"The first thing you may notice when you walk into El Oriental de Cuba are the button-down shirts hanging in dry-cleaner plastic towards the back. We have no idea why they’re there, but it’s not important, because the second thing you’ll notice is a menu of big Cuban specialties. The empanadas are among our favorite in the city thanks to perfectly flaky crusts and meaty fillings, and the Cuban sandwich is excellent. They don’t have a liquor license and not everything on the menu is a hit (the mofongo is a little dry), but this is a great option when you want some big plates of pork or chicken." - dan secatore