Parrillada 84 y Quince

CA3
Style of food: Braiserie
Cost: Cheap
Type of place: Paladar (private)
Food
Ambience
Service
Value
Best for: Neighborhood style place with ‘real’ Cubans in attendance. Good grilled meats.
Worst for: Reasonably basic décor. Not very glamorous.
Ave. 84 No. 8402 esquina a 15, Playa
(+53)7206 - 3430

  • Translated Parrillada 84 y Quince means Charcoal Grill located on 84th Street on the intersection of 15th Avenue. What more do you need to know? This is really a neighbourhood place just off the busy 84th street, which is in the process of something of an upgrade since it opened in April 2011.

    The place itself is not huge; perhaps 12 tables fill out a rectangular space on an outdoor terrace. I’m not sure if the effect is deliberately minimalist but probably not given some of the kitschy decorations and ornaments on display. A sign of the times is a high quality projector playing the latest music videos on one side.

    The grill is off to one side and managed by the capable and solid Ibrahim Molina Reyes who manages the place. He gives a feeling of solidity to the place and ensures his son works the grill effectively. The food reflects this: large portions of good quality meats for a reasonable price are the pitch and our experience bore this out. Chateaubriand (400 gm) retails at CUC 13.50, the Solomillo de cerdo al carbon (pork sirloin steak) is CUC 8.50 and the rabbit in red wine is CUC 8.50. We did not try the desserts but the baked Alaska looked good.

    While we were there, a steady stream of clients came in, more local Cubans than in some of the more upmarket paladares. This is a low-key place, which probably does not merit an extensive trip to, but if you are close by and want a decent steak at reasonable prices in a pleasant informal atmosphere is not a bad option.

    
  • Unión Francesa

    Unión Francesa  LH 3

    The Unión Francesa is one of those places that seem stuck in a netherworld of not quite being sure what it is–state restaurant, association, paladar. I can never tell; it simply is not obvious. It is …

    El Baturro

    El Baturro  LH 3

    In 1919, Romualdo Lalueza, a wine and liquor wholesaler and importer from Spain, occupied the building where he had his warehouse and canteen café called El Baturro. Well into 1944, he advertised his …

    Don Ricardo

    Don Ricardo  LH 2+

    On for a good Irish pub in Old Havana where you could get a meat pie and a pint of Guiness. Don Ricardo is an Irish restaurant, but how Irish is a little debateable. The place recalls the founder of t …

    Zaragozana

    Zaragozana  LH 2+

    This restaurant’s origin dates back to its founding in 1830. Some people say that it always had the distinctive cooking style of the Spanish region it was named after ever since they opened. In those …

    La Amistad de Lanzarote

    La Amistad de Lanzarote  LH 2

    We had dinner here once a few years ago. We have never been back. The décor looks cheap and there have been reports of aggressive overcharging. Food wise, the specialty is Pollo Lanzarote, chicken wit …

    Marina Hemingway – Pizza Nova

    Marina Hemingway – Pizza Nova  LH 2

    Once upon a time the Pizza Nova was one of the better Havana restaurants serving good quality pizza in the upmarket Marina Hemingway. Perhaps the competition just got better and it is now simply relat …

    El Castillo de Farnés

    El Castillo de Farnés  LH 2+

    In the 19th century, this building was home to a grocery store. Later, Francisco Puig bought the establishment and turned it into a cheap restaurant, which he named Castillo de Farnés after a fortress …

    La Cabaña

    La Cabaña  LH 2

    La Cabaña has a great view of the city but truth be told is a relatively basic place. The Cabaña Restaurant Bar has a private air-conditioned room for 30 people with live music. The rooftop terrace ha …

    Juana la Cubana

    Juana la Cubana  LH 2+

    This is an outdoor restaurant with quality food and reasonable prices. You have to take a picture with Juana la Cubana’s horse and then sit back to enjoy a good Cuban Creole meal.

    La Dolce Vita

    La Dolce Vita  LH 2

    Cuba Absolutely Review: July 2012 Oh, La Dolce Vita. Named after the famous Italian film, this looks fabulous, chic, and elegant. Miami style. An awning out of a corporate tennis tournament covers the …

    « 11 of 14 pages »