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Habana Cuba (Cuban cuisine)  $$

 7
JaT Rating

238 Race Street, San Jose, 95126  (Directions)


408.998.2822


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Festive atmosphere offering a variety of Cuban dishes and wine


Reviewer: Jason
Total Reviews: 1040
Reviewed: 1/10/2006
Rating: 7
My photo gallery 		I was browsing the Metro the other day and saw an ad for Habana Cuba. I havent had Cuban food in years and we dont have any listings for this cuisine, so here we are. The menu prices are slightly above our lunch budget ranging in the $10-15 area. I remember reading their slow roast pork was the thing to order. Along with the pork I ordered the Papas Rellenas and Yuca Fritas.

As I waited for the food, I couldnt help but notice all the cool car photographs all along the walls. They were a bunch of classic american cars from when Kennedy put the trade restrictions. Neatly framed and aligned decoratively along the beige and red painted walls.

Papas Rellenas are deep fried potatoes balls stuffed with ground beef. They kinda look like donut holes. Pretty good stuff. The Yuca Fritas are semi-wedge cut yucca fries, think sweeter french fries. This is a very popular appetizer in peruvian cuisine. Both items were good stuff but I think the garlic dipping sauce could use a little help. Garlic and olive oil seems a bit plain and maybe a yogurt garlic variant would have been better choice? or spicy tomato based sauce?

Lechon a la Cubana is slow roasted pork served with white rice, beans, and plantains. The white rice was flaky with a light oil while the black beans submerged in a bowl. Plantains were sweet which I left towards the end of the meal. The sides were very enjoyable. Its a good thing the pork is served in its own dish, the pork was ankle high in oil. I know it comes with the territory but this amount of oil might scare some diners. Dont even bother breaking out with a knife, the meat is so tender it easily falls apart. The flavoring of pork was respectable but the presence of fat and oil distracted the seasonings. I think I have a good judgement when it comes to pork and quite familiar that there is a lot of fat involved but this was just too much oil and fat trimmings. I would be reluctant in ordering it again.

I had high expectations for Habana Cuba but left somewhat disappointed. Its partly my fault that I ordered fried appetizers but also their fault that my pork took a bath in oil. I did get to try the Sandwich de Lomo and that was a great tasting steak sandwich. I would come back for that. Overall, the service was about average with the prices being slightly high for lunch ($20 + tip). Dinner service might be a different story as they offer wine tasting menu and live music on certain nights.
 
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aquagrl800 ate...

What dish did you eat?

“Went for friend's b-day w/18 people & the serving staff didn't even blink twice! Everyone got what they wanted quickly. All food was kept hot. Chicken soup v. yummy, w/ meat that falls off the bone & whole pieces of corn on the cob! Overall, v. goo”

9/12/2007 10:34:08 PM