CityPoint,
1 Ropemaker Street,
Broadgate,
London,
EC2Y 9AW
(020) 7256 2202
The ViewLondon Review
The Cuban is charged with an exciting Latin spirit.
The Venue
Split across two areas, The Cuban is an assault on the senses. On the ground floor, past the small patio outside, you’ll find the main bar area. It’s small and vibrant, awash with colour and full of life. It’s painted orange with wooden accents. The furniture comprises a mixture of round and square tables with woven armchairs. The space is bright and airy thanks to the floor-to-ceiling windows on one side.
Head towards the back of the venue, past a wall covered in black and white photos of Cuba, to discover the basement dining room. The stairs are nestled beside a white wall stencilled with the iconic face of Che Guevara. Here there is plenty of space, only partially filled by a long, cream bar and a line of elegant benches and tables. There is even space for a DJ booth and the space looks considerably more upmarket than the bar upstairs.
The Atmosphere
Even on Mondays you’ll be greeted by live Latin music. Another bonus is the distinct lack of suits and the stiffness that comes with them. The Cuban is friendly and alive with the buzz of conversation; however, it’s worth noting that it gets very busy and you might find yourself sardined into place somewhat. That said, there is plenty of space downstairs. You can also learn salsa with an experienced teacher in the basement most nights of the week.
The Food
Tapas is the ideal way to sample the cuisine of The Cuban (£3-£6 for each small dish, £12 for three, £23 for six, or £33 for nine). You can choose from dishes like spinach and nutmeg croquettes, mushroom and chorizo bruschetta, salsa spiced mussels, plantain and sweet potato crisps.
They also offer a selection of mains (£8-£19). The choice spans lamb ajiaco cubano, stuffed bell peppers, black pearl scallops with prawn salad and Havana sugarcane tuna. Paella (£10-£13) comes in three varieties: chicken and chorizo, seafood, and vegetarian. Other options include an early bird (5-7pm) set menu for £10, slow roasted chicken (£8-£14), lunch plates (£5-£9) and even a breakfast menu.
Desserts (£4.25-£5) include rum and raisin ice cream, apple and mango crumble and the rich creme cabana topped with caramelised sugar.
The Drink
The highlight of the drink menu is the selection of Latin infused cocktails (£6.95 or £8.95 for Champagne mixes). Mojitos and Caipirinhas are a highlight but there are plenty of other rum-based concoctions. The Hemingway Daiquiri (rum, grapefruit juice, Maraschino and lime juice) comes with an interesting anecdote, while Che’s Revolution (white rum, mint, maple syrup and pineapple juice served as a martini) mixes unexpected flavours into a deliciously sweet drink.
If you prefer your rum straight up then The Cuban stocks over 150 varieties. They also stock a decent number of whiskies as well as beer (bottled and draught varieties from £2.50). Choices include Baltika, San Miguel and Corona. Over a meal, you can choose from a small but adequate wine list with bottles priced between £13-£25.
The Last Word
The Cuban is worth visiting if you’re keen to show off your Latino spirit.
The Cuban has been reviewed by 5 users