Cuban Bistro-Closed

Cuban Bistro
28 Main St.
Alhambra
626-308-3350


Ever had a meal when maybe the appetizers were great and the entree was average or worse? Well that's what I experienced at Cuban Bistro in Alhambra. What great appetizers but the entree left a lot to be desired.

Yes, I normally don't order appetizers. After all if I had appetizers and entree, I would weigh two tons, instead of one ton. But I went with my girlfriend and her colleague and they wanted appetizers. So whatever my girlfriend wants she gets.

We ordered the Camarones Empanizado,$9.50, fried shrimp with a red bell pepper aoli sauce. WOW the shrimp was fried to perfect. A nice light batter and the shrimp was big and tender. What a wonderful way to start our meal.

Then we had the tora de cangrejo, $6.50, which is a large crabcake with lobster cream sauce and topped with a fruit salsa. I didn't care for the salsa but wow what a great crabcake. Since I'm from Baltimore and grew up on crabcakes, it takes a lot for a crabcake to impress me. And this crabcake did it. This was great. Almost no fillers, just crabmeat in every bite. Now they only give you one big crabcake and it's well worth the price.

My entree was the halibut al ajillio, $16. Now halibut is my favorite fish. I love it. But I know it can be dry if it's not cooked properly. So damn this was halibut was bone dry. It was seasoned with garlic seasoning, you get a choice of garlic or tropical salsa. And the garlic didn't add much flavor to the halibut. I wasn't impressed and should have ordered a chicken dish. Oh well.

Service was acceptable. We waited a little for refills of drinks. It seemed to take a little longer than normal for our entrees to arrive.

I would go back to Cuban Bistro again. I would love to try their other entrees and their Cuban Sandwich. But this is much better than that Cuban restaurant in the Orange Curtain.

Porto's

Porto's
315 Brand
Glendale
818-956-5996

It maybe strange to go to a bakery for a Cuban sandwich but Porto's serves not only great pastries but a great sandwich. The first picture is the view of Porto's from Brand Blvd. The second picture is the "back" entrance from the parking lot behind Porto's.

The Cuban sandwich $3.75 is filled with pork, ham, swiss cheese, mustard and pickles and served with fried bananas. The bread is toasted but is so soft and flakey. The meats, especially the pork is so tender. The ham is really just sliced ham that kids use for lunch meat. Otherwise a damn good sandwich at a damn good price.

The pastries pictured include a brownie, a raspberry mouse, and a pyramid shaped chocolate mouse with three kinds of chocolate, dark, milk and a white chocolate. They are all so awesome.

Porto's is packed, no matter when you go. Remember to take a number and be patient, it's well worth the wait. They also have another location in Burbank. I would go back to Porto's anytime.

Felix Continental Cafe-Closed

Felix Continental Cafe
36 Plaza Square
Orange
714-633-5842

I haven't gone o many Cuban restaurants. But one mof my first taste of Cuban cuisine was a Cuban sandwich and I have loved it ever since. I think Felix in Orange has one of the best Cuban sandwiches around. Felix is on the southwest side of the Orange Circle, which is Chapman and Glassell.

I went to Felix for lunch and the ordered the Cuban sandwich for $6.40. The sandwich is huge, as you can see from the pictures. The sandwich is filled with roast leg of pork, ham, swiss cheese, mustard and pickles on a Cuban baguette. The pork is nice and tender with lots of flavor. The ham is your regular lunch meat ham and the baguette is nicely toasted and chewy.

Service is good. I ordered the sandwich to good and they said it would be 10 minutes for my order. Ten minutes later the sandwich came and was pipping hot. The actual dining room is fairly small but they have outdoor seating but then you have to deal with scumbag smokers. I haven't tried any other items on the menu but the Cuban sandwich is good and a great deal.


Update May 22, 2008




I went back to Felix and again had the Cuban sandwich, now $7.95. It was still the same quality and quanity as the last time I went. A good sanwich.

I also ordered the Calamaritos Fritos, which is thin strips of squid lightly floured and deep fried. Cuban calamari, $7.50. I wasn't happy with this. The calamari was very chewy and not fresh at all. They also need to change the oil they deep fry the calamari. It's too diry and thus turns the calamari very dark brown.

Service was very good though the lady spoke with such a heavy accent, it was hard to understand her at times. But we weren't lacking for anything.

I know I should try something different but I do love a good Cuban sandwich. Maybe one day soon.