This place never disappoints. I've been here multiple times -- with family, on dates, and with friends -- and it's always a great experience. This most recent visit was with a friend who was trying it for the first time, and he loved it. The food was delicious as always. He had the arroz con pollo (which I recommended), and I had the camarones al ajillo -- shrimp in garlic sauce with rice, salad, and plantains. Everything was flavorful and perfectly cooked. The bartenders were so pleasant and attentive. We sat at the bar, and even though it was crowded (which it usually is -- a good sign!), the service was still great. Now let's talk about the drinks because they were the real stars:    *   My friend had three mango margaritas and couldn't stop talking about how good they were.    *   I tried the cucumber jalapeño margarita -- you could literally smell the fresh cucumber as they made it. It did not hold back on the jalapeño! It had a real kick, but the flavor was amazing.    *   And the mojitos? Delicious. They use real sugarcane, and you can taste the freshness. Great vibes, great service, consistently amazing food and drinks. I will absolutely keep coming back and always recommend this place. read more

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Exceptional service, food, and drinks! Definitely decorated to fit the Cuban vibes! We tried some of everything from empanadas, soups, to main dishes and everything was super tasty and very filling. I had so much food I ate the rest the next day. We had reservations (highly recommend) for 730pm to celebrate my birthday and we couldn't have picked a better place! We ate laughed talked until closing time. We were the last to leave but they didn't rush us or standing nearby like we were an issue or anything. Made me feel good, respected and appreciated. read more

This restaurant is one of a kind, very well decorated with colorful vintage posters hanging on the wall, symmetrically designed tables, and comfortable seating. My friend and I started with tostones rellenos, they were prepared fresh, the tostones were piping hot while the creamy shrimp gave it its cool center to balance the temperature out. The ropa vieja tasted very scrumptious with the flavorful tomato sauce, the hot tostones and the rice and beans (moros y cristianos). I consider this comfort food and I was pretty stuffed afterwards, no complaints! read more

I have been dining here for many years, and the food is consistently good. Also, the people working here are very nice and welcoming. It's probably the best Cuban food in Maryland. Some favorites are: ropa vieja (stewed shredded beef), maduros (fried plantain), camarones al ajillo (shrimp in garlic sauce), camarones en aguacate (shrimp with avocado and garlic sauce), but everything I've tried has been delicious. The location can sneak up on people, but there is plenty of parking on the side and back. They have a good weekday happy hour in a small bar area with specials on small bites and drinks. read more

Cuba de Ayer Restaurant - Camarones en aguacate (jumbo shrimp, avocado, lime) - Cuban Near Me - Burtonsville, Maryland

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The food was delicious. The steak was juicy and the service was great and attentive. The family always loves coming here as we know the food is good and we will be well taken care of. read more

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Food was excellent! Our server Jennifer was amazing and gave good recommendations. Highly recommend!!! read more

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The oxtails were so flavorful and tender. They also give you a bunch of meat. Then when you finish you mix the rice with the sauce. So goooood. Then the beans had some spices to it that was so savory. Plantains and croquettes were just ok, probably wouldn't get again. My bro got ropa vieja and that's was really good too. But oxtail is best dish there. Really friendly staff, I asked what they put in the beans and the waiter went to the back to give me a full rundown. Everyone was nice. The price was fair as well. read more

Cuba de Ayer Restaurant - 4 CROQUETTES - Cuban Near Me - Burtonsville, Maryland

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I was here in July. Completely forgot to review this place. This a truly authentic Cuban restaurant. They even make and sell their own hot sauce. I order the chicken and rice. My wife ordered the shrimp dish. We had appetizers of empanadas. I sampled the chicken and guava ones. Service was excellent. We didn't have to wait too long for our food. The decor of the restaurant gave it that Caribbean feel. If we are ever in the area again, my wife and I will definitely dine again here. read more

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Best Cuban food around! I've eaten here for years but it's been awhile. My most recent visit was for a take-out order. I was able to easily place the order online through their website. My order was ready when I arrived. I really enjoyed the ropa vieja with a side of white rice and black beans and tostones. Everything was delicious and filling. I'm happy knowing this awesome business is still thriving. I plan to visit sooner rather than later! read more

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Great experience. Fun decor, good service, and great food is a true recipe for success...I guess that's why Cuba de Ayer has been around so long. My wife and I decided to return to CdA on a whim. We don't often make it down to Burtonsville, but we will make special trips in the near future. We split the Cuban nachos and the chicken salteado and they were both excellent. Good job CdA, we'll be back soon! read more

I like this neighborhood gem. The food was straightforwardly delectable (especially if you are a sweet tooth) and seating area was spacious. Food - Camarones en Aguacate: The shrimps in the starter are plump and fresh with refreshing lemon juice. Yet a little pricy for what expected from a $18 homestyle dish. - Bistec Palomilla: I am a lover of onion-sautéed meat -- the subtle sweetness is lifting. Steak is fully cooked, so a little bit fimer than I usually prefer, yet still very satisfying overall. - Ropa Vieja: Warm and tasty--loved how the seasoned, shredded beef felt so comforting with the rice. Service was friendly, and the ambiance--warm and inviting--fit the homestyle theme perfectly. read more

Cuba de Ayer Restaurant - Aguacate con Camarones - Cuban Near Me - Burtonsville, Maryland

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10 out of 10 stars!! it was so cute, they had real candles on the table. But please be careful because the lady behind us was holding her menu and it started burning from the candle. We didn't have a reservation, but we're able to sit down quickly. The food was amazing in our server was able to give us recommendations. We were so full, but we had to try the rum cake and it did not go to waste. We will definitely be back.! read more

Cuba de Ayer Restaurant - Apps - Cuban Near Me - Burtonsville, Maryland

Visited for my here for birthday. The restaurant is small but has ample seating. Our server was adequate could have been more attentive. I ordered the Empanadas for my appetizer they were flavorful and hot. The beef was better than the chicken. My main dish was Ropa Vieja. The beef was chewy, the tostones and rice were good. I got the red beans vs the black beans. The red beans were really good. I got the Tres Leches for dessert. It was good, nice and moist. I would got back again to try another dish. read more

Cuba de Ayer Restaurant - Beef Empanadas - Cuban Near Me - Burtonsville, Maryland

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My favorite Cuban restaurant in the area (then again there aren't too many around here) Everytime that I've come here I have a great experience! The drinks are good/decent and the food alone is very flavorful and keep you coming back! My favorite entree is the ropa vieja which is seasoned perfectly and is never dry! I've had different drinks here and they've all have been worth the order. The service provided is always with a smile and very accommodating to my table. The parking lot is VERY small, so be mindful when/if you come here with bigger parties. This place is definitely good for special occasions or a nice date night! I just wish I lived closer! read more

Wow! What a great experience across the board. Food, service and ambiance! I stopped in for lunch and had the most amazing meal. My server, Daisha was on it. Couldn't ask for better service. The food was the star of the show. I ordered the Lechon Asado which is a Cuban marinated pork. It comes with rice, beans, and plantains. I asked for a side of the avocado pico (extra $1.29) which was out of this world. I'd recommend getting this with any dish you order. It's so fresh and full of flavors. The restaurant is beautiful with plenty of seating. The bar area is a bit small, so I'd be curious to see what it's like during HH or when they get busy. I most definitely will be back for more!!!! read more

Cuba de Ayer Restaurant - Avocado pico - Cuban Near Me - Burtonsville, Maryland

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Everything was so good! We only had a couple of appetizers that included the chicken, beef, and guava & cheese Empanadas and a tostones dish with shrimp in it. I also had a pretty good guava mojito. The service was prompt. I'll be back! read more

Cuba de Ayer Restaurant - Tres Empanadas - Cuban Near Me - Burtonsville, Maryland

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They re-served us food someone else had stuck a fork in... twice. Stay away. I went with my friend for dinner and we ordered a salmon dish. They brought it to the table next door to us and that couple stuck their forks in it and started eating it. They then realized it wasn't their dish, so they sent it back. The waitress brought it to the back and then brought it out to us. There were fork marks in the salmon and a bite missing from the rice. She said it was just a mix-up in the kitchen. We sent it back and said the couple next door had already eaten from it because we had watched them, and she was not surprised and agreed to bring it back. Then the restaurant served us the same thing. The exact same meal slightly mushed around on the plate. I will never go back here. read more

I ordered food to go and got the chicken and rice bowl, it came with two plantains. They were out of a the ropa vieja and another dish so I selected this one. The rice and chicken was very flavorfu, my only wish is the quantity was more. The portion was a bit small. read more

Cuba de Ayer Restaurant - ARROZ CON POLLO (DARK MEAT) bowl - Cuban Near Me - Burtonsville, Maryland

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The food and service are good. The guava and cheese empanadas are amazing and you must give them a try. My wife had the spinach and avocado salad with the optional salmon and loved it. The churrasco Cubano is good but I wasn't a fan of the parsley and garlic seasoning. One party was very loud and that was unpleasant but once they left we were able to enjoy the rest of our meal. read more

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Been here 4,5 times over last few years. Food has always been good. It feels very authentic. Also, never had a service issue i.e. wrong order or slow to respond to requests. It does get busy at peak times so you might have to wait longer for a table or orders to tables. **btw, a note for anyone attaching pics on reviews** Android users PLEASE use Google Drive photo function for pics. It's much clearer and without glare. read more

(4.15) ~ Very good overall food & service DRINKS: ** Double Cafecito Cubano = (4.15) Very good ** Water (tap) = (4) very good, must be filtered;) FOOD: ** Camarones En Aguacate (see photo) = (4.25) Very good ** Hot Sauce = (4.25) Very tasty ** Flan (see photo) = (4.25) very good ** Sopa De Res = (4) very filling read more

Cuba de Ayer Restaurant - Flan - Cuban Near Me - Burtonsville, Maryland

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I've been coming here my whole life (I remember when they opened) and it's always been such a great experience. Everyone is so friendly and the food is delicious! read more

This WAS the best Cuban food in the MD, DC, VA area. Their food was authentic Cuban and delicious. I loved their food! I've been enjoying their cuisine since before they renovated and expanded. Their beef Empanadas are the best tasting I've had from anywhere, probably because it's deep fried. It's delicious with their homemade habanero sauce. I don't think I've ever had anything that I did not enjoy from their menu, UNTIL TODAY. I know that we have inflation these days. Restaurants have had to raise prices and reduce portions. It is evident in the size reduction of all take out containers. But this today makes me very sad. I picked out all the seafood that was in the Arroz con Mariscos. There was literally only 3 medium size, dry, overcooked shrimp and a few small pieces of scallops. There were still some small crumbles of salmon in the rice. For $28.99, you could at least put enough seafood in for customers to have a satisfying meal. Today I decided to order Flan for takeout. Very disappointed in the way they packed the flan. Since flan has syrup, it should have been put inside a container that is liquid tight. They placed it inside a container meant for dry foods. The result is in the picture below, one big sticky mess for the customer to clean up. This shows that the employees simply don't care about their customers! The side order of extra Maduros are burnt. The rice was wet soft and clumpy. (How can Cubans not know how to cook rice properly?). The Masitas de Puerco tastes good but it was enough for appetizers, not for an Entree portion. All in all, I drove 30 minutes each way, paid almost $70 ,to be sad and had to clean up a big sticky mess... read more

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Want a hearty meal? Visit Cuba de Ayer, great food, great service, great music. This place is a vibe, we ordered the arroz con pollo, the oxtail and honestly if I could tried everything on the menu, I would have because it's just too hard to decide with so many great options available! Want authentic Cuban food? Go to this place, you won't be disappointed. And be prepared for a massive serving portion, so make sure to save your appetite before going. read more

Cuba de Ayer Restaurant - Cuban Near Me - Burtonsville, Maryland

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This was our first time eating here, and it was really good. It was late afternoon on a Sunday, and the place had a decent number of people there. Even though we didn't have a reservation, we were seated right away. The server was prompt and polite, and I felt that we were well attended to. We started with the combination appetizer, which was good. I had the Churrasco Cubano, and my wife had the Picadillo. She enjoyed her meal but mentioned that it had just a little too much salt. Additionally, I ordered a Cuban sandwich to go, which tasted really good even though I ate it later. The presentation of the food was also impressive. I definitely plan on coming back, even though it's kind of far from where I live. I would recommend this restaurant. read more

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We had dinner here earlier this week, we really enjoyed our food, for our main course we had the Piccadillo and the masitas-de-puerco. They were both excellent. Our side salads were Ok, but very small (we laughed about it). Our service was fair, but we had to wait for things too long ( and it wasn't that busy). The ambiance is nice, but the night we went it was cold in the restaurant and we had to move tables away from the windows. We watched another party so the same thing. read more

I had the pleasure of dining at Cuba de Ayer today, and it was an exceptional experience from start to finish. The food was absolutely outstanding--authentic, flavorful, and clearly prepared with care. Every dish we tried was rich with traditional Cuban flavor, and it felt like a true taste of the island right in the heart of Burtonsville. We started with a couple of drinks: the Batido de Mamey and Batido de Mango. Both were superb--refreshing and not overly sweet, which I really appreciated. You could actually taste the fruit, not just sugar or ice. They were smooth, vibrant, and balanced--easily some of the best batidos I've had. For appetizers, we shared three empanadas: Guava with Cream Cheese, Chicken, and Beef. While I'm not usually thrilled to see fried empanadas, these really worked. The seasoning on the chicken and beef was excellent--savory and well-balanced. I would've liked a bit more filling to dough ratio, but the flavors were solid. The guava and cream cheese empanada leaned more toward dessert, but it was delightful--sweet, creamy, and satisfying without being cloying. For our main entrees, we tried two standout dishes. The Rabo Encendido was a fine combination of Creole spices that stewed the oxtail into a rich, fall-off-the-bone masterpiece. As a Peruvian who's proud of his own roots, this dish reminded me of a well-made seco--a hearty, comforting stew that brings you home with every bite. I'm sure others will enjoy Rabo Encendido. We also ordered the Lechón Asado, which had been recommended to us--and it did not disappoint. I was expecting a slice of pork loin, but what arrived was beautifully tender pulled pork, marinated in mojo criollo, a citrusy blend of Cuban spices that was bold, bright, and deeply satisfying. Not greasy at all--just well-cooked, well-seasoned pork that spoke for itself. You can't go wrong with the simplicity of this dish. Lastly, a special shoutout to their house-made hot sauce, Havanero. It was a perfect twist of heat and Cuban spice--unlike most other Hispanic hot sauces I've tried. It was delightfully pleasant, adding a kick without overpowering the food. You can tell it was crafted to complement, not compete. We will be coming for more soon. read more

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First of all you'll never find this charming spot just driving by. It's a destination. Once you find it though you'll be happy you did. The saffron rice was a flavorful bed for the mixed seafood I ordered. The service was great and the decor charming, a real slice of old Havana. Don't skip the dessert or you'll have to return! read more

Cuba de Ayer Restaurant - The front of the restaurant - Cuban Near Me - Burtonsville, Maryland

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Hello im here to speak of a Place ive Been too Called Cuba De Ayer . This is on old Columbia Road . Near Papa John's , Rita's Italian ice and ither stores . Its a place Spanish owned . I applied there recently to embrace my Colombian Spamish heritage to know who and What I am . Ths is a place forvothers to come to discover a heritage and all theu never knew before . As you enter in from the parking area you see the Host and Barista arwa were the sell all sorts of Drinks even sidas and more. This place hasa giod huge dining arwa and a indoor back porch to have special occasions and interviews in. This place has a fantastic Menu for all delicious Cuan Foods you'll ever have you cant find anywhere else. Theu have concealed kitchen where they perform their magic to make your best foods you could ever want. This place is fir exploring a culture unlike anything youll ever encounter . Plus exploring my spanish heritage i hid from all my life because with the country as screwed up as it is . There at Cuba De Ayer i can be myself without being judged . I can explore freely to embrace my Colombian Heritage finally.and learn what I am . With the Mabagers and staffs help i can embrace it without fear. I want to cme there to oneday make my birthday spanish traditional among my family the Restrepos from Medellin. I just want to live up to their legacy as I should have ling ago . I never want to be judged or feared ever again . I love Cuba De Ayer fir its tradition and more and protect of our Spanish kind . I consider the staff and Management my family too . I eould do anything to protect them . I went to turn in an application and resume and I hope they consider me for host and food runner . This place is traditional so.please people who go there please respect it . I love this place as I hope yu all do . We hope to see you all there very soon.Cuba De Ayer is my home ill do what i must to protect it .the Hospitality is encountered there is Fantastic and i hope to come home there someday soon . read more

Cuba de Ayer Restaurant - Cuban Near Me - Burtonsville, Maryland

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Wonderful service , nice & cozy environment Our server did a great job at explaining traditional Cuban dishes and making recommendations read more

Cuba de Ayer Restaurant - Caribbean Salmon - Cuban Near Me - Burtonsville, Maryland

Food is delicious and worth the money. Good service with great flavor! I will most definitely be back!

So glad we were finally able to make it to Cuba de Ayer. We were a group of six and tried a bunch of the appetizers, sides and deserts plus some had Cuban sandwich, oxtail and the chicken. Everything was cooked perfectly and seasoned well. The Cuban coffee was the best I've had since moving out of Miami. We will be back! read more

The food was amazing here. I had the Rabo Encendido which is braised oxtails in a tomato based sauce. It was soooo freaking delicious. The service was cool my waitress was attentive. The ambiance was nice. They have a cute neon sign at its entrance. They have authentic Cuban food. read more

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This was my first time having Cuban food! It was a delight to try the beef empanadas reminded me of Jamaican meet pies...they were delicious!!!! Next up was the bistec salteado (Cuban sliced steak), which was very tasty with the sautéed veggies and that Cuban brown rice! Let's move to the ropa vieja (shredded pork in sauce), it was tasty with the rice but the plantains was the ultimate compliment with sweetness to the rice and pork..... Our servers were very helpful because we never had Cuban before and she took her time and explained the menu and helped us decide!!! The rest of the staff was super friendly too!!! I will be going back for seconds to see if it was as good as the first time...that's just me! If you want Cuban food this is the spot...give it a try! read more

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Ambiance and music was wonderful. But the food was absolutely amazing. The cafe con Leche and the rum cake was so good I forgot to take pictures. Our waitress was attentive and forthcoming with suggestions. I will return I need to try out the other drinks. read more

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This was our first time coming here. We went with friends and the food and service were great. I ordered the oxtail my boyfriend got Bistek and we also shared the chicken soup. All so good as well as the Flan! We will be back for sure. read more

Cuba de Ayer Restaurant - Cuban Near Me - Burtonsville, Maryland

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This place checks all the boxes you could want for an authentic Cuban food experience. My fiancé introduced me to this place last night as it is highly regarded among the family and actually one of her mom's favorite restaurants. This being my first time I went in with an empty stomach and open mind. I will try to recall the experience from the moment I entered to the moment we left. Atmosphere: the atmosphere is very inviting and you can tell they put a lot of thought and effort into the renovations of this place. It has been updated completely and you can tell by the little touches. You will be greeted with an enclosure that has a flame in a tube that allows you to see and feel the heat right before you enter. Then you will see a couch section with a lighted neon sign. Once you fully into the restaurant you will be greeted by the hostess that will seat you promptly. Reservations are recommended as this place can get busy. I noticed they decorated for Christmas and we actually ran into one of the staff that did the beautiful Christmas tree. They had decorations all around even down to the tiny details like a reef around the candle at the tables and little Christmas trees. The seating looks comfortable and aesthetically pleasing to match the black and white decor with cool chandeliers and ceiling fans. They also have really nice wallpaper that embodies the spirit of the restaurant. They even have a really cool hat wall with different types of hats that are commonly worn in the culture. Food: The food and drink here is without a doubt excellent! I loved how much flavor was in the different types of dishes we got. We got empanadas, shredded beef with rice and sweet plantains, steak with smashed savory plantains and everything was bursting with flavor. I got a classic mojito for my drink and it featured a piece of sugarcane and it was deliciously done. We ended the night with tres leches and even that was stellar. It was not soaking wet but still moist and flavorful. Service: Our server Karen was awesome! She was extremely knowledgeable about all of the offerings and even went above and beyond when she found out it was my first time to offer her feedback/recommendations for first-timers like myself. This did not go unnoticed and was greatly appreciated. She even went the extra step to get us a picture menu that shows the pictures for each of the dishes that are available. This was a valuable resource that helped me to be even more secure in my decision making when choosing a dish, this can be a pain point at times, especially when trying a new restaurant. She also checked on us throughout the night to ensure that our food was to our liking and followed up once we were done with to-go boxes. She helped to elevate this experience from just another visit to a restaurant to a true dining experience, she even told us some of her personal recommendations/ favorites. I definitely cannot wait to return as this earned a five out of five from me! Overall, this place is truly a hidden gem that I hope only gets better with age like a fine wine. 5/5 - SupaFlyITGuy approved! read more

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First time here and at the suggestion of my good friend Lynne S. several of us gathered for a lunch outing. The restaurant is what one would describe as "in the cut", but clearly lots of people know about Cuba de Ayer. That was a good sign. The food is really delicious. I think we all enjoyed our choices with the exception of the crispy plantains I chose for one of my sides. Not much flavor in those at all so I will be sure to always stick to the regular plantains. Checking in on Yelp gets you a free empanada BUT there were two yelpers at the the table and only one of us could redeem. We found that a little off-putting. Other than that I would definitely return! read more

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This neighborhood gem located in Burtonsville is serving up authentic Cuban cuisine that makes you feel like you've been transported to Cuba. For cocktails the mojito and espresso martini was and well perfectly made and so delicious. The empanadas and shrimp avocado dish were the perfect stat to our meal For mains, the steak with the homemade chimichurri was bursting with flavor the pollo salteado was delicious but for me the star of the show was the oxtail which was so tender and succulent and marinated in their creole sauce. The service was so phenomenal that we entered as customers and left feeling like family. We ended with the tres leeches and rum cake paired with the cuban coffee and left feeling satisfied. Cocktails: Espresso Martini Classic Mojito Whiskey Mojito Appetizers: Empanadas: Beef, Chicken, Guava and Cheese Camarones en Aguacate (Shrimp and Avocado) Mains: Churrasco Cubano- Marinated steak with chimichurri Pollo Salteado- slices of chicken breast cooked with sautéed vegetables Rabo Encendido- oxtail cooked in tomato base creole sauce Desserts: Tres leches Rum cake Cafecito (Cuban coffee) read more

Ya'll know what this is! 4.5 stars Sooooo this was our second choice for today. Our fist one failed us miserably. So thankful because bay-bee! The food was awesome and so was our server. Shout out to Astrid! I'm not gonna say I was transported to Cuba because I've not been. Maybe one day. However, the restaurant is a total vibe from the music to the decor. We ordered yuca fries as the appetizer. Okay, so I now know that like yuca. As for the garlic dipping oil, it doesn't cling to the yuca as an emulsified dipping sauce such as a mayo or aioli would. You run the risk of oil dripping from the yuca on to your clothes. Fair warning, this food isn't cheap. You do get plenty. If you are looking for a quick $15 meal after taxes this ain't it. Well maybe if you just get a sandwich or a kid's meal. Maybe. Expect to spend a little and sit a while to enjoy every single bite. Yo ordered the Caribbean Salmon. Like me she opted for the fried plantains Her beans and rice are separate. I didn't taste her dish. I mean I don't eat salmon. Hush! It just isn't my thing. She had zero complaints about her meal. I ordered the pollo salteado with my rice and beans mixed. This emails looks simple as in can "I can make this at home". Be ye not fooled. This dish has a lot of flavor and well seasoned. The only teeny tiny thing I wanted was something to dip the fried plantain in. Now it is crispy, crispy ie dry but tasty. I'm truly showing my American south roots by wanting to dip everything served to me. Take some time to check out the photos. Gorgeous plating. You eat with your eyes first. I forgot what martini I ordered. Mango? I don't know but it too was beautiful. Not strong enough for me though. Perfectly chilled and balanced. read more

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