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Sweet Havana dishes up a delicious dining experience
Atmosphere is a major factor when it comes to dining out. A good restaurant takes you away from daily stressors and immerses you in a new world where you can not only satiate your hunger, but also forget about life for awhile.
Consider Sweet Havana, located in the plaza next to the Olive Garden at Glendale and Reynolds. This Cuban eatery has a winning dining formula, serving up food and drink that you’re not going to find anywhere else in the Toledo area.
I arrived ahead of my dining compan- ions and took a seat at the colorful bar where Sweet Havana owner, Yamirka Monzon tends to everything, shaking, mixing, and stirring a variety of expertly made cocktails. I had the ‘70s song “Escape” by Rupert Holmes in my head, so I requested a pina colada, and it was hands down the best made pina colada I’ve ever had in Toledo, or anyplace else. Not too sweet, not too strong, just mmmm-mmmm good. I also tried a Tiki drink (my late arriving companions were even later), a devilishly potent concoction made with a variety of rums and banana liquor, served in a ceramic tiki mug.
Trader Vic’s, you’ve been upstaged.
From the bar to a booth
My dining party joined me while I was sipping the Tiki drink, and we adjourned to a comfortable booth in the back of the dining room. Lively Cuban and calypso music played overhead as we perused the menu, including a calypso version of Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean,” that had us tapping our feet under the table. We sat under a large mural of Ernest Hemingway, a Cu- ban favorite son, which harkened to the island nation’s and the writer’s connection, adding to the festive mood.
Maria, our delightful server, who hails from Venezuela, took our drink and appetizer orders — Cuban-style croquettes, fried pillows of melty cheese, served with a tangy dipping sauce, the tostones, featuring a large serving of pulled pork delivered in a fried plantain “shell” — the perfect introduction to a hearty meal.
Menu of interest
Sweet Havana’s menu options are rather limited, but all of the offerings are made with skill and love. We considered trying the paella, but the menu advised that it took 45 minutes to
prepare, so we skipped it on this visit, but there’s always next time. And there will be a next time, because the food at Sweet Havana is absolutely top notch.
The shrimp enchilado is different from the standard Mexican enchilada; there’s no tortilla casing to speak of. The shrimp, served in a tangy, tomatobased sauce, were large and plump; decidedly not the bay shrimp variety. Side dishes included a hearty scoop of white rice, sweet fried plantains and a small salad.
The Cuban picadillo, featured a massive portion of ground beef, cooked in a “criolla sauce,”simmered with onion, peppers and garlic. Topping off our entrees was the slow roasted pork, which the menu boasts, was cooked for more than 13 hours.
Though all of us were quite full from the entrees, we still had the temerity to place a dessert order ( with the strong encouragement of Maria), opting for the tres leches cake and the flan custard.
Both provided the perfect ending to an ever-so-satisfying meal.
Hosted with happiness
The denouement of our Sweet Havana experience was a visit to our table by owner Yamirka Monzon, who showed a personal and genuine interest in how we enjoyed our meal.
Ms. Monzon, a native of Cuba, came to Toledo from Florida a decade ago to be closer to family. Her Mexican husband, Oscar Gomez, previously was part of the ownership of two San Marcos restaurants, but Monzon longed to own her own restaurant, to share her Cuban
heritage and cuisine with Toledoans.
“We’ve had people drive two hours to come eat here,” said Monzon, with a smile. “People really love us.”
And what’s not to love? Good drinks, great food, lively vibes. Sweet Havana is the real deal.
1855 S. Reynolds Road. Hours: M to Sun 11am to 9pm. sweethavanna.com (yes, there are two n’s). 567-315-8031
