Sunday Brunch is the best here! Many vegetarian options for me. Delicious food. Great service. Marcos is a great server. So attentive! So funny! Will come here again 10/10 read more

Habana - tamal en cazuela rum pepper shrimp filet migñón con papas - Cuban Near Me - Irvine, California

The Cuban food was delicious and offered a wide variety of options. Lots of meats, fresh oysters, salads, desserts, breads, pancakes, waffles, eggs, veggies, etc... The service was warm and welcoming, which added to the overall experience. I especially loved the ambiance--the decor was vibrant and festive, and the music created a lively atmosphere that made me want to dance! The restaurant is kid-friendly and spacious enough to accommodate large groups comfortably. Just a heads-up: it's best to make a reservation, as it can get busy. The pricing is on the higher side--$68 for all-you-can-eat, or $58 after 2 PM with the same menu. Because of the cost, it's not somewhere I'd visit every month, but it's perfect for special occasions or a visit every few months. read more

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I have been to a number of Sunday brunch buffets in Orange county, and by comparison, the entire experience from food to service to ambience at Habana is hands down one of THE BEST buffets in Orange County. It all starts with the staff and management, it is one of the best restaurant cultures I've experienced. On our first visit, we had an issue where we got seated and the Manager Ray took care of us personally, and even when we came back a few months later, he remembered me and gave me a warm welcome. From the moment you book to when you arrive to when you are served, this is not a typical buffet where your server disappears and your finished plates pile up, our server came back to our table many times to make sure we were doing well, and we never had an issue with plates piling up, we always had water refilled, always got a chance to order more drinks, and never struggled to find our server. As you walk around the restaurant, the staff, and I mean all of them, seem extraordinarily friendly, smiling as they greet you, and always seem willing to help out. Even when I asked for directions to the restroom, the staff volunteered to walk me over to show me where it was. This type of service and attitude is just so rare these days that it really stands out when you experience it. As for the food, it is Cuban cuisine so very unique, delicious with many dishes you don't typically find anywhere else, and a lot of variety, including plenty of pescatarian and vegetarian options. There is a lot more seafood than you find in most buffets, and there's multiple made-to-order stations, including fresh pancakes, omelets, pasta, desserts, carving station and more. The entire restaurant has a cool vibe with Cuban decor everywhere, very eleborate chandeliers and distinctly Cuban furniture. They have done an outstanding job of teleporting you to another world, if just for a couple hours. I have to mention that I was at another place for Sunday brunch located in Orange a while back, and they not only made me wait nearly an hour for a table that I had booked, they completely ignored me when I voiced my concern, as if I should expect it. Well, you can expectd to be treated right at Habana, they prioritize and take care customers, Habana is one of the best restaurant experiences and even on holidays, they do it right. read more

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This Cuban Restaurant gets a 10 out of 10 in the food. The empanadas are soooo delicious I had to order some shrimp ones to go. I order the Filet Mignon for dinner. The meat was so soft and tender it melt in my mouth. The flavor was perfec The food was amazing, I had not had delicious Cuban food as I did here. Definitely my favorite were the empanadas. Everything was delicious. The food arrived fast and the environment was very pleasant. Wonderful place to take that special someone on a date and enjoy delicious food!!! My shrimp empanas were still very delicious the next day. I am for sure going to come back here. read more

My boyfriend and I were super excited to finally try Habana for Valentine's day. We had a reservation for 8:30p and we weren't seated until 9:15p. Someone who had a reservation at 8:15p checked in after was not seated until way after us. They definitely overbooked and their organization was just a mess :/ We were greeted by our waiter and introduced the menu and that was the last time we saw him. He was helping all the tables in his section next to us, but seemed to be avoiding us in particular. Super odd. It was already 9:51p (mind you, we were seated at 9:15p) and we still haven't ordered yet. At this point, we just wanted to get this over with and go home. We felt bad that we had to ask another waitress to assist, and she was kind enough to check in on us for the rest of the night. Our original waiter still never came. We wanted to order the Lobster Paella but they ran out. Fine. Our second choice was the Surf and turf, and that was also out!! So we just ordered the cod and seared ahi. Taste was just ok; kind of disappointing. I'm just curious as to why they didn't plan this out right knowing that it's Valentine's week. The whole logistics side was horrible on their part. Appetizers were ok. For dessert we had bread pudding and the flan. At least the bread pudding kind of made up for it, but not enough to make it worth $85 per person for the entire meal. Just glad they had heaters outside so it wasn't cold the whole night. Maybe we'll come for the brunch. read more

Habana - Cuban Near Me - Irvine, California

Habana's Sunday Brunch Buffet was absolutely amazing. The selection was incredible, with everything from omelets and fresh pastries to paella, slow-roasted lechon, empanadas, croquetas, and ceviche. The atmosphere was vibrant and lively. The buffet offered something for everyone. read more

Habana - Cuban Near Me - Irvine, California

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This is an amazing place with a great atmosphere from the moment you enter until you leave. The food and drinks are really good.

Love Cuban food and this place never disappoints. Vibrant atmosphere, inviting staff, and terrific service. Flavorful cocktails and food. My favorite dish is the ropa vieja, definitely a must have. read more

Habana - Ropa Vieja - Cuban Near Me - Irvine, California

Met my friend here for dinner this week and was greeted with complimentary champagne. We got the chicken empanadas as an appetizer. She got the ropa veja and I ordered the plantain chicken. Both were so good. The restaurant was decorated so nicely for the holidays as well. Candels and flowers. Such a great dinner. read more

This Cuban restaurant at the Irvine Spectrum is amazing. I had the traditional chicken rice and beans and it never disappoints. The service was outstanding and I love the tropical atmosphere. I'll be back. read more

Habana - Ceviche, tropical - Cuban Near Me - Irvine, California

The decor and ambiance of the place is so cool. I love the interior vibe and the outfits of the servers Tues the place together. I will say the music was incredibly loud, but it wasn't a huge issue for me. The server was solid, but nothing spectacular. He seemed busy all the time which made it hard for him to specifically service our table. The food came out great. My fav was the steak. It was prepared perfectly and the rice, pecans, plantains, and corn were great sides. What a great variety. The fries with the sandwich came out cold, but the manager came soon after the food came, so he was generous enough to get us a new order of fries. A very nice gesture which probably made the night. The rest of the food was good, but I don't think it's worth the prices. That is the main thing that stops this place from being a 5 star. It simply is too expensive for what you are getting. read more

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party of 7 for Sunday brunch buffet was great, didn't have to wait too long for my reservation. So many different Cuban dishes to try out, omelette station, charcuterie, lechon & so much more. Staff was friendly and was always around. read more

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Girls night out with my cousin and my niece in OC, and we spontaneously stopped by Habana. Staff was inviting out front and we were welcomed with complimentary rose at the entrance. Love the decor as we entered, full of life and culture. The three of us were seated at a curved booth, which also made it easy for us to share our meal family style. We decided to share two appetizers and an entree, and it was definitely more than enough for the three of us to share. Pork Croquetas ($22.50) - Not the Cuban croquetas I had in mind. I like the ones that are like potato on the inside and covered in bread crumbs and deep fried. This pork croquetas was more of a meatball with cheese in the center and laid in a bed of sauce, accompanied by bread. Liked it but didn't love it. Spanish Chorizo Sofrito Steamers ($22.40) - Delicious clams and chorizo in a delicious buttery wine broth, served with bread. Super delicious to dip the bread in the broth. El Churrasco ($46.59) - A Cuban style skirt steak served with corn, plantains, rice and beans.We enjoyed everything on this plate. The corn was still on the cob so I actually cut it off to make it easier and cleaner to share. Even if I was alone I wouldn't want all the sauce and cheese to get all over my face and clothes. I really enjoyed the chimichurri sauce and asked for extra. A very pricey meal. Service was on the slow side. We also had to order extra bread to optimally enjoy our meal. Also with the clam dish, it would have been nice if they gave us a bowl or container to dispose the shells. For such an expensive meal I was surprised to hear they don't do anything for birthday celebrations. Super lame. We were willing to pay for a dessert, but there's no point if I can't even get a candle in it. read more

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We had reservations for 4 at Habana and got complimentary rose at the door! So fun! We were seated right away. We got the Ropa Viejo, El Churrasco, Medianoche, and Shrimp Empanadas. I really enjoyed the shrimp empanadas. The steak was also good quality. We also enjoyed the new Chocolate Flan Cheesecake. Delicious! The perfect mashup of two amazing desserts. The manager, Milton, made our visit especially welcoming and special. Thanks Milton! read more

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Came here for the Sunday Brunch, celebrating a birthday. The atmosphere and music is very live. Food was descent with plenty varieties. The Lechon was my favorite, very tasty and delicious. The other choices are hit and miss. Everybody taste bud is different so it might be fine for you. It is a large place so it'll be great for big parties. They did run out of Oysters!! read more

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Habana is an express pass to Cuba. It's vibrant, energetic, whimsical, and architectural. We celebrated my good friend Edgar's birthday with a sampling of many things. Ropa Vieja with rice and black beans, Filet con Papas, Gambas al Ajillo, Vegetable Empanadas, and an order of delicious Plantains. The food was tasty with the accompaniment of chimichurri. Laura and Gabe were awesome servers and brought Birthday Flan to brighten the night with a sparkler on top. The Mango Chili Mojito and Pineapple Mojito were refreshing and beautifully decorated. Next time we would like to try their brunch and continue our journey of Cuban delicacies. read more

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Soooo pretty!!! When I walked in, they had bottles of champagne and glasses to give out. Every detail is immaculate and over the top. There are tons of flowers and candles in the bathroom. I had the Ropa Vieja so delish! read more

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Went to Habana for a birthday celebration and it was so good! The ambiance and decor are totally on theme--charming, vintage Havana vibes all around. Loved that they welcomed us with a glass of champagne at the host stand--such a nice touch! For apps, we got the Taste of Habana platter--standouts were the pork croquettes and veggie empanadas (better than the chicken ones). The ceviche was just okay--felt like it needed a bit more salt, so I'd probably try something else next time. For mains, two of us got the El Churrasco and it was incredible--the steak was tender and flavorful, and the beans were 10/10. One guest ordered the rum pepper shrimp (per our waiter's rec) and it tasted super authentic. Another got the plantain-crusted chicken, which was also a hit--just a bit heavy if you're not super hungry. Drinks-wise, the El Benny mezcal cocktail was a winner--would absolutely order again! Only letdown of the night was dessert. They brought out the El Pastelito for the birthday, and while it was a generous and thoughtful gesture, it just didn't taste great. We also tried the bananas foster (because, let's be honest, the tableside flambee is hard to resist), but unfortunately the bananas were burnt from the sugar scorching in the pan. All in all--amazing food, great drinks, and a fun experience. Just skip dessert and grab some ice cream from the mall after! read more

Habana - El Benny - Cuban Near Me - Irvine, California

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*VALENTINES DAY EXPERIENCE* This had to have been one of the most disorganized dinner experiences we have ever been to. The way this restaurant prioritized how many tables they had set up over their customers baffled me. Firstly, when we went to check in there was a massive crowd surrounding the check in stand. No line organization whatsoever. Most of the crowd had been people who already checked in and were waiting to be called for their reservations. We managed to figure out where the line was and checked in only to notice that the two employees were very lightly calling names. So that explained why everyone was crowding because you couldn't hear them. There was zero organization here and everyone looked so confused. It's Valentine's Day and of course everyone booked a reservation so of course we were surrounded by other couples wanting to have a romantic night, yet now the vibe was completely off and you had all of these couples complaining that they were waiting 30 minutes to over an hour over their reservation time. Mind you we had reservations at 9. We got lucky and didn't have to wait that long and were seated 15 minutes late. But we had a couple we were chatting to who had reservations at 8 and still hadn't been seated. Then as you're seated there is nothing but tables inches away from eachother with zero space between you and another couple. Our table was wobbly and we literally had to hold it steady with our legs. Heaters were not working properly and everyone had the same look of disappointment on their faces. Your staff appeared visibly stressed with servers not even knowing which table was which. They would just bring food up and hope it was the right table. Then you have one waiter serving the entire first outdoor section. Are you kidding? This restaurant clearly overbooked and didn't have enough staff to compensate for it. Now we had been to the Costa Mesa location months ago and had an amazing time! But this experience completely makes me never want to recommended this location ever. To make matters worse, there was zero point in this pre fix menu because they ran out of lobster which was literally the biggest part of the menu. That absolutely made us upset, because now we couldn't even get the main courses to share. Then you had a woman walking with a trash bag full of roses putting them on the tables, stressed staff, and upset customers everywhere. We literally just ordered the desert and immediately requested the check to get the heck out of here! We left by 11:20 ish and they still had a crowd of people waiting to be sat for their reservations. All I can say is this place was one of the worst experiences ever. Honestly I know Valentine's Day is a busy day but what is the point in a pre fix menu if you're still going to make people wait. We had a great day overall and didn't let this ruin it but still, what an horribly organized event. Awful. read more

Habana - Cuban Near Me - Irvine, California

We were greeted with a complimentary glass of champagne. We were given the option of a table or booth and we took the booth and all of our tableware were moved over quickly. Food was amazing! We ordered mostly appetizers and cocktails. Very well decorated and feels like we were transported into habana! Great place for a girls dinner or date night. read more

Habana - Cuban Near Me - Irvine, California

My husband and I had a date night at Habana during OC Restaurant Week. We made a last minute reservation and arrived early. We had requested the patio and was given a 4-top on the back patio. It was comfortable as it had been a warm day. We took advantage of their restaurant week prix fixe which was $45 per person. We ordered the IPA ($11) and Guava Smash ($18). We ordered the avocado frito, chicken empanadas, ropa vieja, lechon asado, flan, and strawberries & cream. My husband was surprised at the avocado frito and bewildered by the texture. We both enjoyed the empanadas and shared bites of the entrees. It has been a while since I had been at Habana but they have had consistent food and service over the years. This time, the server forgot our waters when taking our orders and we had to request it. The food was tasty and filling. The pace was quick as if they had made items in advance instead of to order but for restaurant week, they would have prepped in advance. The service was so-so since it was a busy Friday evening. It was a nice break from cooking but man have prices increased over the years. I remember when they opened and their mojito used to be $9. Now cocktails are double that with even more ice. read more

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Very fun ambiance - was greeted with a small glass of sparkling wine, lively music, and great decor. Really felt like you were in Cuba. The food and coffee were stellar and all of the staff were kind and attentive. read more

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Came to Habana and honestly I'd go back just for the service alone. Tony was our server and he deserves ALL the praise in the world. If you make a reservation, ask if he's working that day! He set the mood from the second we sat down -- his energy is infectious, he made sure every person at our table felt taken care of, made wonderful recommendations, took a group photo for us without us even asking, and even put on gloves to help some of us cut corn on the cob! Little touches like that made the whole dinner feel extra special. We also told him it was one of our birthdays at the end of the meal, and he paid for the cake out of his own pocket because we closed the tab already - needless to say we put that right back into his pocket, but it was the gesture that spoke volumes to how he wanted to make our night. The food: We were lucky enough to try the Crème Brûlée Corn the very first day it hit the menu -- and wow. It's an absolute must-order. Perfect salty-sweet-crunchy balance. One order can easily feed 3-4 people... although it's so good you might not want to share! Definitely one of the best appetizers I've had in a while. For my main, I had the New York steak, which came with mac and cheese and plantains. The steak was a little on the tougher side -- next time I'd go for the flat iron instead. But everything else was full of buttery, bold flavor. They also surprised us with a welcome glass of rosé which instantly made it feel like a party. Between the amazing service, lively atmosphere, and flavorful food, Habana is definitely a spot I'll be coming back to. Ask for Tony if you can -- he'll make your night! read more

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Horrible horrible horrible. The food was disgusting and made my dad sick. Our server was very nice and attentive but I will never return. Dine elsewhere read more

I was really looking forward to this dinner with my wife, but unfortunately, the food did not meet our expectations. I ordered the roasted pork with rice, and my wife had the ropa vieja. The pork tasted like it had been prepared days earlier--it was very dry and lacked flavor. My wife barely touched her dish. On a positive note, the service was excellent. Our server checked in frequently and made sure we were taken care of. We didn't mention the food issues at the time because we felt a bit uncomfortable doing so. The drinks were great, and the atmosphere was nice and pleasant. However, the food simply didn't match the quality of the service or the setting. It also felt a bit pricey for what we received. I did tip the server well, as they did a great job. In the end, though, it's the kitchen that needs to meet the expectations set by the rest of the experience. Unfortunately, this was our first and likely last visit. read more

The ambiance, the food and the cocktails were fantastic. Highly recommend!! We got the Habana and split between the two of us and it was perfect read more

Habana - Taste of Habana - Cuban Near Me - Irvine, California

Our first visit to Habana for brunch exceeded all of our expectations! From the moment we arrived, the hostess welcomed us with a glass of rosé & accommodated our request to sit near a TV so we could watch the FIFA match. Every interaction was exceptional from the hostess to the management team and the rest of the staff. Everyone was genuinely kind & welcoming. You can truly tell the employees enjoy working there, and that positive energy creates an incredible guest experience. A special thank you to our bartender and server, Bella, who went above & beyond to make us feel at home. She made excellent drink recommendations, provided outstanding service & even invited us back to experience the dinner menu which we can't wait to do. The food and cocktails were absolutely delicious, and the vibrant atmosphere made us feel like we were on vacation. Habana has definitely earned returning customers, and we highly recommend it to anyone looking for an amazing brunch experience! read more

Came here on Monday around 7PM, and even though it was quite busy, we were immediately seated. My boyfriend and I ordered the Chicken Empanadas and Gambas al Ajillo. The Chicken Empanadas were delicious. The pastries had a nice golden color and were flaky. The chicken was perfectly mixed with some bite-sized mango, adding a nice touch of sweetness. As for the Gambas al Ajillo, the shrimps were plump, large, and hot. The amount of white wine was perfect, enhancing both the shrimp and garlic flavor. The paprika also helped with that unique touch to the dish. Bread and rice were provided, giving us more chances to devour that delicious sauce. Though it was an oily dish, it was absolutely tasty. Overall, the foods were flavorful and unique. The staff were nice, knowledgeable, and attentive. The restroom decorations had lots of candles making it feel intimate and calming. This place is in the Irvine Spectrum shopping center so free parking was a plus! read more

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Brought my wife here for our 1 year anniversary, it's one of her favorites and it didn't disappoint. The staff were professional, friendly and provided complimentary champagne upon entry. The food was delicious and well cooked, it is on the pricey side so be prepared to spend more than usual but the venue and overall ambiance is worth the expense. I would recommend this location. read more

Habana - Cuban Near Me - Irvine, California

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If I could give a 0 stars, I would. Came here 3 times recently, twice in the evening and once in the afternoon. Completely ignored by the staff, had to ask to be served. People walking around like there are no customers, going about their business cleaning chatting l, etc. We sat for 20 min and had to ask if someone is going to take our order. Ignorant staff and service is absolutely the worst. Food oily. read more

Had a good experience at the Costa Mesa location so I decided to try it out here since I was in the area for my birthday. Terrible service, our table was tucked in the corner and really dark, our server was more focused on cracking jokes and half-assing his customer service. He kept forgetting us and he just wasn't genuine. Food was okay. Wish I did not spend my birthday dinner here. Overall, not worth it. Ambiance is too dark because we were seated outside, need more lights. read more

Was here for a lunch meeting. Got their lunch combos. My quarter leg chicken was tiny - mini bird sized. My friends was double the size. The empanadas were good. Other sides and sauces ok too. Felt like they premade alot of the items. Served barely warm or lukewarm temp. The flan is consistenly good. I would order off the regular menu, served hot, better tasting. read more

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I meant to try their Sunday brunch, but I booked a reservation for Saturday instead. Nevertheless, I felt that we had a pretty good experience for brunch. We ordered shrimp empanadas for appetizers and a guava bellini. The $5 bellini was generously poured and delicious. The shrimp empanadas were A-OK. It was good and I can't recall the last time I had shrimp paired with a cheesy filling. It was good to open up our appetite. For our entrees, my wife got a plantain pancake plate, which came with coconut syrup, a sunny side egg, their hash, and bacon. She liked the pancakes but would have preferred a little more plantain on her pancakes. I definitely wanted steak for my appetizer and I thought about their steak and eggs, but chose to go for their "el churrasco" plate, which had the same cost. The Churrasco plate had hanger steak, grilled corn, rice/beans, and fried plantains. The steak was nicely grilled, and I thought everything on the plate was delicious. The server said that the churrasco plate "is the best thing on the menu" and I'd have to say that you should consider coming here for this. Overall, I think habana is a great choice for a lunch or dinner at the Irvine Spectrum. Though I would have liked to try their Sunday Brunch Buffet, their a la carte Saturday brunch wasn't bad as well. read more

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Emmanuel Ramirez was a fantastic server and we really enjoyed our experience tonight. We will be back!

Fun way to enjoy a Sunday morning with a buffet of goodies! Great customer service. You get one free champagne and any additional drinks will be put on your tab. Cute Cuban vibe inside with the old school tv. Loved the decor! I enjoyed the raw oysters most and the fried bananas. Dessert was chill. :) I liked that they had cotton candy in front of the restaurant. read more

Habana - Smorgasbord of yummies - Cuban Near Me - Irvine, California

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Tony was the absolute best ! Took care of me and my party on a Friday night . Was very attentive and on top of service . Great food, great service , great all around . read more

Food, ambience, service...5/5. Located at the Irvine Spectrum. Upon entering, you are transported to a Cuban themed restaurant with an upscale casual ambience. Food is made very well. Great quality and amount at a decent price. Staff are very nice from the time you are greeted at the door. read more

Habana - El Churrasco (skirt steak, elote, rice, beans, plantains) - Cuban Near Me - Irvine, California

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We've been here a handful of times over the years for lunch & OC restaurant week, and today we visited for the Sunday brunch buffet (our first time) for Father's Day! We loved it. The staff were friendly, attentive (our water glasses got filled frequently), and helpful. The buffet spread was incredible--so many options, so colorful, and there's something for everyone ! My picky/particular toddler ate so well and was so entertained by the music, other diners, friendly staff, and restaurant decor. The guava French toast, flambéed bananas (banana foster), roasted bell peppers, Lechon pork, and Cuban sandwiches were some of our favorites. Because of the price point ($78 for Father's Day) we talked about this initially being a 1-time thing, but the food & experience were so good that we'd love to return for another special occasion. read more

Abby was the best! She recommended everything we got and we absolutely loved it. My favorite was the chili mango mojito and the ropa Vieja. Both are on the happy hour menu. I highly recommend coming to this a place. read more

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Haiku: Habana Sunday brunch buffet 1940s Havana The vibes here are fire. --- Be prepared for an immersive Cuban experience. My family and I came for their famous Sunday brunch buffet, and we were impressed with the food selection. There was a whole roasted pig (lechon!), seafood paella, cocktail shrimp, ceviche, made-to-order omelet bar, smoked salmon, salad bar, chorizo mac and cheese, ropa vieja, empanadas, and sausage. There was so much more food, but I had to prioritize. A dessert bar with every mini tart, flan, and cake pop imaginable. There was even a bananas foster station. We were a little disappointed with the service though. Midway of us dining, our server didn't come around as often, and my parents wanted refills of their drinks. Then he forgot to bring their drinks a couple of times. It was probably because the restaurant was hustling and bustling, and he had other tables to juggle. Service aside, I'd still return for their Sunday brunch buffet on special occasions. Sunday brunch buffet prices: 10a-2p $58 2-3p $48 Kids 12 and under $38 read more

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