What's up with Cubana?

Before the New Year, there was a sign saying the grand opening would be 1/6, but there was no sign of it last night or tonight. Anyone know what's going on? We were really pumped about trying it this weekend.

[Robin Garr]

Before the New Year, there was a sign saying the grand opening would be 1/6, but there was no sign of it last night or tonight. Anyone know what's going on? We were really pumped about trying it this weekend.

I heard from a neighbor that they were talking about possibly opening the doors (maybe softly) on Sunday, but I gather that it's the usual renovation/regulatory issues slowing things down.

Didn't Danielle's have some sort of regulation issue in that spot as well? It seems I heard they finally got tired of fighting and closed.

[Robin Garr]

Didn't Danielle's have some sort of regulation issue in that spot as well? It seems I heard they finally got tired of fighting and closed.

I heard so many different stories about why Danielle's closed, but somehow I doubt that regulation was the defining issue. Still, upon reading about the eight-month delay in getting Simply Thai moved across the street, one wonders ... does the same inspector cover both territories?

I just walked past Cubana a few minutes ago and the was a Grand Opening sign out front. It appears to be open today!
Welcome to the Neighborhood Cubana. I can't wait for some Cuban Coffee.

are these the same people from Cuba Libre in Jeff? Last couple times i went by they have been closed.

Apparently it's now open. A friend went there this weekend. Have yet to hear how it was.

I hate to complain, but just had a very disappointing lunch there. The Cuban sandwich was way off the mark & my friend's roast pork was cold, lacking in flavor, and small for the money.

Hal and I stepped in tonight on the recommendation of some friends who ate there last night who live in Clifton. The strolling musicians were seriously wonderful. There's something about walking over ice and snow to a Cuban restaurant and being greeted by great Latin music that lifts the soul! Met Mariolis Mora, the owner. Her card gives the web address as: cubanarestaurantlouisville.com. I thought they might be a part of a chain but they are not.

We stopped by there for lunch yesterday, and we were very pleased with the food. My fiance had the grouper, and i had the cubana club. We also tried their cuban caesar salad which was really good. They do have a bit of a chain look to it, which i mean as a compliment to their consistent branding. I think the place comes across as very well thought out and put together. We will be back again!

Ryan

Ate there this past weekend. We had been warned the service isnt great but the mother in law loves Cuban food and while we usually go to Havana Rumba I was in the mood to try someplace new.

Not a good experience. They did give us a 25% off coupon though for our next visit.

This is what I posted at Yelp:

1. When I walk in the restaurant, unless you are a bar or diner, I expect to be greeted at the door or to see a sign that instructs me to seat myself. When the place is near empty and the servers are hanging in the back chitchatting that isnt good.

2. I shouldnt have to ask for silverware.

3. I definitely should never, ever have to ask to have our water glasses refilled, especially when we are one of only three tables in the place.

4. I expect any food served to be served hot. If its not hot then your expediter or manager should refire the order rather than have it come out to our table cold. Especially something as easy as fries. Really? Cold fries?

If you read the reviews, your food is okay. Its your service that is killing you. I highly suggest getting a front of house manager.

I was there shortly after it opened. The service was so bad, we didn't dare order entrees. We settled for a couple of appetizers and they were terrible. The coconut shrimp and calamari seemed like frozen Sysco products. BTW; For the shrimp, the coconut wasn't even in the batter.....it was sprinkled on as an afterthought. The lame appetizers is another reason we were glad that we didn't order entrees.

The place was about 1/4 full with 2 waiters and the service was very slow. While we waited, 3 couples came in, weren't greeted and left. Another waited 10ish minutes, were finally seated, and nobody even brought them menus or water. They ended up leaving in disgust. The diners that waited them out were so frustrated, there was a sort of comradely chuckling about the lameness of this place.

Needless to say, I have no interest in going back. Frankly, I'm surprised that they have stayed open this long.

Frankly, I'm surprised that they have stayed open this long.

If its been this bad for that long and still stayed open maybe its someone's pet project, ie they have income coming in from a spouse or another full time job?

[Robin Garr]

Frankly, I'm surprised that they have stayed open this long.

If its been this bad for that long and still stayed open maybe its someone's pet project, ie they have income coming in from a spouse or another full time job?

With all respect to Ray, I took him to be saying that he went when it just opened, had a horrible experience, and hasn't been back. I think it's reasonable to assume that it got better, given that it has not closed. (Although on the other side of that coin, I live in Crescent Hill, drive by there often, and it rarely looks crowded. )

The CJ gave it what read like a glowing review but only 2 1/2 stars. I had a meh experience early (same time as Ray was there, maybe), decided to have mercy and give them a few months, then came back a few months later for a decent dinner with decent service, but it certainly wasn't Havana Rumba. I gave them an 81.
http://www.louisvillehotbytes.com/famil ... in-clifton

We live in Crescent Hill and went there with neighbors maybe two years ago. The food was OK, I guess, and service was spotty at best. I was reluctant to try them again because (a) there are too many other good options in the 'hood and (b) every time I walked or drove by they had only one or two occupied tables -- I read that as a sign that nothing much had changed from our earlier visit. Then last summer some friends went on a Trolley Hop Friday and left after standing at the (vacant) reception desk for five minutes or so without being greeted/seated. So we have never felt the need to give them another try.