CJ beats up on Cuba Libre

[Robin Garr]

Marty finds his way up to Cuba Libre in the Highlander Point shopping center out I-64 in Floyds Knobs and devotes a surprising 677 words - longest Scene review in many months, maybe years - to a very negative review of a disappointing experience. He has very little good to say about the place other than the decor and the desserts, and awards it two stars. Curiously, though - mercy, perhaps? - he devotes 3 1/2 paragraphs to kind words about the decor and the mood before getting down to brass tacks: "Cuba Libre has got the island atmosphere down pat, but serving food that matches seems to be another thing entirely." Overall, the review is so rough that I'm surprised he gave it a full two stars.

Decor drives Cuba Libre

<B>Cuba Libre</B>
702 Highlander Point Drive
Floyds Knobs, Ind.
(812) 923-2822

Robin do you think this could be a case of 'dumbing down' for the masses? Would an authentic Cuban restaurant fare well in the area?

[Robin Garr]

Robin do you think this could be a case of 'dumbing down' for the masses? Would an authentic Cuban restaurant fare well in the area?

Carla, unfortunately I haven't been out to Cuba Libre yet, so I can't testify. But I do have a couple of regular correspondents who are Cuban and who have spoken well of Cuba Libre (although they did say it wasn't at the same level as Havana Rumba).

I can't speak to "dumbing down," but historically, rural Southern Indiana seems to be more hospitable to down-home cookin' than ethnic.

2 stars? C'mon Marty. Given that review, it should've been less.

That was a tough review. Where does a reviewer draw a line, especially for small independents? If they're really bad do you just let the market take care of things? Or as a restaurant critic do you feel a responsibility to smack them down?

[Robin Garr]

That was a tough review. Where does a reviewer draw a line, especially for small independents? If they're really bad do you just let the market take care of things? Or as a restaurant critic do you feel a responsibility to smack them down?

It's a tough call, Leah. A place that gets a lot of buzz, certainly deserves having the critic tell it as it is. A little, out-of-the-way Mom'n'Pop joint, it's a finer line. You don't want to lie, but it's tempting to be merciful.

I'm not sure about the way the CJ handled it today, though ... a kind of neutral headline sort of slyly hinting between the lines that the decor is the best thing about the place, then several seemingly complimentary paragraphs before the bomb falls.

Overall, the review is so rough that I'm surprised he gave it a full two stars.

If I hadn't known the star rating before reading the article, I would've figured 1 star. According to the CJ rating standard, 2 stars is fair and 1 star is poor. Based on what Marty wrote, his experience was definitely below what would be considered fair. Maybe that was their "out" as far as not totally trashing the place.

On top of the Knob you 're hard pressed to find a REAL dining experience outside of Rockwall or Joe Huber's...

Growing pains are hard for those on the Sunny Side....

[Robin Garr]

On top of the Knob you 're hard pressed to find a REAL dining experience outside of Rockwall or Joe Huber's...

Growing pains are hard for those on the Sunny Side....

Speaking of Rock Wall, has anybody been over there since the new chef, Alex Bomba, arrived (from Proof, I believe)? I've heard he's doing some really cool stuff over there, including house-cured meats and a lot of local ingredients and produce.