Coquito restaurant on the move

WARWICK - As the saying goes, “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” With a slow economy, Annette and Bill Leech, owners of Coquito, a family friendly restaurant at 31 Forester Ave. that specializes in Latin American cuisine, feel they need to generate lots of entertainment and excitement as well as good food for their patrons. Since it first opened last April, Coquito has been featuring music on Friday and Salsa dancing on Saturday evenings. This evening, Friday, Jan. 22, for example is “Cabaret Night,” featuring show tunes and contemporary ballads performed by Steve Wing and Brian Gens from 7 to 9 p.m. The following night, Saturday, Jan. 23, it’s DJ music and dancing beginning at 9:30 p.m. And next Saturday, Jan. 30, Coquito is hosting a special event at 10 p.m. “Bring your dance shoes and get ready to party,” said Annette Leech. “We’ve invited Hudson Valley’s hottest eight- piece salsa dance band, Cuboricua. Call early for reservations.” Salsa lessons will soon be returning to Coquito every Wednesday evening, which is also “Ladies Night” where drinks at the bar are two for one. And in the Spring, look for complimentary salsa lessons, comedy night, karaoke, “Boys Night Out,” jazz and cabaret. A favorite for families is Coquito’s Sunday brunch, served from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with specialties served with a Latin flair. The menu, for example, includes Eggs Benedict, steak and eggs and Strata, a special dish with layers of cheese, eggs, chorizo (sausage) and rosemary, all complimented best with a Mimosa or Bloody Mary. For reservations call 544-2790 or visit www.coquitony.com.