The Cuban Restaurant

There is a great Cuban restaurant I regret not having visited earlier. Since the day they opened, they kept me updated through their Facebook page. However, for some reason (probably the price) I have been delaying the visit... until this summer!

My friends and I went to The Cuban, the cocktail bar and restaurant located at the Harbourside, passed Millenium Square, in front of Pizza Express. 

We arrived quite late as a result of a misunderstanding between my friends and I. We haven't done a reservation and the restaurant seemed to be very busy that Friday night. I went inside to talk to the maître to ask if it was possible to get a table available for 5 people in such a busy night. In spite of being full at that moment, he promised he would try to squeeze us if we agreed to wait for some minutes. We obviously agreed.

Around 9.30pm, we were offered a table with such bad luck that one of our friends was late. We had a cocktail at the bar while we waited for our friend. I wanted something fruity and fresh, so the barman suggested the Passion Fruit Collins (£6.95), which was absolutely what I wanted. 

At 9.50, we finally were at the table ready to order. That's when I paid attention to the decoration. The large restaurant is beautifully set up with a Cuban theme. At the beginning, there was live music which switched to salsa music during the dinner. The music was getting louder and louder, so we understood that we were having a late dinner for English standards and it was already time for drinks and dances. Our waiter, Theo, came and told us we should order food before 10pm, which is the time they close the kitchen. We ordered some Nachos Rancheros (£5.95) to share. In addition, I ordered Patacon con Todo (£10.95) and the rest ordered Slow Roasted Pulled Pork (£8.95), Cuban Seafood Cassolete (£12.95) and Cheese and Vegetable Empanadas (£8.95). Minutes later, Theo came back and told us they were out of seafood and they didn't have empanadas anymore. So, some of my friends had to choose another main.

Mains arrived, but I got a pork dish instead of the patacon. Theo apologized and brought the correct main for me, really fast. Nachos arrived while we were already having our mains. For all the inconveniences caused, they gave us a free bottle of wine and a discount in the bill, which we appreciated very much.

The food was absolutely amazing! I enjoyed my dish very much and I really recommend it. It was a deep-fried flattened platacon (similar to the banana but not sweet) filled with chicken and topped with home-made guacamole, sour cream and tomato salsa. My friends also liked the roasted pork dish.

The entertainment started while we were having dinner. A dancer started with some belly dance and switched to salsa thereafter. The atmosphere changed rapidly, some customers joined the girl in the stage for some basic salsa moves and some minutes later, there were around 30 people dancing. I pretty much enjoyed the transition from the dinner to the party time. It was so much fun! 

When we finished the dinner, we joined the stage and try to remember the salsa dance-moves learned in the salsa classes I used to go. 

Overall, I really recommend The Cuban. Despite everything, they were able to manage to find a table for us when we didn't book a table and they were obviously busy, they also managed very well the issues when ordering and the food was amazing! Good job, guys!!

NOTE: Pictures taken from Bristol Culture and What's on Bristol websites. Thank you! :)

WEBSITE: http://www.thecubanbristol.co.uk/

Lady Boys

Every Tuesday evening, I walk through Castle Park and enjoy the silence there. This week, however, as I was approaching, I could hear the first notes of a party hit. I am not sure if it was Lady Gaga, Rihanna or someone else. But as I was approaching I realised the "circus" came into town.

"Lady Boys of Bangkok", they are called. First thing that came to my mind when I read it was a night out in Castro District, San Francisco, CA a couple of years back. Castro District is one of the United States' first gay neighborhoods and it is currently the largest. Having transformed from a working-class neighborhood through the 60s-70s, Castro remains one of the most prominent symbols of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgeder (LGBT) activism and events.

You could see anything in this district. Things you might think people would keep for their most intimate moments could be seen at daylight in San Francisco.

The show is called Glamorous Amorous, and I can't give you my own feedback because to be honest, I haven't seen it. The logo speaks for itself, though. 

They promise a "party like there's no tomorrow under an exotic ambience". You can expect the "usual truly glamorous and funny cabaret antics, complete with even more flamboyant costumes, painstakingly immaculate make up and show stopping choreography".

I am more Cirque du Soleil kind of person, their name (The Lady Boys of Bangkok, seriously?) didn't catch my attention anyway. It could be an alternative plan if you don't have any for the weekend. They will be in town until tomorrow (27th April) and tickets can be bought in here £10-£48.80.

Salseando

Music is part of my everyday life, and so is dancing. I have always liked dancing.  Never danced professionally, I'd tackle anything though. As a child, I did some ballet. During my teenager period, I danced traditional Basque dances. Then, in College, I dare to dance ballroom dances. Samba, Waltz, Tango, Bolero, ChaChaCha... a little bit of everything. I had an exceptional teacher who transmitted his passion for dancing to me. I also competed. 2013 though, is the year of Salsa.

At the beginning of January, probably as a new years resolution, I joined the salsa classes in Bristol. I convinced a friend to come with me and we are pretty good at it. ;) 

There are several places in Bristol where you can learn some salsa. In the city centre, there is Salsa Souls, in the Slug and Lettuce (BS1 1UB). There are other two dance schools in Clifton; Abanico Salsa (BS8 2LT) and Salsa Sabrosa (BS1 5JG), and yet another forth one in the south of Bristol called Salsa Bristol (BS14 9EA). Prices are quite similar for all clases: 6-8 pounds per class (usually around 2 hours per class).

It doesn't matter if you are a rookie, everybody is in the same boat. All of them offer lessons for absolute beginners and you can join any time you want. Mondays in Salsa Sabrosa, Tuesdays in Salsa Souls, Wednesdays in Salsa Souls (again) and Thursdays in Salsa Bristol. You could go to one class almost every week day if you'd like!

Remember, you do not need to bring your own partner. Classes are structured so that people rotate throughout. It allows you to meet new people and improve your leading or following skills with different partners.  Most of the times there are more girls than guys, which encourages guys even more to start dancing. However, lately the amount of girls in my class has decreased.

You don't need to wear anything special. If you have dancing shoes, bring them. If you don't, it is alright as well. Just wear comfortable clothes and avoid tight fitting skirts.

Lessons usually start with a warm-up, and the groups is either divided in two (beginners and intermediates) or the beginners class comes first followed by an intermediates class. There is a break in the middle and freestyle dancing at the end. 

Most dance schools also organise "Monthly Party" and "Special Classes" every now and then, where you can bring your friends, meet other dancers from town and have some fun.

More information
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Salsa Bristol (http://www.salsabristol.co.uk/)
Salsa Sabrosa (http://www.bristolsalsa.co.uk/)
Salsa Mania (http://www.salsa-mania.co.uk/)
Abanico Salsa (http://www.abanicosalsa.com/Classes/Bristol-Clifton/)
Salsa Soul Bristol (http://www.salsasouls.co.uk/)