Corte del Principe Sergio’s

CA5
Top Pick
Style of food: Italian
Cost: Expensive
Type of place: Paladar (private)
Food
Ambience
Service
Value
Best for: Spectacular homemade Italian pastas. Cozy atmosphere, excellent service.
Worst for: Getting a reservation. Not cheap (although its worth it)
9na esq. 74, Playa
(+53)5255 - 9091
  • La Corte del Principe has rocked up the pop charts in Havana on the back of quality authentic Italian fare. Located on a quiet street behind the lovely park (which runs from Calle 60 to 82 behind the Occidental Hotel) this is Sergio’s place. The seating, all outside under an awning is not fancy but comfortable. Typically busy but not packed there is an atmosphere about the place. Somewhere where no one comes in a hurry. A place you stay to enjoy the wine, smoke that cigar and relax in a laid back atmosphere.

    This is not to say that the food will take an eternity to appear, on the contrary service is attentive and quick. Simply that what is the rush, do you really have somewhere better to be? This is not the Italian version of a Tex Mex, there are no pizzas on the menu. Instead you have a range of pastas made as only an Italian could make them. Tagliatelle al fungi porcini/gamberi y zucchine/alla marinara. Great spaghettis. Take care that you don’t over indulge in the starters (prosciutto, antipasto and brochette) since you will want to leave room for the main course. And did I mention the desserts!

    Undeniably serving the best pasta in town at present look for the Tagliatelle al fungi porcini/gamberi y zucchine/alla marinara. Unless you get stuck on the starters that are so good you don’t even make it to your main course. Just ask Sergio what he recommends today.

    Typically busy but not packed there is an atmosphere about the place. Somewhere where no one comes in a hurry. A place you stay to enjoy the wine, smoke that cigar and relax in a laid back atmosphere.  This is not to say that the food will take an eternity to appear, on the contrary service is attentive and quick. Simply that what is the rush, do you really have somewhere better to be?

    Melazane alla Parmigiana at La Corte del Principe

    I previously gave an “up” to this fairly new Italian paladar, located in Miramar, for its fresh pastas. Those pastas continue to be the strong point of La Corte del Principe where the dishes are prepared daily with fresh products available in the market. Nevertheless if you choose not to go the pasta route there is a great option — the Melazane alla Parmigianino (eggplant Parmigianino), a delicious thin slice of eggplant fried in batter and covered in a tomato sauce and parmesan cheese. It is an appetizer but I could easily have it as an entrée. Remember that in this place you will usually see a changing menu because every day they have only what is fresh.

    The fresh pasta at La Corte del Principe

    This is one of the newest paladares in Havana. It is a charming and yet unpretentious establishment with a few tables in a covered porch and with a limited menu written in a blackboard. The place is nice, the prices are good, service is fantastic… but what is more attractive about this place is the homemade pastas, they are really good and they are offered with a variety of sauces that are also very outstanding: four cheeses, carbonara, amatriciana and pesto to name a few. Follow the recommendations of the owner, Sergio, who will give you personalized service and a detailed description of his Italian creations. You will want to come back. Beware than even though it is an Italian place, pizza is not served.

    
  • La Campana

    La Campana  LH 4

    Chill out bar and grill, La Campana seems at first glance more an upmarket homestead finca (farm) than anything else. This is an upmarket ranchón beside a nice pool. The tables are comfortable and wel …

    Meliá Cohíba – La Piazza

    Meliá Cohíba – La Piazza  LH 5-

    La Piazza succeeds enormously where most of the other hotel restaurants (including of the same Meliá Cohíba) struggle. It succeeds in providing good quality Italian food and fine service but most of a …

    San Cristóbal

    San Cristóbal  LH 5

    San Cristóbal is named after its owner, chef and driving inspiration, Carlos Cristóbal Márquez Valdés. The place belies its location in Central Havana and exudes authenticity and charm. Cluttered, ecl …

    Café del Oriente

    Café del Oriente  LH 4+

    The Café del Oriente is about as upmarket as it gets in Old Havana. Almost self-consciously grand, it is located right on Plaza de San Francisco and seems to challenge its neighbours to do better. Thi …

    La Esperanza

    La Esperanza  LH 4

    La Esperanza is one of those places which gives out its own microclimate so far removed it is from your typical Havana dining experience. Set in the Miramar suburbs, the exterior of the house is notab …

    Centro Asturiano – La Terraza

    Centro Asturiano – La Terraza  LH 5-

    The Sociedad Juventud Asturiana is a Spanish cultural society from the province of Asturias, which has a special legal status in Havana. Essentially, the society functions as a cooperative which means …

    Sancho Panza

    Sancho Panza  LH 4+

    The sign on the wall reads that our fames precede us and our food maintains us. Actually Sancho Panza (not to be confused with Poncho Sanchez!) looks a lot better from the inside out than the outside …

    Vista del Mar

    Vista del Mar  LH 4

    Vista del Mar is a quality paladar that has been around for many years. The main restaurant is on the 2nd floor of an attractive Miramar residence that looks out to sea. Sitting on the smallish balcon …

    Café Laurent

    Café Laurent  LH 5

    The entrance to Café Laurent gives little away. While just a few blocks away from the iconic Hotel National, Calle M has little commerce and you have to be guided into the apartment building where a s …

    La Moneda Cubana

    La Moneda Cubana  LH 4

    If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck…it normally is a duck. Walking into La Moneda Cubana I could not believe that this really was a paladar. From the bad fake copies of Mona Lisa and the Last S …

    « 4 of 14 pages »