cuban restaurant in nyc?

[RonJames]

the title says it all my friends, anybody know of a good cuban restaurant in NYC? Preferably Manhattan as I'd rather not have to cross any bridges or take ferries.thankyou.gif

[leisure master]

the title says it all my friends, anybody know of a good cuban restaurant in NYC? Preferably Manhattan as I'd rather not have to cross any bridges or take ferries.thankyou.gif
To be honest, I have yet to go to a bad one. Some have better drinks than others though, but generally the mojitos are all excellent.

What part of the city are you thinking about? I can get some names for you. I mostly know the West Village/Soho area, but Havana Central near Times Square is actually very good (yes, you are hearing this right - a local is recommending a place near Times Square...)

[RonJames]

Thanks leisure master, I knew you'd come through. Any where in manhattan is okay with me and the misses. Drinks are always important as I see her having a mojito and me having a daiquiri or something special. Fire away your favorite spot. Im off to try to look up havana central now.thankyou.gif

[leisure master]

Here's a list of a TON of NYC cuban restaurants if you have time to research. I have only been to a few, but I am sure many of these are very good. You will be able to refine the search with you location, etc.
http://www.menupages.com/restaurants/all-areas/all-neighborhoods/cuban/

Havana Central is good for food and drinks and a great looking place - excellent live music and if you're here on the weekend try the brunch. Like I said, the Times Square location is best, the others are OK but not as good.
www.havanacentral.com

This place is small but I remember liking the food and drink - did not stay for the nightclub change-over since that's not my scene, but it could be fun
http://guantanameranyc.com/media/guantanamera.html

Asia de Cuba is a very New Yorky kind of place - a kind of a "beautiful-people" place with a fusion menu (hence the name) - it's good but kind of expensive and not straight cuban food:
www.chinagrillmanagement.com

This place is small but fun - and I think they let you sit outside all year in the back since they have heat lamps. If I remember correctly, they also have a guy making hand-rolled cigars if you're into that (I am):
http://www.havanavillagenyc.com/media/havana.html

As a final note - this place is more "latin" than "cuban", but the food is really excellent and the cocktails are truly out of this world - like Pegu Club good if that means anything to you. Make sure you're at the Avenue A location and be sure to meet Giovany the host and Artimio the bartender. If you only have one place you can go, forget everything else I said and go here.
http://ybnyc.com/

Bottom line - assuming you're here over a weekend, I would recommend Yerba Buena for dinner and Havana Central for brunch.

[yellowbird]

I've seen great music at Guantanamera and the food was good too.

[RonJames]

thank you yellowbird. Im getting close to the wifes Bday and thinking a stay in NYC is just what would get me out of trouble.

[UnkleNeeko]

I have eaten at Yerba Buena twice with groups of friends back in (Aug/Sept 09) - recommended for sure, quality service.