"We started our meal with some freshly roasted rolls served with butter. When we asked for water with lemon, it came with lime instead. We also ordered drinks – I chose an Ironberry (a delicious Cuban soda with a taste akin to mixing all types of soda together), while my husband opted for a Guanabana milkshake. Guanabana is a fruit that looks similar to a kiwifruit but is round, brown, and hairy; it has a flavor reminiscent of guava but with the texture of a banana.
For our main course, my son and I ordered the paella Valenciana. The server warned us that it would take 25-30 minutes to prepare, so we decided to start with appetizers – we ordered empanadas. We had two chicken empanadas and one beef, all well-seasoned and served fresh and hot. The dough was also quite fresh.
When the paella arrived, it came with either soup or salad for both of us. My son chose the salad, which was generous with large pieces of lettuce, tomato slices, and onions, and the ranch dressing was nicely brought on the side, which I appreciated since I usually have to ask for it. I had the chicken soup, which was a rich broth filled with vermicelli, potatoes, and shredded chicken; it was amazing! The paella was also flavorful, and my husband enjoyed it alongside a Cuban sandwich.
The portions were modest but filling; we ended up taking home more than half of the sandwich and three-quarters of the paella. My son also took home a rice pudding for dessert; he couldn't resist digging into half of it as soon as we got home and saved the other half for only an hour later because it was "so good!"
The desserts are hard to resist at this place since they are the first thing you see when you walk in. With options like flan, rice pudding, and other spiced creams, it's tempting to indulge. Overall, we were very impressed with the food and satisfied with the service at Mi Habana Cafe. The experience was delightful enough that I’m eager to bring my Cuban father for a real authenticity test!"
