Cuba – a country that is, for most Australians, synonymous with Fidel Castro, rum and cigars and old cars. But before Communism took its grip, life in Cuba in the 1920-50s could be described as a playground for the rich and famous, robber barons and bohemians. Havana was described by Cabaret Quarterly — a now defunct tourism magazine — as ‘a mistress of pleasure, the lush and opulent goddess of delights’. Havana was an endless summer of good weather, buffets, beaches and music. Those times are set to return as Cuba slowly opening up its country for business and increased tourism.
It is this sense of nostalgia for an ‘endless summer’ that is behind the rebranding of Coco Cubano, the Cuban bar/coffee house franchise of Tony Melhem and his wife Avril. The company, which was founded in 2008, now has 13 stores nationwide. In 2014, its Parramatta store was voted best café in NSW and was in 2013 ranked 12 in BRW’s Fast 100. So it’s fair to say that the company is going places.
On Wednesday 2 December, the Plus Ones attended the launch of Coco Cubano’s rebranding at its Top Ryde City store. Melhem told us that with Cuba opening up its country to more tourism, he wanted to bring the authentic Cuban experience to Australia – ‘an endless summer with a Cuban twist’.
Upon arrival my plus one and myself were greeted with a delightful jalapeno and cucumber margarita, with just the right mix of refreshing and spicy. We then joined a table with some food bloggers to sample the new menu. Both myself and my plus one have travelled extensively through Latin America and we were keen to put Melhem’s claim of authenticity to the test.
Photo Credit: Coco Cubano
The entrees came thick and fast: el pollo fritto (fried chicken drummettes), chilli caramel pork belly, Cuban fried rice and a tropical prawn salad. These were quickly snapped up, but we had to wait a few minutes as the food bloggers clammered to take the perfect photo of the scrumptious offerings. My plus one and I particularly liked the pork belly, which was extremely well executed.
The mains continued the Cuban theme with arroz con pollo (chicken with brown rice), beef short ribs and the Cubano (Cuban sandwhiches). My plus one remarked that the arroz con pollo, while simple, was most definitely authentic.
Photo credit: Coco Cubano
The night was rounded out with desserts and cocktails that sent the food bloggers to heaven. This included the cinnamon sugared donut balls with chocolate dipping sauce, a salted caramel espresso martini and salty dulce de leche milkshake. I was enamored with the espresso martini while my plus one enjoyed the milkshake which was, in her words, ‘muy bueno’.
Overall, Coco Cubano has put together an exciting menu that is fun, playful and authentic. If you can’t get to Cuba, you might as well be transported there, even if for one night. We highly recommend you check out the new menu over the course of the summer.
[text-blocks id=”353664″]Coco Cubano
109-129 Blaxland Rd
Ryde NSW 2112
www.cococubano.com
