The pollo asado, or marinated half chicken ($18), was the first thing our server suggested, but unfortunately it was uneven as a dish. The dark meat was moist, tender, and very tasty, and just fell off the bone. But the white meat, usually my wife's favorite part, was dry and pretty much untouched by the marinade. The black bean spicy rice side item was tasty, but it too was dry. The only thing not dry was the yuca tuber served with marinated onions. This was a neat, exotic flavor, but one that became cloyingly nasal-clearing after a while.

Meanwhile, the other item recommended by the server, tenderized skirt steak ($20), was delicious. Served with a chimi-churri sauce that showed accents of garlic and cilantro, and it was the perfect complement to the steak. The white rice accompaniment was clearly authentic, and seemed to not come from any sort of package. Fried plantains rounded out the dish. Also well-received was the cuban sandwich ($8), which was packed with flavor and authenticity. I do have to report that fries came fully unsalted. It's also one of the best values on the menu. Note that the to-go window outside the restaurant sells this same item (for a touch less money, even), so keep that option in mind also.

Our visit began with an inexcusable 20-minute delay after being seated before being asked about drinks. We ordered at that same moment, and were surprised when the food arrived about seven minutes later. Clearly, the delay was not on the side of the kitchen! Our server didn't visit that often to refill drinks either, now that I think about it.

During our late lunchtime visit, crowds were sparse. There seems to be a second level, perhaps for busiest night hours, and there was a stage right in the middle of things for live music. Presumably, this place really comes alive (and gets very loud) at night. Things were sedate for us, though some piped in music kept the atmosphere pleasant. It wasn't cramped in the dining room, and its atmosphere can best be summed up as cozy.