Las Culebrinas In The Grove

closed a few days ago. berries is expanding into the space formerly occupied by las culebrinas.

Ok I don’t know what it was called but the dolphin fish with ham and sausage in a sauce was very good. The flavors blended nicely and the fish was well cooked. The salad wasn’t as fresh as I would like and just mixed greens. Make sure you get the dressing on the side otherwise it will drown the salad

Great food, big portions. Friendly staff.
The service is really fast (tough the place was ¹⁄₃ full)
We had calamaris, liver with onions and pork with avocado and everything was delicious.
The day we went there a guy was playing a guitar and kept playing with my son, who ultimately went upstairs and sing with him.

We were looking for a good Happy Hour in Miami. I did a search in Google and came up with this place. We went in at 6:30 pm on a Thursday and there was NO ONE in the restaurant. We were hungry so we decided to stay. My husband wanted a beer and we found out that their happy hour does NOT include beer. The house wine was not that heart. The tapas we ordered were very mediocre. I would avoid this place.

If you guys read my reviews you’ll noticed that not only do i go everywhere in Miami but that i pick a day on the weekend and star writ ting the places that I’ve thought made a difference through the week. I went to Las Culebrinas and the moment i got home i had to write about this. It is a Sunday and i had gone for lunch. The décor is nice and it reassembled a cabaret.
When i first walk in it was weird to me why thee were just two people eating here in plain lunch hour. Being Cuban myself I have the given right to be picky with my native food and since the homemade Cuban taste is petty much embedded into my taste buds i know when i am having good quality Cuban style food. I sat down and ordered the pollo forestal. The waiter was very nice an the service was good, he even treated me to a white bean soup (sopa de judia). When the food came in it was presented in this huge plate. It was a chicken breast in tomato sauce and mushrooms. It looked nice but it didn’t taste or felt like any Cuban dish i have ever had. The chicken was rubbery as if it needed to be more cooked and the tomato sauce was overwhelming. I had ordered this with rice an salad. The rice came in a very tini plate an dispersed all through out. It was just sloppy and on top of the messy presentation the rice was not fully cooked and served cold. The salad was overly dressed and just too much. The meal was just a nightmare and it took off my hunger in just one bite. I will not be coming back here, though our server was very nice, it doesn’t make up for the poor food and cooking technique. If this restaurant doesn’t get its act together, it will be closing soon. So i left and ate to the next door restaurant Berries, the passion/​pisco drink got me right off my disappointment.

This restaurant has some gluten-​free vegan options. I ordered what turned out to be a mountain of chickpeas. They were prepared by stir frying with traditional Spanish (not Cuban) herbs, spices, and vegetables. It took me back to Barcelona.
The kitchen might have been in Spain because it took forever to get to us and the staff seemed overworked. The place wasn’t too loud. The ambience was great for a family dinner or large group and the value was pretty good considering that the portion sizes could feed 3 people each. There was parking available but it was limited.

Admittedly, I shouldn’t be writing a review of Cuban restaurant. I’ve always wanted visit Cuba, enjoy the wealth of its culture and cuisine, but due to obvious circumstances over which I’ve haven’t had any control, been denied that opportunity. Sad! So maybe Las Culebrinas is as close I will ever come. At least, I think it may be, but I stand open for any correction.
It’s a large, spacious, impeccably clean, well decorated restaurant having a first and balcony floor which is pretty much what I would, in my imagination, perceive a restaurant in Cuba to be in appearance. My service has always been first rate, done by properly dressed, well mannered waiters and I’ve found the menu wildly entertaining with the garlic octopus being one of my favorites. I’ve also enjoyed their other dishes, finding the menu, specials and variety to be extensive. In speaking with native Cubans I’ve been informed that Las Culebrinas does not exactly epitomize the finest of Cuban cuisine, but having tried many of the other purportedly Cuban restaurants, Las Culebrinas does, for price, quality and what I would think to be authenticity, stack up well against any of them. I can only guess that there might be something to the validity of my conjecture on that point since every time I have dined there I seemed to be only person ordering in English or the best «Spanglish» I can muster.

Their Crème brûlée was Jello out of a box. My 16oz NY Strip had zero flavor, everything else was pan fried with so much oil it puts the Valdez to shame.
This was a different place for food quality three years ago. Everything else, including attention to details, shows lack of a care.
However, the staff was very friendly, and if they heed these warnings it could be what it was.
I was in the Biz, and don’t like to see places fall… like could happen here. I hope they fix the problems. Until then I don’t recommend this place, located next to Barries!

After experiencing this restaurant on 47^th avenue this was such a disappointment. We arrived for our 7:30 reservation at 7:30 and did not receive our appetizers for over an hour. Some staple dishes were on the menu But not available what Cuban restaurant runs out of croquettes at 7:30 on a Saturday night? Heinken beer, only one bottle available? This restaurant has a full bar. Save your time and go to the other location.
DISAPPOINTED!!!

I’ve been to las Culebrinas several times and always go back for the vaca frita with fufu. The vaca frita is nothing out of this world… it is just ok and on the oily side. The service was super fast. The appetizers came in a blink of an eye and just as we finished them the entrees were brought out.
The waiters were very quick to fill our glasses and bring out the food. The place definitely needs some redecorating. It seems old and outdated. Another thing that turns me off is the forced valet. The parking lot is literally 10 – 15 ft away from the door is it necessary to force valet on people. There isn’t any street parking so you are left with no choice.

Had dinner there tonight… service was BAD… the waiters «were doing you a favor» serving… Wife’s food came cold, had to send it back… The A/​C was on full blast and the place was freezing, asked the waiter to adjust the A/​C and he ignored us…
As long time customers we were very disappointed… The food was mediocre and the service bad… and the crying baby in the next table made it even worse… Carlos must be turning over in his grave… We sure miss him.
not coming back!

As others have said, this spot is a bit up-​market when compared to more diner-​like establishments in Little Havana… but still comfortable and casual (there are drink specials on cards underneath a glass tabletop).
They are open for lunch, but do not have a lunch menu.
We walked in around 1:30 p.m. and we were 90 percent sure we were the first customers of the day (in all fairness, it was the day after Thanksgiving, so I’m sure customer patterns were irregular). The staff was courteous, but we got the impression that the kitchen was just starting the day. In fact, the fryer wasn’t operating yet, so no croquetas or deep-​fried pork chunks for us. We ordered the grilled pork tenderloin stuffed with mashed plantains and the ropa vieja.
It took a while for our food to come out, which was surprising, considering we were the only people in there. When it did come out, the pork was great. A large piece of tenderloin pounded flat, filled with mashed plantains like a delicious cannoli of pig-​tastic deliciousness, and seared on the grill. The plate was drizzled with a balsamic glaze that set of the charcoal-​y flavor of the pork nicely. It also had two dollops of guacamole, but the balsamic was so good, the guac went unloved.
The ropa vieja was perfect, it was a classic recipe, but tasted fresh and the tomato sauce was perfectly cooked. The beans and rice were delicious — exactly what you look for at a Cuban restaurant. They had no fried plantains, so they substituted a salad, which was quite good as well.
We were in town for a wedding, and unbeknownst to us, the rehearsal dinner was there as well… so we ate dinner there the same day — we even had the same server. Our dinner service was off of a fixed menu.
The rehearsal dinner was a far less enjoyable dining experience. The kitchen was missing ingredients, which was inexcusable considering we were ordering off a fixed menu planned well in advance. Rather than fess up and suggest an alternative, they tried to conceal the error and send somebody on a grocery run. The food took 95 minutes to be tabled, and the skirt steaks were like shoe leather when they arrived (presumably because they languished under a heat lamp waiting for the mahi-​mahi with missing ingredients), and missing the sauce.
We only had one server for a party of 30, and while he hustled and did his best, there’s only so much one person can do.
The food itself was delicious, and we’d give it another try, but only for dinner, only as part of a small party, and only if we didn’t have somewhere to go afterwards.

The definition of mediocre. Not bad, not good, just meh. However, when I got home and analyzed my check with a clear head, Las Culebrinas brought itself down to the «methinks not» level. Yes, the selected tapas menu is $ 1 apiece for happy hour (and they’re totally unimpressive, as you might expect), but the drinks? Buy one get one free. Well, when I got the bill, the drink total was $ 18… I thought, not bad for 4 drinks. It was only later I thought, wait, $ 9 for a WELL drink at this place? I know this is Miami, but seriously? Outrageous.
It was deserted, uncomfortable, and the staff was not pleasant. I was seriously angry that I got ripped off for a couple cheap vodka drinks. We will NOT be back.

Came here for a late lunch with high expectations and excited to try their Vaca Frita (grilled shredded beef), as recommended by other Unilocalers… I was sorely disappointed. Everything was excessively oily, more than I could handle. I could actually feel and taste oil squish out of every bite of meat. I did like the fufus (mashed sweet green plantains), but would have enjoyed it more if it hadn’t soaked up a massive amount of oil from the vaca frita. Moros were good.
I tried some of my boyfriend’s sauteed chicken and mushrooms with tomato sauce with side of white rice and plantains. Chicken was alright, tender in some areas and tough in others. The tomato sauce tasted too much like Chef Boyardee sauce, which turned me off. And normally I never turn down plantains, I just love them too much. But I took one bite, and I couldn’t even bring myself to swallow it – tasted leathery and old.
I was slightly turned off by their sangria too. The bottom of the glass had a thick layer of sugar sitting beneath canned fruit.
The only winner of the meal was the free bread that was served at the beginning of the meal. Delicious, toasty, and served with an equally delicious whipped garlic butter.
Overall, I left feeling bloated and heavy and gross. Won’t be back for seconds.

Yes. Delicious. Fufu Plantains are the best. Havana Harrys and Las Culebrinas have certainly stolen my allegiance from the traditionally known Versailles.
Vaca Frita
Tostones are really good here…
Ropa Vieja was tender, which is always nice considering that so many cuban restaurants can soak the crap out of the beef to the point that it tastes LIKE CLOTHES.
Kelloggs Crusted Chicken was amazing, really nice somewhat traditional dish with a Cuban element.
Drinks are strong, complement the tasty fare very nicely. I enjoyed myself, and I strongly recommend you all visit this place.

This place TOTALLY kicks ass!
Excellent service, always attentive to customers and they make sure your glass wine isn’t empty! I love that. I do recall having a good Chianti here. The food is just phenomenal! I wish we had restaurants like this one in New York.
Las Culebrinas (in the Grove) is one of my favorite places to come when visiting Miami!
Can’t wait for my next trip!

Went here with the intention of grabbing a Cuban meal with a visitor from out of town. Once we arrive, we ended up abandoning that plan and ordered an array of tapas and pitchers of sangria! My favorites were the ceviche, tostones, and ham croquettes while the sangria was perfectly sweet.
The waiters were attentive and provided quick service while the ambiance of the restaurant is great and classy!
After reading about the happy hour, I will definitely have to go back!

Welcome to the best tapas a dollar can buy! Oh, yes, the tapas are only $ 1 throughout the week during happy hour (Monday-​Friday 3 – 8 PM). Because they were so inexpensive, we decided to try one of each and loooooved them (the yuca frita, the churasco strips, masitas de puerco, and some other dishes were all excellent).
The drinks are also 2 for 1, which also helps :)
The bartender/​waitress was a bit abrasive at first, but then warmed up to the crowd (this is why the restaurant didn’t get 5 starts). She advises to arrive as early as possible because the upstairs area (where you go for happy hour and the $ 1 tapas) gets filled quickly.
A dollar can’t buy you much in a town like ours these days, so I suggest you stop buy and try their happy hour.

This is my fave Cuban restaurant in town (with Versailles coming a very close second). It might be because it was the very first place I had Cuban food when I moved down here, but I wouldn’t say it’s only that. Every dish I’ve ever had at Las Culebrinas has been outstanding. I’m partial to their vaca frita, and as of yet, it’s been the only place I’ve come across that’s actually fried the onion to the point of burning, which totally wins me over every time, since I’m not a huge onion fan to start with.
Every other dish I’ve tried I’ve loved as well. Their sangria is great, and their guava shells and cheese dessert is yummy, even though it’s totally out of a can/​jar, and I could easily concoct it at home. There’s valet for $ 3, but you can sometimes find a spot along 27^th Ave on the gravel, if you time it right. Also, the acoustics inside aren’t all that great — so you may have to speak louder than you’d imagine to have a conversation with your dining companions.

In my opinion, this is the best Cuban place in Miami (which, by default, makes it the best Cuban place in the US). Portions are huge, and everything I’ve ever tried here has been excellent (especially love the bistec empanizado), but theres also ropa vieja, vaca frita, arroz relleno, lots of seafood, etc. It’s also quite cheap (less than $ 15 per entrée), considering the quality and amount of food you get. The desserts are classic cuban, so not a lot of chocolate, but they make the crema catalana at your table with a blowtorch, which is pretty freaking cool. When I lived in Miami, I ate here at least once a week… I gained a lot of weight, but I was very happy :)
(Best _​_​_​: Best Bistec Empanizado)