Havana Road is a bit hidden along Towson's Pennsylvania Avenue, just across from the old movie theater. From the outside, it doesn't look like much; the lights and glass front make it look like any other fast-food place. When you step inside, though, Havana Road is a fantastic location. The details are amazing: Photos from Cuba, small white lights, quaint tables, beautiful lanterns, and woven fans.
My mother-in-law and I met the chef, who told us about bringing recipe from Cuba and how she decided to start the restaurant. When she was catering, she moved into the space for the kitchen and people kept stopping by to ask when she was opening the restaurant. She figured that people were interested, so she'd give it a shot.
Havana Road is BYOB and we didn't bring anything, so we just ordered Nali tea, a caffeine-free Cuban leaf tea with fruit flavors. It was a little too sweet for our tastes, but would be great with some alcohol!
We started with the almejas marinara a la Cubana, the tender P.E.I. mussels. It was a reasonable size for the price and well done. We ordered similar entrees; I went with the arroz con veneras (sea scallops) and my mother-in-law ordered the arroz con camarones (shrimp). Each entree came on a bed of yellow rice, Cuban black beans, and sweet plantains. I was shocked at how mild the food was, but with really deep flavor. The black beans were great with the rice, and I loved the plantains.
We finished our meals with dessert. I went with the rum cake and my MIL ordered the vanilla flan. The rum cake was a little too dense and the rum sauce was thin and very intense. The flan was good, but not the best flan I've had.
I liked Havana Road and would likely go often if I lived in Towson. I don't, and live close to Little Havana, so I don't think I would make the trip unless I was in the area. If you live near Havana Road, though, I recommend checking it out.
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