Mystery Critic

Overall
Food
Service
Ambience
Value

OVERALL

Why am I reviewing a restaurant that seems mediocre according to its ratings?  Because I LOVE Cuban food.  Actually, I love any food that reminds me of my 2nd home country's Central American cooking.  If it's above average, I'd recommend it.  You won't find the most exotic Latin-fusion creations here, but you'll find down-to-earth good Cuban food - probably as good as any served outside of Florida.

FOOD

Warning - Most of the food here is NOT for everyone.  You must 1) love heavy food, 2) can tolerate half-cooked blackbeans and 3) not be allergic to platanos maturos (ripen plantains).  For beginners in Cuban food, you won't go wrong with the appetizer sampler (fried everything - yummy meat though), and for entree get a seafood casserole (zarzuela) or paella, or one of the grilled steaks.

Some Cuban specialities are only reserved for those who miss their home taste.  The ropa vieja (shown to the right) is a well-renowned dish here (probably because it's not even offered in most other fake Cuban places outside of Florida), but to me it tastes like the work of a Chinese cook (complete with a soysauce flavor).  In fact, I can probably do this dish far better than they did.  Then again, I won't bother booking beans and plaintains to go with it....

SERVICE

This place is not exactly luxurious, but the service is white-glove and attentive.  It reminds me of some of those places I grew up at - average priced Latin American restaurants with waiters in tuxedos, something you'd NEVER see this side of the border.  We had a bunch of rowdy kids (some of whom are mine) who experimented with everything including the lights, but we never got even a dirty look from the waitresses.  It's NOT because we spoke Spanish - that usually makes it easier for them to curse at us.  Just plain nice folks.

AMBIENCE

The first that came to my mind when I walked into this place was: WHAT is the deal with the mixture of old car posters + autographed hockey jerseys + red and green walls + white table linen?  Another proof that this is a Latino-owned business: it's got character.  It speaks loudly that "I'm showing you whatever I like and I don't care if you find it appealing."  If you think McDonald's got a nice ambience, you'd hate this place.

VALUE

You''d be tempted to think, "man, how much do those Cuban on the island make again?" or "I thought this is one of the worst neighborhoods in SJ".  Afterall, it's in 1) silicon valley, stupid! and 2) a city where Mexican is the only viable Latin American cuisine.  Don't expect a great deal here, but then again it's hard to spend anything more than $30/head even if you order some of those exotic sodas and beers.  You'd be full or sick of all the heavy protein and starch before you reach $30.

FINAL WORD

I think I've mentioned this but I'll do it again: If you have NEVER tried anything in the American continent other than burgers and burritos, proceed with caution.  Order the beginner dishes and go easy.  If you know what I mean by maturos and verdes, you're in for a treat!