"Neon-colored neighborhood eatery Little Havana is ready to debut its lineup of authentic Cuban bites and fire up its salsa playlist, aiming to replicate a lively restaurant found on the streets of Havana. Restaurateur Alfredo Solis, who also runs D.C. taquerias El Sol and Mezcalero, plans to unveil his new Cuban-themed venture to the public on Friday, August 10. The back wood-lined bar will start slinging Red Stripe beers and piña coladas out of pineapples at 3 p.m., followed by dinner service kicking off at 4 p.m. Chef Joseph Osorio’s citrusy salads ($7 to $11) include a mango jerk chicken salad with candied walnuts, while sandwiches and burgers ($7 to $12) integrate other native Cuban flavors like like mahi fish, pineapple-jicama slaw, and grilled chorizo. Mains ($16 to $24) include seafood selections like salmon with tamarind glaze and spicy mango salsa, a whole fried red snapper, and a paella packed with pimento, lobster, and shrimp, with a “terra” (land) section devoted to marinated meats like spicy guava barbecue ribs and slow-braised beef tongue. At the back bar, carved pineapples and coconuts will double as mugs for tropical drinks with rum playing a starring role. Caffeine, also big in Cuban culture, will come from nearby purveyor Qualia Coffee. Little Havana’s food service is projected to operate from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. to start, with the bar opening an hour earlier. Weekend brunch and lunch is scheduled to follow a few weeks after, and morning coffee and pastries are expected to join the lineup later on at the 70-seat restaurant with its own patio." - Tierney Plumb
