Review: Soul de Cuba Cafe

This restaurant is a real gem on the outskirts of Chinatown. We parked in the underground municipal lot off N. Beretania Street and walked two short blocks to the tiny restaurant on Bethel Street.

The husband was hungry and frustrated with the bad traffic (go rail!) so we treated ourselves to the Dinner for Two, served family style. The Soul Salad of organic mescaline greens, tomatoes, olives, red onions, candied walnuts, and peppers was laced with their delicious honey House Salad. It was sweet but light. The appetizer plate consisted of croquetas de jaiba (crab cakes), papa rellena (mashed potato croquette filled with seasoned ground beef), and two small pieces of plantanos maduras (fried bananas). The croquetas were tasty but had a dry, meatloaf texture. The husband ordered the pargo a la Cuba (red snapper filet with white wine sauce, tomato slices and onions) and I ordered fricase de pollo (chicken thighs). Both were served family style with arroz blanco and frijoles negros (white rice and black beans) and more fried bananas. The snapper was light and fresh and about an 8 oz filet that was enough for both of us. The two chicken thighs were also good with a more savory flavor, but a bit over cooked. Then came two desserts. We only ate one because we were too full. The flan soul de Cuba was layered in a parfait glass with flambé bananas in a caramel sauce and a thick piece of flan on top. This was topped with whipped cream and slices of strawberries. It was over-the-top!! I can hardly wait to taste the other dessert that we took home - two empanadas, one filled with mango and the other with guava. We waddled back to the car with our leftovers (also took home half of the croquetas). The evening rate at the municipal lot was $1.50. That made it less painful after the fat dinner bill of $40 per person ++.

Location: 1121 Bethel Street, Honolulu, HI
Phone: (808) 545-2822
www.souldecuba.com

I recommend this restaurant for the food and kitschy decor. The restaurant is two small rooms with a bar taking up a third of the dining room. The second room is used for parties and overflow. The one unisex restroom is well maintained. The service was a little slow and disorganized but the staff was very friendly and helpful. Reservations recommended.