would love to come back and try other items on the menu. The server was also great at recommending items. read more

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This is probably my wife's favorite restaurant in Lakeland for celebrating major occasions. The food generally has good flavor though portion sizes can be a little smaller. I've never seen the Picanha on the menu before but I was well rewarded for the risk. The steak itself was juicy and delicious while the side potatoes and cherries were covered in an equally delicious sauce. I've also never had anything like those sweet drop peppers which was a delightful experience as well. Most of the desserts are so small it's not really worth it but they taste decent if you need just a small splash of sweetness to finish off your meal. read more

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Just visited Nineteen 61 for brunch! The food reminded me of Miami, rich Cuban food with a twist! Appetizer calamari had a great topping with a sweet & spicy sauce it was amazing! Vaca frita was food to my soul! Churrasco was cooked perfectly and so juicy with best yuca con mojo! All in all our server Jordan was amazing, service was over all good, food was out quick! Ambiance was amazing! read more

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Excellent customer service food choice & quality ambience unmatched. Pricing is competitive w/ most great restaurants around Polk county. read more

Everything was great! The small touches such as the happy Anniversary card with the staff signing and our personal menu The food was awesome, the roof top was amazing! definitely will go again! read more

Nineteen 61 - Latin American Near Me - Lakeland, Florida

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We dedicated to stop in for lunch to grab a bite to eat quick before leaving town. Thankfully they had open lounge seating because it was booked out for their typically restaurant seating with reservations! We were immediately sat in the lounge/bar area & greeted promptly! One of my favorite parts of their menu was everything was full of flavor and nothing lacked my attention! I ended up getting a pretty basic chicken and veggies meal, but it was filled with flavor! We also got a spicy margarita and a fruit margarita which both were amazing and I would come back just for those! All of our food was hot and everything came out promptly. I will say their food and drinks are on the higher price range, but they have great flavor and are worth the price! Overall I love the taste and flavor, knowing what I'm paying for! I recommend also trying their rooftop bar after eating if you get the chance! read more

Nineteen 61 - Latin American Near Me - Lakeland, Florida

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We went for lunch to celebrate our 20th anniversary. Since it was a week dat at lunch it was busy but everything was excellent! The food was amazing. Service was top notch. We got a cozy booth in the back. The glass allowing you to see into the kitchen is lovely. They even printed menus with our names and gave us a card signed by the staff. Space inside is a bit tight so I'd keep it to small intimate but they can accommodate larger parties. read more

Nineteen 61 - Latin American Near Me - Lakeland, Florida

Went there for lunch on a Monday afternoon. Not too crowded and was able to be seated immediately. We were a party of 3 and with one adult beverage and lunch menu spent a little over $100 (with tip). This is far above what I'd consider usually for lunch but it was a special occasion. The food was good and came pretty fast. Maybe I just cheap but this will only be a special occasion place. read more

Nineteen 61 - Latin American Near Me - Lakeland, Florida

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I went there for the first time the other night. Let me just say the service was phenomenal, I got the filet with mancengo risotto and finished it off with tres leche cake. Everything was absolutely amazing. From the decor, service, and food. Hands down my favorite place to eat, a bit pricey but well worth it read more

Our 24 year anniversary was really amazing. The small touches made this such a memorable evening. Thanks for your delicious food we will be back again soon. read more

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Me and my husband love this place. The food is always so good and the drinks too. We always come back!!

We didn't have a reservation, and we were really lucky to get a cocktail table for 2. The hostess was quick to get our table cleaned and ready for us. For an appetizer we had the scallops in lime juice with parm (Conchas a la parmesana) .The espresso martinis were good and made with Baileys. My entree was the Sea bass chimi which came with carrots and mashed potatoes. I did come with a soup or salad. I tried the garbanzo bean soup which was delicious! It's a very cute place that has a bar and cocktail area in the front and a darker cozy dinner area in the back. I parked at hollis garden and walked past the lake to get there. Very nice thing to do on a chill Saturday. Thank you Alexa for your great service! read more

Nineteen 61 - Sea bass chimi entree and pollo saltado and espresso martini - Latin American Near Me - Lakeland, Florida