THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Mambo Restaurant Cubano

THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Mambo Restaurant Cubano Restaurant Review:

Most Americans consider the ubiquitous Cuban sandwich, rice, beans and maybe some fried plantain to represent the entire repertoire of Cuban cuisine. Not so. Anyone who has sat on the cozy Virginia-Highland patio of Mambo knows how Creole, Spanish, French and Chinese influences come together to create a cuisine that is both compelling and comforting. A bodacious depiction of Carmen Miranda covers the main wall of the dining room, her pursed lips as big and full as the flavors from the kitchen. Good choices are frijoles negros; whole fish; linguine tossed in squid ink and studded with shrimp; and classic Cuban entrées like picadillo, arroz con pollo and vaca frita (fried shredded beef with onions). We invariably choose the Chino-Latino special of the evening---traditional Asian-inspired Cuban dishes that usually feature fresh fish. (Cuba has one of the largest Chinese populations per capita in this hemisphere.) End a meal with flan of any flavor---all made from Cuban native and owner Lucy Alvarez’s mother’s recipe.