Cuba Libre Bistro

11/16/06

Well, at least it wasn't steak and potatoes...

by foo_dee at Citysearch

When I arrived at Cuba Libre, the first thing that struck me was the very odd decor for what I expected would be a Cuban (or at least Cuban Fusion) restaurant. Of all the Cuban restaurants that I've ever patronized in North or South America, I have to say that this is the first to have the "Breckenridge-Ski-Lodge" look. Sorely lacking was anything remotely Cuban. No Cuban flags, no cigar memorabilia, and no salsa music, although I didn't mind the reggae. I hoped the food would contain enough Latin flair since they had clearly overlooked that detail when they designed the place. Actually, this building MUST have been home to some other restaurant in a previous life, unless Fidel has some Ski Resorts outside Havana of which I am not aware.

I arrived after 9pm on a Thursday, and there was not much of a crowd. After being greeted by the now legendary owner (thanks to lady_port 's citysearch review from 10/7/2006), we were promptly seated in one of the booths. It was no surprise that the list of specialty cocktails contained the obligatory mojito as well as some other ambitious takes on some caribbean libation favorites. However, neither of the 3 drinks ordered by my party was particularly spectacular, nor was their presentation terribly impressive. (This bartender wouldn't cut the mustard on either coast.)

The food was by no means the best Cuban food I've ever had, however, I must say that the chef was much more meticulous in his presentation than was the aforementioned bartender. Unfortunately, however, neither the tostones appetizer , nor the lamb and yucca churros (curiously, no hint of yucca was detected) left me anticipating my next visit. While mediocre, the food was at least a sharp departure from the meat and potatoes fare that is the norm in metro Denver. Since that's what I was looking for on this night, the experience was not a total disappointment.

• Pros: at least it was not the normal Midwest meat and potatoes
• Cons: Not the best cuban food i ever had

10/07/06

More like a gentleman's club

by lady_port at Citysearch

This was my husband's and my second dinning experience at Cuba Libre. The first was in August in the main dinning room and we had a great experience. This time we thought we would try the sushi in I Zen, even though we were not thrilled about eating in a basement. Our server was very attentive and helped us make our selections. We were enjoying our evening up to the point that a rowdy bunch of men at the sushi bar started to disturb our evening. We watched a female Asian women who was working on the sushi bar, do shot after shot with the gentlemen and the scene became more and disturbing as they evolved into a hollering and screaming mob. We asked our server to get a manager to do something about the inappropriate content of the conversation at the sushi bar, but to our astonishment he told us that the Asian women working behind the sushi bar was the owner. At this point we just wanted to leave this drunken mob and were going to give the restaurant another chance until the women flashed the men at the bar to their enthusiastic cheers. This is not the atmosphere that were expecting. Both me and my husband were embarrassed and we will never go back

• Pros: Professional staff who maintain their composure under disgraceful circumstances
• Cons: ladies may not feel comfortable bring their husbands or boyfriends

08/11/06

Overall great experience

by we2diners at Citysearch

This was our first visit to Cuba Libre but it won't be our last. There was a band playing lively and smooth latin jazz as we walked in the door, and we were greeted promtly. The atmosphere is inviting and romantic, the service was prompt and friendly, the menu had a nice variety and the food was excellent. It's a little out of the way for us, but worth the drive. We highly recommend it.