CuBar, Bangsar

Bored of Eggs Benedict in Bangsar? Take your taste buds on a trip to Havana: Telawi’s new CuBar brings the cuisine and cocktails of Cuba to KL, bolstered by a mouthwatering mambo of Colombian and Latin American flavours.

CuBar’s aesthetic channels the colonial corridors of a romanticised Castro-era country, with murals and music that evoke the Bueno Vista Social Club. Boleros sung by Omara Portuondo soar through the speakers of this atmospheric eatery, as colourfully enchanting as Encanto.

The menu by chef Evelio Martínez is winsome with specialities of Cuba and its neighbours.

Start with tostones and tortilla: Tostones Rellenos are crunchy-fried plantain baskets brimming with succulent pulled beef, avocado salsa and garlicky olive oil (RM22), while Tortilla a la Cubana spotlights Cuban-style potato omelettes, comfortingly warm and tender (RM22).

Arepas, the classic South American cornmeal cakes, also make an appearance, stuffed with chicken, mayo, avocado and cilantro (RM18), while Ajiaco is Cuba’s chicken soup for the soul (RM22).

For mains, the Ropa Vieja comprises Cuba’s black bean congri rice with shredded beef skirt and plantains (RM42). A variety of complimentary chipotle and habanero hot sauces bring the heat to the table. 

Since rum is Cuba’s national spirit, rum-based cocktails are the way to go here.

Havana was the birthplace of the Mojito, so that’s the first drink to order. Then, dive into Hemingway's beloved Daiquiri, also invented in Cuba. Other potent potions include the rum-and-Coke Cuba Libre and the Havana Ambos, named for the century-old Cuban hotel.