We were invited as guests to eat at Guantanamera, especially since I grew up cooking authentic…read moreCuban food, as well was Puerto Rican food. I can dissect every ingredient placed into a dish.
I personally ordered the Cuban sandwich that cost $24. You heard that right, $24 for a sandwich, and expect it to be worthwhile for that price. I had to ask for mojo in order to eat the sandwich, and only able to eat 1/2 of it. All I have to say is, it tasted mediocre, and didn't have that expected Cuban sandwich flavor that a gastronomical Cuban cuisine expert would know right away.
One of the person in my group, ordered the lechon asado plate, which comes with moro (congri), and yuca (cassava). The person who ordered this dish is diabetic, and cannot eat yuca that has 78 grams of carbohydrates. A substitution was requested, in which the waiter addressed the paying patron with a rude attitude that there is no substitution, either have it or omit it from the plate. He would not make an exception for another vegetable or food item. This lechon asado entree cost $30, and no substitution, if unable to eat such as starchy, extremely high carb vegetable.
I didn't like the waiter's attitude. It was not welcoming nor prioritized our comfort throughout the meal. I wanted to walk out of the restaurant. Especially, since the waiter did not show any Cuban mannerism to the culture. The patron tolerated the incident, asked me to let's try their food and see how authentic and/or delicious it is. He gave me the yuca, even though he paid for this item, yet unable to eat it. A simple swap for another vegetable could have been accommodated.
I ate the yuca, and noticed it was just boiled, and had no seasoning whatsoever. Cuban style yuca, should have that garlic mojo, or be seasoned with a little vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper. Not even mojo was given for this dish that should compliment it.
I tasted the moro (at this restaurant it was known as congri). The flavoring did not taste Cuban style for this rice casserole. It was missing the savory sofrito of onions, garlic, pepper, cumin, and oregano seasonings.
The lechon asado didn't have that expected flavor, either. Is this really a Cuban cuisine restaurant?
For this place to be called a Cuban restaurant, is an overstatement. Whomever the chef is cooking in the kitchen, supposedly authentic Cuban dishes, needs a refresh course in how to season and properly prepare Cuban dishes. To be honest, the food had more of a Peruvian flavor than Cuban flavor.
Very disappointed, since I was invited and eager to eat authentic Cuban food in which I didn't have to cook myself, that is a part of my everyday lifestyle.
I have to say, the waiter from the get-go had an attitude with our group, and did not have proper etiquette to address us properly, as paying patrons, who spent over $300 at the dinner table.
Secondly, the lechon asado entree, which comes with moro, and yuca (cassava), there is no food swap substitution, if unable to eat one of the items on the plate. If a patron is allergic to one of the items on the menu plate, such as yuca, it will become a too bad for you, situation.
Thirdly, the ambiance, especially the lighting was very dark. There was a few artwork, but overall, the place needed some lighting at the table. You couldn't read the menu, unless you have a pocket flashlight.
Overall, the food at Guantanamera was not up to par, nor authentic Cuban cuisine. Either this establishment changed ownership from the original Cuban cuisine owners, or are current owners (not of Cuban culture), who are oddly not well versed in Cuban cuisine. It may be that the chef cut corners to not make the effort to cook the food according to expected Cuban traditional ingredients. Maybe, the chef had a bad day and the food was not being prepared well, that was showing when we were eating it.
When the bill was given, we were being rushed by the waiter who stand by our table and hovering throughout the entire time while trying to see and analyzed the amount charged. It was very uncomfortable and rude. He could have walked away for a moment while we settle what was being charged.
In addition, the waiter never declared that there was an automatic gratuity before the order was placed or any time before that when we were seated. At the very end when he hand us the bill for us to pay, in which there were separate bills for each party, there was an automatic 20% gratuity added to each of the bills.
The invited guests, and myself, have decided to NOT come to this restaurant ever again.