El Meson

El Meson Restaurant Review:

El Meson has served authentic Cuban dishes and a few Mexican entrées in a homey atmosphere since 1981. Try the platos Cubanos stocked with tender marinated beef, chicken and pork smothered in garlic sauce and served with saffron rice. Other mains feature tropical flavors like plantains and yucca. Go for the dramatic paella del Meson, with its chicken, sausage, lobster, shrimp, fish and mussels. Purists like the red snapper, pan-fried with garlic and olive oil. There’s also a decent chicken mole, smothered in mole-poblano sauce. Or just come for some tapas and wine during happy hour, or a bite of pastry chef Jessica Chapa’s orange crème brûlée jolted with a hint of Serrano pepper. There’s a Spanish wine list, too, and the restaurant hosts well-priced wine dinners on a regular basis.