The Love Chef

Restaurant Reviews

The Love Chef Rating System

@ Good @ Superior
@ Very Good @ Extraordinary
@ Excellent
Restaurant Name: CUBA LIBRE
How Many Hearts?:
Address: 10 S. 2nd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106
(Will open Fall 2004 @ Tropicana Hotel/Casino,
Atlantic City, New Jersey)
Phone Number: (215) 627-0666
Type of Food: Cuban
Hours: 7 Days
Dress: Adult
Price Range: $16.50 - $24.00 dinner entrees/Cuban Sandwich $10.00
Reservations: Recommended
Description of Restaurant:

Open front, patio seating has passersby checking out the scene in this jumping, hot restaurant that gives you a taste of CUBA without leaving the U.S. All the fun starts early and continues into the wee hours.

The Food

Appetizers:

The list here is so tempting and well prepared that it would be fun to experience. Order several selections with a large group even to the extent of having a complete meal with them.

. . . Some Love Chef favorites not to be missed!

Cuban Spicy Guava Ribs - Tender St. Louis cut ribs glazed with a spicy guava BBQ sauce. Topped with black bean-jicama relish @ $9.50.

          I could feast on these alone!

Frituras de Congrejo y Malanga - Crisp rustic Cuban malanga and crab fritters served with green and ripe papaya slaw and spicy-smoked tomato sauce @ $9.50.

Tamales Cubano - Traditional Cuban fresh corn tamales filled with fresh seafood picadillo and topped with crisp calamari, avocado and chipotle vinaigrette @ $9.50.

Chicharrones de la Casa - A taste of the hot tropical crisp chicken, salmon, chorizo and steak tossed in a spicy mojo picante, served with a jalapeño pepper. A ripe Scotch Bonnet pepper is offered for the adventurous, upon request @ $9.50.

          Don't get the Scotch Bonnet!!

Fire and Ice - Honduran-style ceviche of sushi grade tuna tossed with coconut milk, fresh lime juice, spicy yellow pepper, and cilantro. Served in a green coconut and topped with shaved hot-pepper ice @ $11.00.

          This is impressive!!

Black Bean Hummus - Cuba meets the Mediterranean! Black beans and sesame tahini pureed with spices and lime juice. Served with tropical chips @ $7.50.

          After tasting this hummus you won't want to go back to your every day Salsa.

. . . And many more delicious, well conceived, small plates/salad. Don't miss the Cuban black bean soup or la ultima bomba. Lump Crab and fixings . . .

Entrees:

Sun Tanned Salmon - Norwegian salmon fillet bronzed with rum, honey, mango, and cracked pepper, served on dried shrimp - scallion paella, with romesco butter, sauteed sweet plantains and broccoli rabe @ $19.00.

          Okay, here's my Italian greens; broccoli rabe/works well.

Vaca Frita - Slices of braised beef brisket seared until crisp and laced with a mojo demi. Served on congris with a Cuban salad of avocado, romaine, olives and red onions @ $19.00.

Lechon Asado - Marinated overnight in citrus juices, garlic and oregano, this traditional roast pork is served with boniato-yam mash, a citrus mojo made with the roasting juices, steamed yucca and sauteed greens @ $20.00.

          For the pork lovers, a MUST!!

Pisto - A melange of sauteed seasonal vegetables, including asparagus, chayote, calabaza and sweet plantains served on a green plantain patacon with yucitas rellenas @ $17.00.

2nd Street Gauco Steak - Grilled spice-rubbed rib eye. Served on crisp yucca con mojo fries and a glaze of rioja wine demi, jalapeno chimichurri and a medley of fire roasted peppers and onions @ $24.00.

          -- A great value.



“The Love Chef” (Francis Anthony) is the author of several cookbooks and appears on local and national TV. You can find his cookbooks at Amazon.com and/or visit his website www.thelovechef.com. “Cooking With Love” and “The Love Chef” are registered trademarks.

Back

Top Of Page


email: lovechef@thelovechef.com