Cubacan, Asbury Park, NJ:
A Restaurant Review
800 Ocean Ave
Asbury Park, NJ
Website
Restaurant Highlights
Fare: Modern Cuban - American
Price: Moderate - Expensive
Value: Good
Noise Level: Moderate - High
Dress: Casual
Food Quality: 1 1/2 Stars
Service: 2 Stars
Decor: 3 Stars
Overall Rating: 2 Stars
Note: Four star Rating System from 1/2 Star = Poor to Four stars = Best in Class
Attractive, lively, Havana style ambiance with scenic beach front/ocean views
Recommended For: Diners who enjoy Latin food with lively, Latin ambiance in an attractive setting. Good for a date or getting together with friends for dinner, drinks, and some nightlife.
Not Recommended For: Diners who prefer casual dining with a non-ethnic menu in a more subdued setting.
Recommended dishes: When available, The Lechon Asado with traditional Cuban roast pork, peppers, and onions served with black rice, beans and yucca frita; The Pescado a La Parilla a La Cubana with Cuban grilled sea bass, white rice and black beans; and The Ceviche Tasting with 3 of their signature ceviches.
Liquor: Full Bar service. Good selection of reasonably priced wines and specialty cocktails.
Restaurant Review
Cubacan, located on the boardwalk in Asbury Park, offers a cozy, Latin ambiance with ocean front views, and good Cuban/Spanish influenced food.
Cubacan is under the same management team (brothers Joseph and Micheal Cetrullo) as three other restaurants on the Jersey Shore: Blu Nami & Stella Marina in Asbury Park, and Sirena in Long Branch.
One of the owners, Joseph Cetrulo oversees the operation of Cubacan. He has teamed up with Chef Bradley Rodriguez to run the kitchen.
Bradley Rodriguez is a New Jersey native with Spanish ancestors who have influenced his cooking style. His grandfather hails from Spain and his grandmother from Cuba. His cooking skills have been honed under famed Chef Emeril Lagasse in New Orleans, Nobu in New York, Smiling Joe’s in Puerto Rico, and Due Terre & the Publick House in New Jersey. The Cuban dishes, while not considered to be authentic, nonetheless, have definite Cuban/Spanish influences. The menu offers both tapas and full sized entrees.
The interior is attractive with a modern yet rustic Havana look. The 100 seat, cozy dining room, adjacent to a large, vibrant peninsular shaped bar, is adorned with chandeliers, upholstered conversation nooks, rosewood floors, Cuban mosaic tile, and white linen curtains
Window tables have a scenic view of the boardwalk, beach front, and ocean.
The lounge offers energetic nightlife and entertainment, They often have a Latin band that brings their dance floor to a high pitch.
During the warmer months, there is outdoor dining area on the Boardwalk roped off to separate the under umbrella-shaded tables.
Cubacan is open 7 days/week for lunch and dinner on Sunday 1:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Monday - Wednesday 11:30 am - 10:30 pm,
Thursday, Friday & Saturday 11:30 am - 11:30 pm
Happy Hour is Monday-Friday: 3:30pm - 6:30pm, Saturday & Sunday: 12pm - 4pm
(updated: June, 2018)
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