Habana Blues Cuban Tapas Restaurant!!!

Habana Blues Tapas Restaurant opens this weekend we are having a soft opening this thursday and Friday it's full stem ahead!!!

Authetic cuban cuisine and old and new cuban-american inspired cocktails. It doesn't get much better then this, greta patio wonderful dining area, and a great bar to drink the night away!!!

Habana Blues Cuban Tapas Restaurant ( Right Across From Toast)
148 E. Market St.
New Albany, Indiana 47150

Any questions about it go ahead and shoot me a message...

Oooo so exited to hear about this. Do you have a menu? What is the inside like? I am stoked to have more cuisine choices like this in Indiana!

[Robin Garr]

Rick, excuse my asking, but I'm curious: Are you still involved with Cocos Lokos, too, or have you moved on?

I've known about this for a couple of weeks but have been keeping my mouth shut. This project involves the same people who own Cuba Libre in Jeffersonville. We're really excited about visiting the new Habana Blues Cuban Tapas Restaurant at Market and Bank Streets in New Albany.

Lois

Guess which beer goes best with Cubano...

Welcome to the neighborhood!

Welcome! Look forward to a new addition to the New Albany dining scene, swing by for a beer!

Best Regards,
Joe Phillips
General Manager Bank Street Brewery

Rick, when will you have a menu on-line or, better yet, a website?

Both will be up shortly menu and website...Robin to answer your question I'm just trying to keep busy if you have any questions about Cocos Lokos go ahead and shoot them my way but Habana Blues opens this weekend and focus is there and of course you can always stop by at Jack's in Saint Matthews learning still from Chef Deano and now a little from new managers and a great Chef Dallas, pick a night I'm all over the place. In this economy you just never know i have much to learn and if i continue to learn from the people who have faith in me I think i might be ok...We will be keeping an eye out for you at Habana Blue Robin, you know New Albany is a minutes drive away...

Here's a quick peek inside:

http://cityofnewalbany.blogspot.com/2010/09/havana-blues-opens-tonight-heres-peek.html

Here's a quick peek inside:

http://cityofnewalbany.blogspot.com/2010/09/havana-blues-opens-tonight-heres-peek.html

Those pictures look great. They really brightened the place up with the reds and blues. I look forward to trying them out.

Those pictures look great. They really brightened the place up with the reds and blues. I look forward to trying them out.

I overheard a comment last night at the Habana Blues pre-opening party to the effect that as establishments in downtown New Albany go out, the newer ones taking their places keep raising the bar. This should not be taken as a slam against the fallen, rather as a positive expression of the benefits of competition.

No one ever said the downtown food and drink biz was going to be easy, even with the 3-way permit boost. The fundamental things still apply. We still seem to be beating the average in terms of expected closing rates, and the quality keeps getting better. Niches are developing. Traditions are being established.

I'm frankly enthused.

Habana Blues, combined with the forthcoming expanded La Rosita's, fits the scenario of the preceding assessment, but there's another absolutely vital component of both: Enhanced multi-cultural identity in downtown, in general.

It's only been two years since the downtown antique dealer blathered about voting against Barack Obama because of race. We continue along the path of refuting sentiments like that, don't we?

We just need to make sure that bridge tolls don't ruin all of it.

I stopped by Habana Blues this afternoon and spoke to the owners. We made a reservation to bring a half dozen of our friends there this evening. Owners Leo Lopez and Rafael Hernandez gave me this copy of their menu which I've scanned and attached.

They have a full liquor license at Habana Blues; I can already hear a Mojito calling my name.

I'm a major fan of their Jeffersonville operation -- Cuba Libre. Leo told me today that he was finally able to acquire a beer and wine license for Cuba Libre. Bring on the Sangria!

Lois

Note from Robin: I've figured out how to make the menu show, and deleted David's and Lois's posts about there being a problem with it. All better now.

Thanks, Robin. You're AWESOME.

My friends and I thoroughly enjoyed our first visit to Habana Blues Cuban Tapas Restaurant Saturday night. Everyone had different from the menu and we enjoyed passing the plates around the table to sample a little bit of everything.

The Queso Fundido (melted Spanish tetillo cheese, topped with crispy chorizo and served with Cuban bread) was delicious and perfect for sharing.

The Entremes de Jamon y Queso (Serrano ham, chorizo, manchego cheese, Cabrales bleu cheese, artisan strawberry jam, almonds, fig jam and olives) is my new favorite.

My husband's SoIomillo al Cabrales (grilled beef tenderloin served over garlic mashed potatoes, topped wlth Cabrales bleu cheese and finished with a port wine reduction) was beautifully prepared, so tender he cut it with a butter knife.

We sampled our friends' crab cakes, lamb chops, scallops, black bean soup, and much more. They practically fought over the grouper sandwich. One of them had a most unusual sounding sandwich made of roasted turkey, cream cheese, strawberry jam and Swiss cheese. It was called an "Elena Ruth". My friend just raved about it!

I'm certainly no expert but the Sangria was excellent and everyone was raving over the Margaritas. We shared a variety of desserts as well resulting in each of us declaring our own favorites. Mine was the coconut flan.

And if you go on a warm evening, I hope you'll dine on the patio. It is such a beautiful setting for a romantic meal.

Here's a quick peek inside:

http://cityofnewalbany.blogspot.com/2010/09/havana-blues-opens-tonight-heres-peek.html

Those pictures look great. They really brightened the place up with the reds and blues. I look forward to trying them out.

Kinda miss the Cherubs and clouds on the ceiling and that wretched mural as well but the new place looks GREAT!! Only the best of luck to them and it's a fine addition to the new downtown NA.