Cuban cuisine?

[Finicky]

Hi. This is my first post here. Has anyone been to Azucar in Edgewater recently? I checked old posts & didn't find much written about the food at this Cuban establishment. Any suggestions on where to take a friend to celebrate a birthday? She really loves Mexican food, but I've given up any hopes of finding a decent place here or near Bergen County... She would do Spanish or Cuban. We did try Tapas de Espana early this spring. We waited a looooong time for a table & found it way too noisy. We loved Isla(?) in Hoboken last year, but would like a bit more atmosphere (I'm asking for too much,right?) Do any places come to mind? I'd appreciate any ideas. Thanks

[Jason Perlow]

We actually met some people at Fink's in River Edge this evening who said Azucar was very good, and that lots of Cuban expats eat there. I think its' definitely worth a try.

Migdalias Cuban Cafe in Bergenfield makes fantastic home-cooked stuff, their chicken soup is amazing and they make really good Cubanos. For upscale Cuban definitely Rebeccas, in Edgewater.

For Mexican you want to go to El Gran Mexicano in Bogota. Its a little hole in the wall type place but the food, espcially the very authentic tacos and their mole, are very good.

Tapas is probaby the best Spanish in the entire North Jersey area -- otherwise, you gotta go to Newark and my choice there would be Casa Vasca, without question.

[Rachel Perlow]

We met a nice couple tonight at Finks and they were raving about Azucar. I mentioned that we've never been because of my aversion to cigar smoke (big sign touting their cigar bar outside the place). They told me that there are big windows & fans venting the smoke so on a cool evening it isn't smokey. They loved the laid back atmosphere.

Personally, I've never been, but may give it a try now that I'm hip to asking for a seat by the window.

Edit: Great minds think alike.

Edited June 12, 2003 by Rachel Perlow (log)

[Rosie]

Try Rebecca's in Edgewater. BYO. Ask to sit in the side room which is quiet. I was at Azucar once and found the place to be smokey and noisey. Wasn't overly impressed with the food. Welcome to eGullet and be sure to give us a report on where you go.

[dbrociner]

Sorry to say that I can't reccomend Azucar. I was there over 2 years ago just to be fair but the chef/owner is still the same. A friend of mine was there within the last 6 months and he reported the same thing.

[RockADS21]

A new Cuban place is either set to open or has just very recently opened on Route 28 in Bound Brook called Cafe Havana...anyone with any insight please report...I will be giving it a try soon...if they haven't opened yet soon thereafter...

[Rosie]

A new Cuban place is either set to open or has just very recently opened on Route 28 in Bound Brook called Cafe Havana...anyone with any insight please report...I will be giving it a try soon...if they haven't opened yet soon thereafter...

Be sure to go soon and give us a report. Also address, phone # and if it is BYO. Thanks!