THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Azucar Cuban Cuisine & Cigars Awards

THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Azucar Cuban Cuisine & Cigars Restaurant Review:

The food is as lively as the scene at Azucar, where Cuban and Spanish dishes are served with unexpected flair. Steak lovers might find there’s even more to love when sirloin is served “encendido” --- strips of meat cooked in a hot, peppery red wine reduction sauce. Chef-owner Nick Vazquez --- known for besting Bobby Flay in a throwdown of Cuban sandwiches --- likes to serve the foods he enjoyed in his family's kitchen when he was growing up in Cuba. Count among those dishes mejillones salteados --- shelled mussels in a garlic-saffron-white wine sauce. The lunch menu is smaller but tempting, especially “Ivette's sandwich de pollo al grill,” which features grilled pieces of marinated boneless chicken layered between lettuce, tomatoes, pan-fried onions and lime potato sticks. Also recommended: frijoles negros tropical, Vazquez’ mother’s black bean soup. Service is well-meaning but sometimes a little slow. The bar service and the bar scene are dynamic, the signature mojitos legendary.