Cuban Bistro

I drove past there not too long ago and just like others here found the place to be CLOSED. I’m very disappointed.
It was a nice place with great food. The Ropa Vieja and the Lechon was superb! I hope it makes a comeback!

Sad this place is gone… where am I gonna get my chicken empanda fix with the amaaaazing green sauce?
My heart is broken! Are you moving to another location?

Today was the the celebration of by birthday 2 weeks late because I had been away at school, so my uncle brought me here with his triplets :)
It really looks like a fancy restaurant and it semi was. you got the nice waiters who filled up your water constantly, the bar, the nice silverware and cloth napkins. I also think my uncle sort of knew the waiter so we ended up with desserts and some appetizers.
I ordered a Ropa Vieja as recommended by the waiter and it turned out to be alright. A little on the salty side and I felt like there wasn’t a burst on intense flavors that I expected from it (the Ropa Vieja at Porto’s was more memorable). It was acceptable, though definitely on the pricey side.
We were the only ones there on this lovely Sunday afternoon, which I guess, bad for business, but good for us since the triplets got to scream and run around at will :)

I really like coming into this place for meaty yummy foods!
its not as AMAZING as it possible to be in CUBA! …(this means i have been) but its as close as anything you will get… a couple things could be a little better like the service could be better, People really REALLY need to teach their staff to be kind and smile and what not ALL THE TIME… none the less i would bring anyone here if you want a nice meal.

They had one of the best halibuts I’ve ever had. I ordered it with the garlic sauce and well, I kind of wanna go back today: D The yellow rice it is served with is soooo flavorful (I do NOT like rice very much). This was probably one of the best. I couldn’t stop eating it! Comes with plaintains — duh of course THAT’S good!
Service was on point. They checked in regularly to make sure we were satisfied & were very attentive. Too bad for those who didn’t get the awesome service we did.
OHHHH YEAHHH the CRABCAKE for appetizer! MUST ORDER!!! WOW can’t believe I almost forgot to mention that!!!

Ok, here’s the nitty gritty’…
I loved the spacious layout and warm décor of the restaurant. Portion sizes are massive for the prices of the entrée. Lots of free buttered bread… a-ok…although one would think it would make more sense to provide some plantain chips to represent the culture. since this is a Cuban establishment? But, it’s complimentary so what-​the-​hey…
Sangria was sweet and decent. What I didn’t care for was the marinated chicken in citrus sauce. Meat was dry and not that flavorful. However, the shrimp in garlic sauce was divine! There were only about 5 large shrimps but the buttery garlicky sauce it was swimming in was pure bliss. I typically try to avoid butter, but the quality of this was drinkable! I mean, I did not waste a drop– I ladled that liquid gold onto my remaining beans and rice.
Although I would return for the food, I think their service needs to improve. The servers seemed overwhelmed although the restaurant wasn’t full. I felt like I had to play offensively in order to get their attention.

Lechon Asado. Oven roasted pork with citrus flavor… What more can I say?
Cuban Bistro is a good value restaurant, has a nice interior, and nice vibes. I love the atmosphere, people are always dancing in some room, and the free bread they give you.
The oven roasted pork is my favorite! It’s well seasoned, moist, tender, and most importantly has that hit of acidic flavor that I love in food. Served with fried plantains and black beans on the side. Rice is fluffy, like eating off a cloud.
Salmon with orange reduction sauce is pretty good as well, but I love the oven roasted pork. This is the one time I eat pork that I don’t imagine Babe and feel guilty.
Excellent cocktails. This place is the combination of good food and good times!

Not the best Cuban restaurant I’ve been to in SoCal, but it does the trick if you’re in the mood for some affordable Cuban food and you can’t get your butt to Versailles.
I came in for their Cuban Bistro $ 10 Express Lunch that lets you choose from 5 entrees and you get a side salad and a drink (that we never got). After ordering, they brought over some complementary Cuban bread that had a nice toasty crust with a spongey, soft interior. The side salad that came with both meals was really good too.
Bistec de Pollo al Ajillo (garlic chicken steak) — Came with moros and plantains that I gobbled up before I even tried my chicken, it was that good! The chicken was ok, didn’t wow me. It was garlicky without overpowering the chicken, but the chicken was on the dry side.
Ropa Vieja (shredded beef) — This also came with rice and bean and plantains, and lucky me got to eat all of his plantains (woohoo!). They make a decent ropa vieja, but I wish the broth had a stronger tomato taste and that the meat was softer.
The interior of the restaurant feels more upscale/​fine-​dining than the usual at-​home, rustic feeling you get from most Cuban restaurants, but this isn’t a bad thing, I just prefer the latter. Service is excellent.

Well I can say I have only been to a couple of Cuban Restaurants, but this one has found a place in my tummy. I often frequent this place for lunch. They have a special lunch menu, which now features several items for $ 10 that include the main entrée, a small garden salad, and a beverage.
My usual is the Ropa Vieja. To start the «express lunch» the wait staff brings our drinks, and a nice plate of bread… every time my co-​workers and I go, we discuss how they get the bread so perfectly golden brown on each piece, and buttered to perfection. Some days the bread is «pressed» a little more than others and provides just the perfect texture… but even on its fluffier day’s its a wonderful way to start the meal.
Next up is the small garden salad. It’s just a handful of greens, with a few slices of red onion, feta cheese, cherry tomatoes and a dash of vinaigrette dressing. The salad is just enough to tease your taste buds and to get them ready for the main dish.
The main dish has arrived, Ropa Vieja… this is a shredded beef «stew» with bits of tomato, bell peppers, and onion. It comes served in a nice little ceramic bowl keeping the meat soaking in its cooking juices. With the beef, comes a side of perfectly cooked rice in a nice cylindrical shape… a tad sticky but not too dry. The rice has black beans on top, however, I always go without… my coworker says they are excellent… if they are anything like the meat I would have to agree. And to finish off the plate are a few fried plantains… they are perfectly cooked to a golden brown… sweet and flavorful.
Every time we come here, the staff is polite… we typically get the same waiter that knows our order, two Ropa Vieja’s, one with no beans, an ice tea and diet coke… they keep the bread and beverages flowing… Though for an express lunch some days they are a «tad» slow, but typically they try to get our food out as quick as possible.
The décor is modern with a touch of Cuba. The interior is painted in off white and navy blue. There are exposed brick walls that give the place a historic old world feel… but the decorations are all sleek and modern and balance the brick well. There is a large Cuban flag on display as well as some Cuban photos, and painted murals. Nothing is over done, and is a very relaxing place to enjoy a meal.
I would certainly recommend this place for lunch… the overall experience is wonderful.

nightlife in alhambra? i dont know. its just not my scene.
as far as the food, i’ve had waaayyyyy better cuban. i use to like this place when i was in younger. but then again, i also liked the back street boys (not that i am comparing Cuban Bistro to BSB). now i’m just rambling.

F* This Place.
Been here twice but only ate once. First time was great, but something went terribly wrong.
Here is the scene, summertime 2009, hot as hell. We had a nice experience the first time, so why not go back. We walked in after lunch and just before dinner. Spent the afternoon enjoying the renovated Alhambra Main street experience.
We get ready to sit and the receptionist tells my mom and sister that sandals are not permitted. WHAT THE FCUK??? Im thinking, come on dude, its summer and other women in the «Bistro» are wearing sandals too. I pointed that out to the person, but ignored me. So my mom doesn’t look like a spring chicken and my sis has some junk in the trunk… when life gives you lemons… you add sugar, right?
Wrong… Wow, he was serious. At that point I was going to ask for a manager, but I thought why should we eat here? Did we not meet the standards of this dining establishment? Or did we not look like we should have been there? This is a true story and till the day this fn place closes, I will continue to dislike the way we were treated. Hey homie, we may be «mojados» but your grandparents jumped into the water too… except it was from a boat (im assuming that you were «cuban» but most likely you weren’t so… It may look nice, and food maybe tasty, but my forefathers and foremothers didn’t get fight to get to the USA to be hassled by (of all things) Latinos.
To all non latino customers, the only difference between this place and any other latino restaurant is that they add plantains and mangos to the dishes… that’s it! Don’t be a sucker! Keep on Unilocaling!

I’m in love with my new find on Alhambra’s main street! The restaurant itself has been recently renovated. It’s a bit awkardly organized because they have these half walls separately the restaurant into seating «spaces» like a Hometown Buffet might but other than that, it’s actually quite above the curve for SGV standards. Everything is very clean, new and actually chic. Large paintings adorn one long wall with images of maps and other Cuban scenes and a large cuban flag hangs from the end of the room. It’s very clean.
First, a plate of toasted buttered bread is brought out to the table. Nothing very special but I polished off a few slices nonetheless.
I chose the RABO ENCENDIDO — described as roasted oxtail, rice, black beans and plantains. I absolutely love ox tail but had low expectations thinking that it would arrive tough and not tender. To my surprise, the oxtail was so delicious, particularly with the garlicky sauce it was served in. The portion was generous: 2 really big oxtails and a handful of smaller ones. The white rice was excellent with a bit of the sauce. The plantains were really sweet and well fried too.
J got the MASITAS DE PUERCO, which was described as roasted pork and refried till crispy. It had a nice citrus tang and served with lots of sauteed onions but J proclaimed it not moist enough. His was served with moros (rice cooked with black beans) and plantains as well. In fact, all of the entrees are pretty much that same formula. Protein + either rice & beans or moros & plantains. Guess it’s a Cuban thing.
Dessert was PUDIN DE PAN. I was really hoping for a tres leches cake but we thought this might come close. I was not a fan of this dish. The bread pudding was made with rum and I don’t really like alcohol in my dessert because it can be so strongly flavored. It was also very sweet and a lil dry. It helped to have the scoop of icecream (your choice of chocolate, dulce de leche and vanilla) melting into it and cutting some of the sweetness of the bread pudding.
Service is not that good. It started out really attentive but by the end of the night, our waiter was off chitchatting with the other waiters and it was impossible to flag him down.
I highly recommend the oxtail!

Tried this place out since City of Alhambra was having 20% off certain restaurants on Main Street.
The atmosphere is nice. Warm and cozy lighting. Usually they are packed, but the Saturday night we went was not even half full.
For appetizers, we ordered the SAMPLER to share. It came with 3 ham croquettes, 3 green plantain cups filled with shrimp and creole sauce, fried pork chunks, and french fries. The sampler came with this vinegar-​y cilantro sauce. Everything was delicious EXCEPT for the french fries. They should have replaced that with something more authentic Cuban. The sauce was too sour, it overpowered everything else. The food really good without the sauce.
Entrees
POLLO A LA RANCHO LUNA: This is the traditional Cuban chicken. It was half a chicken, and came up rice/​beans or a mix, and 3 plantains. The dark meat was juicy and tender. The white meat was a bit dry. I like the chicken at Versailles better.
MASITAS DE PUERCO: This was a fried pork dish. It wasn’t fried until it was a crisp, the inside was still juicy and tender. Again, it came with rice/​beans and 3 plantains.
LECHON ASADO: This is a roasted pork dish. The pork was tender, but the sauce was too vinegar-​y/​sour.
DORADO: The Mahi-​mahi was cooked perfectly. It was not dry at all. It came with a yellow rice that had pieces of bell peppers in it. The fish came with some papaya-​mango salsa which complemented the Mahi-​mahi really well. It also came with 3 pieces of plantains.
The plantains that come with each dish was OK. I would have preferred it to be softer/​riper. The taste was pretty good though.
For dessert, we tried their CUBAN BREAD PUDDING with a scoop of ice cream. This was no good! There was A LOT of cinnamon. There was so much that once someone digged in, the rest of the table smelled the cinnamon from their seats. The texture was too soggy.
We brought a bottle of wine. The corkage was $ 10.
Parking: Free structure in the back. Just be careful that there are one way streets. Entrance to the structure is this narrow alley way (that has a red light) off of Garfield.

1. Tequila Mojito.
Really, that’s all I should have to say.
They get the best cocktail from the Caribbean and throw some Mexican in it.
It’s just how I like my men: Latin, strong and delicious.
2. Ensalad de Aguacate
Fresh avocado and onion drizzled with a vinagrette dressing so good that it has caused me to consider licking the plate.
3. Churrasco con Salsa Chimichurri
Forget that it’s perfectly cooked meat. Forget that the sides are wonderful. This is one of the best Chimichurris salsas I’ve ever had.
4. Dancing/​Bar
Late nights on the east side of LA leave a limited number of places that have live salsa dancing. This place is bumpin’ at the bar and special dance area late nights. Live band? Yup.
Basically this is a great place for all types of occasions…
Date? Try the dinner, it’s romantically lit and they will be impressed witht he food. You’ll be happy because the food will be satifying for not a lot of money
Drinking with friends? The bar has so many great choices and a friendly crowd
Either way, it’s one of the best in on the east as far as food and drinks… and did I mention the Tequila Mojito?

Cuban Bistro
Where to start? Ok, how about I start with the «Good»… The reasons why Cuban Bistro earned 3 Stars (if I could I would have given it 3 ½ Stars)…
–The Atmosphere… I’m pretty sure that the main reason anyone comes to Cuban Bistro is for the atmosphere – it is a more up-​scale, semi-​fine dining «date restaurant». The décor is clean & modern, very «Golden-​Era Cuba». Though Unilocal!Lists the attire as casual, I would have felt awkward walking in for lunch or dinner in flip-​flops and a tank top. I would say the décor and clientele lend themselves to make Cuban Bistro attire at least Business Causal.
–The Service… We were promptly seated and greeted by our waiter during the meal our water glasses were never left empty (or even given as chance to get empty).
So why not 4 or 5 Stars?
–The Food… it was just good, not great and a bit pricey for what you’re getting.
I ordered the Lechon Asado (Oven roasted pork marinated in a citrus juice blend, served with white rice, black beans and sweet plantains). $ 12.50
The best part of the meal was the rice, beans and plantains… which is fine if I couldn’t make them just as well at home without the $ 12.50 price tag. (If we are talking raw-​product prices you could make this portion of black beans, white rice and plantains at home for about $ 2) [Also worth noting if you just want to order a small side of white rice and black beans it would set you back $ 7.50 here… WTF?]
The pork, it was good, just good. The meat was well-​cooked but the flavor was a little off… it was bitter not citrus-​y and on the menu they don’t tell you that it comes SMOTHERED with onions. I mean, I like onions just as much as the next guy but wowzers. So the Lechon Asado was reminiscent of Carnitas but bitter and overpowered by onions. (See pic)
We were also served «garlic bread», which was little toasted disks of bread soaked in way too much melted butter and a hint of garlic. (It was an after thought that we ate just because it was there, not because it was good) [Oh and I LOVE me some butter but this just didn’t do it for me]
Bottom Line–
If you want a good, juicy marinated pork dish served with a side of rice and beans at half the price go to your local Mexican joint for a Carintas plate. (And don’t worry, I am well aware that there is a difference between Mexican food and Cuban food… If you want to go to Cuban Bistro for something strictly and traditionally Cuban be my guest, but as far as an oven roasted or braised marinated pork dish goes the Lechon Asado plate here is a flavor demotion from a good Carintas plate.)
If you want to try out a new «date restaurant» and don’t mind paying extra for some plain good food with great atmosphere, give Cuban Bistro a try.
If you’re looking for GREAT, WONDERFUL or AMAZING food, this isn’t the place.

Cuban Food — Cuban Food
It is practically nonexistent on the West Coast.
Let’s keep it that way, I don’t mind!
Why would a Cuban boy like me say that???
It’s simple really! If you have ever known any Cuban with a history of cooking Cuban food, No other food matters. No other recipe matters. No restaurant will be good enough! We are like that as a Nationality!
Trust me! This theory is true. My grandmother passed away 15 years ago. None of her children ever learned to cook as good as her. My mother who passed away 7 years ago would of agreed. My families cooking history is probably lost forever and I except that. I have said it before, it’s my way of honoring them! I just can’t stop myself from missing those flavors though. My grandmother’s picadillo, ropa vieja, papas rellenas, tamales, empanadas, croquetas and of course black beans and a lot of rice.
For me it truly is a «Ratatouille Moment» sometimes when a taste good Cuban food. I am talking about the scene in the Disney movie when the arrogant food critic puts the Ratatouille in his mouth and has a flash back of his own mother cooking the dish for him as a boy. It’s kind like that for me when tasting good Cuban food.
Cuban Bistro delivers that scene to me in the form of there «moros y christianos». Also known as Black Bean Rice. I put it in my mouth and I time warp back to being 9 years old and looking over my grandmothers shoulder as she scraped that rice dish away from that old cast iron pot that she had.
That side dish at Cuban Bistro delivers to me every great thing I can remember about my families cooking history.
I have been to Cuban Bistro several times. This day my father wanted to come here and have his «Ratatouille Moment» For him it’s the Masitas de Puerco dish. Slow cooked marinated pieces of pork that Cuban Bistro then Fries until crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Cuban version of Carnitas! My father would say how he was a boy and his mother would be frying up pieces of pork for him to eat. I also ordered this dish because lets face it. Pork is king to Cubans and it is another fond memory of my childhood as my family would roast an entire pig underground for Easter!
The best Cuban food outside of Cuba itself is being produced on the East Coast, but I am so happy that someone here in Los Angeles is keeping those fond family memories alive in my heart!
Great Restaurant — Great Food — Great Nightlife Scene if you love Latin music. too!
Give them a Try!
(para mi Madre Olimpia y mi Abuela Lucia)
Salud!

Came out with some friends and thought the place was pretty nice. The lighting was dim and the décor simple, but tasteful.
We sat down and were greeted by our waiter pretty quick. I ordered the Lechon. It was very tasty! I really liked the Morros (fried black beans and rice). All in all pretty good. Definitely somewhere I can come to again, but not 4 star IMHO.

Absolutely adore this place. Got drunk off a pitcher of Sangria before getting seated! Food is delicious! Service is above average!
Food: 5
Service: 4
Environment: 4
Price: 3

It was a dark and stormy night. «Stay close to the candles, the staircase can be treachorous.»
It was date night. «I do not like the way you say, all men are pigs.»
It was MY turn to pick a cuisine close to the movie theater. Not Indian, I didn’t want to have gas. Not Chinese, that place had a B and it scared me a little. Not sushi, I’ll be hungry in an hour. So off to the Cuban Bistro we splashed.
Honey bunny, he had the filet. Where else can you get a nicely cooked, nicely seasoned filet for under 20 bucks? He was very pleased, and that is a hard feat to accomplish. I had the grilled salmon with yellow rice. Yum. The fish was done perfectly. We both had a glass of wine. I like the variety of their wine list. I’ve also had the traditional ropa vieja and garlic chicken and I tell you, WAY better than Versailles in my opinion.
The only down side to this place is that it gets pretty loud. And when you are on date night, you kind of want to stare romantically into your dude’s eyes without cringing at the cackling laughter at the next table. You dig?

Was here yesterday for my friend’s graduation party. Their potato frites were, well, like fries =P The dipping sauce was interesting and tangy but wasn’t really needed. Their bread was very good for munching on, a little chewy but still very good =d The salad of mixed greens was good, I liked their dressing, not too heavy and a tad sweet.
Then for an entrée we had the choice of beef, chicken or pork. Haha… I made sure that my bf, my friend sitting on my other side, and myself did not have the same dish X)! I really liked their beef, the flavor was amazing. The pork was a bit sour-​ish but it was very good. The chicken, was just a piece of roasted chicken, what can I say about that? I had the pork and it was very fatty/​greasy. The rice with black beans were very good too =d
As for drinks, I made the mistake of getting the Mai Tai, VERY bad =X Tasted my friend’s Pina Colada and that thing was A-​MA-​ZING! Oh, and they make their drinks STRONG here! Otherwise, I would’ve tried a Mojito too ;) And the waiters were very nice =) Haha… especially when we were such a big party XD