Havana’s Cafe

MJ and I headed down to Orlando on a quick trip, and when I say quick I mean less than 24 hours worth of the Florida sun. While there, we were in search of a good meal that may not be as easy to find here in the DC Metro area. We started to scour the internet for ideas of cuisine and neighborhoods. Finally, we decided on Havanas Cafe which scored fairly well on a few different Web sites and the reviews made it much more appealing. A quick confirmation from some locals and MJ and I decided to make that our lunch plans (stay tuned for an entry about our dinner journey in Orlando).

We arrived at a strip mall close to Lake Buena Vista. Before you think anything else, yes, I know it is a touristy area. But, this strip mall seemed a little more tailored to the locals than for tourists. Anyway, we arrived at Havana’s Cafe and lo and behold we were the first customers for the day. I looked down at my watch and realized that we had arrived only 15 minutes after their opening time. Walking in I knew what I was going to order. MJ was more interested in Mofongo and found it on the menu.

To start the meal MJ ordered a Mango Batido.

I tried a little and knew it was perfect. Ice cold touching every corner of my palette tasting milk, brown sugar and mango. Next, came the Camarofongo (i.e., Mofongo with shrimp). The Camarofongo was served in a garlic sauce with shrimp served over smashed plantains. I (trumpets please) ordered a classic Cuban sandwich. I like to measure a Cuban restaurant based on its traditional fare: Cuban sandwiches, Cuban coffee and Ropa Vieja.

MJ enjoyed every bite of the Camarofongo. The broth was so tasty that it could stand alone as a meal along with its chunky vegetables. Biting into the smashed plantains, the texture was meaty and had absorbed the broth flavored. The plantain only sweetened the spoonful everytime.

My Cuban sandwich was tangy and cheesy like it should be. The ham had a suttle flavor along side the roasted pork. But, the bread is what won me over. It is not too often that I want to taste the bread in a sandwich, it really is more of a folder for the important stuff inside. The bread used on my sandwich was much more than a carrier. The bread was slightly toasted and crunchy to start. Then, it had a nice doughy consistency later on in the bite that allowed the flavor of bread to come through. The bread introduced the meats and cheese along with the mustard and pickles extremely well and left me savoring another bite.

The meal was an ideal portion size. Additionally, the ambience in the medium-sized restaurant was welcoming and gave off a nice, homey vibe. I have visited a few different Cuban restaurants from Miami to Washington D.C. and Havana’s Cafe gives me a good taste of authentic Cuban cuisine. When in Orlando be sure to stop by and taste a few different dishes at Havana’s Cafe.

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