Havana 1920

Finally got to try Havana 1920 in the Gaslamp Quarter. Had tickets to see On Your Feet! The Emilio & Gloria Estefan Broadway Musical with my mom last night, so made sense to go here for dinner first. I am a terribly tough critic when it comes to Cuban restaurants because....my Mami. This place was not only delicious but the atmosphere was wonderful. I’ve long fantasized about opening a Cuban restaurant (I even have the name chosen) and this is what I was envisioning when it comes to decor and ambience. The staff was friendly and attentive but not annoying. Fried dough strips with seasoning like savory buñuelos with salsa were set at table as we read over the menu. We both ordered a daiquiri and I also had a mojito. The daiquiris were good but the mojito was better. My mom especially liked how they didn’t over muddle the mint. The leaves were muddled enough to release the flavor but left whole so there weren’t tiny pieces of mint clogging the straw or getting stuck in between our teeth. For food we ordered the papa rellena which was soft and deliciously seasoned, empanada de carne was perfectly crispy, camarones al ajillo (shrimp in garlic sauce) with mushrooms and capers and garlic and red pepper flakes in olive oil was my favorite, yuca frita (yuca fries) delicious dipping in garlic sauce but didn’t come out very hot. We split a slice of abuela’s flan and I had a cafecito. Everything was ¡delicioso! Can’t wait to go back and try the rest.