Asia de Cuba

Description:

• Before hitting Broadway, theatrical productions spend years in the hinterlands, proving they're ready for New York, and that Missouri isn't ready for dudes singing about "Pajama Games". Demonstrating that with Cuban food, NYC's the backwater and Miami's the mecca: Asia de Cuba. For the past 11 years, the team behind China Grill and Blue Door have been perfecting Asia de Cuba in NYC and elsewhere, long enough that it's finally ready to face Miami's sophisticated take on all things Cuba, and slightly less sophisticated take on all things Asia de. Looking out on Biscayne Bay via 20-foot windows, this latest AdC looks like a fairy tale castle in pristine white, with massive candlestick-like pillars, sleek leather, wood, and marble furniture, and ornate "curvy details" (yes, they're suggesting your date is fat). The intercontinental, sharing-friendly menu covers apps & entrees like tuna tartare w/ soy-lime vinaigrette and Spanish olives; ropa vieja of duck w/ calabaza, snow peas, cucumbers and hoisin-port sauce; Cuban BBQ chicken with Thai coconut sticky rice, avocado fruit salsa, and tamarind sauce; and lobster made with rum, coconut, and red curry -- dubbed the "Mai Tai", it will leave you wondering, "Holy crap, did I eat the umbrella?". As with other locations, this AdC is centered around a marble communal table with 24 high-backed seats and egg-like chairs at each end -- unfortunately, your "egg-cellent" jokes will close after a single disappointing showing.
• © Thrillist 2013