Cafe Habana

CAFÉ HABANA : Cuban
17 Prince Street at Elizabeth
212.625.2002

Ok so most of my reviews so far have been favorable and usually force my mouth to salivate just upon the thought of the restaurant I am reviewing. Café Habana used to have that effect on me but sadly not anymore. I recall the days when Habana was just the tiny “to-go” cramped spot on Elizabeth, then the full restaurant opened and you could find Sapna and I there like clockwork on the weekends, or well whenever we were craving Cuban. Being a creature of comfort and a stickler for consistency Habana just doesn’t stand up. Maybe it got too popular and the quality of ingredients went down, or the chefs don’t put any love into the food anymore. Whatever it is Habana is wak and you should save your pesos and walk down to el Castillo on Rivington next to the Rivington hotel and drop $8.00 on an authentic Dominican meal, which is consistent, satisfying and unpretentious. I do still support the corn at Habana but for the most part you couldn’t buy me a meal there. Sigh. I’m sad about this one. Adios Habana.