04/28/09

Best Cuban Food in Los Angeles

by inkeola

The neighborhood has taken some flack but you can rest assured their on clean up patrol. Casa Don Rolando has a nice big off street parking lot with plenty of light.

Once inside you will be treated to a warm inviting space that begs you to take your time with your meal. You'll almost have to take your time, service here is friendly and efficient but not paced like the cheapo Cuban joint with the greasy floors. Give dinner 1 1/2-2 hours and at least an hour for lunch. I suggested Casa Don Rolando set up a nap room for breaks between the main course and dessert. The waitstaff instead offered us use of the grand patio furnished with over sized chairs and couches, cigars most welcomed.

The starter menu is awesome. I've had a chance to try the Empanadas, Croquetas, Papa Rellena, salad, and chicken noodle soup. All were by far the best I've had in LA.

Main courses I've tried so far are the Arroz con Pollo, Ropa Vieja, Churrasco, Masitas de cerda and something not on the printed menu called Arroz Imperial. The Arroz Imperial is a spectacular mouthgasm not to be missed! The Ropa Vieja was the only dish I've had here that did not meet my already high expectations.

Dessert menu is short but very well thought out. I always enjoy guava shells after a Cuban dinner. Flan has never done it for me but CDR's homemade version is beautiful and silky smooth. I'd order it again.

Espresso and cigars on the patio finish off your leisurely night in Old/New Havana now in the San Fernando Valley.

Now if I could only get the chef to add Boliche to his menu this would become my all time favorite Cuban restaurant!

• Pros: Menu, decor, service
• Cons: location

02/23/09

great food and service...

by 1127

We had dinner at casa don last valentines day, i was with my mom and my boyfriend and we had a good time... the foods great and the service fantastic!! and we where surprise with our server because he knows the menu by heart and he's not even cuban or spanish speaking, i think he's asian and took care of us very well.. he recomended the sirloin steak and the shrimp alajio and we loved it!.. the restaurant's location is kinda odd but once your in, the place is really beautiful!..for sure im going back, i hope they get their alcohol license soon...

02/18/09

Service was not good and food was just okay

by code232

I went here on Valentines Day with my girl friend. The waiter let us know what the specials were and then we ordered. For some reason he (Arman the waiter) would not look at me. I ordered the Vaca Frita and it was very dry and I could not finish it. There was no citrus taste as they claim. My girl friend had the ox tail soup and she loved it. The waiter never came back after serving our food. He never checked in on us like the other waiters. He never asked us if we wanted desert, he never asked us if we wanted coffee. I really wanted to try the Cuban coffee too. He basically ignored us. We were done eating and sat there for about 20 minutes waiting on the waiter. Our waiter would not acknowledge me even when I tried to flag him. I had to flag down a different waiter for the check as I was getting aggravated. Our waiter brought the check and apologized for the wait. Out bill was $56 and I left him a $4 tip and he was lucky to get that. I wont be back to this restaurant and will not recommend it to anyone. I would maybe give this place another try if the service was better.

• Pros: Nice ambience
• Cons: Bad services/ food was just okay

Lively dishes and Latin flare comprise this authentic Cuban eatery noted for its acclaimed Cuban chef and owner, former chef from Jennifer Lopez's restaurant Madre's, Rolando Gonzalez.

by Whitney Moore

In Short
Vibrant yellow walls are offset by romantically lit wooden tables at this traditional Cuban-bistro inspired restaurant. With available seating for 62 both inside and on a covered patio, the ambient space is welcoming to dates, groups and parties and is available for special events upon request. Expect authenticity throughout the menu, which includes appetizers like citrusy ceviche and oxtail stew to savory dishes like vaca frita (shredded flank steak sautéed in olive oil with citrus juices), as well as desserts like classic Cuban flan.