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Carne Asada
Bold colors set the stage for an array of bold flavors awaiting diners at Royal Oak’s Café Habana.
Entering the restaurant from the partially hidden door on Fifth, the first things we notice are the open kitchen, the stark brick walls meeting colorfully upholstered booths, and finally, the bright painted mural in the back. On the way to our seat, the pulse of Cuban music and the chatter of happy diners fills the air.
Café Habana shares a kitchen and bar with Bastone, so any of Bastone’s micro brewed beers are available. I tried the Dubbel Vision, a Belgian style amber ale that was really tasty. There’s also the Cuba Libre (rum and coke), Mojito, and Cuban Sangria, in addition to assorted martinis and daiquiris.
My dining companion’s Mojito, was a refreshing blend of rum, lime juice, sugar, mint leaves and a splash of soda, served up in a tall frosty glass. The secret to a perfect mojito is to crush together the mint leaves and sugar, releasing mint oil into the mixture. She pronounced the mojito as the “best” she’s ever had.
For a starter, try the Fried Plantains with mojo (garlic/citrus sauce). They are tender and tasty, and a treat you won’t often find in metro Detroit.
For dinner, we tried the Ropa Vieja, a large portion of slow cooked shredded beef in a cumin-laden spicy tomato sauce, served over yellow rice. The cumin made this unforgettable. We also had Carne Asada, a mojo marinated flank steak, grilled medium-rare and sliced thin, displayed around a mound of rice, and settled atop a thin layer of chimichurri. Both were delicious. Other popular dinners include Chicken Mole, a large grilled chicken breast with a sweet mole sauce, and grilled Ahi fish tacos.
Also available are authentic Cuban salads, appetizers, and several sandwiches. The Cuban sandwich, a generous helping of roast pork, ham, Swiss cheese and pickles on press-grilled Cuban bread, is outstanding. For light eaters, or the post-theater crowd, a smaller version of the Cuban sandwich Medianoche, is available.
With a friendly knowledgeable wait staff, and a kitchen with an eye for detail, Café Habana has the recipe for success in downtown Royal Oak.
Check out this limited time sandwich menu--Café Habana offers its Tortas Cubana menu of Latin-style sandwiches on crusty bolillo rolls, nestled among chile dusted yucca chips.
Chili Braised Pork – with bacon, jack cheese, pickled jalapenos, black
beans and avocados. $8.50 (I had this one and it is delicious)
Try it with a Volcanic Mojito, made with mango and pomegranate juices.
Shredded Beef – Spiced, braised beef, pickled vegetables, pepper jack
cheese, shredded lettuce and chipotle cream. $9
Try it with a Cuban Sangria, made with coconut rum and fruit juices.
Pulled Chicken – Roasted chicken, pickled onions, black beans, pico de
gallo and shredded lettuce. $8.50
Try it with Cerveza with chili powder and lime.
Vegetarian – Chipotle spiced jicama and radish slaw, black beans, avocado
salsa, queso fresca, shredded lettuce and tomato. $8
Try it with Caipririnha with lime and sugar.
419 S. Main, Royal Oak
248-544-6255
Please see my reviews of:
Slows BBQ, Detroit http://bit.ly/W2jB
Woodbridge Pub, Detroit http://bit.ly/WuvuC
Black Finn, Royal Oak http://bit.ly/DI64n
Inn Season, Royal Oak http://bit.ly/15PZWh
Town Tavern, Royal Oak http://bit.ly/eyDrt
What Crepe?, Royal Oak http://bit.ly/iMIKe
Angel's Cafe, Ferndale http://bit.ly/XQjeP
Inyo Sushi, Ferndale http://bit.ly/3GauDd
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