The first time I ate flan was as a kid in Chicago’s Logan Square neighborhood. In the 1980s, Kedzie Avenue was populated by mom-and-pop Mexican restaurants selling fresh tamales, burritos as big as ...

Flan occupies a particular corner of the “favorite dessert” grid. It’s not chocolate; it’s not citrusy or fruity. If you like caramel or custard or vanilla, if you adore creme brûlée or custard tarts ...

My friend Kathy lives in Watsonville and calls Cilantro”s her “easy Mexican restaurant” for its convenient location, ample parking and varied menu. “And even if I”m with people who think they don”t ...