The ViewLondon Review
This Cuban inspired bar will give you the Latin spirit right in the heart of the South Bank.The VenueCubana is located on Lower Marsh in London’s South Bank, close to Waterloo station and the sights of the Thames and the Eye. In fact, after a couple of caipirinhas you can stroll along the Thames and take in what is one of London’s prettiest areas. The first thing you will notice from the outside is the striking image of what appears to be South American chica in the throws of dancing. Inside is urban and a reminder of Latin America with rustic, somewhat earthy, furniture and warm coloured walls that have seen better days but seems to work. There lots of Cuban influences from Castros’ glassy eyed image on the wall to revolutionary posters.
The AtmosphereOne word to sum this up would be colourful. Cubana offer live salsa and latin music every week and on the weekends and thanks to Cuban timba-master, Osvaldo Chacon who plays regularly along with regular weekend appearances by Colombian band Palenke. The feel is very much international with a cosmopolitan clientele gracing the bar and restaurant on a regular basis, mixed in with some authentic locals and nearby office workers. The attitude is very much focused on the music and the atmosphere is friendly and upbeat.
The FoodSouth American influences dominate the menu. To start, choose the pincho de pollo - a skewer of organic chorizo with free range chicken and a mix of peppers chili and guava to add an extra depth and flavour. Meanwhile, the organic chorizo croquettes are filled with sweet potato and finished with a homemade tomato salsa that’s piquant but blends well with the sweet potato.
Mains are well priced at around £11. The Atun Cubana is a piece of well marinated tuna that’s coated in chili, ginger, guava, lime, orange and honey and finished with plenty of spice for that extra kick. This dish comes with cilantro rice and salsa that incorporates mango and chili for that sweet and fiery finish. The Congri Santiago is a Cuban dish that originates from deep in the south of Cuba. This features a hearty casserole of red beans with free range pork and a medley of vegetables that are cooked to perfection and just on the right side of al dente.
The DrinkHappy Hour is offered Monday to Saturday between 5pm and 6.30pm. There are plenty of fresh fruit smoothies and juices alongside more adventurous daiquiris and mojitos. Cubana specials feature a Strawberry Colada with fresh strawberries, coconut and Caney Carta Blanca shaken up with rum and ice to provide a refreshing and intoxicating cocktail. Frozen papaya is anther drink worthy of a mention with its blend of fresh papaya, rum and fruit including strawberries and lime juice.
There’s also a good selection of margaritas on offer with a frozen lime margarita scoring highly on the drinkability scale with its combination of fresh lime juice, oak aged gold tequila, triple sec orange liqueur and muddled up with fresh orange and lime juice to provide a zesty and citrusy finish on the palate that will have you conjuring images of lazing on a beach far away. Spirits and cognacs are well covered with chivas regal and martell cognac amongst others.
The Last WordThe drinks list at Cubana drinks list is nothing short of excellent and if you are willing to let your senses run away with you then this could turn out to be little undiscovered ray of sunshine in the heart of London’s South Bank.
Cubana has been reviewed by 21 users