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Wed-Thu. 11:30 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Fri. 11:30 a.m. - 12:00 a.m.
Sat. 12:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.
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1. Tequila Mojito.
Really, that's all I should have to say.
They get the best cocktail from the Caribbean and throw some Mexican in it.
It's just how I like my men: Latin, strong and delicious.
2. Ensalad de Aguacate
Fresh avocado and onion drizzled with a vinagrette dressing so good that it has caused me to consider licking the plate.
3. Churrasco con Salsa Chimichurri
Forget that it's perfectly cooked meat. Forget that the sides are wonderful. This is one of the best Chimichurris salsas I've ever had.
4. Dancing/Bar
Late nights on the east side of LA leave a limited number of places that have live salsa dancing. This place is bumpin' at the bar and special dance area late nights. Live band? Yup.
Basically this is a great place for all types of occasions...
Date? Try the dinner, it's romantically lit and they will be impressed witht he food. You'll be happy because the food will be satifying for not a lot of money
Drinking with friends? The bar has so many great choices and a friendly crowd
Either way, it's one of the best in on the east as far as food and drinks...and did I mention the Tequila Mojito?
I mostly go to Cuban on Friday nights for free salsa dancing. It gets a bit crowded sometimes and overheated, but I get my salsa fix.
Tambien, LaSangria es muuuuy deeeeliccciosaaaa!
Wow, this place is just oh so good.
I came here to have dinner with a few of my sister in law gf's.
Very nice atmosphere, I really understand why in the front of the door this place said dress code strictly enforced??!!! For a restaurant? Really? Oh well, I was a wrap black dress so I figure it was ok.
Sat down and was brought these house bread, yum, nicely toasted and buttered.
I had ordered the Masitas de Puerco this dish is a pork dish. I don't really eat pork much but wow this was just awesome and the flavors of the meat and onions were just awesome!
This dish was morsels of marinated fresh pork, seasoned and then fried until crispy on the outside and tender in the inside, served with moros and sweet plantains. I would recommend this dish. I actually ended up splitting this dish because the portions were nice portions.
Now I do not have to travel for Cuban food! Oh yumola!
Not awful, but not very good in any aspect, except maybe the long list of speciality drinks. So if you're just going to be drinking before a movie at the theater across the street, you could do worse.
The fried yucca appetizer was small in portion and bland. The chicken empanadas were okay though a little bland. The masitas were a little too fatty and they skimped big time on the mojo. Plus it was a small portion. The moros was okay but bland. The maduros weren't ripe enough. The shrimp with ajillo was okay but nothing original and also was a small portion. Service was decent and friendly, but when the food is not up to par with other restaurants like El Floridita and Cuba Central, why bother.
It's a frequent lunch place for most everyone at work since it's located right on Main St and close to work. I usually bring lunch so I haven't been here in a few years. But the inside looks exactly the same. Same pictures and art and colors. Parking is not a problem either as there's a large structure in back as well as street parking. They have a lunch menu now which I heard is pretty recent. There's like 6 meaty dishes that cost ten bucks that include beans, rice, plantains, and a drink. They also have a lot of other dishes too that are less than 10 dollars - sandwiches and chicken and pork. I had a beef dish which was small cut of pieces of beef and bell peppers - like fajitas kinda. It was tasty and the full meal filled me up pretty well. I like the plantains especially - not too sweet and a great way to end the meal. Usually the food comes out pretty quickly but it took a lot longer this time. We had a large party of 8 so that might have been a reason. They even gave us a free vanilla ice cream scoop in a small waffle type cup with a candle because it was our co-worker's birthday.
Love this place, my favorite dish is the macitas de porquo. excellent mojitos and sangria
Outstanding Grub! Shockingly affordable and a cool vibe! What more could you want? I came here with some family members that frequent the bistro a lot. They have raved about it for years, and now I know why. The Lechon Asado was flawless, delicious in all the right ways. I was able to eat a full meal, and have two Level Martinis and only spend 30ish bones (not bad). I would most def recommend this joint to all the Cuban lovers out there, or just the standard food lover!
Horrible imitation of Cuban food!
i ordered a side of Yucca. The mojo that comes on top of it was burned garlic with such a bitter taste. Sent the plate back and ordered tostones (since they can't make any substitutions...ridiculous) and got mojo on top of them. What cuban tradition is that? I order the bistec palomilla and it was covered with fat. I just came back from Miami and had my grandmother's cooking... what a way to compare! This is the americanized version i guess or a poor attempt to make cuban food. What nationality are the cooks back there? Geez!
Cuban Food - Cuban Food
It is practically nonexistent on the West Coast.
Let's keep it that way, I don't mind!
Why would a Cuban boy like me say that????
It's simple really! If you have ever known any Cuban with a history of cooking Cuban food, No other food matters. No other recipe matters. No restaurant will be good enough! We are like that as a Nationality!
Trust me! This theory is true. My grandmother passed away 15 years ago. None of her children ever learned to cook as good as her. My mother who passed away 7 years ago would of agreed. My families cooking history is probably lost forever and I except that. I have said it before, it's my way of honoring them! I just can't stop myself from missing those flavors though. My grandmother's picadillo, ropa vieja, papas rellenas, tamales, empanadas, croquetas and of course black beans and a lot of rice.
For me it truly is a "Ratatouille Moment" sometimes when a taste good Cuban food. I am talking about the scene in the Disney movie when the arrogant food critic puts the Ratatouille in his mouth and has a flash back of his own mother cooking the dish for him as a boy. It's kind like that for me when tasting good Cuban food.
Cuban Bistro delivers that scene to me in the form of there "moros y christianos". Also known as Black Bean Rice. I put it in my mouth and I time warp back to being 9 years old and looking over my grandmothers shoulder as she scraped that rice dish away from that old cast iron pot that she had.
That side dish at Cuban Bistro delivers to me every great thing I can remember about my families cooking history.
I have been to Cuban Bistro several times. This day my father wanted to come here and have his "Ratatouille Moment" For him it's the Masitas de Puerco dish. Slow cooked marinated pieces of pork that Cuban Bistro then Fries until crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Cuban version of Carnitas! My father would say how he was a boy and his mother would be frying up pieces of pork for him to eat. I also ordered this dish because lets face it. Pork is king to Cubans and it is another fond memory of my childhood as my family would roast an entire pig underground for Easter!
The best Cuban food outside of Cuba itself is being produced on the East Coast, but I am so happy that someone here in Los Angeles is keeping those fond family memories alive in my heart!
Great Restaurant - Great Food - Great Nightlife Scene if you love Latin music. too!
Give them a Try!
(para mi Madre Olimpia y mi Abuela Lucia)
Salud!!
Sangria was enjoyable. Tried the ribs w/orange jalepeno sauce - fall off the bone and delicious. The lechon asado was pretty good too. Dessert was the postre de plantanos y helado (i.e. plaintain pastry w/ice cream). Unique and enjoyable.
Why hello Yelp! It's been a while.
For some time, I felt like I was reviewing the same things over and over. Sushi, Mexican, Thai, yadda yadda ya know? This is why I've gone out of my way to write a review for Cuban Bistro.
I don't think I've had Cuban food, so this was something new to write about! If you think it's like Mexican food, think again!
My mom took me here because she said she tried it a couple times and it was good. She had me order for the both of us because she felt a rittle raaazy at the moment. So I ordered myself the Mahi Mahi w/ a papaya mango salsa. It came with some savory rice and sweet plantains. Plantains were ok, but the rice was perfect! The papaya mango salsa went great w/ the Mahi Mahi. However, I think they only gave me one Mahi. Lol... j/k
For my mother, I ordered the Pollo Guayaba. It was a roasted chicken with a guava-infused glaze. Sooooooo GOOD! It came with a side of black beans and white rice and plantains. I tried the black beans and rice thinking it wasn't going to be anything special, but it was just as tantalizing to my palette as the other food.
I have a major sweet tooth, so I LOVE sweet flavors incorporated into food that is usually savory. Coming here has inspired me to cook using more fruits. When eating a type of food can inspire your own cooking, you know it's something unique!
As for the service, it was aiiite. I felt under dressed too. There's a sign saying there's a strict dress code enforced after 6pm, but they didn't say anything to my mom and me. I was wearing jeans and some dirty polo. My mom was wearing athletic shoes and some capris. They were slow so I guess they were willing to take anybody.
Welp, Yelp, until next time!
Cuban Bistro
Where to start? Ok, how about I start with the "Good"... The reasons why Cuban Bistro earned 3 Stars(if I could I would have given it 3 1/2 Stars)...
-The Atmosphere... I'm pretty sure that the main reason anyone comes to Cuban Bistro is for the atmosphere--it is a more up-scale, semi-fine dining "date restaurant". The décor is clean & modern, very "Golden-Era Cuba". Though Yelp! Lists the attire as casual, I would have felt awkward walking in for lunch or dinner in flip-flops and a tank top. I would say the décor and clientele lend themselves to make Cuban Bistro attire at least Business Causal.
-The Service... We were promptly seated and greeted by our waiter during the meal our water glasses were never left empty (or even given as chance to get empty).
So why not 4 or 5 Stars?
-The Food... it was just good,not great and a bit pricey for what you're getting.
I ordered the Lechon Asado (Oven roasted pork marinated in a citrus juice blend, served with white rice, black beans and sweet plantains). $12.50
The best part of the meal was the rice, beans and plantains... which is fine if I couldn't make them just as well at home without the $12.50 price tag. (If we are talking raw-product prices you could make this portion of black beans, white rice and plantains at home for about $2) [Also worth noting if you just want to order a small side of white rice and black beans it would set you back $7.50 here... WTF?]
The pork, it was good, just good. The meat was well-cooked but the flavor was a little off... it was bitter not citrus-y and on the menu they don't tell you that it comes SMOTHERED with onions. I mean, I like onions just as much as the next guy but wowzers. So the Lechon Asado was reminiscent of Carnitas but bitter and overpowered by onions. (See pic)
We were also served "garlic bread", which was little toasted disks of bread soaked in way too much melted butter and a hint of garlic. (It was an after thought that we ate just because it was there, not because it was good) [Oh and I LOVE me some butter but this just didn't do it for me]
Bottom Line-
If you want a good, juicy marinated pork dish served with a side of rice and beans at half the price go to your local Mexican joint for a Carintas plate. (And don't worry, I am well aware that there is a difference between Mexican food and Cuban food... If you want to go to Cuban Bistro for something strictly and traditionally Cuban be my guest, but as far as an oven roasted or braised marinated pork dish goes the Lechon Asado plate here is a flavor demotion from a good Carintas plate.)
If you want to try out a new "date restaurant" and don't mind paying extra for some plain good food with great atmosphere, give Cuban Bistro a try.
If you're looking for GREAT, WONDERFUL or AMAZING food, this isn't the place.
I grew up in Alhambra -- from 0-18 I lived within walking distance to Main street... and my, a lot has changed in 26 years...
Main Street was always kind of a joke -- and still kinda is. The restaurants (with the exception of the Asian restaurants...) were always sub-par. The crowds were not exactly my kind of crowds (still aren't...). Really, the only reason to go to Main Street was for a greasy fix at Rick's.... a teenage-trip to Penny Lane or when I was a kid -- a trip to Sanrio.
Now, Main Street has a ton of restaurants, shops, the "chain-corner" (movie theater, Applebees, Johnny Rockets, Panda Express, Coffee Bean).
But still, for me, the only reason I ever ventured onto Main Street was because I was a teenager and didn't have a car... But now that I'm 10 years older, have a car, and no longer live in the ALH -- I avoid Main Street like the plague.
But Cuban Bistro might be my one reason to return to Main Street like a prodigal daughter...
The interior of the restaurant itself is actually quite nice, dim and candlelit -- definitely a good date place. (The time I went was not a date... but rather a dinner with my boyfriend and my DAD. Romance was not on my mind).
The prices were pretty reasonable considering the quality of food and the atmosphere.
Being a vegetarian, I ordered a few side dishes that ended up making the perfect meal -- the soup special, a salad (quite small for the price.. but tasty), the veggie empanadas and plantains (because they're my faaavvooorriitee). I had more food than I could finish -- and it was all quite delish.
Thanks Cuban Bistro for giving me a reason to return to my Main Street roots every once in a while...
Good food, I've only gone for lunch and I have not left disappointed, the tostones are tender and flavorful (not dried out like other "Cuban" places)
all in all this place will deliver good food.
This is my favorite restaurant to date. From the efficient service to the cozy atmosphere and live music, Cuban Bistro has never disappointed any of the 4 times that I've been here.
It may just be that my friends and I have always missed peak hours, but there's hardly ever a wait. The lighting is dim and moody, which I don't usually like (I prefer to be able to see my food, and it's embarrassing having to use flash to take photos :P), but here it has a cozy effect. Live music isn't every night, but when there is, the music gives the restaurant a lively air. The wait staff is not friendly per se but is very receptive to questions and good with suggestions. They've always been quick to take my plate back when I've requested moros rather than separate beans and rice.
Food-wise, I am a huge fan. Granted I have never tried Cuban food elsewhere, so I can't comment on the authenticity of the cuisine, but every dish I've tried has hit all the right spots. The small, complimentary pieces of garlic french bread are the perfect sized beginning to the meal, so you don't feel all carbed out before the entrees even arrive.
Puerco al Horno with Creamy Polenta - My first visit, I tried this item off the special menu. The stuffed pork was very good and tender, but the polenta...oh the polenta! I'd never had it before, and this was love at first bite. I've since searched the menu each time for polenta and have never seen it again. Love unrequited...sure I can probably make it myself, but it wouldn't be the same...
Lechon Asado - This shredded pork (can you tell I have a thing for pork?) was tender, juicy, and flavorful, but it was nothing too special. I actually liked the moros (rice with black beans mixed in) better than the pork.
Costillitas in Guava Sauce - This is my favorite dish (after the polenta, which was magical). The pork is tender and falls off the bone with just the gentlest of nudging. The guava sauce is sweet and complements the savoriness of the pork nicely. Combined with the fried plaintains, the dish is a little sweet overall, but I like sweet.
Cuban Bistro is a great place to catch up with friends or have a candlelit date over delicious food. I'm a fan for life...
I went here on a first date and it was a great place for that. The service was balanced- timely and efficient, but left us alone enough to get to know one another, the food was tasty (though not stellar), and the ambiance was nice.
The food: I loved the soup but the ropa vieja was not as flavorful as the same dish from Versailles.
Pretty much the only ways in which this place surpasses Versailles is the decor/lighting, which is far more date-friendly, and having a full bar... which comes in handy when you're feeling that first date edge.
All in all, a success. I would go here again if I were nearby, but I wouldn't make the drive just for that.
(ps- the date was better than the restaurant.)
I think this place is amazing. Unfortunately, I've only been here once due to the fact that their schedule seems a little unpredictable.. or maybe I'm just not paying attention. I came here for lunch with some co-workers but the past couple of times I've tried getting lunch here, it's always closed. *sad face* When I did get the pleasure of trying them out, they were awesome.
for an appetizer we had the deep fried yuca chips with cilantro dipping sauce. so addictive. for my entree, i ordered the roasted garlic chicken with bitter orange sauce. sounds fancy but really simple in its execution. the food came with the obligatory white rice and black beans and also a nice little serving of plantains. if i could i would probably eat 2 plates of this stuff. the chicken was so moist and flavorful and like always, i love a contrast of sweet and savory.
one of my coworkers ordered the salmon salad and she was not satisfied so i would stick with the traditionals. i didnt get a chance to taste it but it pretty much looked like a piece of grilled salmon on top of lettuce. not anything to get excited about.
Came out with some friends and thought the place was pretty nice. The lighting was dim and the decor simple, but tasteful.
We sat down and were greeted by our waiter pretty quick. I ordered the Lechon. It was very tasty! I really liked the Morros (fried black beans and rice). All in all pretty good. Definitely somewhere I can come to again, but not 4 star IMHO.
I come from a very large Mexican family which owned and operated our own restaurant. I went to Cuban Bistro with 6 of my cousins and my husband. Each of us ordered something different and all of us were pleased with our meals. I ordered the Lechun Asada and it was absolutely yummy. The pork was so tender, moist, and flavorful. My cousin ordered the chicken in guava sauce, her portion was huge, and the aroma alone was flavorful. My husband ordered the shredded beef which melted in my mouth. Everyone tried to get my cousin George to let us sample his lamb with mashed potatoes but he wouldn't budge. All of our meals came with a giant side of rice and black beans and delicious sweet plantains that would put any banana fosters to shame. A very good price, the average meal was only $12.5 and they have a chupa honey beer for only $3. The only thing I wouldn't bother with is the Yucca, it's really not good. I'm sure we'll be back at the Cuban Bistro, the Lechun Asada is calling my name.
With cuban food, I'll always be a little bias. The food here was clean but nothing memorable. The mojitos were nice..................I always try to determine the restaurant with their signature sandwich or dish. I tried the cubano sandwich and was content. Having been spoiled by the food in NYC, I will say it was mediocre. Aye papi- bon apetite!
Been here a lot, mostly for drinks and happy hour h'orderve's. I like the Cuban Sandwich and the drinks are the best. They use gold rum in their Mojitos.
I LOVE CUBAN BISTRO! It is my favorite restaurant. Their Mango Mojito Martinis are amazing. I usually will get either the Churrasca con Salsa Chimichurri or the Lechon Asado. Both, I think, are fantastic. I always ask for my beans and rice to be Morros y Cristianos because they are even more flavorful that way. For desert, I love their flans.
I am also a fan of Versailles, but when I want something a little more upscale, I definitely will go to CB. I read that a lot of people were disheartened with their service. I have always had great service there. Even when I had my wedding rehearsal dinner, they were on top of everything.
Wow! If you're ever feeling like some good Cuban food, this is the best place to go. Most people rave about Versailles, but it pales in comparison to Cuban Bistro. The Chicken Milanese is incredible. The appetizers are so tasty! I've tried their plantains, empenadas, potato balls and croquettes. All were delicious! The bread that they serve you is warm, slightly seasoned and buttered. I suggest that you go here on an empty stomach and make this meal your only meal for the day. It's definitely worth every bite!!
It was a Sunday evening and I decided to take my Mother and My son to have dinner, so we decided (My mother and I, My son only gets to decide what he wants to eat and drink and thats about it).. I after get my ride washed and my sons hair cut ( you know he gotta rock the hawk) We picked up my mother and were off..
If there is one thing that really gets me kinda irritaded is people that don't know how to drive..driving up Garfield Bully into Alhambra is like driving through the Twighlight Zone... the Radio dies out and all you hear is the old Narrators voice saying.. "It's a Sunday Evening in Los angeles
California and a Man, his mother and his son depart thier home in search of a Cuban Meal and what they experiance on the way to thier Destination will shock you, Welcome to the almost Alhambra bad Driver Zone", (Theme music) Dodo dodo dodo dodo! Holly mother of all things right... there are some really bad driver out there, I almost got into 2 accidents because people either stop right in front of you trying to make a left, and they don't put the turn signal on until they are stoped and ready to turn..Geeezzz people..
So besides the traffic, we parked behind Rick's Burgers and walked to our Dest, As we walked in we were greeted and sat very quickly, granted it was not to busy. Our Server was very cool, very attentitive I ordered the Mistas De Puerco (Merinated deep fried Pork) and Yucca De Moro (Steamed Yucca Root with a Garlic Sauce), I got my self a O.G Mojito..
The food was very good the pork was nice and crispy out side and very tender inside, it also came with grilled onions, the Yucca was also Bombba ruckies, moms said that her dish Ropa Vieja was very good and she also got her self (on me) a glass of Sangria she said " She is going to learn how to make it so she can sit in the back yard in summer and have a pitcher of it with ice sitting next to her" so I am asuming it was that good... My son got the grilled flank steak and french fries and an Orange juice.. all in all this a great place to come and enjoy some good Cuban food.
In the words of my idol, Celia Cruz "AYE que RICO! AZUCAR!!!!!"
Best Cuban food my pallet has ever experienced.
And if you're like me who thinks Versailles in Culver City is Cuban food, prepare to be enlightened...
Cuban Bistro is authentic comida Cubana.
For starters, I ordered the Empanadas de Pollo with Chimichurri sauce.
HELL-O!!!!!!!
The sauce alone was to die for.
I drizzled that Chimichurri sauce all over my empanadas and saved the rest for my entree!
I got the traditional Bisteque de Pollo with garlic.
Came loaded with the best black beans and rice -- EVER.
The flavor was just indescribable.
The plantains were soft and sweet and buttery delicious.
The chicken steak was great -- Moist, flavorful, saucy and without the garlic overload.
The Mojitos:
Italy ruined Mojitos for me...as in, I can't seem to find a place that makes great mojitos with the sugar cane and right amount of mint here in my homeland...
I tried to Guava Mojito @ Cuban Bistro -- geeze. Can a mojito taste this friggin' amazing?
The Sangria was great, as well. Loaded with diced apples and oranges and other fruit...very nice indeed.
I loved the romantic setting, dim lighting, and the live band playing salsa music.
Great food, overly attentive staff, fun atmosphere....
Definitely a spot worth checking out if you're craving un poquito de Cuba, aye conyo!
IMHO, what makes a good restaurant a great restaurant is when the waiters give a crap about the food and their service. At Cuban Bistro, ours didn't give anything.
We ordered the chicken empanadas and the guava chicken. However, girlfriend almost choked on a chicken bone when she took a bite of empanada. Thankfully, she was ok. When we brought this to the attention of our server, he made it seem like it was our fault the bone was in it. BASTARD! Didn't even offer to give us a replacement or take it off our bill. Talk about shitty service.
The only good side about this place (hence, the 1 star) was that they have $5 mango mojitos during happy hour.
Just for that chicken bone incident, I'm taking girlfriend to another place that has no bones in its boneless chicken entrees and nicer servers. Screw you, Cuban Bistro!
One of the best Cuban restaurants I have tried. Their house bread is good. It is a warm french roll/ baguette toasted and cut into slices. The empanadas are good. The ropa vieja with rice, beans and plantains are my usual order. I think they sell Maracuja (or was it Mango juice?)- I try to order it everywhere I go, it is my beverage of choice. It's a pretty chill spot. I saw a sign that they have Jazz some nights, gotta catch that some time. I like Main St in Alhambra.
Great mojitos for happy hour $5. Mango and regular. Sorry, not sure of the time.
Shrimp salad is fresh and light... 5 star.
Guava chicken is ok (they are stingy with the sauce)... 3.5 star
Potato balls (w/cheese)... I think they are better than Porto's. MUST TRY! 5 star...
Chicken empanadas... 1 star. I got a lot of chicken bones in my mouth, I nearly gagged... Not exactly the kind of bones I want in my mouth... Not that I like any bones in my mouth. =X
Told the staff I got lock jaw, he just looked me. He didn't care.
Bleh.
I took a date here, the place isn't bad, its close and not too pricey. Food was very tasty, my first time having Cuban food and it was great!
Nice place. It's got a large dining area, a bar, and a small room in the front where a band plays salsa/merengue music.
Came here on as Saturday night to throw back a mojito and a beer. I had the X-rated Mojito and a Heiney. Pretty averagely priced, but noentheless great mojitos! The band was fantastic! They played a few by Buena Vista Social Club. I chair-danced the night away; my friend didn't know how to salsa.
Service: they needed more help that night... maybe that means the place was really happenin', but I think 2 cocktail waitresses would have brought them more profit than just the flustered 1 working in the front room with the band playing.
Most of the crowd here was middle aged and there was a lot of dancing! These kids know how to salsa, I tell ya!
Ambience: Nice. Dim lights, pretty clean restaurant as far as I could see. There's a huge window where bystanders can look in the front of the restaurant and in on the dance floor. Maybe it's good for business, but I felt like a goldfish.
Ultimately, would def return. Reasons: kick ass mojitos and awesome live salsa music.
All of the times I have been to the Bistro, I have experienced good, quick service, flavorful and satisifying food, and a clean, friendly atmosphere. The food is a traditional and modern mixture which I enjoy. I appreciate their combinations, and considering this is the type of food I grew up with, I don't mind some of the modern style.
You can't go wrong with a mint mojito and Bistec de pollo.
We both got Mojitos that were good.
We split the sample platter... I liked the fried yucca root, that was cool and I had never had it before. It came with a great cilantro dipping sauce. The little plantain cups with beans, etc in it were yummy. I was not a fan of the fried pork (way too fatty). There was a deep friend rice and sausage thing that okay, I guess.
It was ok, but not great.
Oh how I long for the Marquitas. Thinly sliced fried plantaines with this green sauce that tastes a little vinegary. *sigh* if I only lived in the LA area.
To me, Cuban Bistro is this gem tucked away in a predominantly, Asian-American area. It's one of those restaurants that dares to rise in the competitive presence of the ever-pervasive, archetypal Chinese restaurant.
During the past three times I've been to the bistro, I haven't had a markedly bad experience. Sure, the waiters may appear to be indifferent and temperamental at times, but they do what they can to serve you. One time I distinctly remember having to change my table at the very last minute, and my server heeded my request without hesitation. I suppose the level and quality of service varies and is highly dependent upon circumstantial factors.
The food is absolutely scrumptious. From it's signature roasted pork to its skillfully grilled rib-eye with a flavorful chimchurri sauce, Cuban Bistro delivers a wide range of specialties that will probably keep you coming back for more. In the past two years I've been there, I haven't had a single bad dining experience. My love for the restaurant continues to burn brightly.
Remember that popular Wendy's commercial where the innocent looking grandmother would spout, "Where's the beef?" Well, substitute the word "beef" with "flavor" and that's the question I asked myself after a meal at Cuban Bistro one evening with my niece. Granted, I didn't go in with high expectations in the first place. I've never read glowing reviews about this restaurant before and although my niece, who wanted to go to Cuban Bistro, said the food was really good, let's just say that our culinary tastes are very different. However, I always keep an open mind so off we went.
Our meal started with complimentary buttered toasted bread. A nice little starter and a welcome change from just getting rolls. Then the first of the two appetizers I ordered arrived and it was the potato balls stuffed with ground beef. The ground beef could have used a bit more seasoning and the potatoes could have been a bit fluffier, but still not bad. Next were the chicken empanadas, which seemed a bit heavy to me. The chicken filling was okay, but I would have liked the empanada to be a little lighter and flakier.
Now it's time for the two mains. Ropa Vieja for me and Garlic Half Chicken for my niece. Texturally, I enjoy ropa vieja because I like the chewiness of the meat and in that, this dish delivered, which is about the only good thing I can say. When it came to flavor, I got close to zilch. It felt like the whole dish was just cooked in a tomato broth. I did add some salt, lots of pepper, but neither really enhanced my meal.
Curious, I sampled a little bit of the Garlic Half Chicken and while my niece was enjoying her meal, I couldn't for the life of me understand why. Just looking at her dish, I was expecting to see some garlic cloves, but there was none. I was expecting to taste garlic in the marinade that this chicken may have been soaking in earlier, but my tastebuds went away disappointed.
With appetizers that were just okay and entrees that were beyond disappointing, I didn't even want to try any of the desserts although some of them looked appealing just because I didn't want to deal with a triple strike.
Overall, the answer to "Where's the flavor?" is definitely not to be found at Cuban Bistro.
To see pics, go to:
http://www.flickr.com/...
I like Cuban food and this place doesn't disappoint. The quality of the ingredient as fresh and of good quality. However, the taste wasn't out of this world. The atmosphere was pretty good. The waiters were attentive and not too overbearing. I had the shrimp in garlic sauce, but asked for the chimichurri sauce on the side. That was pretty good. Try it if you can't go to something better in the area.
Decor and music alone cannot make up for shady bar tenders...
Our bellies full from a marvelous duck dinner at Lu Din Gee, the girlfriend, Minty Shauna D. and "the original" Brian C. and I ventured toward downtown Alhambra to continue our night with more drinks and good conversation. Cuban Bistro has an upscale atmosphere, a mature crowd, and a great live Cuban band.
The restaurant is laid out in a peculiar fashion. A small bar area can be found in what doubles as the lobby. It's littered with several high top tables that are packed into a very small area. The main sit-down section of the restaurant is a rectangular room a little further back, and finally there is a separate room just beyond the bar with additional tables, stage and small dance floor.
Initially we weren't going to stay because we were unable to find table space in the bar...but at the last minute a small table opened up and we settled in.
We were a bit confused about bar service, as there did not appear to be any bar waiters. A couple members of our party approached the bar, just as one of the bar tenders had descended on our table. He took our drink orders and promptly returned with our drinks. So far so good; but things went downhill from there.
The bartender asked to be paid immediately upon serving our drinks... kind of strange but understandable given the layout of the venue. I paid for two of the four drinks ordered, and handed the bartender a twenty to cover a $5 beer and a $7 mixed drink. I looked him in the eye and made a point to ask for change. Twenty minutes later I realized he had never returned with the change... umm, kinda weird?
I approached the bar and found him working diligently on drink orders for other patrons at the bar. I got his attention we exchanged the following:
me: Were you the guy who took our drink orders earlier (pointed to my table)
bartender: yes
me: I paid you for a beer and mixed drink
bartender: yes
me: I gave you a $20
bartender: ...OK
me: I asked you for change
bartender: ...OK
me: are you going to bring me my change?
bartender: yes
What the fuck?
Oh it gets worse. I go back to the table, expecting he's going to run right over, embarrassed, and full of apology with my change. Fifteen minutes pass....twenty minutes....he still hasn't shown up. I descend on the bar once again... this time he recognized me and immediately dropped what he's doing and fetched my change. He apologized, but in my mind it was too little too late. ZERO TIP FOR YOU.
Despite the incident, we stayed for another round of drinks. I approached the bar and ordered two more drinks, and additionally asked for a glass of water. I dealt with the other bar tender this time. With a holier than thou attitude, he snidely informs me that he will not serve me water in a glass and that I need to purchase a bottle of water. Nice, really really nice. It's nice to see that Cuban Bistro has a pro-drunk driving stance. Un-fucking-believable.
It's too bad that a shady bar staff ruins what is otherwise a decent venue with nominally priced drinks.
Absolutely adore this place. Got drunk off a pitcher of Sangria before getting seated! Food is delicious! Service is above average!
Food: 5
Service: 4
Environment: 4
Price: 3
It was a dark and stormy night. "Stay close to the candles, the staircase can be treachorous."
It was date night. "I do not like the way you say, all men are pigs."
It was MY turn to pick a cuisine close to the movie theater. Not Indian, I didn't want to have gas. Not Chinese, that place had a B and it scared me a little. Not sushi, I'll be hungry in an hour. So off to the Cuban Bistro we splashed.
Honey bunny, he had the filet. Where else can you get a nicely cooked, nicely seasoned filet for under 20 bucks? He was very pleased, and that is a hard feat to accomplish. I had the grilled salmon with yellow rice. Yum. The fish was done perfectly. We both had a glass of wine. I like the variety of their wine list. I've also had the traditional ropa vieja and garlic chicken and I tell you, WAY better than Versailles in my opinion.
The only down side to this place is that it gets pretty loud. And when you are on date night, you kind of want to stare romantically into your dude's eyes without cringing at the cackling laughter at the next table. You dig?
Rosemead, CA
Category: Cuban
Neighborhood: Alhambra
Category: French
Neighborhood: Alhambra
Category: Bars
Neighborhood: Pasadena
Category: Cuban
Neighborhood: Pasadena
Category: Cuban
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