Cuban culture and a Café La Trova founder inspired this new Miami Lakes spot
A new Cuban-American restaurant from one of the creators of Café La Trova is bringing the spirit and sounds of 1970s Miami to Miami Lakes.
La Cumbancha — a term that refers to a lively gathering with food, drink and music — is now open on Main Street, with live music every night and a Cuban-inspired menu. One of the new restaurant’s partners is Julio Cabrera, who brought the Cuban Cantinero movement to Miami at the Michelin-recommended Café La Trova, his collaboration with Chef Michelle Bernstein on Calle Ocho.
Café La Trova, famous for its retro atmosphere and Cuban-style bartenders, was named the best restaurant bar in the United States at the 17th annual Spirited Awards in August and one of the best bars in the world by The World’s 50 Best Bars in October.
La Cumbancha is following a slightly different blueprint but still aims to be an all encompassing night out, with food, drink and music, Cabrera said.
“It’s a complete experience that engages all senses,” he said.
The 4,000-square-foot space, which has room for up to 200 diners, includes outdoor areas and private dining options.
The menu, created by Chef Carlos Hidalgo and partner Yoel Suarez, highlights influences from Italy, Spain and France on its Cuban-inspired dishes. You’ll find empanadas stuffed with picadillo a la habanera and maduros; croquetas with blood sausage and mozzarella, which is served with a Greek yogurt dill sauce and Spanish sausage with orange marmalade.
There are also pork tamales, rabo encendio with wood-fired oxtail and port wine and tostones with braised goat.
The restaurant also uses a wood-fired pizza oven from Italy Today, one of the first restaurants on Main Street, which means customers can order pizza, too, such as the La Cumbancha with sweet onion, mozzarella, aged goat cheese and bacon. The oven is also used to bake the restaurant’s bread.
The cocktail menu is, of course, of the utmost importance, highlighting tropical flavors and using modern mixology techniques.
“Each cocktail is a unique piece,” Cabrera says.
The after-dinner activities are important at La Cumbancha, too. In addition to desserts and after dinner cocktails, guests can order coffee and cigars from Cabrera’s brands, Café El Sacrificio and Sacrificio Cigars.
La Cumbancha
Where: 6743 Main Street, Miami Lakes
Hours: 5-10 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday
More information: www.lacumbanchamiami.com; 305-456-5972
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