Fiesta Havana SW6
Tuesday September 21, 2010
In an attempt to improve its image Havanas in Fulham has launched a brand new menu to show its not just a late night favourite hang out at the weekend.
And there's plenty to choose from with familiar tapas dishes including squid and chorizo and main dishes such as quesadillas and fajitas. But the first thing that becomes apparent, is that for a Cuban bar there is no Cuban food on offer, because Cuba is not really renowned for its cuisine.
Indeed, much of the Cuban population still live on rationed meat and scarcely use any types of flavourings in their meals.
After travelling around the island for three weeks a couple of years ago-eating only plain white fish and rice with the occasional vinegared avocado if you were lucky-the state-run pasta chain restaurant became extremely appealing by the end.
So when my friend and I arrived at Havanas I was actually quite relieved when I saw a menu full of Mexican and Spanish dishes with a burger and risotto thrown in.
Yes, this menu certainly can't decide whether it's Spanish, Mexican or British fusion and seems to have been designed to cater for every eventuality with no clear winner.
You wonder whether any menu offering such an eclectic mix of foods can do each dish justice but the Mexican meals were definitely well rehearsed, as I'd hoped.
My friend and I both had the squid to start which was decent, followed by the house speciality - quesadillas. I had chicken and my friend had the vegetarian option with mushrooms and jalapenos which both came with lashings of guacamole, sour cream and salsa.
Apart from the limp looking garnish that accompanied our mains, the food was pretty good and there was plenty of it.
Although Havanas is keen to showcase its culinary wares, the sangria was the highlight of the evening and probably the best I'd ever tasted.
In terms of price, the tapas dishes are average between £2-5 and the mains are between £8-10. Certainly not scandalous but perhaps the mains could do with being a pound or two cheaper.
In terms of the surroundings, there was plenty to look at with a busy Salsa dancing class going on behind us and for Wednesday had a decent number of diners chowing down on fajitas.
Whilst the decor and cocktails are the only things Cuban about this place, the food and environment certainly make it a decent place to come for a mid-week meal with a group of friends.
